CD Article: 2006 BMW 323i

[323eye]

The point of this car is to bring new customers, not to keep current BMW customers. Yeah they may laugh at you but they would be likely leasing -not buying- and would not be caught dead in a 323 to save a few dollars/month! You can't be passionate about performance if you'd buy a 323 so it's back to the logo thing again. They are much better buys for the money out there and I would take a MazdaSpeed over the 323 anytime, without hesitation. I would also seriously consider a used 330 over the 323 so I am not anti-BMW. But I want value for my money.

Some people have an issue with used vehicles, so let me preface this by saying I'm working in a realm of new vehicles only.  If I hear this poseur/not perfomance/non-enthusiast crap again I'm going to scream.  That 323 (with a sports pkg and a manual) will eat a lot of other "sport sedans" for breakfast on handling and braking.  And it is hardly slow!  If I hear one more got to be over 200HP to be a sports car my head will explode.  This is the same thinking that calls the Miata a chick car.

Maybe you care about HP/Tq and that's fine, your personal preference is exactly that (and a lot of people share your preference no doubt).  But quit calling a car names because it doesn't meet your definition of a sports car.  I could argue anything less than a C6 is not a sports car and we'd run in circles.

I would take this 323 over a TSX or other price compeitive sedans any day.  I almost bought a new 320i instead of my current 328i because the handling and braking was superb.   In the end I bought my 328i because I got an unbelieveable deal.

Who does the 323 appeal to?  Again assuming you can't buy a used 325/330 (which is what I'd do), this appeals to people who have a $40k ish budget, want RWD and sporty driving feel, with an entry level luxury environment.  Sure, some will buy it for the badge, but you can't tell me most C6 buyers don't buy that car because it looks good and is a 'vette (nothing to do with being the best bang for the buck sports car made).

Ugh, have people even driven one of these?!?    (I need a smiley pulling it's hair out)

Agree with you there brother!!, My 2005 320i is more than enough to get me by.Specially for a sedan that drives ah well...perfect along with the handling...breaking etc.etc??? Yes im sold and as for a newbie???Well yes too!!.Next on my list will be an M3 .(for those die hards that are fuzzy with HP/TQ) this will be discuss.But for a sedan that will offer you a sporty/responsive dynamics....3 series 320i aint a bad deal comparing to the '06 model out in some other country??? ...the '05 320i in CANADA still has more horses/tq than the 320i/320d in UK/Europe/Asia/Australia..even the new '06 323/USA..Thats is why im still happy.

 2005 320i CanSpec in Steel Blue:



Cheers!!
 

[si]

Nice car, eye.

Have you got a very high % tint?



Base 323 vs. TSX. I'm pro Honda. IMO the TSX is a better car in everything except FWD.  This argument is getting as divided as GM vs. Ford with country-folk.

[323eye]

ThX robarakira!! I've yet since swapped the wheels for this Style 42 OEM.Simple yet elegant and sporty.You fellas think a LIP on the trunk would do justice??



Cheers !!!

[323eye]

...with only about 6hp more on the previous 2005 320i?......i'd say if u can find one with a premium pkg/alloys on the '05 320i??? By all means id go for it in a blink of an eye.I'd say the only diff will be the shape and start button.......among other little i could do without options.

Cheers!!

[mdxtasy]

A small duck lip would be fine.....but any sort of spoiler and/or basket handle would be horrible. 

[iwannapassat]

I bought a 325i in the fall and love it.  The 323i was not available, but I justified the $$$325i over others by only upgrading one option... metallic paint/graphite grey.  I debated the sport package, but the basic suspension is really good so I  bought some winters intsead and boy this car is fun to drive in the winter too.  The wife and I fight over who gets to drive this car...she actually said, that I love the sound the car makes when you rev it past 5k.  Very true... BMW has patents on engine sound and this engine sounds great,and yet still quiet while cruising.

[davidm]

ThX robarakira!! I've yet since swapped the wheels for this Style 42 OEM.Simple yet elegant and sporty.You fellas think a LIP on the trunk would do justice??

Love your wheel choices - both would be my pics.

On the trunk lip I have to say I'm pretty anti-spoilers/lips on the bimmers.  The lip isn't terrible (M3, and ZHP package), but it just gunks up the lines to my eye.

To the engine sound comment, beautiful on the E46 and E90.  My E36 is wonderful up at 6000 RPM, but pretty lame down low due to the valved exhaust (only 1 exhaust used at low rpm).

Now, do I wait a couple years for a 2005 E46 330i ZHP, or look into a friend selling a mint E36 4-door M3 ...

[tpl]

Neither    wait 1 year and get a CPO 2003/2004 M3

[davidm]

Neither    wait 1 year and get a CPO 2003/2004 M3

Price difference would be substantial (non CPO cars of this vintage still command $55-60k out here) and I'm not a big coupe fan.  Not a terrible idea though.  The 05 330i ZHP's are already $45-48k and dropping.

[tpl]

In a year when the new M3 V8 appears there may well be lots of the e46 sytle M3 coming available at depressed prices...  or not if the new one is a dog or $100,000

[ghost]

E46 M3s are still quite expensive. I'd go for the less loved M Coupes/Roadsters. 

[johngenx]

The original Z3 M-Roadster may have "only" 240hp (except for one year) and the old style E30 trailing arms, but it looks great and is a real hoot.

Want a killer M-roadster?  Get some Dinan stuff and for FAR less than a new Z4 you can have a monster of a little drop-top.

[davidm]

The original Z3 M-Roadster may have "only" 240hp (except for one year) and the old style E30 trailing arms, but it looks great and is a real hoot.

Want a killer M-roadster?  Get some Dinan stuff and for FAR less than a new Z4 you can have a monster of a little drop-top.

I love the shoe, but it is too small for my needs.  Imola Red shoe would be great, but I really think I need back seats, even if they are of the +2 variety.  Still, I do love the shoe ...

[84im]

I also love the Z3 coupe.  Came across a beauty at the Vintage Races (Mission Raceway) last summer.  240 hp would do me fine.  I have 240 hp in my Miata, and it's fast enough for me.  Maybe it's the fact that I've always liked the MGB GT.

[Benhaze]

The Z3 coupe makes the AMC Gremlin look like a beauty queen all right!!!