Need help deciding between 323ci and 328ci...

[brent6w]

I have the option of a 2000 328ci with 31k miles for $23,800 at a dealer in seattle area, car is silver/grey, prem&cold package, no hk or sport or xenon...or my other option is a 2000 323ci with 38k miles for 22,500 from original owner car is white/black, owner who says its flawless, prem&sport packages, hk sound, xenons...I really want hk sound and xenon headlights and sport package so my gut says the 323ci but im worried i will regret not going for the power...Oh yeah the 328ci kbb.com trade in value is 24,800 and the 323ci is 22,400 so both are great deals....Please help me try to figure out which one to get...thanks...Brent

[tdc]

The 323 and 328 weren't that much different in terms of power - at least not in the way the 325 and 330 are different.

Now, the one thing to find out is if the dealer car is a CPO. If it is, then I suggest going for that one. You will not know how valuable having the CPO until you need it.

The xenons can be retrofitted so that's not much of a concern. Many people have said the HK system isn't all that but I've always felt it was more then adequate for my needs.

The only unfortunate part is that it does not have the Sport package. I've always felt the seats alone were worth the option. The regular seats really suck in my opinion. They are flat bottomed, little to no lateral support, and just aren't as good as the sport seats overall.

So here's my suggestion: If the 328 has CPO, then get that. If not, then I say get the 323 since it's optioned out better and just mod it up with a nice supercharger if you really feel the power isn't adequate.

[brent6w]

thanks for the help..what is a cpo?

[tdc]

CPO stands for Certified Pre-Owned.

The vehicle is checked by an authorized CPO BMW dealer and if it meets the stringent criteria it will be certified. The CPO also comes with a 6yr/100K mile warranty from first date of purchase.

Good luck with your decision!

[brent6w]

Its not CPO i already asked...Isnt the oem warranty 5/50,000? Anyone know the details about the warranties from oem on these cars? Im just having a hard time because the 328ci is 1,000 under trade in but i think i want the 323ci cause of the options plus im thinking i would be happier with white/black rather than silver which i see everywhere...anyone else that can help let me know...

[illegalprelude]

I would personaly, take the 232, have a mechanic check it out and if its good, go with that. That interest me more then the other deal. Also, how are u buying these, Cash/loan? Cause if you are financed by a dealer, they jack up the prices on a car so it benifits them (I work at a dealership so i know hehe)

[brent6w]

im assuming your talking about the 323ci? IM financing through my credit union...

[illegalprelude]

So are you going to be paying monthly payments towards the car? Also what kind of dealership is this? tell me those 2 info's and i can help you more. Like is it a small used car dealership. a big named place that represents diff. cars or what.

[tdc]

Full Service warranty as of 09/01 is 4yr/50K . Prior to that it was 3yr/36K.

Oh, and if you want to opinions on which color to go with I'd vote for Alpine White/Black. I wonder why.

[petar7408]

Originally posted by tdc

Oh, and if you want to opinions on which color to go with I'd vote for Alpine White/Black. I wonder why.

if you can avoid black interior, do that.. white/black is nice but the heat will kill inside a black leather interior. but its a bimmer so any color combo will be great...

[brent6w]

crap so the 2000 model with over 36k is out of warranty? damn thats not good...I would be paying half cash and financing half through my credit union...the 328ci is from a wholesaler in seattle area and the 323ci is from original owner...is the power difference major? I mean i dont want a slow car thats what im worried about ...it doesnt have to be a drag car or anything but it needs to still be sporty cause i have a type R right now...

[brent6w]

hey TDC, what do you have done to your car? any more pics you can send me? I like the lowering what kind of setup do you have and how much? also your brakes look good...what model is it? also wondering how much clear lenses all around would cost me?

[petar7408]

Originally posted by brent6w
is the power difference major? I mean i dont want a slow car thats what im worried about

cant you take it for a test drive

[brent6w]

oh i will before i actually buy the car but one is 1.5 hours away and the other is 4hrs away...

[tdc]

Thanks. It is a 2002 330Ci.

Here's the list to date:

EXTERIOR
[AC Schnitzer Roof Spoiler]
[E46 M3 Folding Mirrors ]
[E46 M3 Lip Spoiler]
[E46 M3 Side skirts]
[E46 M3 Black window trim]
[Hamann Shadow kidney grills]
[Driver's door lock deletion]
[Painted front reflectors]

INTERIOR
[RE Prototype Aluminum Shift Knob]
[RE Prototype Aluminum Handbrake]
[Custom Two-tone Black/Red Interior]
[E46 M3 steering wheel]
[RE Custom Alcantara Shift Boot]
[RE Custom Alcantara Handbrake Boot]

PERFORMANCE
[ECIS Cold Air Intake w/ custom Alpine White gelcoated heatshield]
[RE DMS Exhaust System]
[RE Short Shift Kit]
[RE Weighted Selector Rod]
[RE Lightweight Flywheel]
[RE Big Brake Kit]
[RE Adjustable Transmission Mounts]

SUSPENSION
[E46 M3 CSL Front Strut Brace custom painted Alpine White]
[RE Rear Control Arms]
[H&R Stage IV Coilover Suspension]
[E46 M3 RSM w/ Z3 Reinforcement Plates]

WHEELS/TIRES
[18" Volk Racing LE37-T
18 x 8.5 F, 18 x 9" R]
[Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position
225/40/ZR18 F, 255/35/ZR18 R]


And here's a link to all the threads with photos of the car's progress:

http://www.dtmpower.net/forum/search...der=descending