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      06-06-2018, 05:26 AM   #23
Nick.B
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Originally Posted by SnowGlobe View Post
Thanks for the replies everyone.

I am looking for a 6 MT LCI car. Preferably 328i - I'll wait a few months to see if a unicorn comes up.
I was in a similar spot looking for my 335. Had a long list of boxes to tick, similar to yours. RWD, 6MT, sport, mileage was a concern, etc. I was also being picky about the interior being not black/black or beige/beige.

I've got a perfectly decent RWD/6MT/sport 330, so I was in no rush, but it took me about a year to find my unicorn. I'm glad I passed on the others that would have been a compromise one way or another. Lucky for you there's a lot more 328s out there than 335s. It should be easier.
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      06-09-2018, 08:01 AM   #24
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Originally Posted by Nick.B View Post
Lucky for you there's a lot more 328s out there than 335s. It should be easier.
In my experience there are more 328 than 335, but the ratio of them being MT vs AT is lower than for 335.

Either way, agree patience can pay off!
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      06-09-2018, 08:20 AM   #25
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I own both a 330xi and a e46 323ci . Also have owned a e92 328xi. For obvious reasons the e92 was my favorite vehicle ever but I love them all for their own reasons.

Do not let a crowd decide what you want. The 323 is a very fun car and I purchased mine for only $2000. I have about another 2gs invested but love the car.

IMHO buy a 328xi if the finances are there otherwise get a 323 and love the hell out of it
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      06-09-2018, 08:39 AM   #26
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Originally Posted by Acornell77 View Post
I own both a 330xi and a e46 323ci . Also have owned a e92 328xi. For obvious reasons the e92 was my favorite vehicle ever but I love them all for their own reasons.

Do not let a crowd decide what you want. The 323 is a very fun car and I purchased mine for only $2000. I have about another 2gs invested but love the car.

IMHO buy a 328xi if the finances are there otherwise get a 323 and love the hell out of it
Pretty sure OP is specifically talking about a E90 323, which is pretty identical to an e90 328, but with a smaller engine (2.5L vs. 3.0L)

As an owner of a e90 323, having driven my friends' e90/e92 325/328s, and shotgun in a 335, I'd say most comments above are relevant.

Obviously up to OP's preference, but just thought I'd clarify.
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      06-09-2018, 09:08 AM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali-323i View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Acornell77 View Post
I own both a 330xi and a e46 323ci . Also have owned a e92 328xi. For obvious reasons the e92 was my favorite vehicle ever but I love them all for their own reasons.

Do not let a crowd decide what you want. The 323 is a very fun car and I purchased mine for only $2000. I have about another 2gs invested but love the car.

IMHO buy a 328xi if the finances are there otherwise get a 323 and love the hell out of it
Pretty sure OP is specifically talking about a E90 323, which is pretty identical to an e90 328, but with a smaller engine (2.5L vs. 3.0L)

As an owner of a e90 323, having driven my friends' e90/e92 325/328s, and shotgun in a 335, I'd say most comments above are relevant.

Obviously up to OP's preference, but just thought I'd clarify.
oh my mistake, that makes sense. I instantly think e46 when I hear 323.
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      06-11-2018, 04:13 PM   #28
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definitely wait and get a 328i. 323i is way slower.
I test drove one for my mom while owning a 328i xdrive it wasnt even close.
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      06-12-2018, 09:44 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dylane_92 View Post
definitely wait and get a 328i. 323i is way slower.
I test drove one for my mom while owning a 328i xdrive it wasnt even close.
Maybe there were issues with that one.

I have friends with 325 and 328, and it's not THAT much slower.

Also xdrive will launch faster off the line, so that may have contributed to your impression also.
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      06-14-2018, 11:03 AM   #30
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Another one of these topics...
My 323i was a blast to drive, get whatever you find that is low mileage and avoid x-drive.

If the 323i is slow for you, then the 328i is just as terrible. The N52 is gutless to begin with. The fun only starts when you start doing suspension mods.
Everything that fits on a 328i will fit on a 323i, they are practically the same car less the motor difference 2.5L vs 3.0L.

If your biggest concern is horsepower then get a 335i, even a 330i tuned to the tits can't keep up with a stock 335i.
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      06-14-2018, 12:46 PM   #31
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As much as I agree the difference between the 323/328 is a big HP change. 175hp/170tq vs 231hp/200tq for the 328. thats 50hp...

Now both can benefit from 3stage manifolds w/ tunes (roughly 210hp for the 323 and 250 for the 328) plus the MILVS.

Actually if you really find one a 323 w the 3stage and tune is close to the 328 (minus the tq because 0.5L will make some difference)

Last edited by neilvan; 06-14-2018 at 01:17 PM..
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      06-14-2018, 12:58 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by neilvan View Post
As much as I agree the difference between the 323/328 is a big HP change. 175hp/170tq vs 221hp/200tq for the 328. thats 50hp...

Now both can benefit from 3stage manifolds w/ tunes (roughly 210hp for the 323 and 250 for the 328) plus the MILVS.

Actually if you really find one a 323 w the 3stage and tune is close to the 328 (minus the tq because 0.5L will make some difference)
The Canadian 323i is 200 hp and 180 ft-lbs
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      06-14-2018, 01:14 PM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SnowGlobe View Post
The Canadian 323i is 200 hp and 180 ft-lbs
My appologies it looks like you are correct, depending on year. 175hp for 2006 but 07+ was 200hp/180tq. Thats only about a 30hp/20tq difference to the 328.
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      06-14-2018, 01:54 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by neilvan View Post
My appologies it looks like you are correct, depending on year. 175hp for 2006 but 07+ was 200hp/180tq. Thats only about a 30hp/20tq difference to the 328.
No worries its easy to get mixed up with all the designations floating around
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      06-14-2018, 02:46 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by neilvan View Post
As much as I agree the difference between the 323/328 is a big HP change. 175hp/170tq vs 231hp/200tq for the 328. thats 50hp...

Now both can benefit from 3stage manifolds w/ tunes (roughly 210hp for the 323 and 250 for the 328) plus the MILVS.
We've already clarified the 323 is 200HP (I think it was 184 in 2006, not 175).

But 323 already has a 3 stage intake manifold from factory so that upgrade doesn't apply here. It has smaller diameter opening but is already a 3 stage.

My guess is a tune would get it to 210-220. A stock 325 (3L N52) is 215HP.

When doing the 3IM and tune, or if your starting point is a 330, the differences in power become more noticeable, but in stock 328 form, it doesn't seem to be THAT much of a difference (is it 230HP stock?)

Either way, sometimes it's easier to have more fun in a slower car with a good chassis anyway.

and I wouldn't call it slow. It's just not fast.

But if you find a good 328/330, reliability wise they are similar, so may as well go for the 3L unless it's too hard to find the right options or price creeps up too high.
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      06-18-2018, 01:30 PM   #36
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You can find good deals on all the cars mentioned in this threat.

I have a 328xi, and i wish i had more power, so i'm upgrading it to a 330xi with 3IM
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      06-20-2018, 07:58 PM   #37
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I owned a 2008 323i for about 8 years, and loved the car. I had the most basic version possible except for the sport package. The only mods you want are an exhaust (get the BMW PE) and a tune (which also took the revs to 8,125rpm). It's a great drive but the only thing that eventually got to me was the need for speed.

I have a 335i which is incredible in terms of speed but I miss the balance of my 323i. It sounded much better than the 335i (as most normally aspirated engines do) but the lack of power and especially torque really got to me. In my opinion trying to do any other mods than an exhaust and tune to your 323i is a waste of money.

If low torque drives you mad, the 335i is the only way to go. If you're happy with having less than 200whp then go with the 323i and enjoy!

PS get the RWD, xdrive is boooooooooooooring
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      06-21-2018, 03:55 PM   #38
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This car looks like a great example if you're still.in the market for a 323 LCI:

FS: 2010 BMW 323i tastefully modded https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1507423
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      06-21-2018, 06:02 PM   #39
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oh forgot to add, short shifter and clutch delay valve (CDV) removal are must's!
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      06-21-2018, 10:34 PM   #40
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Originally Posted by jokers_greg View Post
oh forgot to add, short shifter and clutch delay valve (CDV) removal are must's!
Clutch stop and a weighted shifter compliment those nicely!
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      06-22-2018, 08:14 AM   #41
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Originally Posted by Ali-323i View Post
Clutch stop and a weighted shifter compliment those nicely!
iirc the BMW short shifter comes with a nice knob that works well, however I never used a clutch stop before. Perhaps this is something to try on my 335
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      06-29-2018, 04:45 PM   #42
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I have a 2007 e90 323i and a e90 335i so I'll pipe in. Let's talk reliability. I was actually going to post a list of repairs I had on the 323i which would be under 1 hand. The 335... Ummm haha... But I tell everyone that you need to pay to play. The 323 I have to admit has been amazing to me. I have done the oil changes every 9k, replace manual gear box, and rear diff fluid. I have never changed the thermostat and water pump and never changed the coolant. It's been great to me and I enjoy the BMW feel on the road that I can't seem to find with other cars. The 335 is fun to drive, it just seems like it's jealous and wants to break things everytime I pump it a bit.

On a side note, what tune are you guys talking about for the 323? I have a PE exhaust on both cars (I cut them open and welded them myself) and air intake but that's about it for the 323
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      06-29-2018, 07:42 PM   #43
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Originally Posted by Killerx View Post
On a side note, what tune are you guys talking about for the 323? I have a PE exhaust on both cars (I cut them open and welded them myself) and air intake but that's about it for the 323
I have a Eurocharged tune. Peak power prob not too drastic, but improved power band and throttle response.

Would reco any tune, especially with the extra airflow you have available.

Which intake btw?
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      07-06-2018, 02:44 PM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali-323i View Post
I have a Eurocharged tune. Peak power prob not too drastic, but improved power band and throttle response.

Would reco any tune, especially with the extra airflow you have available.

Which intake btw?
https://www.tdotperformance.ca/afe-5...o-5r-blue.html

That's the exact one I have (AEM). I dont really notice a difference but the sucking sound sounds nice haha

Did you get it tuned at eurocharge?

B
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