323is vs 328is - which one?

[vampirefish]

Hi all... I'm in the market for a BMW and am particularly interested in the 323is or 328is. I'd like a later 90's model to avoid some of the know issues with the E36. I've done some researching and found the 323is is the cheaper of the 2? How about performance, etc?

Can anyone tell me your opinion on which is better/more reliable? Which you'd rather own?

[Stealthyfish]

Either. 323i's put out less power and are a tad bit slower but with an OBDII midpipe from the 328/M3, it's about the same :dunno . Take whichever is cleaner and in better mechanical shape. An E36 is an E36 (as long as it isn't a 316/318 :haterade)

[amancuso]

Either. 323i's put out less power and are a tad bit slower but with an OBDII midpipe from the 328/M3, it's about the same :dunno . Take whichever is cleaner and in better mechanical shape. An E36 is an E36 (as long as it isn't a 316/318 :haterade)

:shifty

[Stealthyfish]

:shifty

I see your issue. I rode in a 318 once. It was a convertible, had 16" sport wheels: looked like a 328. I saw the badge but figured I'd give it the benefit of the doubt. It booked it about as fast as my buddy's 144k mile 1990 1.6L trash Miata he got for less than a grand. When a mazda miata is a drag competitor, you know you're driving something that is a bit too slow (esp since the miata would pummel an E36 318 in corners stock for stock). ;)

[strad]

The 323is is a fine car. I've driven one (a 99) about 1000 miles. The 328is is a better car though. I've had mine (a 97) for 35k miles now. It is a better starting point for future mods, as well as having more power and similar fuel econ right out of the box. Don't get me wrong -- the decision is a tossup in many ways. The 323 is plenty quick enough to get the job done for most tasks. Just that the 328 is a bit better. You'll likely be happy with either one.

[picabu]

:anger

You are a meanie !

[dozanti]

i have a 323is ...... its a nice car, looks the same, but as far as mods it lacks along with hp and potential hp. 328 is a 2.8 and comes with dual exhaust. Id go for the 328

[CBprodigy]

i have a 323is ...... its a nice car, looks the same, but as far as mods it lacks along with hp and potential hp. 328 is a 2.8 and comes with dual exhaust. Id go for the 328

i dont believe its actually dual exhuast, just dual piping up the the single muffler

dual exhuast would have two outlets.

[Stealthyfish]

:anger

You are a meanie !

But I still ruv ru? <3 :shifty



Srsly though, who are you? lol

[DStein]

Yeah, that's no dual exhaust... I have a '99 323iS and I love this baby. No issues. My car is plenty fast, I have always wondered what an extra 20 horses would do (it's 168 vs. 190hp). The main thing here is that you select the one with Manual Transmission because that just makes these 10x more fun!!! CAN I GET SOME +1's?

[coconutmnky]

Choosing between a 323 and a 328 is like choosing between tuberculosis and chocolate.

[Stealthyfish]

Yeah, that's no dual exhaust... I have a '99 323iS and I love this baby. No issues. My car is plenty fast, I have always wondered what an extra 20 horses would do (it's 168 vs. 190hp). The main thing here is that you select the one with Manual Transmission because that just makes these 10x more fun!!! CAN I GET SOME +1's?

:redspot YEH YEH! :redspot

+1


Choosing between a 323 and a 328 is like choosing between tuberculosis and chocolate.

Lol.

[CBprodigy]

Choosing between a 323 and a 328 is like choosing between tuberculosis and chocolate.

VERY true

[xlDooM]

I'd say whichever shows up first in good condition with the options you want. I got a 323 because insurance and taxes are horrible when you're in your 20s here, and now I want the 328 midpipe and muffler. Once that itch is scratched, I don't see myself wanting a 328 anymore.

[coconutmnky]

I'd say whichever shows up first in good condition with the options you want. I got a 323 because insurance and taxes are horrible when you're in your 20s here, and now I want the 328 midpipe and muffler. Once that itch is scratched, I don't see myself wanting a 328 anymore.
/
So considering your reasoning, if I showed up with vial of tuberculosis and a chocolate bar that had melted a little bit, you'd take the tuberculosis?

[Stealthyfish]

/
So considering your reasoning, if I showed up with vial of tuberculosis and a chocolate bar that had melted a little bit, you'd take the tuberculosis?

If the tuberculosis vial was clean, yes.

[jsmn4vu]

/
So considering your reasoning, if I showed up with vial of tuberculosis and a chocolate bar that had melted a little bit, you'd take the tuberculosis?
If only your premise weren't defective...

[coconutmnky]

Shush, you guys know I'm right :P

[Ramv36]

For comparison purposes (and entertainment as well) this is a '96 328is manual, Silver, mine......vs a '94 325is manual, which is comparable to a 323i from what I understand.
When this was shot my only mods were a homemade intake tube/filter and an M50 manifold. The 325is had an aftermarket intake, aftermarket exhaust with a 328/m3 midpipe and no muffler, and a conforti chip. Despite his mods and my stockness, the result is clear...but no spoilers! Watch....also, video is NSFW due to awesomely adult language and some illegal situations. Pansy discretion is advised.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_fWaSGKmcQ

[Tontizzle]

ill have ya know my 318is is very fast!

[coconutmnky]

ill have ya know my 318is is very fast!

If a 328 is chocolate, a 323 is tuberculosis, then my poor man, what you are afflicted with is terminal cancer :(

My condolences, dear friend

[redbullf189]

I just got a Alpine White 1997 328is and I love it. Never been in a 323is before, but I find the 328is to be kickass. Performance is great, however, I do have the Dinan flash, exhaust and air intake, so that will make a difference. I haven't had mine for long, so I can't comment on the reliability, but the guy who owned it before me had every maintenence record so that helped. :)

[coconutmnky]

I just got a Alpine White 1997 328is and I love it. Never been in a 323is before, but I find the 328is to be kickass. Performance is great, however, I do have the Dinan flash, exhaust and air intake, so that will make a difference. I haven't had mine for long, so I can't comment on the reliability, but the guy who owned it before me had every maintenence record so that helped. :)

This man didn't just get chocolate, he went straight to a Bavarian chocolate artist and asked for a milk chocolate truffle with a peanut butter filling!

[DStein]

/
So considering your reasoning, if I showed up with vial of tuberculosis and a chocolate bar that had melted a little bit, you'd take the tuberculosis?

Your analogy is wrong here young'n. You should have said " if I showed up with a vial of mild tuberculosis and a chocolate bar, you'd take the mild case of tuberculosis". Think about it... just saying :D.

[SethuM]

328 all day

[coconutmnky]

Your analogy is wrong here young'n. You should have said " if I showed up with a vial of mild tuberculosis and a chocolate bar, you'd take the mild case of tuberculosis". Think about it... just saying :D.

No no no, a 323 isn't "mild tuberculosis", it's serious holy crap this is life-threatening tuberculosis.

[MrSaikou]

/
So considering your reasoning, if I showed up with vial of tuberculosis and a chocolate bar that had melted a little bit, you'd take the tuberculosis?

What kind of tuberculosis ???

[rodeodude]

Haters gonna hate

[DStein]

Coco I don't think you understood your failed analogy... oh well.

[xlDooM]

/
So considering your reasoning, if I showed up with vial of tuberculosis and a chocolate bar that had melted a little bit, you'd take the tuberculosis?

Let's try another analogy. Would you rather be seriously well hung but have a face only a mother could love, or make do with a still reasonably sized endpipe and a face that gives you some use for it? :D

[orangehatter]

My bias is towards the 323, but I would like 328 midpipes.:)

A bit power-robbed, but awesome gas mileage for the age of the car.

[mzmtg]

I'm very happy with my 323is.

Getting some software and the 328 exhaust gets back all the "lost" power.

Whichever you find first in the right condition, at the right price, go for it!

[waxfree]

while i was searching for a decent used e36, my only requirments were that it was a 6cyl and it had a 5 speed. i would take a 323, 325 or a 328. that inline six is legendary...you'll be fine with any of the models.

also, finding a decent one is tough...lots of neglected cars out there. I wanted a silver or black one, but quickly learned that being picky about the color was not going to be an option. i ended up with a white one, not bad, not my first choice, but Ill take a clean white one over a neglected black one any day.

[mzmtg]

while i was searching for a decent used e36, my only requirments were that it was a 6cyl and it had a 5 speed.

Same here.

[dozanti]

i have a 323is ...... its a nice car, looks the same, but as far as mods it lacks along with hp and potential hp. 328 is a 2.8 and comes with dual exhaust. Id go for the 328
You all know what I mean when I said dual exhaust ........ I should have clarified and said dual midpipe and cat back to one muffler

328
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/g/a/191.png
323
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/f/a/31.png

[vampirefish]

i think i am going to look for a 328 but if i find a great deal on a well maintained 323 or 325... i should go for it :)

[coconutmnky]

Look guys, if you've ever had tuberculosis and driven a 323, you'd know exactly what I'm talking about.

There's gotta be someone on the forum that knows. Oh well, nvm then L /

[Stealthyfish]

:shifty

[darkhorrus]

Get a 5 speed 328is =] I love mine- with the m50 mani, M3 cams, software and a 3.x diff a 328is is almost an M

Also the 323is is basicly a rebadged 325is...

also, iirc- 328is also comes stock with the same tranny found in the M3

328is also respond ridiculously to boost too(future mod for me =] )

[orangehatter]

323
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/f/a/31.png

That's not the 323 set up because we do not go down to a single pipe sticking out of the muffler. Here's the 323 set up at the cat:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g205/browningman/BMW/323.png

and at the muffler:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g205/browningman/BMW/323-1.png

[themadhatter]

Look guys, if you've ever had tuberculosis and driven a 323, you'd know exactly what I'm talking about.

There's gotta be someone on the forum that knows. Oh well, nvm then L /
two things, your 328 is slow and an uncontaminated sample of TB is worth big money on the black market.

just saying. <3

[xlDooM]

@dozanti, orangehatter: I think that diagram is from an e46. However, in europe you can have single pipe muffler on a 323i as stock, as on mine. I've brought the rear bumper trim back to black since I took that picture :o
http://telin.ugent.be/%7Edvhamme/bimmer/img_016_25.jpg

[coconutmnky]

two things, your 328 is slow and an uncontaminated sample of TB is worth big money on the black market.

just saying. <3

My car isn't slow...

[themadhatter]

My car isn't slow...
;)

[dozanti]

My 98 323is exhaust .......
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd320/minitruckin330/1998%20Bmw%20323Is/IMG00016-20100731-1319.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd320/minitruckin330/1998%20Bmw%20323Is/IMG00608.jpg