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      11-25-2009, 05:59 AM   #1
willchan711
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Should I go for BMW Performance Intake for my 323? Please advise!

I have a 2007 323 (191hp), not so satisfy with its power and performance. Recently I received a leftlet from BMW with the performance intake for around $8500. I read other post and think it worth the money on a 325/330. However for a 323 it is a "tuned down" version of 325. My concern is even the car get better air intake it will not able to benefit from it too much.

Can you share with me the feeling for a 323? Does it worth the money? I don't expect it be a 325 but at least a better "feeling" and obvous improvement on driving. Thanks so much
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      11-25-2009, 07:43 AM   #2
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My two cents. The differences between 323 and 325 is not that big to feel anyway, and you will not expect much changes just by changing the air intake kit for your 323.
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      11-25-2009, 09:54 AM   #3
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Thanks and I fully understand this. Anyway if anyone 323 owners have installed the performance intake please share with us!
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      11-25-2009, 10:31 AM   #4
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I heard some one said that the 323i's engine is the E46 325i's engine, no wonder my ex- E93 323i consumed a lot of engine oils last time, 7 months refill with 4 times, each time at least 0.5L >.<
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      11-25-2009, 08:39 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Renus View Post
I heard some one said that the 323i's engine is the E46 325i's engine, no wonder my ex- E93 323i consumed a lot of engine oils last time, 7 months refill with 4 times, each time at least 0.5L >.<
it's a known issue that some E9x engines "eat" oil... BMWHK will quietly top-up when they found this during maintenance checks...
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      11-25-2009, 11:59 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willchan711 View Post
Thanks and I fully understand this. Anyway if anyone 323 owners have installed the performance intake please share with us!
I will have mine installed soon.....let you know end of next week.
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      11-26-2009, 02:01 AM   #7
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get the BMS Powerbox...if you need dyno figures go to bmw-sg forum and do a search
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      11-26-2009, 02:15 AM   #8
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get the BMS Powerbox...if you need dyno figures go to bmw-sg forum and do a search
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      11-26-2009, 07:01 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtcl View Post
I will have mine installed soon.....let you know end of next week.
Oh thanks so much jtcl, please share with me once you have installed it!

When you drive a 323 you know what I am talking. 323 just lack not much, but a little bit power / torque. I don't need a 325 / 330 but just a more responsive better feeling 323.
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      11-26-2009, 07:54 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willchan711 View Post
Oh thanks so much jtcl, please share with me once you have installed it!

When you drive a 323 you know what I am talking. 323 just lack not much, but a little bit power / torque. I don't need a 325 / 330 but just a more responsive better feeling 323.
I drive a 323i and I completely know what you mean. I welcome any suggestions from other members to improve the responsiveness and torque of my ride
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      11-26-2009, 09:20 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willchan711 View Post
Oh thanks so much jtcl, please share with me once you have installed it!

When you drive a 323 you know what I am talking. 323 just lack not much, but a little bit power / torque. I don't need a 325 / 330 but just a more responsive better feeling 323.
hi c-hing, no prob, you are welcome.

Actually, I am quite satisfy with the Sports mode. The only drawback is that it consumes more fuel.....
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      11-26-2009, 09:32 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alim26 View Post
get the BMS Powerbox...if you need dyno figures go to bmw-sg forum and do a search
so, have you got one installed? would it affect the engine? thx
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      11-26-2009, 11:39 AM   #13
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I think you should put your money on a performance exhaust.
With some high flow cat instead of the OEM.

That should give you best performance for the money.
Just change to a drop in filter from K&N will be sufficiant

I have tried this setup on my old E90 325i.
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      11-27-2009, 12:41 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Heartware View Post
I think you should put your money on a performance exhaust.
With some high flow cat instead of the OEM.

That should give you best performance for the money.
Just change to a drop in filter from K&N will be sufficiant

I have tried this setup on my old E90 325i.

Oh oh....I asked BMWHK.....sadly 323 can not install BMW Performance Exhaust!

Any recommendation , Heartware ?....
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      11-27-2009, 02:21 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtcl View Post
Oh oh....I asked BMWHK.....sadly 323 can not install BMW Performance Exhaust!

Any recommendation , Heartware ?....
nonsense & rubbish. you probably lose some low end torque else as long as you go to a good muffler shop they can install/wield new exhaust in place.

get the powerbox...do a
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      11-28-2009, 01:08 PM   #16
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Exhaust? There are plenty. you don't need the BMW performance exhaust!
Any 100 Cell race cat. will do + 2.5 inch pipe stainless steal exhaust with a muffler of your choise will do.

You can just cut off the Cat and higflow end muffler and keep the rest.
The 325i and 323i exhaust flow is rated for about 300hp, if you change thoes 2 factors.

Don't go for 3 inch pips it just add weight.
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      11-28-2009, 01:53 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Heartware View Post
Exhaust? There are plenty. you don't need the BMW performance exhaust!
Any 100 Cell race cat. will do + 2.5 inch pipe stainless steal exhaust with a muffler of your choise will do.

You can just cut off the Cat and higflow end muffler and keep the rest.
The 325i and 323i exhaust flow is rated for about 300hp, if you change thoes 2 factors.

Don't go for 3 inch pips it just add weight.
Thanks Heartware!...

I am thinking about "ARQRAY STAINLESS TITANIUM TAIL MUFFLER (CENTER & REAR )?"...............what do you think?.....(well, don't know if its too loud in HK).....

You are so pro.....(well, its good in listening your mod experience on the HK14 meet...), thats something we can't easily do in HK., and I am definitely not an expert or anything near....
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      11-28-2009, 04:18 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtcl View Post
Thanks Heartware!...

I am thinking about "ARQRAY STAINLESS TITANIUM TAIL MUFFLER (CENTER & REAR )?"...............what do you think?.....(well, don't know if its too loud in HK).....

You are so pro.....(well, its good in listening your mod experience on the HK14 meet...), thats something we can't easily do in HK., and I am definitely not an expert or anything near....

Dear fd,

For my personal opinion, I strongly suggest you sell your present 323i and change to 330i (you can a 2nd or 3rd hand one from the market). It is really nonsense and waste money to mod a 323i, trust me, 100% not worth.
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      11-28-2009, 09:32 PM   #19
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I do agree with Renus.
Putting mods on a low powered car is not worth the money.
I would change up anytime if possible.

That's why I traded up from a 325i to 335i.

But then again, it all depends on your goal.
If the 323i is within your budget and you would like to get the most out of what you have. Then follow your heart and go.

But putting premium products like ARQRAY is waste of your money
You should always think of what you can get most value of your money when it comes to mods. Its just like buying a Gucci bag compare to a Nike bag It just a BAG!

I have come to an understanding after 5 years of modifying cars.

1. You have to know why and what you want to do with your mods.
2. Are your driving skill good enough to accommodate your mods
3. What's the budget and what value will you get for your money.

For example a friend of mine with an M3 E46 lost a highway battle against a Modified Seat Cupra R. He asked me to drive his car and when I drove his car I noticed that he had to low tire pressure. 2.2 instead of 2.7bar. After 4 corners at the highway he told be to take a shortbrake. I parked the car at a highway stop and he lighted up a cigarette,,, and said to me: I am shaking of fear back there. So that was what my car was capable of. Man I lost not because of the car. It was me. I told him that it was about 60% of what your cars capacity. I just got it warmed up. ;-)

A year after I sold my car. I got a ride with the guy who bought the car. We raced an evo 6 with just exhaust mod from 100-250km/h. To my surprise we won by 2cl.

I noticed that he was nailing the shifting points every time he shifts. That alone was enough.

I would recommend to go to your local Gokart track and try to get within the 100 best time
When you have achieved that, you can say that you can drive your car.

When you reached within top ten. You then can notice the difference you make on you car.

Just practicing driving on GT5 is not enough. I know that now after Nürburgring.
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      11-29-2009, 09:53 AM   #20
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Thanks for your comment. But I think an M3 owner may tell the same thing to an 330 / 335 owner who trying to modify their car. I fully understand what to expect from a 323 but if just $8500 can make it feel better in coming years I think that's very worth.

I just want a more responsive 323 so someone with BMW performance intake please share with me
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      11-29-2009, 10:17 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willchan711 View Post
Thanks for your comment. But I think an M3 owner may tell the same thing to an 330 / 335 owner who trying to modify their car. I fully understand what to expect from a 323 but if just $8500 can make it feel better in coming years I think that's very worth.

I just want a more responsive 323 so someone with BMW performance intake please share with me
I think 335i is a different case because 335i got a hella lot better potential in performance mod. A 335i can be easily tuned to outrun a M3. However, to be honest, 323i potential is quite limited.
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      11-29-2009, 10:50 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willchan711 View Post
Thanks for your comment. But I think an M3 owner may tell the same thing to an 330 / 335 owner who trying to modify their car. I fully understand what to expect from a 323 but if just $8500 can make it feel better in coming years I think that's very worth.

I just want a more responsive 323 so someone with BMW performance intake please share with me
IMO,is use the K&N drop in filter and get some good performance exhaust.i think the bmw performance intake's filter similar to K&N filter.and also the performance intake DON'T have "charcoal,mirco filter?" where is placed behind the oem air filter.which will make more restriction for performance.
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