2000 323ic vs. 328ic

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lookingfor328

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hello all! i'm new here and am curious about the major differences between the 323ic and 328ic (manual shift). i know there is roughly 20hp difference and the cost diff. is around $2000. here's my issue...i have been driving a 13 year old volvo, so anything i buy is going to feel like a major upgrade. any advice from you guys on which car i should go with? i'd rather not spend the extra 2000, but if the difference is major then i guess i would. is there a mjor difference in the two cars?

thanks so much and i'll be sure to post pics when i buy!
 
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Wretchy

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I have the 2000 328i with sport pack/ premimum pack and let me you tell you buddy... It's like heaven when I get in the car... its bigger nicer faster etc... spend the extra 2k you'll be so happy u did
 
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boomerbimmer

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The only major differences in the 323 and 328 are in horsepower and torque. horsepower is 170 for the 323 and 193 for the 328. Torque is 181 for the 323 and 206 for the 328. There is no difference at all in the wheelbase, length, and width of the two. The 323 weighs 3213 and the 328 weighs 3256. The interiors also have the same amount of room and are also the same depending on which package you have.
 
PuShAkOv

PuShAkOv

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Wretchy said:
I have the 2000 328i with sport pack/ premimum pack and let me you tell you buddy... It's like heaven when I get in the car... its bigger nicer faster etc... spend the extra 2k you'll be so happy u did
Click to expand...
Spend little bitty more and you have a VERY nice features and performance of 330.... dumb some silly green on that and you have an M3!!![fake] [:D]
 
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stinkfinger

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When I bought my 2000 328i, I had just sold my own Volvo 1990 740 GL Blue Sedan - what a great car, but man, I love my new one. The 328i is SO MUCH BETTER than the 323i. Hopefully, you'll get one with the sports package......
 
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boomerbimmer

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Just wondering Stink. Why is the 328 SO MUCH BETTER. Its the same exact car with a different motor, that gives it 23 more horsepower. Some people may be willing to spend 2,000 more for 23 horses, but i don't think it is worth it. You can spend less than that on a couple of modifications and have more horsepower than that.
 
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stinkfinger

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So, I'm partial and overstated a bit. The following review says it best:

http://www.nctd.com/printversion-review.cfm?ReviewID=582

"The 2.5-liter engine doesn't develop the urgent thrust of the 2.8-liter.... For a real kick in the pants, the 2.8-liter engine delivers more gusto at the top of the rev range, yet is surprisingly strong at lower engine speeds. BMW 328i hits 60 mph from a stop in about 6.6 seconds, making it one quick sedan."

I've driven the 2000 323 extensively since my in-laws have one. Very nice car. If you want a car that puts a smile on your face as you zip onto the freeway, feeling the surge or excitement in your stomach, get the 328 - it is worth the money in my opinion, especially aftermarket (buying used) (and I respect if you disagree).
 
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boomerbimmer

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I guess we are all a little partial to what we drive. I test drove both of them when we were looking for one for my wife. The 328 does have a little more pep that the 323. I was undecided on which one to buy. Then I found a 2000 323I with the premium and sports packages with 35,000 miles for 22,000 and that made up my mind for me.
 
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BigWorm

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boomerbimmer said:
I guess we are all a little partial to what we drive. I test drove both of them when we were looking for one for my wife. The 328 does have a little more pep that the 323. I was undecided on which one to buy. Then I found a 2000 323I with the premium and sports packages with 35,000 miles for 22,000 and that made up my mind for me.
Click to expand...
actually going to pick up a used 323ci in 2hrs...

I'll probably regret not having those extra horses that the 328 has eventually, but I got every option available on this 323ci (auto, 31k miles, metallic paint, hk system (though I'll probably modify it), leather, wood trim, xenon, sports, premium, sunroof, alarm, ect) and in very good condition for $23.5k.

I'm pretty happy now and I hope I'll STAY happy after I pick it up today (knock on wood).

worm
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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You know stinkfinger, I was thinking about doing that. There are some options this car does not have that I would love to have on my BMW. The car lot was going to wholesale the car (among others) that weekend if it did not sell. I took and had the car checked out and it passed with flying colors. The BMW dealer told me there was no way they could sell me a Y2k 328i for that price. I am seriously thinking about selling the car for a small profit and buying another one. I could have bought a 99 E320 w/49,000 miles (Full Options) for $24,000 (I talked the dealer down to that price), but I loved the BMW way more. The MB was sweet (you could hardly feel the road let alone hear it), but I still have that sporty bone in my body. [:D] I almost bought a 540i for $32,000, but the 328i was just to good to pass up. I wasn't even going to buy a car that day! I was there to service my wife’s SUV and saw the car. I was going to wait until about Oct. to buy a BMW, but the car was there and the price was just to damn good. At first they did not want to sell the car for that (listed at $23,895 a good deal itself), but the used car manager had meet his quota (for used car sales that month) and didn't car if he made that much money on it (going to wholesale at the end of the weekend). I gave my sales guy a price and told him I am walking if he can't meet it. He went to the sales manager (overall sales manager) and he said he can't budge on the price and that they were already $4,000 below wholesale, I told him well good luck then and then he said wait let me call the used car sale manager and he said just get rid of it and gave it to me for that price hahahaha..... I got damn lucky! [:p]
 
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stinkfinger

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#19
That's kinda how I got my 328i almost 3 years ago. It was the end of december and they needed to get rid of some cars before the end of the year. My car wasn't even a year old, almost no miles. I just checked on blue book and some other sites that let you look at the price of your car and I could sell my car now only 3k less than what I paid for it. 2000 328i fully loaded and in good area, under 40k miles, excellent condition can go for 28-29k in the bay area (even though I don't think you can sell it right now in the economy).

I'm just wondering, if you aren't already in love with the car, why not shop around to other dealers and see what you can get as a trade in (wonder if it would be over what you paid for the car) or what would you get outside?

But, I'm in love with the car and would understand if you'd just want to keep it. Who wouldn't want to keep a car that you got for a steal, was an amazing ride/drive, and looked like this?


Do you have any pictures of your 328i?
 
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