As a huge fan of the E46 3 series, I love feasting my eyes on feature worthy ones. Covered in the exotic Topaz Blue finish, this 2000 BMW 323Ci keeps the classy and luxurious lines of a BMW while its subtle changes comes clean in setting off your senses. Cruising the streets of Canada, the 323 may seem like a normal everyday driver, but this 300hp producing coupe might argue differently. Lowered on HRE 448R’s I don’t think this 3-series skipped a beat anywhere.
Back to the 300hp figure; thanks to Active Autowerke, a Rotrex supercharger was fitted onto the 323. A Hyperboost bypass valve was bolted on for obvious duties. Purring out the rear and providing music without even turning on the stereo is a UUC Motorwerks Twin Silencer exhaust system. With the additional horsepower and torque figures, the 323’s transmission was revamped with a Dinan transmission service. Before we can shut the hood of this luxurious coupe however, we are obligated to point out the custom painted Topaz Blue engine covers and the Active Autowerke polished oil cap.
From the factory it always seemed to me the stock 3 series chassis lacked just a little something. This was easily relieved with the installation of an M-Technik Euro version front bumper and M3 aluminum hood. Accenting the M-Technik front bumper is a Hamann Competition front add-on. Widening up the side and matching the rear are Hamann GTR side skirts and a Hamann GTR rear bumper. Back in the rear is also an MDK Sport CSL trunk that pulls your attention away from the glistening UUC Motorwerks exhaust. The stock headlights received a titanium silver headlight trim and match painted Hamann headlight covers. Swapping out the stock BMW emblems, the new Hamann emblems were custom dyed in a shade of Topaz Blue. Last but not least, the more stylish M3 mirrors were painted and fitted on, completing the entire exterior package. Simple, subtle and extremely clean - that’s what companies like Hamann pride themselves with.
Balancing off the new front fascia, side skirts and rear bumper, the 323Ci called for adjustable suspension from Ground Control. Along with the height adjustable springs, a set of Koni Yellow dampening adjustable shocks were installed to help ensure the BMW retained its high quality ride. While the entire suspension package was being reinstalled, a set of M3 rear shock mounts took place of the factory. UUC Motorwerks sway bars were then bolted onto the front and rear, offering a thicker alternative than the stock units. Running across from driver to passenger side struts is an AC Schnitzer racing strut bar under the hood. No car looks wonderful lowered on stock wheels, and the BMW 3 series is hardly an exception to this rule. A custom set of 19x8.5 and 19x10 HRE 448R in brushed aluminum finish was bundled and bolted on offering the perfect look to the stylish figure of the 3-series. Wrapped with 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 Toyo Proxes T1S tires, the HRE’s by themselves captivate your visual senses that you almost forget to notice the Brembo 12.6” Gran Turismo big brake kit. With Brembo cross drilled rotors and Hawk HPS street brake pads, the braking system almost makes the supercharged motor seem mild.
Opening the driver and passenger side door, the luxurious leather of the 3-series has been accented with a custom two-tone (blue and black) interior. The factory trim pieces were popped out and brand new Fibreworks JKT silver carbon fiber ones were installed. The stock pedal set has been accented with a set of Hamann pedals and an M3 dead pedal. Hamann goodies continue on in the rest of the interior, with a Hamann EVO Shift Knob, aluminum e-brake handle and aluminum door sills. Further replacing 3-series parts with its M3 counterpart, this supercharged 323 has now made shifting duties simpler with an M3 SMG steering wheel that’s completely functional thanks to an SMG retrofit kit. A trio of gauges pokes through a Leatherz center console gauge pod filled with three of Autometer’s necessities: boost gauge, air fuel ratio gauge and pyrometer gauge.
If the supercharged acceleration and aggressive braking capabilities wasn’t entertaining enough, a Clarion CRX925VD In-Dash DVD player is a touch away. A pair of Icon-TV 6.5" widescreen LCDs are custom fitted into the head rests and a Nintendo Gamecube was installed with 4 controllers to entertain during the shows and long rides. Audio sings through the ears with the aid of JL Audio XR525CS-I 5.25" component speakers in the front. Rockford Fosgates’ RFR-2210 10" Subs are custom installed in the trunk in an enclosure wrapped in black carbon fiber vinyl. Every speaker is powered through an Alpine MRV-450 5/4/3 channel amplifier.
Who ever says that you have to have an M3 to have fun? I’m going to have to agree here that this 323 is a great substitute - supercharged power, perfect styling and HRE wheels. I’m going to go back to feasting my eyes on it now and keep dreaming of that E46 3-series in my driveway.
