little help kinda new to e30's..

[e30maniac]

whats the difference between 325e and 325i? i have a 84 325e and thinking about buying a 91 325i tomorrow,so i would like to know the difference before hand cuz i have no clue. thanks

[RainierHooker]

In a nut-shell...
The 325e (or eta) has the M20B27 engine, it's is a low-reving 2.7l car. It puts out 122Hp which is kinda low but puts out 170ft/lbs of torque which is pretty good. They are tuned primarily for economy driving and in good tune will get about 30mpg. They can be fun to drive off the line, but their low-reving low-HP status leaves them in the dust in most matches.
The 325i has the M20B25 engine, it is a higher-reving 2.5l car. It puts out 170Hp which is conciderably better than the eta but puts out much less torque than the m20b27 (i can't find the figure now). They also have a much higher redline. This means worse fuel economy but better performance in almost all respects except low-end running, where torque is more a factor than HP. There are also a lot more goodies available on the aftermarket for the i
For economy: 325e > 325i
For low-end toolin' around and DD'ing: 325e > 325i
Impressing your friends: 325e < 325i
Passing that semi at 60mph: 325e < 325i
Mods, mods, mods: 325e < 325i

[JJe30]

Kind of depends on what your goals are for the car. I bought an 85 325e with the intention of a 24v swap so I didn't really care what motor was in it cause it was goin anyway.

[Vince30]

http://e30world.com/specifications/BMW-E30-specs-table

this chart has been my friend. It might help you out.

[rThor432]

Kind of depends on what your goals are for the car. I bought an 85 325e with the intention of a 24v swap so I didn't really care what motor was in it cause it was goin anyway.

Same here. I bought my 250k+ 325es because it had original paint and was rust free.

@ the OP-- The '91 325i is a much better and much more desirable car than the '84 eta, if both are currently in similar condition.

[jflip2002]

Personally...... Neither car is very fast, though the I has the advantage. Id go with the I, just because of the plastic bumpers. The aesthetics are the main advantage to me, personally.

[e30maniac]

yea well i will have both..;) thanks guys i never had a clue..

[e30maniac]

http://e30world.com/specifications/BMW-E30-specs-table
this chart has been my friend. It might help you out.

Thanks man this chart is sweet but my 325e can go 130..lol all stock

[e30maniac]

so are the ix hard to come by?

[daniel]

Thanks man this chart is sweet but my 325e can go 130..lol all stock

i bet your speedo is way off, then. what size tires do you have?

[selturk]

Take a look at here:

http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/differences.html

[e30s52]

Thanks man this chart is sweet but my 325e can go 130..lol all stock

Did you happen to go by the name Mr Watsonsilver on here?

[e30maniac]

there small tires kinda, but the road might have slanted but it was on a highway took forever to go that fast and i dont think that its off cuz i got pulled over going 55 in a 50 and the cop said i was going 55 for sure he asked if i wanted to look at the gun, and he wrote me a ticket :( and no this is my first name on here i was at the picnic and saw this site on peoples cars..

[Vince30]

i dont think that its off cuz i got pulled over going 55 in a 50

Where do you get pulled over for doing 5 over? rarely does anyone get pulled over around here unless their doing at least 10 over. Or if they are loud or lifted.

[e30maniac]

on rainier rd just past olympia