323 vs 325?

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Just out of interest - is the 323 just a restricted 325 or is there a fundamental difference in displacement too? Don't laugh - I think I read somewhere that 323's are actually 2.5ltre engines?

Therefore could buying a 323 and unrestricting it be a cheaper way than just buying a 325 outright?

[taylor86]

this is my understanding of it:

a 323 is an M50 engine and was available up to 2001, and yes it is 2.5 litres, it was labelled a 323 to distinguish the 328 (which actually is 2.8l)as a more exclusive model.

a 325 is an M54 (different design to the M52 like Vanos etc not sure on the specifics) engine and was available after 2001 and is also 2.5 litres, its more powerfull than the 323

Edited by taylor86 on Tuesday 26th January 15:57

[LC23]

Are you looking at the 323i and 325i E36 or E46? Essentially they are all 2.5 litre, just different engines. The 323i was so called as it was released after the 325i (for E36) and they wanted to distinguish the fact it had a newer engine (albeit still a 2.5).

[Buzzkill]

It's worth noting e36 323's are sometimes more expensive than 325's due to age/mileage. As said above, they essentially replaced the 325.

For me, the inlet manifold swap (the restricted area referred to) just isn't worthwhile. In my cars case the swap all in would cost around 30% of the total value of the car... Good gains (10-15bhp top end) can be seen so I'm reliably told, but unless your pushing on at 4k+ rpm frequently, the car will actually be worse off at lower rpm, loosing a little torque.

Edited by Buzzkill on Tuesday 26th January 18:19

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Thanks guys - I was refering to an e36 323i. I've been driving one as a run around whilst my e39 is fixed (provided by the bmw specialist i'm using). goes quite well!

[benny.c]

All the E36 engine info is in here - that's assuming you can believe everything you read in a Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E36

[LC23]

Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:

Thanks guys - I was refering to an e36 323i. I've been driving one as a run around whilst my e39 is fixed (provided by the bmw specialist i'm using). goes quite well!

I had one and loved it.

[Devil2575]

The E36 325 had the steel block 2.5 litre M50 engine and put out 192bhp. The e36 323 had the alloy block 2.5 litre M52 engine and put out 170bhp. The 323s power was restricted by fitting the same inlet manifold as the 320 and this can be felt at higher revs where the engine feels breathless. Fitting the 2.5 M50 manifiold and a big bore throttle body does release some more power and with a high flow air filter and remap will see power in excess of the 325. However this will all be at the top end and you will not get an associated increase in torque. So the car will want to rev more and will not run out of puff at 5.5k but will have no extra low to mid range power/torque.

Also the E36 323 suffered from the dreaded Nikasil problem so buying a good one can be a little bit of a minefield.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

I've got an e30 325 and absolutely love it (the e39 is for the wife and kids). The extra weight tells in the e36. I was just interested to hear what the difference was between the later 323 and 325 engines!

[Nickbmwcoupe]

since were on about the e36 engines anyone know why the e36 328 only has 1 bhp more then the 325? i read it from a search on google...maybe im wrong

[RichBurley]

Nickbmwcoupe said:

since were on about the e36 engines anyone know why the e36 328 only has 1 bhp more then the 325? i read it from a search on google...maybe im wrong

Down to German emissions rules and regulations. The 328i is restricted, and capable of a lot more. Torque is a lot better than the 325i, though. 323i figures are on the pessimistic side presumably to make the 328i look better. Having driven a 323i, a 325i, and a 328i, couldn't feel much difference in the 323i and the 325i, but the 328i had a fair bit more poke in driving.

[Nickbmwcoupe]

i found my e36 325i quite a bit faster well from what i could see in my mirror then the 328 maybe beacuse his was an e46...

[Shropshiremike]

Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:

I've got an e30 325 and absolutely love it (the e39 is for the wife and kids). The extra weight tells in the e36.

'Fast Lane' mag did a comparison of the E30 325i Sport against the new E36 325i when it was launched in 92.
The E36 was quicker at everything, acceleration, top speed, cornering - the 325i Sport did look nicer though in bright red vs the grey of the E36

[Zimt]

Hi everyone,


Hopefully this fits in here.

I'm going to view a K-reg 325i Coupe on the weekend which comes with 81000 miles and full service history. According to the service book the last service was carried out almost 2 years ago and the car covered only 3000 miles thereafter which makes me a bit worried.
Of course, I will change the engine oil and filter but is there anything else that's recommended to carry out due to the rare use?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Zimt

[msh]

The 325 coupe was my first BMW that i owned and was on an L reg.

It was one of the best cars that i have had, even better than some cars that have cost over £25k.

It just sounded so good and was chipped to over 200bhp.

Not many cars that have not been modified about these days though.