[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by Dumit

Hi there
My advice - wait for the 323, it has the same motor as European/South African 325 (2497cc). It has been on sale in South Africa from last November, can be specified like the rest of the E90 range, the basic model has the auto aircon though. Check this link for the tech data:
http://www.bmw.co.za/Products/Automo...n2/default.asp

Agree. If the 323 has same engine as 325, I will wait for the 323i.
But, does it have valvetronic like the 325i? ( I cannot recall what my salesguy told me about the 323i L6 has something missing from the 325i engine.........)

[kelvinso]

Originally Posted by cntlaw

Kelvin

If you want a E90 now, don't wait, get the 320 as you originally planned. 320 is a more popular model in HK because the good price and best fuel economy in our traffic jam.

320's 150hp with the 6speed Steptronic are just fine, especially if you don't carry several passengers and going uphills, cruising highways very frequently.
320i weights 100kg less than the 325i too!

If you can wait, the 323i 's 170hp with extra 2 cyclinders should give more torque, means a smoother acceleration and more power for highway cruising, uphills thus better passengers comfort. In other words, surely more 'relax' driving. And, there is no replacement for displacement!

Both models are not fast cars, but you can drive as fast as you want until your driving license is suspended!

HI cntlaw,

Totally agreed with your statements ....if my E36 was not broken down in June 2005 :mad: , I might have waited till now....but now I have already enjoyed my E90 from Sep 2005 . 323i is still not yet in HK, I think the one ordered by Raychkg will be the 1st batch.....arrived the earliest in early March.

I have been driving my friend's E46 323i a few times, I will say the refinement in E90 is better, even on my 4 cylinders 320i. But in terms of engine sound...6 cyclinders is another story....2 cyclinders more is 2 cyclinders more!!

Yes, 150hp(320i) or 177hp won't differs too much on paper....27hp more while 100kg heavier....I guess around/less than 1s in 0-100 accel., but the torque should be better in 323i in real life. So uphills....5 people...makes a difference

But to me, daily driving (with only my wife) of at least 60km a day on Highway, 4 cyclinders save me some gas.....Let me get some excuse for not waiting for 323i

So iamnewbie, it's your decision time now ..... I suggest you to wait for 2-3 weeks more for a demo to test drive again....If I were you now, I will wait and test

Sorry for my long post.......
Let me know if you need other biased 320i owner opinion

[iamnewbie]

Thanks for the tips. I guess will wait a few more weeks to take the opportunity to TD both the 323 and 325. My focus will be on the initial acceleration which i found to be more important for city traffic.

[raychkg]

Originally Posted by iamnewbie

Hi there, another person joining from Hong Kong, and facing the same dilemma. In HK there is still no test drive apportunity for the 323 yet. For those who have TD both, would you please kindly give a short note on the differences? e.g. difference in power mainly felt at low rev/speed or high rev/speed

Many thanks

Hi iamnewbie, welcome to the forum.
Yes, there is still no 323i in HK. I hope mine is arriving soon. Did you ask the salesguy when 323i is available for TD? I wonder if mine is really the first batch.

[iamnewbie]

Originally Posted by raychkg

Hi iamnewbie, welcome to the forum.
Yes, there is still no 323i in HK. I hope mine is arriving soon. Did you ask the salesguy when 323i is available for TD? I wonder if mine is really the first batch.

I did but they all give different replies
Some said the TD car will be available with the delivery of the 1st shipment around end of march.

I am going to test drive the 325 and 330 again tomorrow.... not sure whether i can hang on for too long

[raychkg]

Originally Posted by iamnewbie

I did but they all give different replies
Some said the TD car will be available with the delivery of the 1st shipment around end of march.

I am going to test drive the 325 and 330 again tomorrow.... not sure whether i can hang on for too long

End of March?? , they told me late Feb/early Mar. Have to call the salesguy up now. :mad:

[RD Sport]

You can also test the 523i to see how the engine behaves and the acceleration should not be alot different than 323i since their weights are similar. ie 525i is 1570kg and 325i is 1520kg.

[raychkg]

The salesguy still told me the same.....
hey iamnewbie, are you joining our first meet this sun?

[ksquare]

I ordered a 323 last week and spoke to the sales guy yesterday. He said there'll be an exhibition in early March to launch the 1 series in HK and that BMW is hopeful the 323 will arrive in time for this exhibition as well.

The first batch of 323s are supposed to arrive late February but there's a delay in shipment arrangements. The TD will be in the same batch. I guess Raychkg will be the first ones driving this car. If any of you are interested to know more about 323 vs 325, look up epiphone3's thread on 323. He's test driven both cars and has described his experience test driving them.

[raychkg]

Latest update from the salesguy is that the expected shipment arrival date is Mar 3, so I think I can get my 323i by mid-March (after clearance and examination by Transport Dept).

[RD Sport]

Originally Posted by raychkg

Latest update from the salesguy is that the expected shipment arrival date is Mar 3, so I think I can get my 323i by mid-March (after clearance and examination by Transport Dept).

Congrats ray. I guess you will have your car by our second meet. Any suggestions?

[raychkg]

Originally Posted by RD Sport

Congrats ray. I guess you will have your car by our second meet. Any suggestions?

Thanks. How about Mar 19 or 26?

[RD Sport]

Originally Posted by raychkg

Thanks. How about Mar 19 or 26?

hm.. let's post some purposed date on our HK tread to gather more interest. I will not be in Hong Kong from March 27-April 7 since I need to go to Europe for business trip.

[ksquare]

Originally Posted by raychkg

Latest update from the salesguy is that the expected shipment arrival date is Mar 3, so I think I can get my 323i by mid-March (after clearance and examination by Transport Dept).

Guess you're now drooling all over and heart beating faster by the day. Would really love to see your combination. I had thought of both the terra and lemon interiors but finally settled on grey.

Just saw the photos of the first meet. Wish I was there with the new car.

[RD Sport]

Originally Posted by ksquare

Guess you're now drooling all over and heart beating faster by the day. Would really love to see your combination. I had thought of both the terra and lemon interiors but finally settled on grey.

Just saw the photos of the first meet. Wish I was there with the new car.

You are welcomed to join us any time you wish even if you are still waiting for your E90.