[kelvinso]

Hi all,
I am waiting for the 320i in Hong Kong and interested to know if there is any news on 323i. As 320i is only 4 cyclinders, I guess the same new engine from 523i (177hp) will be equipped for 323i. But so far I have not heard any news yet. Still wondering if I should place an order on 320i or wait a while for 323i. Need some advice.
Kelvin

[kchika]

Welcome to the forum, Kelvin! Good to see another HK member here. I have a Sparkling Graphite 330i on order.

[kelvinso]

Hi kchika,
Good to know you are from HK also. What's your choice for interior? I am considering Lemon + Walnut Wood, any comments??
Kelvin

[kchika]

Originally Posted by kelvinso

Hi kchika,
Good to know you are from HK also. What's your choice for interior? I am considering Lemon + Walnut Wood, any comments??
Kelvin

I ordered black leather with brushed aluminum trim. I thought that it would be easier to clean.

You can find a lot of interior color/trim combinations here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352

[n21k]

Nice to see asians in this forum. I'm from Singapore and already placed order for E90 325i (Sparkling Graphite with Black interior) in April, after the launch in late March but...delivery only sometime July...sigh

how about delivery time in HK? Only the 320i are available for immediate delivery here. Otherwise, it'll be around 4months for 325i or 330i.

[kelvinso]

In HK, I know 330i are being handed over to buyers around mid-May.

For 325i and 320i, we have to wait for a few more months.

Have you tried the 320i in Singapore??

[E90Fleet]

Hello

The 323i is supposed to released around September

It will use the same detuned 2.5L engine that the recent 523i has


The 320i is nice, but are you willing to risk the depreciation on trade-in when you get the 323i ?

[kelvinso]

Hi E90Fleet,
Do you have any formal information from South Africa on the launching date of 323i?
The HK dealer told me they have not heard any internal news for launching 323i and try to drive me to order 320i instead.
To me 320i is just a replacement of 318i. And I would like to switch to six instead of four but I cannot afford 325i indeed. So looking forward to 323i but don't know if it is worth to wait?
Also, do you mean the depreciation of 323i is greater than 320i?

[E90Fleet]

Sorry , I thought you meant should you buy a 320i while waiting for the 323i

I have no official date yet, but have heard from a couple places here in SA and on the net it should be around September

The E90 320i is just the E46 318i ( the last year of E46 318i even had the exact same engine )

I personally would wait for the 323i, and by then they would have gotten rid of a number of bugs the first models might have

[juansego]

The last news from a local dealer here in Spain is that it won't appear in September, that's all they know. In a interview I read a few days ago the BMW chief Panke said (if my German is good enough) that it won't appear, they're satisfied with the 320i.

I was also waiting for the 323i, but after all these news I've ordered a 320i.

Bye

[E90Fleet]

Thats sounds wrong

I have it confirmed from guys at the factory here that they are testing it, they just dont know or cannot say the exact release date.

The E46 320i was the 2nd best seller here after the 318i, I cannot see that hey would no bring its replacement as there is a big gap between the 320i and the 325i

[kelvinso]

Dear all,
Thanks for sharing all the info. E90Fleet, if you have any new info. in the coming months on 323i, pls. kindly let me know. I am really looking forward to it.

E90 320i is not that bad in my mind. 9.7s for 0-100 is already a quite good figure. But if 323i can do a bit better at a reasonable additonal cost, I will surely wait. Previously, E46 320i is only 10% more expenseive than 318i last year in HK. If 323i is going to replace E46 320i at that price level, I will surely wait. I have driven my old old 318i for 6 years and 4 cyclinders engine is quite ok to me so far. But if I order the new E90, I would like to change to 6 instead of 4. 325i E90 is really a nice option but it is 33% more expensive than 320i E90 in HK. A bit more than my original budget.

So I will stay tuned and wait for a while. Hope I can place an order before end of this year for a new E90 323i. Let's see.

[n21k]

Hi kelvinso,
In singapore, the 523i was just released and was told don't expect the 323i to be release so soon since the 320i is the current entry/basic model here. Not a bad choice though for the 320i if you don't mind the 4 cycl, otherwise, wait for the release of 323i in HK.

If I'm not wrong, the local 523i produce 177bhp only and looking at it, is only 7bhp gain from the last batch E46 320i, 2.2L engine (170bhp). I think you should try to do a search for more info on 323i or you might have wasted you wait.

Just my 2 cents worth

[Gareth SA]

Initially the 323i was to be launched in September with the 130 kw 6 cylinder

We do not have specs and pricing for this car yet but I believe if it does not arrive in September , it will be released by November at the latest and the price would undercut the 320d as the e46 320i did.

[raychkg]

Guys, 323i just released in HK. It cost HKD359,000 with config almost the same as 320i except the 6 cylinder engine with 170bhp.

If you add all the options to make it the same as 325i, it is roughly HKD50,000 cheaper than 325i. Unless you really need the extra 48 bhp, I think 323i is value for money.

[rs1985]

hi
I am from HK too
but moved to Vancouver
I am currently having a 323i loaner, my car need to have something install
I have to say, I am really suprise of the performance of the 323i.
It doesn't feel like a 170 hp car but instead a 200 hp car
Well the interior is not that great and the outside have no angel eyes and all that but ya that's my 2 cents

[epiphone3]

Originally Posted by rs1985

hi
I am from HK too
but moved to Vancouver
I am currently having a 323i loaner, my car need to have something install
I have to say, I am really suprise of the performance of the 323i.
It doesn't feel like a 170 hp car but instead a 200 hp car
Well the interior is not that great and the outside have no angel eyes and all that but ya that's my 2 cents

I agree 100% about the performance! When I drove the 323i test car, I definately never felt like I needed more power. Of course one will always accept more power! hehehe! I am so happy that I bought one and I can't wait for it to get here!!!!

The interior... in my opinion... is exactly the same as a 325i or 330i except for the manual climate control. I don't know why someone would think otherwise.

[epiphone3]

Originally Posted by raychkg

Guys, 323i just released in HK. It cost HKD359,000 with config almost the same as 320i except the 6 cylinder engine with 170bhp.

If you add all the options to make it the same as 325i, it is roughly HKD50,000 cheaper than 325i. Unless you really need the extra 48 bhp, I think 323i is value for money.

100% agree with this too... especially after you drive one. In the end, the value is very good

[320eye]

Just got me 2005 320i 5Auto I-6 Premium CS/Rsc Steel Blue a week ago with 5K.Man what an amazing model.Yes they are being replaced by the 2006 323i but with only 4 more horses.Depre or not i think the 320i are the best buy right from the get go.Its the one use in the FIA WTCC,and have won many a far of awards and accolades along with where the rest of the 3 Series are based and followed from.Good Luck and i hope you find/get what you want which is the 320i right?? .Go Figure !!!

Peace!!! :rocks:

[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

[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

[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!