E90 323 help me decide please

[WPc20xe]

i found a e90 323 motor sport at a reasonable price (R130k 2006 model with 120k km on the clock)


how are these cars on fuel ?
are they realiable?
should i rather look at e90 325?
are there anything bad to say about these cars.

 

[James-ci]

My Buddy just bought a 2006 323i with 80 000km on it.
Very nice car, he is on the road alot and gets about 7,3 - 8l/100km combined.
I think they are very reliable.
Your 323i (2.5l)is the 130kw version, so if you can get a 325i (160kw) I would rather go for it.
but there is nothing wrong with the 323i
Just examples...

http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c...-BMW-325i-Auto-Sports-Pack-W0QQAdIdZ454034149

http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c...W-325i-M-sport-black-color-W0QQAdIdZ453670962

 

[WPc20xe]

these cars seem much cheaper in JHB and the mileage much less

 

[James-ci]

I see your in CT yes.
Then the you don't loose al that power we do up here.
Then the 323i isn't bad at all!

 

[Ricky318i]

The 323i is not very fuel efficient. You'll only get 11.9 - 12.1l/100km on a autobox.

Power is not comparable to the 320d.

and the N52 engine is not as reliable as the N53 in the LCI 323i. (Many cases of high oil usage)

Sorry if i haven't had anything good to say.

 

[Rayzor]

My 323 is on 152k km and no issues, at 130k km i change my water pump i think this is common on these motors. average fuel is between 9 and 11l/100km but im stuck in traffic 20km straight to and from work. if you looking for a fuel saver get a DSL if you want power get a 325i or for a good balance of power and economy get a 330d :inlove:

 

[akash]

Hi there Buddy

I have a 2006 323i with 181 000 km on the clock. I still get around 8L per 100kms. They are great cars. They are a detuned version of the E90 325i. So if you go for a pre LCI 323i you will still have the same N52N. The 323i LCI also has the same N52N engine as well only the E90 325i LCI as the N53 engine.

Don’t expect the 323i to be a racer, it’s more for easy driving but it can hold it’s on the open road.

I had my car since 80 000km and now needs a diff replacement after 7 years.

These inline 6 engines are strong trust me. I had no issues with my engine.

Service your car on time and treat it well you won’t have any issues.
But if I had the choice I would go for the E90 325i.

 

[Rayzor]

Diff replacement at 180k km should i be worried :fencelook:

 

[herr bmw]

mine is a 2008 model,115000 on the clock,love it to bits,will be replacing the water pump as a precaution,get 11 to 12km per litre but have seen 15km per litre down to durban

 

[akash]

Gizmo was mentioning that these diffs are not the strongest. The bearing inside the diff tends to go. But a second hand one will set you back between R3000 and R4500.

I did alot of milage on my car as my wife and i only had one car and we travelled almost 80kms a day to and from work.

Thank god those travelling days are over raise:

 

[WPc20xe]

thanks for all the feedback.

i have no idea what n52n is but i assume its engine types and before today is done will know almost everything there is to know.# no working being done by me today:joy:

 

[James-ci]

good luck buddy, know you will be happy!

Let us know!

 

[Philip Foglar]

BMW N52 Engine Series :thumbs:

 

[akash]

Hey there

One of the forum members is selling his 2007 325i E90.

You may want to have a look at the thread, the car is still within motor plan.

I think he's looking for R180 000 though.

 

[sclass]

323i LCI is an N53 (140kw) no? N54 is a boosted N52 (pre LCI) and an N55 is a boosted N53 (LCI)?

 

[Xeqtr]

My 323 is on 152k km and no issues, at 130k km i change my water pump i think this is common on these motors. average fuel is between 9 and 11l/100km but im stuck in traffic 20km straight to and from work. if you looking for a fuel saver get a DSL if you want power get a 325i or for a good balance of power and economy get a 330d :inlove:

Did you forget to mention a 330i? What about a 330i here guys?

 

[Vicus]

I got a 323i E90 as a courtisy car when my 2011 E90 320d went to the panelbeaters for hail damage early in 2013.

Eish, I wish I could say a lot of positive things about the 323i. But I can't.

I guess if you are not too fussed about power and economy it is okay-ish.
I did not like the cat at all. It only had about 30 000 km on the clock, so it was not a case of being old or anything like that.

Biggest issue was power. Getting out of my 320d, into the 323i felt like getting into a 1200cc car. The car just felt dead. I initially thought it was just because I am used to driving at low revs, and I must just get used to flooring the gas pedal a bit more. Pfff...it made no difference. No matter what I did, the car just felt extremely sluggish and un-responsive.

:yuck:

Then, there is economy. I guess for non-diesel fans it would not be bad. But man, I counted the days till I got my 320d back, as driving the 323i was friggin expensive and frustrating.

Look, to be fair, it is still a BMW, so it is a comfy, good quality luxury sedan. But in my opinion, if you don't like diesel, then rather try and find a 325i.