[DanteBruni]

Hello, this is my first post on this forum ! Anyways I just bought my first car, the 2000 BMW 323i. I honestly love the car, It runs and handles like a beauty. I'm looking to invest some money into the car. I'm not gonna go out and buy an M3, I'm just looking for ether a better appearance(interior or exterior) and a little more power. Anything would be much appreciated. So far everything is stock apart from the air intake, which I have replaced with a cold air intake with a filter!

 

[Spannerhead]

Welcome to E46F!

Mod-wise, here's what I'd do:

- Ditch the black wheels for a nice set of OEM silvers. Many good choices out there.
- Subframe mount repair.
- Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.

 

[zander271]

- Ditch the black wheels for a nice set of OEM silvers.

With your black whee hate lol

Everything else spanner said is spot on.

Start by reviewing the cooling system. If you don't know anything about it replace it all. Look up mango and click on his sig.

 

[mleindek]

Prepare your anti flame suit becuase everyone will tell you that:

A - You need to address the maintenance of the car before even thinking of any mod. And they are right, I invite you to read this blog:
http://e46cooling.blogspot.com/2014/10/think-youre-pimp-think-again-appeal-of.html

And this thread:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1007722

B - There's really not much that can be done to a 323 to increase its real power that doesn't involve diff/ engine swapping, pls read this:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=642135

 

[Spannerhead]

View attachment 628719

With your black whee hate lol

It's a fad whose 15 minutes are up. They look like steelies with missing hubcaps. There's no quicker way to ruin the look of a nice E46 than by spraying/wrapping/plastidipping the wheels black.

My $0.02. :dunno:

 

[zander271]

It's a fad whose 15 minutes are up. They look like steelies with missing hubcaps. There's no quicker way to ruin the look of a nice E46 than by spraying/wrapping/plastidipping the wheels black.



My $0.02. :dunno:

Well I'll give you that, the right wheels do look nice though.

 

[orb]

Cosmetic wise, I'd start by taking the plastidip off the wheels, change the corners and sidemarkers back to clear.

 

[TonyNY]

Come on leave the guys wheels alone. It seams everyone has them black now a day's Just get the tires balanced and follow us back with any repair questions that you may have.
Welcome to E46 Fanatics

 

[peytonracer4]

the dark signals look tired. the black wheels look tired.
the black trim and grills look pretty decent but i like the chrome. tint look s al little dark. otherwise the car looks pretty good IMO. an mtech bumper would look good but is expensive

 

[Geo31]

Welcome to E46F.

Chasing power in a 323i is a fool's errand. It can be done, but it takes M3 money.

Maintenance
Handling
Appearance

Those are your best bet. I'm not one to throw a wet blanket on anyone, but smart money does this. Take care of it and make it respectable and you'll be respected.

 

[peytonracer4]

I agree. The 323/325 is a weak platform for power gains. The 328/330 is a much better platform. Much stronger base engine

 

[mleindek]

The 323/325 is a weak platform for power gains.

:shhh:



LOL

 

[choxor]

At first glance it looks like a retired Chevrolet Impala police cruiser.

Get rid of the black wheels.

 

[KawiNinjaZX]

Coming from mainly N/A 4 bangers, I think my 323i is pretty quick, I'm happy with the performance, but then again I'm not racing anyone.

I would overhaul the entire cooling system, costs a couple hundred but it's worth it.

 

[lllRazorlll]

I would get clear corners/indicators/tails, aluminum silver rims, MTech 1/2 bumpers, xenon retrofit if you have halogens and that's about it. Anything that was plastidipped/painted has to be undone. Do maintenance also. Nothing like a clean and maintained E46, especially an older one