2000 323I Good, Bad? I searched the forums

[motorhead55]

Looking at a 323I, 5 speed manual close to me. Other than looking at the sub frame issues with the early cars, Is the 323I as good as the 325i? I read that it has 19 less Horse power, I believe it runs regular gasoline? Any MAJOR reasons to stay away that would be any different from issues with a 325i??

[motorhead55]

With ALL the members here and the respected knowledge.....No comments??? Can I safely assume that the 323I is just as good as the 325I?

[Zchild]

I can't say I understand your statement "one being as good as the other" because they are different vehicles. The 325i has an entirely different motor than the 323i. I believe the 325i has the M54 and the 323i has the M52. The 323i/328i are closer to being the same bimmers. I drive a 00 E46 323i and it has been an excellent bimmer to date. The 323i has 170hp and the 325i has 184hp. The bonus is the 323i is a bit easier to modify. Please take the car to a pre-purchase inspection before you purchase. Just my two and a half cents worth...

[motorhead55]

Are the 323 engines of a completely different design internally? Are then you saying that the parts don't interchange on the two different engines? I am asking because I am not familiar with either engine intimately.

[Zchild]

The engine designs are slightly different however the biggest difference is the throttle bodies, cams, injectors and crank shafts. The 325i is a drive-by-wire and the 323i has a wire cable. I'm actually running a 328i head with a 330i block, crank and injectors in my 323i with no issues. So many parts are interchangeable.

[Say]

2000 323i is the same as a 2000 325i

They Use SAME COMPUTER, SAME THROTTLE BODY EVERYTHING. The 323i motor is actually a 2.5 L



DRIVE BY did not come into play intill 2001 + ..

[Zchild]

Not so fast my friend... There is no such vehicle as a 2000 E46 325i... You've got it a little twisted... 1998 - 2000 BMW produced the E46 323i and 328i with the M52TUB25 motor. It wasn't until 2001 that BMW produced the 325i and 330i to replace the 323i and 328i; The 325i and 330i both came equipped with the M54B30 motor. Therefore the computers are different as well as the throttle bodies, injectors and cranks. I purchased a 00 E46 323i in 1999, it spun a bearing in the M52TUB25 block in 2010 so I replaced the block with a M54B30 block from a 2004 330i and a M52TUB28 head unit so I wouldn't have to switch out the throttle body. Instead I upgraded the crankshaft and injectors so the motor wouldn't starve because the M54B30 motor needs more fuel and air to run efficiently. Not to mention I got a huge jump in HP.

[Say]

Okay Your right! 325i was not made in 98-2000


You could of just took a 330i Motor and swapped everything including electronics/Intake Manifold/Throttle to the 330i Block/head, Same concept but then you don't have to swap heads over.

[legoman67]

a lot of misinformation in this thread. Here is the complete breakdown, courtesy of Wikipedia



as to the OP's question, The main difference between the 323 an the 325 is the engine. 170hp vs 184hp. Everything else was offered the same, it comes down to the original options installed on your specific car.

[Ssedano97]

Have had my 2000 323i and have had no major problems but smog

[joebecker]

I have the 2000ci (coupe version) and I think it's a great car.

[MarcoZandrini]

The M54 engine came in 3 different displacements:
- 2 liter (M54B20; not sold in the US)
- 2.5 liter (M54B25)
- 3 liter (M54B30).

These engines’ blocks are identical. Displacement differences are achieved via changes in strokes and piston rod lengths.

[nonturbodan]

The 323 and 328 use the M52TU. Many parts are shared between the M52TU and M54 but there are minor differences in the block and head, even though the part numbers suggest they are the same. The biggest difference between the M52TU and M54 is the intake manifold and throttle body.

A 323 with the M54 intake and a proper tune will run just as well as an m54.

[harrier]

These days I would pick the one that has the most intact body and interior. Everything else (besides the block) needs to be replaced.