Date: 2 Jun 1997 16:15:01 -0400
From: "Koral, Joseph M." <jkoral_at_realworldcorp.com>
Subject: 6 cylinder Compact (323ti)!
According to information posted in alt.autos.bmw from a German resident, the 323i Compact will be introduced at the IAA in Frankfurt this fall.
I won't quote his message here without permission, but he also stated the M3 Compact will *not* be produced. (Contrary to earlier reports, most notably CAR magazine).
Since North America is getting the E36 323is and 323iC for 1998, I wonder if a 323ti might soon follow, especially after the introduction of E46. It's very likely that the E46 Compact won't be introduced until 2 to 3 years after the E46 Sedan, so I would expect to see some increased value or options in order to salvage the last few E36 sales.
P.S. - Speaking of 6-cylinder engines, I need to find the exact quote, but I read in BMW Magazine that the aluminum 2.8L in the Z3 2.8 is only 40 or so pounds heavier than the 1.9L engine. I always wondered what a 6-cylinder engine would do to the weight distribution, not to mention overall weight, but perhaps it wouldn't be as bad as I thought.
