Can you help?? E36 320 or 323??

[Jester7]

Hi
My girlfriend is after an E36 convertible BUT cannot decide on a 323 or 320?? Ive been on the Honest John website but it doesnt really say to much about the 320. Should we just wait and get 323 or is a 320 going to be enough??? Cheers

Edited by Jester7 on Thursday 15th January 14:05

[JLJ]

I'd have the 323 over the 320. But then again I'd go for the 328 above all as there is little in it as far as fuel economy and bugger all in servicing etc.

[David87M3]

320 didnt suffer from nikasil issues I think, 323's will have done.

[Pickled Piper]

Personally I would go 328 if at all possible. I think 323 was a 2.5 engine, so that would be next on my list.

If performance is not an issue then go by the spec and condition of the car that you find.

pp

[TheEnd]

David87M3 said:

320 didnt suffer from nikasil issues I think, 323's will have done.

Correct in general, but there are a few M52 (nikasil) 320's in the UK, which ran with the 323 and 328s (post 95)
They are pretty rare, so assume any 6cyl apart from the M's made after 95 are liable to Nikasil

[Jester7]

Thanks for the replies, so 328 it is!!! So whats the deal with the Nikasil liners how do you know if the car has been modded??

[TheEnd]

After 98 you'll be safe, as they switched to Steel liners.

It will be in the service history if the engine has been changed, and it's often added into the adverts either to let people know there is no nikasil issue or just because they can claim the car has 80k miles, but the engine is still new at 40k since changed.

Either way, they should be making it pretty clear if it has been swapped.

[sniff diesel]

320i's are slow, and even slower with 100kgs of extra converatble to carry around. Make it a 2.5 or 2.8 or you'll be dissapointed.

[Jester7]

Thanks again for all your replies. Just put a deposit down on a 97/328 with excellent History including the recalls for steering rack and engine change!! Paid £2800!! Well Pleased!!!