BMW 320i vs 330i: 4-Cyl or 6-Cyl Petrol 3 Series?
320i or 330i is the petrol 3 Series buyer question UK buyers ask less often than 320d vs 330d but with more variation. The modern 330i (LCI F30 / G20) uses the same B48 4-cylinder petrol as the 320i but in higher tune; the older 330i (E90 era) used the N52 / N53 naturally-aspirated 6-cylinder. Different generations = different conversations.
Quick verdict
320i for value; modern 330i (B48) for more power in the same chassis; older E90 330i (N52 6-cyl) for naturally-aspirated I6 character. Modern 320i vs 330i is the same engine in different tune; choose on power vs purchase price. Pre-2012 E90 330i is a different proposition: naturally-aspirated I6 with smoother power delivery but lower fuel economy. ULEZ compliance is universal on N20 and B48 (Euro 6 from launch); older N52 / N53 are mostly Euro 4 (NOT ULEZ-compliant).
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | 320i | 330i | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine cylinders | 4 (I4) | Modern: 4 (I4 B48). Older E90: 6 (I6 N52/N53) | Modern 330i is still I4; only old 330i was 6-cyl. |
| Power (LCI F30 / G20) | 184-192 bhp | 252-258 bhp | Same engine, different tune. 330i has 35% more power. |
| Power (E90 era) | 170 bhp (N46 / N52) | 272-292 bhp (N52 / N53 I6 NA) | E90 330i was meaningfully more powerful and 6-cyl. |
| 0 to 60 mph (modern) | 7.0 to 7.3 seconds | 5.8 to 6.0 seconds | Modern 330i is faster than 320i by ~1.2 seconds. |
| Real-world UK MPG (modern) | 34 to 42 mpg combined | 31 to 38 mpg combined | 320i wins by ~4 mpg. |
| ULEZ compliance | Yes (all builds Euro 6 from launch) | Modern B48: Yes. E90 N52/N53: Mostly Euro 4 (NOT compliant). | Modern 330i ULEZ-fine; E90 330i mostly not. |
| Used pool depth | Larger; modal petrol 3 Series | Smaller | 320i is the petrol value pick by far. |
| Insurance group | Group 22-28 | Group 30-36 | 330i ~£200-£400/year more on average. |
| Used price premium (modern) | Baseline | + £2,000 to £4,000 | Premium varies by year and condition. |
320i: deeper look
The 320i (N20 pre-LCI F30, B48 LCI F30 onwards) is the modal UK petrol 3 Series. 184-192 bhp, 34-42 mpg combined, ULEZ-compliant. N20 (pre-2015) carries the timing-chain stretch risk; B48 (post-2015) resolves it and is the safer used buy. Used pricing: F30 LCI 320i M Sport at £11,000-£15,000 in 2026; G20 320i M Sport at £20,000-£28,000. The value petrol 3 Series.
330i: deeper look
The 330i story splits by generation. Modern 330i (LCI F30 / G20) uses the same B48 4-cylinder petrol as 320i but tuned for 252-258 bhp. 5.8-6.0 second 0-60. ULEZ-compliant. Used: F30 LCI 330i M Sport at £14,000-£19,000; G20 330i M Sport at £24,000-£35,000. Older E90 330i (2005-2012) used the N52 or N53 naturally-aspirated I6 (272-292 bhp). Smoother power delivery, more engaging at higher revs, but mostly Euro 4 (NOT ULEZ-compliant) and significantly thirstier. E90 330i used £5,000-£10,000 in 2026; cult appeal for the I6 N52 character.
Decision logic
Three filters decide 320i vs 330i. First: which generation are you shopping? E90 330i is a different car from modern 330i (I6 NA vs I4 turbo). Second: in modern era, is the £2,000-£4,000 premium worth 1.2 seconds 0-60 advantage? For most buyers, 320i is enough. Third: do you do London commuting? E90 330i N52 is mostly not ULEZ-compliant; modern 330i and 320i are both fine. Outside these filters, choose 320i for value, modern 330i for modest performance upgrade, E90 330i for I6 N52 character at lower money.
UK 2026 pricing comparison
| Scenario | 320i | 330i | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 F30 320i M Sport (pre-LCI N20), 70,000 miles | £7,500 to £10,000 | £9,500 to £12,500 (F30 LCI 330i M Sport equivalent rare; usually B48 only post-2015) | Pre-LCI N20 chain risk. |
| 2017 F30 320i M Sport LCI (B48), 60,000 miles | £11,000 to £14,500 | £14,000 to £18,000 (F30 LCI 330i M Sport B48 equivalent) | Post-LCI; ULEZ; modal 320i pricing. |
| 2020 G20 320i M Sport, 40,000 miles | £19,000 to £24,000 | £23,000 to £28,000 (G20 330i M Sport equivalent) | G20 era; clean petrol buys. |
| 2009 E90 320i M Sport (N46), 130,000 miles | £2,500 to £4,500 | £4,000 to £7,000 (E90 330i N52 equivalent) | Mature E90 era; both pre-ULEZ for diesels but petrol matters less. |
| 2011 E90 330i M Sport (N52 / N53), 100,000 miles | n/a (320i N20 era was later) | £5,000 to £8,500 | E90 330i I6 cult; verify N52 vs N53 (N53 has injector pattern). |
Recommendation by scenario
| Scenario | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| City commuter / under 8,000 miles/year | 320i (B48 LCI) | Modern 330i's extra power is wasted on city; 320i is around £200-£300/year cheaper on fuel. |
| Enthusiast / wants performance in the chassis | Modern 330i (B48) | 1.2-second 0-60 advantage is genuinely noticeable in spirited driving. Worth the £2,000-£4,000 premium if performance matters. |
| I6 character pick / wants smooth naturally-aspirated petrol | E90 330i (N52 6-cyl) | The last naturally-aspirated 6-cyl in the 3 Series. Different driving experience than modern turbo 4-cyl. Accept the ULEZ-non-compliance and lower MPG. |
| Family daily driver | 320i (B48 LCI or G20) | 184-192 bhp is plenty for daily use. Better fuel economy and lower insurance. The 330i's extra performance isn't needed. |
| Tight budget (sub-£10,000) | F30 LCI 320i (B48) or pre-LCI N20 with chain history | Modern 330i at this price doesn't really exist. Choose the chain-verified 320i. |
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Frequently asked questions
Is the modern 330i a 6-cylinder?
No. The LCI F30 330i and G20 330i use the B48 4-cylinder petrol, just in higher tune than 320i. The last 6-cylinder 330i was the E90 (2005-2012) with N52 / N53 naturally-aspirated I6. If you want a 6-cylinder petrol 3 Series today, the modern equivalent is 340i (B58) or M340i (B58 in higher tune).
E90 330i N52 or N53?
N52 (2005-2010 mostly): magnesium block, port fuel injection, 272 bhp, simpler injection system. N53 (2010-2012 LCI): aluminium block, direct injection, 292 bhp, more complex injection (high-pressure pump and injector wear). N52 is the more sought-after used buy for character and simplicity; N53 has slightly more power but more long-tail concerns. Verify on V5 or via engine code lookup.
Modern 330i fuel economy vs 320i?
Around 3-5 mpg worse. 330i typically 31-38 mpg combined vs 320i 34-42 mpg. Difference is greatest in city / mixed driving; narrows on motorway. Annual fuel cost difference (12,000 miles): £150-£250.
Is the E90 330i ULEZ-compliant?
Mostly no. E90 330i N52 / N53 are typically Euro 4 (NOT ULEZ-compliant). Some late LCI N53 cars are Euro 5 (still NOT ULEZ-compliant). London buyers should reject E90 330i for daily ULEZ use. Modern 330i (F30 LCI, G20) is all Euro 6 ULEZ-compliant.
Is the B48 in 330i different from B48 in 320i?
Same engine block, different tune. 320i B48: 184-192 bhp. 330i B48: 252-258 bhp. Achieved through software mapping, slight turbo specification differences, and possibly intake / exhaust differences. Mechanically the engines are very similar; the differences are calibration-level.
What about the E90 320i (170 bhp N46)?
Pre-LCI E90 320i used N46 (170 bhp NA 4-cyl); LCI E90 320i moved to N43 (170 bhp direct-injection 4-cyl). Both are NA petrol and slow by modern standards. Mature used market; reliable engines with their own modest concerns (N43 carbon build-up). Sub-£5,000 in 2026.
Does 320i / 330i hold value vs 320d / 330d?
Petrol 3 Series cars depreciate slightly faster than diesel equivalents in the UK used market due to lower volume. Petrol holds value better in the long run (10+ years) as diesel demand softens. Diesel commands £1,000-£2,000 premium over petrol in the 5-7 year used range.
Manual 320i / 330i available?
Modern (LCI F30 / G20): 320i and 330i are auto-only (8-speed ZF). Pre-LCI F30 320i and pre-LCI E90 320i / 330i offered manual gearboxes. Manual cars are rare and command modest premium.
Should I buy a high-mileage E90 330i N52?
Yes if the price reflects standard E90 wear (electric water pump, valve cover gasket, control arms). N52 itself is robust; 200,000+ mile cars are documented. ULEZ non-compliance is the binding constraint for London buyers.
How does the 330i compare to M340i?
M340i (B58 single-turbo I6, 374 bhp, AWD only on G20) is the M Performance halo. 330i (B48 4-cyl, 258 bhp) is the daily petrol. M340i is around £6,000-£10,000 more for the same age and mileage. M340i wins on power and 6-cyl smoothness; 330i wins on price and fuel economy.