I appreciate the feedback. If I end up the 323i the ONLY mod i will do will be suspension related and/or radio replacement. I'm not going to touch the engine because at that point I might as well have gotten a 328i. I believe there is practically no difference in the suspension of the 323/328 rwd.
EDIT: Oh sh!t. The DIY for valve cover, water pump, etc maintance on a 323i is the same as 328i I hope? Otherwise I'll 100% avoid the 323i considering i can't find a non-328i service manual
Edit: RWD bias aside, the 328 xdrive doesn't seem to bad. The extra power over the 323 will offset the weight anyways.