323 or older 325 that is the question

is they a big differents in performance from a 323 to a 325 i want a 325 but they are all to old i think they stopped making them in the uk about 1995 m reg . so im gona make do with a 323 dont want the extra running costs of a 328 is they a lot of diferance in the 328 to the 323

What year 323 and 328 you looking at buddy?

i have 323 1998 just want to no wich one is the best the newer engine in the 323 must be better then the older 325
i no the 325 is 193 bhp#
and 323 170 bhp
wish is best engine
and the fasterst

The newer engines have more torque mate, but due to emissions and German insurance laws, the 328i is the same bhp as the 325i

Torque is more important that bhp IMO

Originally Posted by bmw-e36-323

... dont want the extra running costs of a 328 ...

Huh? What extra running cost? I get 31 miles per gallon. 328 all the way, buddy!

Originally Posted by Pirate_copy

The newer engines have more torque mate, but due to emissions and German insurance laws, the 328i is the same bhp as the 325i

Torque is more important that bhp IMO

Agreed conditionally. Torque is nice if there is a significantly more available at lower RPM's than a car with the same Horse Power. Anything less than 10 ft/lbs would be barely distinguishable from one car to the other. A perfect example would be an e90 330i vs 330d. The diesel would have a much better drivability than the gas because the so much torque is available so quickly.

You might want to double check that statement. The M52 engines were so restricted by the emmisssions laws that even the torque was down on the 2.5l 323i from 184 in a 325i to 181 in a 323i, but that is splitting hairs, and that difference wouldnt be noticeable. The M52's were allegedly optimized for better low end torque, but in reality, they were detuned to not exceed 170 hp in the 2.5l version. I would go for the 325i, it is a slightly simpler engine, but also, the 328i is no different than the 323i except for the engine displacement. The M52's do have an aluminum alloy block verus a Iron block in the M50. Iron is better for longevity but aluminum is much lighter and gives better handling. But bottom line, an stock 323i will never be as fast as a similarly equipped 325i.

Don't underestimate the 323i. They are fiendish. My cousins '98 323i 5spd with an intake keeps up very well with my E46. We pretty much stand neck-neck up until 60 or so MPH, then my DV allows me to take a very small lead.

Originally Posted by v33_n0d3

Don't underestimate the 323i. They are fiendish. My cousins '98 323i 5spd with an intake keeps up very well with my E46. We pretty much stand neck-neck up until 60 or so MPH, then my DV allows me to take a very small lead.

Whats a DV?

I raced a E46 323i auto once, and it wasnt even close to me. That is a heavier car with less hp and auto, so it wasnt too suprising.

Originally Posted by hawk2100n

Whats a DV?

I raced a E46 323i auto once, and it wasnt even close to me. That is a heavier car with less hp and auto, so it wasnt too suprising.

Sorry for being so rash on a few of you, but auto 3-series suck at performance. I blow the doors off automatic E46 325's and pull a small lead on the 330's. Keep in mind, that's a car with 30-40 more horsepower, and likely weighs less in Coupe form.

DV = Double VANOS. Gives me a small edge on the top end. My buddy's hardcore E30 doesn't stand a chance.