Diddy vs. Bruckheimer -- Battle Over $23 Million Bev Hills Mansion?

A real estate war could be brewing between a Bad Boy founder and a "Bad Boys" producer ... 'cause TMZ has learned Diddy is in the market for the same $23 million Bev Hills mansion that Jerry Bruckheimer is hoping to buy.

Our real estate sources tells us ... Diddy is on the hunt for a brand new pad in certain upscale parts of L.A. ... and one of the homes on his radar is the famous 19,590-square-foot "Harry Cohn" estate in Beverly Hills. In fact, Diddy was photographed at the estate just a few days ago.

Problem is ... Jerry Bruckheimer is also interested in the pad ... and as we previously reported, he put a $23 million offer on the house earlier this month.

Bruckheimer is supposed to close on the house on January 17, but if Diddy decides he HAS to have it, he can still swoop in with a higher bid up until the last minute.

But Jerry shouldn't panic just yet ... sources tell us Diddy probably won't make an offer because he was only planning on dropping $15 mil during this particular real estate venture (even gazillionaires got a budget).

Meantime, sources tell us ... Diddy's been checking out a bunch of other swanky homes with real estate agent Kurt Rappaport -- including a $19 million crib in Bel Air ... with 10 bdrms, 11 baths, staff quarters, media room, wine cellar, sauna ... the works.