Author Topic: CD Article: 2006 BMW 323i (Read 10731 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** December 20, 2005, 11:15:01 pm »

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....

Test Drive:

All new for 2006, the 323i is BMW's entry-level sedan. It lacks a few toys of its higher-end siblings, but retains the driving dynamics that have won the new 3 Series numerous awards. For around $40,000, Jil McIntosh debates whether it's smarter to buy an entry-level BMW 323i or a top-of-the line non-luxury car. More...

si · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2005, 11:42:16 pm »

It's a nice car, but I'm not sure why someone would buy it for other reasons than it's good driving dynamics or BMW logo. Yes, there are better featured cars out there for less money. Yes, there is more value to be had out there. Yes, this topic has been picked at to death.

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:28:31 am »

The badge whores need cars, too...

The 323 doesn't do a lot for me, except for that dollar ammount. But methinks I would be looking used 330 over brand new 323.

HeliDriver · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2005, 03:29:05 am »

"In combined driving I averaged a surprisingly thirsty 13.3 L/100 km, although I suspect the spinning I did with the summer tires when it got stuck in the snow was a factor."

That was a joke, right? .....Please, please tell me that was supposed to be a joke.... $:-\$

quadzilla · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2005, 07:21:19 am »

"That price also puts it in territory occupied by several upper-row models, such as the Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, Ford Five Hundred Limited, Nissan Maxima and – believe it or not – the Hyundai Azera."

Interesting selection. Wouldn't the IS250 be closer.

chrischasescars · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2005, 09:10:49 am »

Quote from: quadzilla on December 21, 2005, 07:21:19 am

"That price also puts it in territory occupied by several upper-row models, such as the Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, Ford Five Hundred Limited, Nissan Maxima and – believe it or not – the Hyundai Azera."

Interesting selection. Wouldn't the IS250 be closer.

In driving dynamics, yes, it would be closer than some of those other cars. But those cars are also in the same price range as the 323i (as I suspect the IS250 is).

Snowman · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2005, 09:18:01 am »

“That price also puts it in territory occupied by several upper-row models, such as the Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, Ford Five Hundred Limited, Nissan Maxima and – believe it or not – the Hyundai Azera."

It hurts to copy/paste this never mind type it.

mdxtasy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 21, 2005, 09:18:37 am »

There's a lot of $35K cars without a pricey badge.
Acura TSX
Honda Accord
Volvo S40
Audi A3/4

gdcwatt · « **Reply #8 on:** December 21, 2005, 10:22:21 am »

Driving dynamics aside, BMW is using the 323i to thumb its nose at the competition - and so should the car-buying public: technology that works well in the snow; compare the cost of 4 years of Honda dealer maintenance; 12 year rust perforation warranty; and those efficient Germans have found a way to ship this car to Toronto for the same price that Honda does from Alliston!

There are some great alternatives out there - VW Passat, VW Jetta, Altima, Mazda6, TSX: it should be a buyers market. The 323i is a perfect example of being penny-wise, pound-foolish: I'm tired of rebuilding rusting Honda bodies, and dealing with Chrysler unreliability, or risisting other conns, like GM's 4-year 5% financing which only costs $5,000 ... The 323i MT looks like an 8-10 year, 200,000km affordable driving experience that I'd like to take, and with some light-weight rims to offset the heft of those run-flats, it should be quicker than a 325i AT, with improved fuel economy, too.

Giant Dwarf · « **Reply #9 on:** December 21, 2005, 10:29:49 am »

As a former BMW owner, I think that's optimistic thinking gdcwatt if you believe you're going to get 8-10 years of trouble-free driving. If you get 8-10 months without electrical gremlins creeping in, I'd say you're doing pretty well. I love BMW's, but the electronics have scared me away from a second one.

davidm · « **Reply #10 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:45:38 pm »

Quote from: jeff1 on December 21, 2005, 10:29:49 am

As a former BMW owner, I think that's optimistic thinking gdcwatt if you believe you're going to get 8-10 years of trouble-free driving. If you get 8-10 months without electrical gremlins creeping in, I'd say you're doing pretty well. I love BMW's, but the electronics have scared me away from a second one.

Jeff, to be fair, the e36 had the most electrical issues of any BMW ever made. Was their first CAD designed car (hence all the squeeks and rattles), and first one with lots of new tech. That said, I agree, 8-10 years for the driveline and engine maybe, but not the electronics or suspension.

The 323i is the new 320i and as I've said plenty of times, people could do a lot worse at the price tag than a 323i with just the sport package.

msian · « **Reply #11 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:53:27 pm »

Quote from: mdxtasy on December 21, 2005, 09:18:37 am

There's a lot of $35K cars without a pricey badge.
Acura TSX
Honda Accord
Volvo S40
Audi A3/4

What about the "base" IS250 RWD?
It seemed to be priced and targetted at the 323i crowd?

EDIT: I see Quadzilla had already eluded to that...sorry...

safristi · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2005, 01:25:51 pm »

Yer BASE belong ta ME..........."L"

84im · « **Reply #13 on:** December 21, 2005, 02:06:54 pm »

How about comparing the BMW (with sport package) with the Mazdaspeed 6?
Sound crazy? BMW is $36,700 (including sport package), while the Mazdaspeed is $35,995.
Yes, the Mazda is a lot faster, and comes with a lot more goodies, but which car would you want for 8 to 10 years?
Maybe it is crazy, but I'd probably go for the BMW. Now, having said that, I confess I haven't even sat in either vehicle, let alone driven them.....just me 'arm chair' test driving

Shnak · « **Reply #14 on:** December 21, 2005, 03:31:07 pm »

Quote from: 84im on December 21, 2005, 02:06:54 pm

How about comparing the BMW (with sport package) with the Mazdaspeed 6?
Sound crazy? BMW is $36,700 (including sport package), while the Mazdaspeed is $35,995.
Yes, the Mazda is a lot faster, and comes with a lot more goodies, but which car would you want for 8 to 10 years?
Maybe it is crazy, but I'd probably go for the BMW. Now, having said that, I confess I haven't even sat in either vehicle, let alone driven them.....just me 'arm chair' test driving

Go to a BMW dealership and ask the customers there if they went to have a look at what Mazda, Honda, Nissan or Toyota has been selling recently... 9 person out of 10 will laugh at you.

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #15 on:** December 21, 2005, 03:37:38 pm »

Quote from: msian on December 21, 2005, 12:53:27 pm

Quote from: mdxtasy on December 21, 2005, 09:18:37 am
There's a lot of $35K cars without a pricey badge.
Acura TSX
Honda Accord
Volvo S40
Audi A3/4

What about the "base" IS250 RWD?
It seemed to be priced and targetted at the 323i crowd?

EDIT: I see Quadzilla had already eluded to that...sorry...

the new IS is more of an old man's car though.

Reb66 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 21, 2005, 04:28:55 pm »

I budgeted $40K for a new car, and after trying many cars (BMW, A4, C Series, Passat, Mazda6, Cadillac CTS, Charger), I've chosen the 323i for these reasons:
- If you look at the 323i, it shares the same parts as the 325i & 330i (same automatic transmission, same engine block of Aluminium/magnesium, VANOS, brakes, seats, suspension, engine management, etc)
- It's actualy a 2.5 litre, and it's the 325i in Europe (320i 4C still in Europe). The 325i is a computer limited 330i
- 2006 is the new model year, and will have staying power (C Series will be re-designed)
- Additional options make sense: Premium package (sunroof, etc) with ski pass thru (60/40)
- Because they want to price protect the 325i, the 323i cannot have certain options (Xenon HL, Active steering); all of these options are "who cares" for me anyways

Final word, for somebody that has 2 minivans (3 kids), the 323i makes my day (& fits my budget)

ghost · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2005, 04:37:44 pm »

I wouldn't want to own a 8-10 year old bimmer sedan anyways considering the high-maintenance cost and the amount of electrical gremlins than german cars bring by that age. So it's a moot point. I doubt anyone would buy a base 323i let alone having such model in any bmw store. So by the time it is decked out it will be 40k. At that price range there are much better choices. I'd rather get a 2-year old 330i.
178hp on a 3300lb car is not the definition of an ultimate driving machine. It is the ultimate poseur machine though.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2005, 04:49:19 pm »

I think the 323i makes a lot of sense for many.
It's a good price point.

Toss in the roof and alloys and I'd be set

However, I would prefer to take that "old man's" IS 250 myself, provided the driving experience was somewhat engaging and I could fit into it as nicely as German products.

RobertB · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2005, 06:48:36 pm »

I test drove the BMW 323i and the Lexus IS 250 which are both comparable in price. I preferred the IS 250 for many reasons.
The reporter did not mention the run flat tires - with no room for a spare or an emergency spare. Get a flat and you need to be towed and replacement run flats are not available at every garage. Run Flats have a low tread wear life and are very expensive to replace. You will need winter tires too. You could replace all the run flats with regular tires but if you carry a spare tire then you have no more trunk space.
Can't believe she didn't mention this potential problem. Just google BMW run flat to see the discussions from owners.

For now, I'll stick with my 05 Acura TL with good value, reliability, performance and fuel milage.