2000 BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE Owner's Manual

177n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
This system regularly checks tire pres-
sure and monitors all four tires even
while driving, so you don't have to.
Behind the valve stem in every wheel,
there is an electronic chip that is de-
signed for severe-duty applications
and long service life. It contains a
pressure sensor, a transmitter and a
battery. The pressure is measured in
extremely short time intervals and then
transmitted by a radio signal. If an
irregularity is detected, the transmis-
sion rate is increased. 46cde078
There is an antenna located right near
every wheel in the vehicle body. Each
antenna picks up signals from its re-
spective wheel. A central electronics
system evaluates all four signals and
forwards any changes. The RDC pro-
vides an important contribution to
driving safety.

178n
Self-diagnostics All of the important electrical and elec-
tronic systems in the vehicle are tested
regularly and automatically; the driver
does not have to perform any extra
operations or adjustments.
The indicator lamps come on briefly
when the ignition is switched on.
While you are driving, the functional
status of the actuator motors (for the
windshield wipers, power windows,
seats, etc.) is constantly analyzed by
current measurements in their relays. 46cde052
In the same manner, the electrical re-
sistance of the airbag ignition genera-
tors and all of the remaining airbag
components is measured at all times.
Any fault in this system would be de-
tected immediately by a current fluctua-
tion that would necessarily accompany
it. The fault would be indicated immedi-
ately by the airbag warning lamp.
Even after you shut off the engine, the
overall functional status of your vehicle
is being monitored. For example, all of
the flaps for the heating and ventilation
system travel to the nearest limit posi-
tion. This action ensures that in any
case, the defrosting function will remain
intact, even if a malfunction in the auto-
matic climate control should occur dur-
ing the night while the vehicle is parked.
A calibration cycle runs every tenth time
the engine is shut off. During this cycle,
the actuator motors of all the heating
and ventilation flaps travel to their limit
stops in both directions. The limit posi-
tions and the return travel paths are
checked in this manner in order to en-
sure that appropriate adjustments for
the operating elements can be made at
any time.The sounds the automatic climate con-
trol makes as it carries out its self-diag-
nostics are noticeable because of the
noise that the ventilation flaps make af-
ter the ignition has been switched off.
All of the other self-diagnostics func-
tions operate silently in the back-
ground.
Any possible defects detected during
these self-diagnostics can be read out
by your BMW center and quickly cor-
rected during the vehicle's next regu-
larly scheduled maintenance.

179n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Rollover protection syste
m
Xenon lamps
*
The rollover protection system offers
additional protection apart from the air-
bags and safety belts. The system has
highly sensitive sensors that react im-
mediately upon detecting an unstable
vehicle condition, i.e. when the vehicle
is tilted to a critical degree, or if the
wheels are not making proper ground
contact. In this kind of situation, the
protective bar in each rear head
restraint is triggered.
Xenon lamps illuminate the side and
front areas of the vehicle with signifi-
cantly more brightness and uniformity
than the traditional halogen lamp.
In a xenon lamp, an electric arc re-
places the filament in order to generate
intense illumination. A gas mixture in a
quartz glass tube with metal vapor is
ignited by a high electric voltage. The
arc that is generated is then sustained
by a lower voltage. When the lamp is
turned on there is a brief warm-up
period. Maximum brightness is attained
in approx. 15 seconds.
390de134
Xenon lamps provide significantly im-
proved visibility, especially during ad-
verse weather and poor driving condi-
tions e.g. driving at night in heavy rain
or through road repair areas where
there are no lane markers.
Vehicles with xenon lamps are equipped
with automatic headlamp range control.
As a result, the highway is always opti-
mally lighted, regardless of road condi-
tions, and drivers in oncoming traffic are
not blinded.
Xenon lamps make a significant contri-
bution to highway safety since pedestri-
ans and other highway users, bicyclists
and motorcyclists in the right lane, are
more easily detected.

180n

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
181n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine data182
Dimensions183
Weights184
Capacities185
Electrical system186
Drive belts186
Data
Owner service procedures

182n
BMW 323Ci
Displacement
Number of cylinderscu. in. (cmm) 152.2 (2,494)
6
Maximum output
at engine speedhp (kW)
rpm170 (127)
5,500
Maximum torque
at engine speedlb.ft (Nm)
rpm181 (245)
3,500
Compression ratioe
10.5
Stroke
Borein (mm)
in (mm)2.95 (75)
3.31 (84)
Fuel-injection system Digital electronic engine-management system
Engine data

183n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
46use019
Minimum turning circle dia.: 34.4 feet (10.5 m).
Dimensions

184n
Weights
BMW 323Ci
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission
*
lbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)3,560 (1,615)
3,627 (1,645)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission
*
lbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)4,442 (2,015)
4,508 (2,045)
Approved front axle weight lbs. (kg) 2,094 (950)
Approved rear axle weight lbs. (kg) 2,469 (1,120)
Permissible roof load for the hardtop
*
lbs. (kg) 165 (75)
Luggage compartment capacity
with raised convertible top compartmentcu ft (l)
cu ft (l)9.2 (260)
10.6 (300)
Permitted axle loads and permitted total vehicle weight may not be exceeded.