[mikiejack]

A review I found last night! Enjoy

2000 BMW 323Ci: Exquisitely Balanced Fun.

After a prolonged drive I can't help but say that the 323Ci with the sport package is one of my favourite cars at any price. Smooth, comfortable, beautiful, fun, fuel efficient, impeccably assembled and did I mention fun. The 2.5 litre in- line six is a jewel, and I prefer it to the 2.8 litre six in the 328Ci discussed elsewhere. Why? Simple, the engine is smoother, revs more quickly, gets better gas mileage and can be heard, if only just barely, singing its melodious tone.

Rated at only 170 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque the 323 isn't the fastest car but it never left be wanting. Acceleration is brisk (approx. 0-60 in 7.5 seconds) and torque is plentiful at low speeds. Which makes you wonder whether thos "horses" are Clydesdales or Arabians because they aren't 170 normal "horses".

With the sport package this car's dynamic balance is perfect. Defaulting to understeer, as most production cars do, the chassis can be balanced with the throttle and in tight slow corners it is easily induced into a flash of oversteer. Despite unmatched handling prowess the 323Ci also delivers first rate ride quality, that in conjunction with its quiet interior makes it an ideal highway cruiser. The gearbox can best be described as fluid and precise and pedal placement is ideal making heel and toe downshifts effortless and consistent. For whatever reason i never tripped up in the 323Ci's gate but the same cannot be said for the 328Ci. Equally the more immediate throttle response of the smaller engine made heal-and-toe downshifts that much more transparent.

The 323Ci with the sport package is good value but adding expensive BMW option packages quickly diminishes the value and starts to make the 323 a really expensive small car. The biggest option to pass on in my book is the $3800.00 ($1800 US) navigation system with incorporated HVAC and stereo controls. Almost four grand buys an awful lot of road maps and the screen controlled functions look cool but really are difficult to adjust while driving, which incidentally you tend to do in the "ultimate driving machine".

It seems that I can most often get comfortable in German sedans, and the 323 and 328 are not exceptions. Despite their small exterior dimensions these cars are right sized inside if not overly spacious in the rear compartment. Trunk capacity is generous. At $38,900 ($28,990 US) base at about $42,000 ($29,990 US) with the sport package and some goodies there are few better automotive values and surely no reason to spend more on any coupe. That is of course until the new M3 comes ashore with 340hp and a price in the mid-sixties.
~Michael La Fave