Looking at a 323iS and need some info

[whiteboy477]

I am from st.louis MO and looking at a 1998 323iS. Took it for a test drive and well its deff a step up from what I am driving now, 2000 cougar. It has 86,000 miles on it and the body looks flawless along with the engine bay of the car. It was a 5 speed at has been modded a little bit with a short ram intake and the muffler was replaced with aftermarket or the whole exhaust, not sure.

Questions are 1)how well are these cars built. for example how many miles can one of these run for. 2) how big is the after market for this model. 3) any recalls or known problems with them. 4) In the different climates how well do they handle. 5) how many people autocross with these and are the decents cars for that. 6) finally what do these run stock and the drag strip

also would 10,900 be to much for that car or is that a pretty good deal?


Thanks for all the help



n

[98bmw323is]

i also have bought a 98 323is. I got it for 12,400 with 71,000 miles. The after market for this car is not that great if your looking for performance. Also it is not that fast of a car. If you want a fast BMW with very good after market parts go with a 328is. When modified they can keep up with stock m3's. But if you are set on this car it is good in the summer and good in the winter.

[BahnBaum]

Way overpriced, IMO. Edmunds TMV in my area says you're a grand or two over Dealer retail on a low mileage, fully loaded, good condition '98 323is.

We just purchased a clean and loaded 95 325 for just over $6000. Granted, it had more miles and is older than what you guys are describing, but these cars can be had cheaper if you look and negotiate hard.

And the key to how long they last is how well they were maintained prior to your ownership.

Alex

[todor]

Dude, you can't go wrong with a bimmer. You can get that model for cheaper though. If you can spend $10k or $11k, then definitely buy a 328, not a 323. A few months ago I bought a 97 328 with 76k miles for $11,000, in absolutely pristine condition (garaged, never even driven in rain, perfect in every aspect). To answer your exact questions:

1) these cars are built extremely well... anyone who knows BMWs will tell you that
2) For the E36 in general, there is a huge after market. But I think most performance parts are for the 328 and M3. I don't have much info about the 323.
3) I don't know.. I can think of a couple of known problems, but they are usually rare, and by the 97 or 98 model year, almost all of them were resolved
4) Haven't driven mine in snow yet, but it handles very well in rain and dry roads. Since 97, all BMWs have traction control, which helps a lot.
5) As far as I know, there are quite a few people who do autocross in these cars, and they perform well. They are a little heavier than the small hondas, etc. but the handling is awesome and the rear-wheel drive also gives you an advantage in acceleration.
6) I don't know.

If I were you, I'd get an M3 with high mileage (can be found for as low as $12,000) or a 328 with low mileage ($10,000-$11,000).

[amancuso]

I agree, thats a bit much for a 323is...

[Rolltide323IS]

I agree i bought mine a 98 323IS with 119,500 miles running flawless for 6,600! talk about a steal!

[98bmw323is]

yeah but i did get it from a dealer with a 3 year warrenty so i dont have to worry if my motor blows up

[yuckensteiner]

These cars will last forever if properly maintained/diagnosed. gl

[kyohei]

i just got my 323is the other day for $9,200.

very very clean engine, really really clean interior, and some mods on it.
and it has 100,200 miles on it.

i think u would be able to find something better than the offer u have.

[Andycapps]

Bmws are super reliable cars as long as they've been taken care of. I've had my '94 325is for over 3 1/2 years and it was taken very good car of and its very dependable. I would suggest either a 325is or 328is 5spd or you could get a 95-97 M3 for under $10k. I've seen 3 in my area for under 10k recently.