Any 323i pics?

epiphone3 · 10-31-2005, 11:34 AM

Hi! I am new to the forum... BMW has been in my family since I was born and I have now ordered my first... a 2006 323i, Black Sapphire metallic, black interior, Sport Package, and Premium Package.

I was hoping that somebody has picked up their's and could post some pictures of the 323i... Canadian models if anybody has one!

tctic · 10-31-2005, 12:44 PM

It looks basically the same as the 325 except that it has a different rim style and a two black trims from the front of the roof to the the rear where the 325 and 330i have body coloured trims. The interior should also look the same except for the through load that the 325i and 330i has standard and the automatic climate control. The 323i has Manual climate control.

findtom · 10-31-2005, 02:23 PM

Just curious, why did you get a 323?

I looked at it but as soon as you add any options to the car you're approaching 325 pricing that comes with many things standard as well as a better engine, xenons, etc... which you can't even get on the 323. Plus if you're leasing the car the residual % is lower on the 323, which adds to the cost.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll still love the car I'm just curious what tipped you over to the 323 as I considered it as well and went with the 325 in the end.

Simoncanada · 10-31-2005, 02:39 PM

There are some pics from a dealer website in Hamilton, Ontario.

www.buddsbmw.com

Checkout the new car inventory listing from the Hamilton location, there are pics of a Mystic blue 323i you can look at.

Did you test drive the 323i, can you give us a brief report on how it perform comparing to say the 325i.

I am very seriously considering the 323i. Thanks.

epiphone3 · 10-31-2005, 02:45 PM

To be honest, I did the 323i purely on price. If I would have equipped a 325i with a Sport pack, sunroof, and metallic paint it would have been almost $CDN 6000 bucks more than my 323i. The 323i will have adequate performance for me (174bhp ain't bad and I have a Sport bike that I drive alot) and having manual seats, manual climate control, no xenons, etc. doesn't bother me much. I think that getting this level of driving dynamics at such a low price is a steal!

Seeing as I am only a 23 year-old engineer, I thought that I should be content with purchasing (I am purchasing, not leasing) a 323i at this point and "growing-in" to bigger models later.

epiphone3 · 10-31-2005, 02:50 PM

simoncanada, thanks for the pics!

To answer your question, I have not yet test driven the 323i... I bought one after testing a 325i... however, I have driven an E46 323i test car before and it was slightly heavier than the new one (like 50lbs) and had a little less power and it always felt like a good, peppy power plant to me. If you think about it, E46 323i had 168bhp and E46 325i had 184 bhp... they both did 0-60 in about 7.2-7.4 seconds according to varoius magazines... E90 323i should slot right in there... I would think that if an E46 325i would have been enough performance for you, 323i should be about the same!

Simoncanada · 10-31-2005, 04:13 PM

The 323i price is very reasonable even with sport and prem. pkg, given it has such a good chassic transmission and engine. I will be buying instead of leasing so price is an important factor.

How long is the wait for ordering a 323i? will I be expecting any discount? I think I will order one early next year just in time for the Spring....

epiphone3 · 10-31-2005, 04:34 PM

I got my 323i as a December production so I will receive most likely in January... I got Metallic Paint for free on mine as a deal.

findtom · 11-01-2005, 08:35 AM

I think that a 325 with no options is still a better buy then a 323 with options... that's what I ended up going with anyway.

Here are the differences between the 323 vs 325...

Less powerful smaller engine
No foglights
No xenons
No body colour roof strips
No auto dimming rear view mirror
No automatic climate control
6 speaker sound system instead of 10
No heated seats
Rear seats don't fold forward
No cruise control

epiphone3 · 11-01-2005, 08:43 AM

Well, I get heated seats in the premium package along with cruise control and auto-dimming mirrors... also included is a glass sunroof. I think halogen headlights are enough now... would rather be able to buy a glass roof than have xenons... The trunk is big enough for me without folding seats (I don't ski)... the automatic climate control is just extra weight... I can turn a temperature knob and a fan knob to get the right setting so why do I need the potential extra problems associated a more complicated automatic system?? 10 speakers versus 6 speakers?? I listen to the sweet straight six when I drive on my own and can still play decent tunes with 6 speakers otherewise.

In the end, its all about priorities... I got my 323i for me... I think the engine is enough for now and I would rather not be missing anything on my BMW. If I got a 325i, I would miss the sport package and the glass sunroof and the nice metallic paint more than the extra ponies. Therefore, I went for the 323i... if you need more engine power and don't care about an improved chassis and a sunroof and metallic paint, go for a 325i.

Simoncanada · 11-01-2005, 09:22 AM

I am thinking about keeping my next car for at least 8 years, so the automatic climate and Xenon are good options to take out from the car. I heard terrible story about people spending over $1K to repair their Xenon lighting system after the warranty is gone. Also, without those added equipment, the car should be lighter and consume less fuel.

2.5L engine is small only by N/A standard, it's considered a pretty loaded car in Germany where people can drive over 200km/h on their autohahns. I really don't see the need for a bigger engine to gain 0.5 second on a drag race.

epiphone3 · 11-01-2005, 09:44 AM

well said, Simon!

Broken1 · 11-01-2005, 10:02 AM

I agree with you guys. Here in South Africa, most people buy the 320i. I think the 320 is slightly under-powered (hence why i went for the 320d) but I would have taken a 323i if it was out in time. With 130kw the car has plenty of zuuzzzz and they didn't leave out REALLY essential extra's - so if the price is right, it's alot of car for the money

epiphone3 · 11-01-2005, 01:57 PM

100% agree! Great value in this model!

10-31-2005, 11:34 AM	#1
epiphone3 Lieutenant Colonel 111 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Any 323i pics? Hi! I am new to the forum... BMW has been in my family since I was born and I have now ordered my first... a 2006 323i, Black Sapphire metallic, black interior, Sport Package, and Premium Package. I was hoping that somebody has picked up their's and could post some pictures of the 323i... Canadian models if anybody has one!
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10-31-2005, 12:44 PM	#2
tctic Major 38 Rep 1,238 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	It looks basically the same as the 325 except that it has a different rim style and a two black trims from the front of the roof to the the rear where the 325 and 330i have body coloured trims. The interior should also look the same except for the through load that the 325i and 330i has standard and the automatic climate control. The 323i has Manual climate control.
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10-31-2005, 02:23 PM	#3
findtom Colonel 129 Rep 2,658 Posts Drives: E60 545i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 545i [0.00]	Just curious, why did you get a 323? I looked at it but as soon as you add any options to the car you're approaching 325 pricing that comes with many things standard as well as a better engine, xenons, etc... which you can't even get on the 323. Plus if you're leasing the car the residual % is lower on the 323, which adds to the cost. Anyway, I'm sure you'll still love the car I'm just curious what tipped you over to the 323 as I considered it as well and went with the 325 in the end.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-31-2005, 02:39 PM	#4
Simoncanada Private 0 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 95 3 series Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Any 323i pics There are some pics from a dealer website in Hamilton, Ontario. www.buddsbmw.com Checkout the new car inventory listing from the Hamilton location, there are pics of a Mystic blue 323i you can look at. Did you test drive the 323i, can you give us a brief report on how it perform comparing to say the 325i. I am very seriously considering the 323i. Thanks.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-31-2005, 02:45 PM	#5
epiphone3 Lieutenant Colonel 111 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	To be honest, I did the 323i purely on price. If I would have equipped a 325i with a Sport pack, sunroof, and metallic paint it would have been almost $CDN 6000 bucks more than my 323i. The 323i will have adequate performance for me (174bhp ain't bad and I have a Sport bike that I drive alot) and having manual seats, manual climate control, no xenons, etc. doesn't bother me much. I think that getting this level of driving dynamics at such a low price is a steal! Seeing as I am only a 23 year-old engineer, I thought that I should be content with purchasing (I am purchasing, not leasing) a 323i at this point and "growing-in" to bigger models later.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-31-2005, 02:50 PM	#6
epiphone3 Lieutenant Colonel 111 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	simoncanada, thanks for the pics! To answer your question, I have not yet test driven the 323i... I bought one after testing a 325i... however, I have driven an E46 323i test car before and it was slightly heavier than the new one (like 50lbs) and had a little less power and it always felt like a good, peppy power plant to me. If you think about it, E46 323i had 168bhp and E46 325i had 184 bhp... they both did 0-60 in about 7.2-7.4 seconds according to varoius magazines... E90 323i should slot right in there... I would think that if an E46 325i would have been enough performance for you, 323i should be about the same!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-31-2005, 04:13 PM	#7
Simoncanada Private 0 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 95 3 series Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	The 323i price is very reasonable even with sport and prem. pkg, given it has such a good chassic transmission and engine. I will be buying instead of leasing so price is an important factor. How long is the wait for ordering a 323i? will I be expecting any discount? I think I will order one early next year just in time for the Spring....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-31-2005, 04:34 PM	#8
epiphone3 Lieutenant Colonel 111 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	I got my 323i as a December production so I will receive most likely in January... I got Metallic Paint for free on mine as a deal.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-01-2005, 08:35 AM	#9
findtom Colonel 129 Rep 2,658 Posts Drives: E60 545i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 545i [0.00]	I think that a 325 with no options is still a better buy then a 323 with options... that's what I ended up going with anyway. Here are the differences between the 323 vs 325... Less powerful smaller engine No foglights No xenons No body colour roof strips No auto dimming rear view mirror No automatic climate control 6 speaker sound system instead of 10 No heated seats Rear seats don't fold forward No cruise control
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11-01-2005, 08:43 AM	#10
epiphone3 Lieutenant Colonel 111 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Well, I get heated seats in the premium package along with cruise control and auto-dimming mirrors... also included is a glass sunroof. I think halogen headlights are enough now... would rather be able to buy a glass roof than have xenons... The trunk is big enough for me without folding seats (I don't ski)... the automatic climate control is just extra weight... I can turn a temperature knob and a fan knob to get the right setting so why do I need the potential extra problems associated a more complicated automatic system?? 10 speakers versus 6 speakers?? I listen to the sweet straight six when I drive on my own and can still play decent tunes with 6 speakers otherewise. In the end, its all about priorities... I got my 323i for me... I think the engine is enough for now and I would rather not be missing anything on my BMW. If I got a 325i, I would miss the sport package and the glass sunroof and the nice metallic paint more than the extra ponies. Therefore, I went for the 323i... if you need more engine power and don't care about an improved chassis and a sunroof and metallic paint, go for a 325i. Last edited by epiphone3; 11-01-2005 at 08:54 AM..
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11-01-2005, 09:22 AM	#11
Simoncanada Private 0 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 95 3 series Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I am thinking about keeping my next car for at least 8 years, so the automatic climate and Xenon are good options to take out from the car. I heard terrible story about people spending over $1K to repair their Xenon lighting system after the warranty is gone. Also, without those added equipment, the car should be lighter and consume less fuel. 2.5L engine is small only by N/A standard, it's considered a pretty loaded car in Germany where people can drive over 200km/h on their autohahns. I really don't see the need for a bigger engine to gain 0.5 second on a drag race.
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11-01-2005, 09:44 AM	#12
epiphone3 Lieutenant Colonel 111 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	well said, Simon!
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11-01-2005, 10:02 AM	#13
Broken1 Addict 203 Rep 2,074 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I agree with you guys. Here in South Africa, most people buy the 320i. I think the 320 is slightly under-powered (hence why i went for the 320d) but I would have taken a 323i if it was out in time. With 130kw the car has plenty of zuuzzzz and they didn't leave out REALLY essential extra's - so if the price is right, it's alot of car for the money
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-01-2005, 01:57 PM	#14
epiphone3 Lieutenant Colonel 111 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	100% agree! Great value in this model!
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