Help with basics please!!

[bmrdrmr]

Recently purchased a 1999 323ic... but the engine is a 328ic? (please pardon my mechanical ignorance... this girl knows accounting, not engines!)

Im seeking professional tips, as I LOVE this car and want the best performance and longevity.....

oil? filter? It was recently changed but I think they put the wrong type in.. I hear what sounds to be the lifters during low rpms after shift change?

Also, I purchased a warranty and the warranty company sent me a coolant additive for the overflow reservoir which MUST be used in order for the warranty to be valid. Im a little nervous about adding anything without consulting someone with bimmer knowledge....

my local BMW service shop doesnt have the best reputation so any and all advice is sincerely appreciated!!

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Big Daddy]

The engine in a 323 should be a 2.5 liter, not the 2.8 liter, what makes you think it is a 2.8?

Maybe what you are hearing is the injectors, they are known to make a clicking noise.

What is the name of the coolant additive, I am leary of putting anything in my radiator except Redlines Water Wetter.

 

[Detrich]

nice car... i've been using both regular & synthetic oil in mine, and haven't had any issues, because i change the oil regularly. am probably going to switch back to synthetic for a while soon tho...

 

[bmrdrmr]

Okay, I finally got the facts straight! It is a 328ic... my confusion was the contract paperwork from the dealership states 323.... but it is indeed a 328 convertible!!

(as I bashfully hide under my desk)

The additive is a Safechoice Clear Advantage Cooling System Additive, its neon pink, but it does not have a detailed itemized ingredient list. ???

thanks for any and all advice!

 

[selavia]

Okay, I finally got the facts straight! It is a 328ic... my confusion was the contract paperwork from the dealership states 323.... but it is indeed a 328 convertible!!

....That sounds fishy to me. If I were you, I would look at the plates of your car; you should find it in the driver's side door jam and see whether it is a 323 or a 328; also examine the serial number on the engine and make sure it matches the car. The values of the two cars is substantially different; a 1999 323ic, according to kbb, would go for $16,665, whereas the 328ic would go for a little over $19,000. (retail of course). So if your dealer wrote on the paper work 323 but told you 328, I'd be nervous.

No need to hide; I think the dealer is trying to confuse or maybe even dupe you.

You should check soon that way in case there is a mistake you can get them to refund your money.

Good luck and welcome to the board.

Sean

 

[Kirby]

Also, get the VIN from your paperwork and go to www.carfax.com . Run a free Carfax summary, it will list the year, make, model and engine info for FREE.

That will tell you what model was recorded when the car was first registered.

If things look fishy, you might want to pay for a detailed Carfax and get a detailed history. Hopefully you won't find out things you mignt not care to know!

 

[bmrdrmr]

well, the plot thickens.

Plate on drivers jam states 323ic. Plate under hood of car states 323ic. CARFAX VIN explosion also states 323ic. So does my contract and deal from the dealer.

However.... it has a V6, dual exhaust?

Man, Im so confused!!

 

[Big Daddy]

BMW does not make a V6, so it cannot have a V6 unless they have put a different motor inot. And a 323 has dual exhaust tips.

 

[Vision]

BMW does not make a V6

What?

 

[Big Daddy]

What what, BMW DOES NOT make a V6...period!

 

[selavia]

bmrdrmr,

Few questions, before you get up in their face about it (which you may have to):

1. How much did you pay for the car?
--> I ask this for the following reason: my experience with non-bmw dealers (note my experience) is that they will fudge what ever they don't know to entice to buy the car, but they won't do something that'll cause them to be held liable. What do I mean? Essentially, they may tell you that it's 328ic, but on the record and the price they charged will be around what a 323ic costs at retail. (In honesty, if I'm told it's a 328ic, there is no way in HELL I'm taking delivery on an invoice that says 323ic, I don't give a darn if they say it's a mistake...PAPERWORK MATTERS!) If the price they charged you is well over what a 323ic, then (I think) you have a valid claim to go back to the dealer and make a stink to get either a complete refund of the transaction or a discount so you pay what the car is actually worth.
2. Check the serial number on the engine itself and the car fax report (sometimes car fax reports list whether the car has the original engine), and see if it matches your car or whether it is a 2.8L engine. Go to your local BMW dealer and ask a sales rep if they can assist you with this (they're usually very helpful when they are not busy)

Another suggestion: At this point, I think you should definitely run the carfax report, at least the free one and see whether it tells you that it's fishy or not. I think you have cause to be worried.

If you don't want to disclose how much you paid for the car on this board for privacy reasons, do your own research and go to www.kbb.com or edmunds.com and get an idea of the relative costs of both vehicles with your options, etc.

ACT FAST, the more time that passes the harder it will be for you hold them liable for any possible fraud.

Good Luck,
Sean

 

[selavia]

Oh, the 323 and the 328 both had a dual exhaut and an inline 6 cylinder motor. The 323 has 2.5Litre engine while the 328 has a 2.8Litre engine. If you look at the motor at first blush you will not be able to tell the difference. You need to get the serial number off the engine and see if it matches the car. I am not sure where it is located on the 6 cyl. Your owners manual should tell you were it is located tthough.

 

[bmrdrmr]

ehe, well heres the REAL kicker.... I work for the dealership I bought it from. But before I jump to any conclusions.... I will do further research into the serial number on the engine, and all recommendations suggested above.... (thanks so much!!)

Will keep updating... and thank you!!