323 / 325

[JCB]

SILLY QUESTION - as i am new E30 owner.....whats the difference between a 323 and a 325. my track car was sold as a 325 but just noticed that the MSA log book says 323. It is not road legal so no DVLA log book to confirm. was wondering if it really matters as the car bears very little resemblance to the road car it came from other tahn exterior body shape and dashboard !!!

[astondg]

I think the main difference is the engine, 2.3L vs 2.5L. Depending on what type of 323 and 325 there could be some differences in the options they had, a lot of them are probably not so important for you though. For a normal 325 it would be things like electric windows and stuff. If it was supposed to be a 325 sport than it should have an LSD standard where the 323 would probably not have one (although it was optional). A sport would also have the gearbox with slightly better ratios. There were some suspension differences for the sport but it sounds like you might have different suspension now anyway.

That's all I can think of right now. Mostly just check the engine, I don't know the numbers but I think it is stamped somewhere on it (2.5 2.7 or something like that).

Aston

[JCB]

thanks - it sounds like my car could be either and it doesnt really matter. the engine is 2.5 (or maybe 2.7 !!!) whatever- it is pumping out 210bhp !!!. it also runs M3 suspension, M3 brakes, M3 dogleg box and LSD. it does have manual windows so maybe the original car was a 323??

[Martinaston]

If you still have it fitted would the management system be Jetronic for the 323?

[E30Mark]

what's the last 7 digits of the chassis number? i'll tell you for sure!

The 323 was only made between '83 - '85

[Widge]

I'd like to meet a 323 which did 210bhp!!!!!

[Simon13]

Some 323's were optioned from new with dogleg boxes and an LSD so it's possible they were fitted from new...............

[JCB]

chassis number

WBAAB420300871023

[astondg]

From that number ^ it appears to be a 1987 (5th month) 325i Automatic. That is using the www.realoem.com .

Aston

[E30Mark]

I agree with astondg my ETK says it was originally a 05/87 325i coupe, auto, right hand drive.

[Widge]

Well some one has put a dogleg box on it when they put the M3 suspension on it.

[JCB]

THANKS GUYS !!! i know it does not really matter but its just nice to know !!!

just posted some pics on my site : visit http://jcwebcreations.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/
then click on BMW PICS 1 & 2

[Geeman]

Mmmm... might have to pop along for a nosey one day when I'm next up your way... would be interesting to look at your track car in the flesh to get some alternative ideas for my track car...

Giles.

[Widge]

Nice colour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But that's irrelevant on a track car - in fact if you go racing it'll make sponsore stickers even more noticeable!

I think I'm going to do my engine Red - if I ever build it now

[CaesarBob]

That looks like a serious car. Very nice.

Just one question - how do you mate an M3 dogleg box to the M20? Is it more likely to be a dogleg box from a 323i

[Simon13]

an M3 dogleg box won't fit. If it has one it's defo an ultra rare jobbie from a 323, which incidently will fit a 2.5 lump too, and a 2.0 i expect

[JCB]

about the box - i dunno !!! the info i got form the previous owner was a bit scetchy as they simply bought it from the guy who used to race it . the used it for a couple of hillclimbs and one track day. they then got a bad water leak and knackered the engine so they had a c Ԛ£1500 rebuild . they then sold the car and i got it. i think i got a bargain !!

you are probably right about the gear box as you lot know more about these things than me !!! i didnt know the 323 came with a dogleg box option so just assumed it must be M3 !!!