what is wrong with the 98 323?? are they junk???

[rambo91145]

hi all,
just purchased my first bimmer, a 98 323IS and have been to several boards, etc. and no one ever really seems to mention this car. also i cant find any upgrade parts for it like chips, short shifters,intakes, clear corners, etc. did i get the shaft? is this not such a great car? thanks for all the help guys!

[runetang]

No many parts are actually compatible.. intakes, exhausts, suspension pieces, clear corners, headlights, its all interchangable. As far as the chip goes, im sure active autowerkes or turner motorsport has a 323 program you just have to call because its not popular enough to put on the page. But everything else is interchangable..

[rambo91145]

thanks for the reply. when you say "interchangable" you are talking about with the 328 im assuming???? thanks

[Dios]

i have a 98 323is the 323 e36 was only made in 2 years i believe (could be wrong) but thats why they arent mentioned as much and it does have the smaller engine (hp wise) so the 328s are more populars with car fanatics like us but some of us could only afford the 323 like me.. but the clears are the same for all 3 series except the 318 and the the four door models but intake and exhaust are interchangable

[runetang]

Yeah its interchangable with the 328's. I heard the two engines are very similar, the 328 just bored out more obviously. I'd even go so far as to say you could put m3 camshafts in your 323, and put a higher final drive gear (differential). But yeah.. if you want an intake, exhaust, clear corners, headlights, shocks, springs, etc.. order it for the 328, and i promise yah it'll fit.

[M53]

hey man I have a '98 323is myself and although they are similar to 328's be careful when ordering exhaust bc exhausts are not interchangable....328 and M3's have two pipe going into the cat and two out...the 323 however has two going in and only ONE going out...but there are exhausts available...supersprint (that's what i'm going with) and remus are your best bets...and as far as other upgrades...they do exist...just keep looking...I'm getting a supercharger from ESS ...also talk to themadhatter on here...that's who i'm getting all my stuff from....hope this helps

later

[SJTrance]

Yes, the exhaust is the only thing which is going to creat a problem with dealing with the 323. All other components are going to be easy to mod. I came very close to getting a 323, but I got the 328 instead. The only REAL advantage is that I can choose from a much wider array of exhaust systems.

[Jed]

A buddy of mine has a Cosmos 323is (Teuton on here and bimmerforums) and after some research put some nice mods on his car. He's got an ECIS intake with heatshield, MZ3 shifter (nice short throws-shorter than my UUC), M Contours, an Eisenmann exhaust (very nice sounding exhaust), and a Bilstein PSS9 coilover suspension. Really nice car.

In terms of software, I believe it's only Dinan for the E36 323. AutoThority will dyno tune it, but you will need to send the box (everyone seems to hate them, but I've had positive experiences with my chip). I think Bav Autosport might offer something too.

Other than Eisenmann, I believe he said the only other exhaust choices were Supersprint and I think Remus. But the Eisenmann is a high quality exhaust with a nice sound-imported from Germany.

The mods are out there, just not as available or as many choices as the 325 or 328.

323s are great cars, so don't get discouraged! Good luck!

come on brother pull yourself together no bmw is junk some maybe just a bit more technical than others...........


steve

[Stealth]

nothing wrong with it, just as was said before... they were only made for 2 years and everyone would want more base power to start with. themadhatter has a 323, pretty nice too