i need help.
im planning to buy a bmw but dont know the differences between classes
like 323ci, 328i and so forth{3 class beamers}

Its the motor. The second two numbers denote the motor used in that specific car. The letters that follow deal with different things regarding the vehicle (fuel type, convertible, coupe, sport model, etc.) What model are you looking at?

well im in between a 323ci,328i,325i
they all look preety much the same?
wich one of those is the fastest?
thanx.

Depends on the year, miles, etc. Logically, with the same year, same miles, same driver...the 328, it has more power out of the three for similar wieght. Again, it really depends on a number of variables, but a 328i would be the fastest, logically.

im lookin to buy a 00" or a 01
automatic though:disappoin

The 328i would be the fastest... Not by leaps though, slight differences between the 3 you listed...
The 328 is a 2.8 litre, which gives it the biggest engine out of the 3...

As the above have mentioned, its engine designation.

323 is 2.3L 6 Cylinder
325 is 2.5L 6 Cylinder
328 is 2.8L 6 Cylinder

Then the i, is, ci, designation is the body style. Also..Beamer's are motorcycles, Bimmers are cars.

323 is 2.3L 6 Cylinder...

Wrong. The 323i E46 is a 2.5L, just detuned from the 2.5L in the 325i. The 1993-1997 323 was a 2.4L, but it was only available in Europe. The 323 wasn't available in the US until the 1999 model year, in which it was a detuned 2.5L out of the 325i.

With the E90/92 models, its even more useless as the E90 325i was running a 3.0L. The current 328i is a 3.0L, as well.

Then the i, is, ci, designation is the body style.

I need to find the exact link, but there is more to the lettering codes than just a body style. I'm looking for it now. For example, i doesn't just mean sedan, I believe it means it uses regular unleaded fuel.

Also..Beamer's are motorcycles, Bimmers are cars.

Yup. Well. Sorta kinda.

Yahtzee.

BMW lettering

d = diesel
i = fuel-injected
x = all wheel drive
l = long wheel base
c = coupe
t = hatchback

So, a 330ci is a coupe, fuel injected. However, these letters are completely moot at this point when dealing with the 3 series as they are all now refered to simply as i. So, when saying, for example, 335i, one must diferentiate between coupe and sedan and droptop.

Wrong. The 323i E46 is a 2.5L, just detuned from the 2.5L in the 325i. The 1993-1997 323 was a 2.4L, but it was only available in Europe. The 323 wasn't available in the US until the 1999 model year, in which it was a detuned 2.5L out of the 325i.


Well fuck, learn something new everyday.

Yahtzee.

BMW lettering

d = diesel
i = fuel-injected
x = all wheel drive
l = long wheel base
c = coupe
t = hatchback

Thats good as long as your referring to mostly older bodystyle's of BMWs. Such as the Euro-only 1 series is a hatchback, but it doesnt use the "t" or "ti" or "td" designation there (like the E36 318ti, or the E46 320td (diesel hatchback) they had in Europe). For example, the 120i isnt called the 120ti. Plus, in the dealership I work at and enthusiest BMW communites, they referr to the wagons or "tourings" with a "T". Example: 330iT would be an E46/E91 330i Touring.

Plus, like you said, the 335i can be a sedan, coupe, or convertable (and soon to be wagon). Then the 335xi can be the sedan or coupe and prolly convertable as well. These designations are getting more and more useless. Apart from the good ol' "i" of course.