Decision Time

**rocky.ca** · 11-07-2008 11:15 PM

b5 a4 1.8TQM or e46 323i / ci and why. found a sexy black 323ci, im in love with it but im torn over getting out of the audi family

**Two A's** · 11-07-2008 11:21 PM

If I was you I would try to find a 3 series xi...all wheel drive. You could have the best of both worlds

**oldblu** · 11-07-2008 11:38 PM

They're traction control is pretty good though as is. It's due to their frame. They have really good traction. Of course it's not AWD, but it's the best RWD out there.

**bob12312357** · 11-07-2008 11:54 PM

BImmer are fine automobiles. With good snow tires you won't miss quattro..

**rocky.ca** · 11-08-2008 05:38 PM

going to check out a black on black 323ci tomrrow at 1:00

**slopoke** · 11-08-2008 06:18 PM

2.3 meh... go 330 or you will get real sick of how slow it is really soon.. and not much you can do about it... But they look really nice!

**D's Avant** · 11-08-2008 06:20 PM

We have a E46 330i along with my B5 Avant and yes the BMW is balanced, you however will need snow tires. If you press the DSC button once on our car it allows a little more slip with the rear wheels which can be fun and some what safe in the snow. The BMW has been dead-on reliable too. Just normal mait.

**rocky.ca** · 11-08-2008 06:35 PM

323 actually has a 2.5l engine. im planning on supercharging it eventually but i need to stop getting speeding tickets :P apparantly a supercharged 323 will keep up or slightly beat an m3 so im fine with that. 330 / 328 or w/e is tooo expensive. cant afford that. I talked the guy with the 323ci down to 7500, i think its a pretty good deal

**slopoke** · 11-08-2008 06:43 PM

yea your right they do have 2.5's huh... well read this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M52

UHHH...

In markets with low-sulfur fuel this engine was very highly regarded and the M52 was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 1995 through to 1998. However, there was criticism of the M52 engine in some markets, especially the UK, which had high levels of sulfur in the petrol during the late 90's. Sulfur acts as a corrosive agent against Nikasil and led to a lot of the early engines having premature bore-liner wear. In many situations the engine required a complete and expensive rebuild.

**rocky.ca** · 11-08-2008 06:47 PM

hrm... well im getting a 2000. been researching over at bimmer forums and apparantly this car will have no major mechanical problems... and the engine is rock solid.... cant be worse then the 1.8t :P

**im sofa king** · 11-08-2008 07:07 PM

to be honest, i'm a big bmw fan. As well as a bmw mechanic. however the 323's seem to be prone to more mechanical failures and maintenance issues than any other e46. I dont know what it is about them, but they are in our shop way more than any other of that generation. Maybe its because that specific model was made for the bmw enthusiast with a little tighter wallet so they skimped a little on some of the modules/parts. Just something I thought I should share.