323i or 325i?

[bob318]

Hey guys, Im getting rid of my 95 318ti. Its to short and way to light. Minnesota winters are bad news in that car. Well fun as fuck but anoying at times. Ive been looking but im wondering about a few things. First or all i bought some nice wheels and tires for my 318ti last year and i was wondering if anyone could tell me if they would fit a 325i or 323i. I know it probly depends on what year car i get. Im thinking between 95 and 97. Also Im looking at 325i's and 323i's. Is there that big of a difference between the two besides .2 liters? Just curious. If anyone can help me let me know. Thanks lot
Bob318

[Cruzin 323is]

the 323 has a 2.5l motor in it...

the 0only difference is about 10-15 hp...

[BMWJNKY]

The 323 just feels gutless compaired to a 325 or 328. The main reason the 323 feels way down on power compaired to the 325 and 328 is because the exhaust is different and the internal programing in the DME. Unless you want a car that is a decent daily driver and don't plan on modding it the 323 will be ok. But if you plan on doing any performance stuff the 325 or 328 is a better way to go because you will start off with more HP than the 323 and get bigger gains in HP when modding it.

[WALSRU]

Right, the 323 has a restricted and slightly detuned 2.5l motor. I can't think of any reason why the wheels wouldn't just transfer. The only thing is that a 6 cylinder 3 series is not going to do any better in the snow than your current car.

[drz]

The 325's 2.5l is rated at 189 hp, 181 ft-ft. The 323 (which only came as a coupe and convertible, no sedan) has a 2.5l rated at 168 hp, 164 ft-ft.

edit: wow, two people posted while I was typing this (my boss didi interrupt me, to be fair)

About difference in the snow, WALSRU is correct, it really won't make a difference (still RWD).

Lastly, the 323 is OBDII, while the 325 is OBDI (easier to mod/responds better to mods).

[bob318]

God damn you guys are smart as fuck. Thanks alot. 325 it is.

[tomctx]

Actually the 323 came in a sedan the last year they offered it. The official hp figures are actually low. I've seen dyno sheets on 323's of 160 at the wheel. But, they are also low on the 325's and 328's. As someone said, if you want a daily driver, 323. If you plan engine mods the others are a better platform. All e36 wheels should interchange as far as bolt pattern. I don't know what size or width your wheels are, but I've seen e36's with 19's.

[WALSRU]

And if you plan engine mods get a Non-Vanos, if you're nice maybe we'll let you in the club.

[tomctx]

well I was wrong about the sedan, sorta. In 1999, the 323 and 328 changed body styles for the sedan. They became the E46. The next year, all other body styles were changed. So there are some 1999 E36's.

[SpeedInfusion]

Originally Posted by WALSRU

And if you plan engine mods get a Non-Vanos, if you're nice maybe we'll let you in the club.

hahah wat are u plans with non-vanos smart1?

and actually, from wat i gather...the 323 isnt just a detuned motor...its beyond software from wat people have told me...cams, tuning and i think some wiring? correct if im wrong 323 guys...

[SpooldUp]

it's *detuned* in the sence that there is a different management system OBDII, more restrictive intake manifold (lower torque peak) and cams to match the software. slightly better MPG from this engine setup. Swapping the manifold with an M50 one will put it next to a true M50's numbers, but there is not much more you can do from there except the bolt ons.
Obviously if you get a 1999.5+ 323i it will be the little E46 platform (and called a 323iC or 323ciC).

[SpeedInfusion]

Originally Posted by SpooldUp

it's *detuned* in the sence that there is a different management system OBDII, more restrictive intake manifold (lower torque peak) and cams to match the software. slightly better MPG from this engine setup. Swapping the manifold with an M50 one will put it next to a true M50's numbers, but there is not much more you can do from there except the bolt ons.
Obviously if you get a 1999.5+ 323i it will be the little E46 platform (and called a 323iC or 323ciC).

so besides the intake manifold cams and ecu...wat else is different?

[Cruzin 323is]

blah blah blah.. u know what...fuck all u haters on the 323.. (j/k)

havnt we been through this numerous amounts of times!!

[SpeedInfusion]

Originally Posted by Cruzin 323is

blah blah blah.. u know what...fuck all u haters on the 323.. (j/k)

havnt we been through this numerous amounts of times!!

wtf???? i just wana know!!! my friend has a e46 323 and wants to know the differences...

and for the record i treat 328's 325's and 323's the same....cuz non-vanos owns u all

[tomctx]

Pretty much it. Intake, cams, exhaust, ecu. I don't know what the redline on a 323 is, my 325 is 6400. The 325 has 189 hp, 328 has 191 (?), don't know any torque figures. So figure about 20 hp difference.