Difference between 323 and 328

[Random23]

Hi all,
I have been lurking for awhile and getting lots of great info. I am planning on getting a 1998 323ic convertable soon. It has the 2.5L engine and auto trans.
My question is in the model order and major differences between them.

I know the 318 is the entry level. So does that make the 323 next and the 328 the 3rd.

The 323ic has a 6 cylinder motor, from what I can tell it is the V6 with dual VANOS. Correct?

The 328 has the L6 motor in it. True?

What does the ic stand for in the model designation?

I could go on and on but that is good for a first post. Thanks in advance.

[BmerBuddy]

They replaced the 318 with the 323 i believe, but i have not been up to date

[amancuso]

For e36 it's Actually:
316 n/a in US
318 n/a in US
318 16v 1992-1997
320 n/a in US
323 1998-1999
325 1992-1995
328 1996-1999

They sell so many engine options in europe, and I didn't even include the diesels. In the US they limit the engine choice severely for some reason... anyways the years I placed next to the model name apply only to the US. Hope that helps!

[MParallel]

First of all, BMW doesn't make a V6. All their 6pots are inline engines.

The 323 replaced the 325. That was also when the 328 was introduced.

But the difference between 325 and 328 was too small, so they de-"tuned" (170BHP vs 192 for the 325) the 2.5 of the 323 to make a bigger gap between the 323 and 328, which on itself is also a (very) restricted engine.

Both 323 and 328 have aluminium engines casing with nikasil linings (Euro) I believe early US spec ones had a cast iron one.

Model name: I think the US invented the "C" thing, because no car here has that designation (e36 at least). But it stand for I(njection) like every BMW model and C for Convertible.

The 328 is just the top model before you get to the ///M engines.

328 has same amount of power as the 325, but like I said, it's detuned pretty hefty and with slight mods (OEM BMW parts) can be quickly "tuned" to 225 horsies.

The 328 has much more torque though and is a very smooth running engine for cruising long journeys.

[Random23]

Ok, that would explain the limited numbers of the 323 on the market. Is it safe to assume that most of the engine components are compatable between models? Given that you have the same in line 6?

[Random23]

Also what about the VANOS question?

Engineering marvel or maintanence disaster?

Gotta say I really like the idea of not adjusting the valves.

[SnakeDoctor]

The main difference is the 2.5L in the 323 vs the 2.8L in the 328. The motors are also produced of different metals and have slightly different compression ratios.

[SnakeDoctor]

Ok, that would explain the limited numbers of the 323 on the market. Is it safe to assume that most of the engine components are compatable between models? Given that you have the same in line 6?

With this, I actually believe just about everything is compatible. Perhaps not internals, but it can all be made to fit (you could technically swap all the parts over and have the m52tu25 (323 motor) stroked to a 2.8L ;)

[nordique14]

Here are a couple of additional things the 328 has over the 323:
-328 had the same shifter as the M3. The 323 has a longer throw shifter (from the 318 I think).
-328 has duel pipe exhaust like the M3. The 323 has the single pipe like the 318.

Couple of other things:
-the 323 was available with a manual top. All 328 cars has auto tops (I wish the 328 came with a manual top).
-all 328 cars had leather seats. I think the 323 came standard with leatherette with leather as an option.

I bet there are others. Please correct me if any of these things are wrong.

[Random23]

This is great stuff. Thanks all.
Shifter is fine as I prefer the auto. Sorry I drive like an old man and am lazy.

[dmb882]

dont no whats been posted yet or not but here's what I can think of off the top of my head. 323 was made as 98 and 99 models. It replaced the 318's and is basically a detuned 325 via the exhaust being restrictive.

-The head,cams, and valves are the same as the 328
-323 exhaust goes from 2 headers to one cat w/ one pipe to the muffler/328 2 headers 2 pipes 2 cats to the exhaust
-same bore block, same rods
-323 crank is cast w/ a shorter stroke
-328 crank is forged longer stroke (difference in the displacement)
-same diff. open 2.93
-328 has the zf tranny.. 323 has the getrag


Thats what I can think of right off. Let me know if there something else you have questions about.

[MParallel]

dont no whats been posted .....

Cleary you didn't as you name things I alread did. (no offense)

And the 323 replaced the 325, NOT the 318.

(don't know where people get this from, as the 318 was available from beginning till end of e36 model and the 325 was not, so how could the 323 REPLACE the 318?)

Nordique: good points! Forgot about the shifter yes! 328 has a lovely short throw and since it's like the M3, you can upgrade to the ///M Z3 for a VERY short throw. But I don't like too short. It's fine as is.

I wonder...can you see the difference between leather and leatherette? I dont think leatherette was used in Europe, but not sure.

[dmb882]

Alright excuse me since your the man. You didn't state some of the differences that I did. Also the 323 took the place of the 325 and the 318 as the 318 was produced in 96 and 97 whereas the 323 was produced in 98 and 99.

[MParallel]

Alright excuse me since your the man. You didn't state some of the differences that I did. Also the 323 took the place of the 325 and the 318 as the 318 was produced in 96 and 97 whereas the 323 was produced in 98 and 99.

Also the 323 took place of the 325 now....YES, that's what I just told right after you said:


It replaced the 318's and is basically a detuned 325 via the exhaust being restrictive.

And the 318 was made from 1994 - 1999. Or you US guys got screwed again.

And it's not the exhaust that's restrictive, but the 320 intake manifold and TB, which the 328 also has.

[dmb882]

Also the 323 took place of the 325 now....YES, that's what I just told right after you said:



And the 318 was made from 1994 - 1999. Or you US guys got screwed again.

And it's not the exhaust that's restrictive, but the 320 intake manifold and TB, which the 328 also has.

Must be some differences. Could be wrong about the production years on the 318. And it is the exhaust that is the big damper on the 323.

[palomino]

The 323 replaced the 325. That was also when the 328 was introduced.

But the difference between 325 and 328 was too small, so they de-"tuned" (170BHP vs 192 for the 325) the 2.5 of the 323 to make a bigger gap between the 323 and 328, which on itself is also a (very) restricted engine.
Perhaps things are as you say on your half of the world but all the literature for the US spec cars says differently...

the 323 replaced the 318 as the budget model in the US. Excluding M cars, the 325 was the top of the line model until it was replaced by the 328. The lower end 318 was replaced with the 323.

The 323 is not a detuned version of the 325, but a detuned version of the 328. This is obvious by the engine designations - 325 has the M50 engine, 323 and 328 have the M52 engine.
The 323 has the single pipe like the 318.
all 6 cylinders have the twin pipe outlets, 323 included.

[German Pride 10]

Perhaps things are as you say on your half of the world but all the literature for the US spec cars says differently...

the 323 replaced the 318 as the budget model in the US. Excluding M cars, the 325 was the top of the line model until it was replaced by the 328. The lower end 318 was replaced with the 323.

The 323 is not a detuned version of the 325, but a detuned version of the 328. This is obvious by the engine designations - 325 has the M50 engine, 323 and 328 have the M52 engine. all 6 cylinders have the twin pipe outlets, 323 included.


Yes, and they only carried the M50 up until '95.

[nordique14]

all 6 cylinders have the twin pipe outlets, 323 included.

The tips may be dual, but there is a single pipe connecting to the cats. So a M3/328/325 exahust will not fit on a 323. Since most aftermarket exhausts are for the M3/328/323, choices for 323 are limited.

[dmb882]

in order to put an m3 muffler on the 323 you need an m3/328 midsection.

[millertimebmw03]

328 has same amount of power as the 325, but like I said, it's detuned pretty hefty and with slight mods (OEM BMW parts) can be quickly "tuned" to 225 horsies.


What parts can bump our US spec. 328's?? we only have 189HP in the 328, that's alot more powerfor the euro spec 325's :O

thanks,zach

[MParallel]

What parts can bump our US spec. 328's?? we only have 189HP in the 328, that's alot more powerfor the euro spec 325's :O

thanks,zach

So what do US 325's have?

I don't know how the US 328 (would) differ. 189 vs 192 isn't that much.

All I know is, if we Euro's fit the M50 manifold (intake) and throttle body...that's it.