Anyone have a 98 323is with the Sport Package?
I had a '74 BMW 2002 about 14 years ago and always thought I would have another BMW in the future. With 230k on the odometer of my '90 Integra, the journey home begins.
I think I have decided on a 1998 323IS.
I think I want it to have the Sport Package but I am a little confused with what it includes.
From pictures, it looks like it includes:
* Fog Lights - Rather useless 99.9% of the time.
* Possible larger or additional air dam and side skirts.
* Different Rims - Was there a choice of wheels? I have seen picutres of cars that claim to have the sport package but I have seen about four different sets that look to be OEM rims.
Is there a dimension difference compared to the non-sport package rims?
Was anything else included in the package?
Were there any suspension upgrades in the package?
I have located quite a bit of info. on the '99 323is Sport Package but almost nothing on the '98's.
Would it be better to look for a '98 without the sport package and buy some better-quality atermarket rims, springs and shocks?
If the extra ground-effects are more of an "appearance package" I could do without. And even if they are functional, I never really drive above 85 mph anyway.
One drawback of a BMW is that I am not a big fan of leather or leather-like seats. I slide around too much. Give me a good quality cloth interior any day... especially on an 95 degree day.
Another is that I read the BMW's are horrible in the snow and the traction control, if the '98 has it, does nothing to help.
From what I have read, it seems that BMW has a problem with suspension related bushings in the front end that they refuse to acknowlege. What's up with that? It seems better quality aftermarket bushings are available.
Thanks,
Craig
I had a '74 BMW 2002 about 14 years ago and always thought I would have another BMW in the future. With 230k on the odometer of my '90 Integra, the journey home begins.
I think I have decided on a 1998 323IS.
I think I want it to have the Sport Package but I am a little confused with what it includes.
From pictures, it looks like it includes:
* Fog Lights - Rather useless 99.9% of the time.
* Possible larger or additional air dam and side skirts.
* Different Rims - Was there a choice of wheels? I have seen picutres of cars that claim to have the sport package but I have seen about four different sets that look to be OEM rims.
Is there a dimension difference compared to the non-sport package rims?
Was anything else included in the package?
Were there any suspension upgrades in the package?
I have located quite a bit of info. on the '99 323is Sport Package but almost nothing on the '98's.
Would it be better to look for a '98 without the sport package and buy some better-quality atermarket rims, springs and shocks?
If the extra ground-effects are more of an "appearance package" I could do without. And even if they are functional, I never really drive above 85 mph anyway.
One drawback of a BMW is that I am not a big fan of leather or leather-like seats. I slide around too much. Give me a good quality cloth interior any day... especially on an 95 degree day.
Another is that I read the BMW's are horrible in the snow and the traction control, if the '98 has it, does nothing to help.
From what I have read, it seems that BMW has a problem with suspension related bushings in the front end that they refuse to acknowlege. What's up with that? It seems better quality aftermarket bushings are available.
Thanks,
Craig