[arclight]

I've been lurking around this forum for a few months and this is my first post. I just want to know if anybody out there owns an E92 323i (Auto transmission) who is either satisified or regretting their purchase wishing they should have gotten the more powerful model. The 325i is of course the better option but it is pricier. I'd rather not spend more if the 323i is good enough around town (335i is not an option as it is off my budget).

I know that I should test drive both of them and decide but a test drive is different from real world daily experiences. I'd be mostly driving around sydney with just the occasional out of town trips.

If I would go for a 323 Coupe, I'd like the following options:

Metallic paint
sunroof
professional navigation
logic 7
auto trans

The car has to be auto as my wife cannot drive a manual. My dilemna is that if I go for the 325, then I'm gonna have to remove most of the options on the list.

Another thing, can anybody give me an idea of what would be the best price in Sydney for the 323 with the above options.

Thanks.

[astra]

good luck with teh car hunting, and welcome to the forum!

[moO moO nEL]

shop around
or
http://www.betterdeal.com.au/

[arclight]

I checked http://www.betterdeal.com.au and it seems like an auction kind of thing - dealers bid for your business. Can you actually get a better price than negotiating direct?

The fee for the service is not expensive but I just don't want to waste money. Has anybody actually tried purchasing their BMW with betterdeal? Any feedback would be appreciated.

[VGR00]

A co-worker of mine based in Melbourne has purchased a 323 E92 and he is really happy with it. Mind you, he did come out of a Saab. He had the same dilema as you as to uprade the engine or take the extras and he opted for the luxury.

Good luck with your decission.

[sevey]

Go for the 323 and get it chipped to 325 performance.....they are the same engine.Then again, does the 323 have less standard features than a 325?

[canulaman]

I'm in the same situation... deciding between 323i and 325i ... as well as the comfy Lexus IS250 as well!!

Would like to know whether there is a significant, noticeable difference in the performance between the 323 and the 325i. 325 with options is really stretching my budget. Then again there's always the IS250 with every option available and also much cheaper.

As with the chip... is that a confirmed thing or is it just something that may be possible in future?

[BMW //MPOWER]

Originally Posted by canulaman

I'm in the same situation... deciding between 323i and 325i ... as well as the comfy Lexus IS250 as well!!

Would like to know whether there is a significant, noticeable difference in the performance between the 323 and the 325i. 325 with options is really stretching my budget. Then again there's always the IS250 with every option available and also much cheaper.

As with the chip... is that a confirmed thing or is it just something that may be possible in future?

The chip is real and has been done, i have friends in HK who have done it.
All that is required is the 325i engine management system to be installed onto the car, thats the only thing required to have the same power as the 325i.
Car companies do a lot of things to save money, this is one of them.

[canulaman]

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

The chip is real and has been done, i have friends in HK who have done it.
...

Would chipping void the car's warrantee (if done within the warrantee period...). Also who in Sydney does it and for how much? Would rather go for the real 325i if it's gonna cost my kidney(s)...

[astra]

Originally Posted by canulaman

Would chipping void the car's warrantee (if done within the warrantee period...). Also who in Sydney does it and for how much? Would rather go for the real 325i if it's gonna cost my kidney(s)...

they tried to tell me that my wheels would void all my warranties (i mean, they are the same rolling diameter!)... so yeh, i'd assume you would run into trouble

[BMW //MPOWER]

Originally Posted by canulaman

Would chipping void the car's warrantee (if done within the warrantee period...). Also who in Sydney does it and for how much? Would rather go for the real 325i if it's gonna cost my kidney(s)...

Well re-installing the engine management system shouldn't void anything as only 1 in 100 BMW techs would realise it, not sure how'd they'd fight you on the warranty, but who knows.
I don't know anyone who has done it in Sydney, but if you know a dealer or someone who works in BMW service you could get them to do it for. As that's how our friend had it done in HK.

[canulaman]

Just downloaded the pricelist pdf file from BMW.com.au. Found that the true difference in price with same level of options between the 323 and 325i is only about 6k. Shocked to see that a fully optioned 325i is likely to be upwards of 100k. At that price it gets close to the much better 335i. Also getting into the Merc CLK price range. Aussie 325i are definitely a big ripoff compared to the US prices.

[astra]

Originally Posted by canulaman

... At that price it gets close to the much better 335i. Also getting into the Merc CLK price range. Aussie 325i are definitely a big ripoff compared to the US prices.

"the much better"?

that is truely a matter of opinion

what is yor reasoning in saying this? i am guessing it is because it goes fast mate?

but no big shock that euro cars are expensive here, it's always been the way...

i am sure alot of would be driving around in brand new M6's right now if we had teh US pricing

[arclight]

With the possibility of chipping, the 323i is looking more attractive for me. In time, I'm pretty sure somebody would offer it in Oz. Will visit a few dealers this weekend. Does anybody know the average wait time for delivery of a E92 323?

[moO moO nEL]

arclight,

Book test drive for both cars and talk to a salesman you will get all the answers.

If you live near Artarmon go ALTO BMW ARTARMON look for the new car sales name Michael, say Nelson sent you to get the best price in Sydney. Michael is a regular customer of mine and he is easy to talk to...not pushy.

[danielt]

Hi Arclight

I tried betterdeal for my E92 335 back in November but was only able to get about $500 off the betterdeal listed price on their website. betterdeal did call me and say they had a few dealers willing to sell me a new 335i for $117k + stamp duty (metallic, roof, auto) so i used this sort of ballpark figure to bargain direct with the Qld dealers.

in any case, do you need brand new? if you are balancing between 323 and 325 and can go used 325, i'd definately try to get the 325 used with the options you listed (for same price as 323 new). in brisbane they had a few used E92 325's on the lot for about $92k though i am not sure how many options they had which fit your requirements.

[arclight]

Originally Posted by moO moO nEL

arclight,

Book test drive for both cars and talk to a salesman you will get all the answers.

If you live near Artarmon go ALTO BMW ARTARMON look for the new car sales name Michael, say Nelson sent you to get the best price in Sydney. Michael is a regular customer of mine and he is easy to talk to...not pushy.

Thanks for this info Nelson. BMW Artarmon is one of the dealers that I planned to visit.

Originally Posted by danielt

Hi Arclight

I tried betterdeal for my E92 335 back in November but was only able to get about $500 off the betterdeal listed price on their website. betterdeal did call me and say they had a few dealers willing to sell me a new 335i for $117k + stamp duty (metallic, roof, auto) so i used this sort of ballpark figure to bargain direct with the Qld dealers.

in any case, do you need brand new? if you are balancing between 323 and 325 and can go used 325, i'd definately try to get the 325 used with the options you listed (for same price as 323 new). in brisbane they had a few used E92 325's on the lot for about $92k though i am not sure how many options they had which fit your requirements.

I would be test driving both 323 and 325 this weekend. If the 323 is good enough, then I'd go for a brand new car instead of a used 325. If a 325 is a compelling drive, then I might consider a used one. It all really depends on what price I can haggle.

I plan to try betterdeal after I've done with the dealer visits.

[CaptOz]

Originally Posted by arclight

I just want to know if anybody out there owns an E92 323i (Auto transmission) who is either satisified or regretting their purchase wishing they should have gotten the more powerful model.

If I would go for a 323 Coupe, I'd like the following options:

Metallic paint
sunroof
professional navigation
logic 7
auto trans

I had an E90 325 loaner once and found that while the engine sounded lovely and revved well, it lacked a little grunt down low.

Metallic paint – For sure.
Sunroof – For resale.
professional navigation – without a doubt (the standard nav is very basic).
logic 7 – I have it and it is pretty good.
auto trans – The way to go !!

Originally Posted by astra

"the much better"?
that is truely a matter of opinion

My opinion too.

Originally Posted by astra

what is yor reasoning in saying this? i am guessing it is because it goes fast mate?

Is there any other reason?

Cheers.

[canulaman]

Do let us know how u go with the test drive, Arclight. I'm looking for an upgrade probably later this year ...

[bobcat]

i'm picking up a 323i coupe for my wife next week, it's auto, metallic, sports seats and suspension, high beam assist and adaptive light, floor mats, 17" v spoke 188 wheels. There's obviously not as much grunt on paper vs the 325i but not major difference while you're driving, esp when you're accelerating (ie 60-80km) while driving.

For the purpose of a wife's car, it has the looks, that's enough. No need for the extra speed. IMO you either get the 323i for the entry model, or go all the way to the top for a 335i or a m3 for the grunt.

[canulaman]

Originally Posted by bobcat

i'm picking up a 323i coupe for my wife next week...

Do u mind if I ask how much did this car set you back? My config is likely to be very similar if it's the 323i.

[bobcat]

just under 80k