318is or 325i

[Royalratch]

There is DEFINITELY a handling difference. To say otherwise is silly. The iS feels way more agile with better throttle response.

[MrBenn]

m42 is furthest back of the lot, s14 included (only just though). I've measured before. The m20 is a bit longer - you get a better idea when you take the fan cowling off an IS, it sits a fair old way from the front. The engines have the same bore spacing and the IS has 2 cylinders less... it's thus unsurprisingly a smaller engine.

For someone with such an obvious love of the M42 and going to the lengths of measuring where the engine is in the bay in comparison to other engines, I can't believe what I'm seeing here!!............A BATTERY!

[Felix79]

There is DEFINITELY a handling difference. To say otherwise is silly. The iS feels way more agile with better throttle response.

With regards to the throttle response , would things like this be improved with cams , ECU and lighten fly wheel?

[tim_s]

lol! yeah I never got around to doing anything with that - had plenty of weight over the back with the LPG kit anyway though! The measuring was cos demlot was wondering iirc.
I do like m42s in an e30, it suits the car imo. Having said that, I currently own 3 6 pots (no e30s though )

[MrBenn]

lol! yeah I never got around to doing anything with that - had plenty of weight over the back with the LPG kit anyway though! The measuring was cos demlot was wondering iirc.
I do like m42s in an e30, it suits the car imo. Having said that, I currently own 3 6 pots (no e30s though )

Blame it on demlot haha

After having owned most variants of E30, I just got a 318is, strangely addictive little engine, I can see why it causes such a fuss, for those that haven't driven one, try it, you might like it!

Nice collection!

[bss325i]

...with better throttle response.

Rubbish!

[Jhonno]

...with better throttle response.

Rubbish!

+lots.. M42's a have wank throttle response compared to an M20

[Andyboy]

There is DEFINITELY a handling difference. To say otherwise is silly. The iS feels way more agile with better throttle response.

If it's a C**ks F*rry spec 325i, then maybe. A tired one with 'that'll do' wheel alignment will probably be horrible. A proper one is a great handling car with enough power and torque to make it fun.
I restored an '84 320i a couple of years ago and that was a really nice car to steer. new Bilstein B4's, 35mm Eibach springs, LSD and and standard anti roll bars (and PAS) running on bottletops with 195/60 x 14 Toyos. Just a really nice tight car with crisp handling.

My C1 2.3 was fantastic around Castle Combe as well.

[e30topless]

There is DEFINITELY a handling difference. To say otherwise is silly. The iS feels way more agile with better throttle response.

Have you owned a sorted 325i Ratch ?

[spook]

Ive never heard a 318 is owner bang on about torque

[tim_s]

Ive never heard a 318 is owner bang on about torque

Lol who did that, that's proper delusion! Not even I'm a big enough deviant to suggest that you don't have to rag the arse off an IS to get anything out of it... that's kinda why they're fun though, and prob also why they're pretty good on fuel.

[Royalratch]

Ive never heard a 318 is owner bang on about torque

Not torque - focus on what I said.

I've found 318iS' to have sharper responses including throttle than M20's - which I've found to be lazy, if smooth.

@e30topless: I've 'owned' for the grand period of 6 months or so, 3-4 325i's, all Tourings and didn't dig any of them. I've also ragged a 1 owner 30K miles 325i Cabrio around for a few weeks (friends car way back when) and was still unimpressed.

The problem is, you guys are al talking about your remapped, 6-branched, Bilstein'ed queens.

I'm talking stock V stock.

[Royalratch]

...with better throttle response.

Rubbish!

Must have a sorted head gasket tho... lol!

[e30BMart]

I have a 1991 318is and it might be because the 325i I tried was automatic but it didn't feel that powerful tbh. I'd have to try a manual one out to really have a valid opinion. What I do know is that my is is not good on gas at all at the moment, it all depends on the condition of the car, I still have to find whats wrong on mine but I think i'm getting around 13L/100km... Of course I've heard you can get 8-9L/100km with it... The 325i I tried was doing 12.7L/100km.... I love my 318is, I just would like to have the sound of the six...

[e30topless]

@e30topless: I've 'owned' for the grand period of 6 months or so, 3-4 325i's, all Tourings and didn't dig any of them. I've also ragged a 1 owner 30K miles 325i Cabrio around for a few weeks (friends car way back when) and was still unimpressed.

The problem is, you guys are al talking about your remapped, 6-branched, Bilstein'ed queens.

I'm talking stock V stock.

tourings and cabs don't count they are shit !

a nice 2 door 325i is an absolute joy to drive, ask Barry to lend you his sport for a day , you won't want to give him it back !!

[Royalratch]

I am in no position to diss the M20 at the mo, even an M30 could almost trouble me at the lights given the current state if my motor*





















*It's dead.

[dimebag_from_hell]

I think the price tag of a 318is and a 325is tells the story.

I would drive a 318 but come on, it doesn't compare to the sound of an m20 screaming her heart out.

[bss325i]

...ask Barry to lend you his sport for a day.....

Good luck!

[jann]

I think the price tag of a 318is and a 325is tells the story.

I would drive a 318 but come on, it doesn't compare to the sound of an m20 screaming her heart out.

Can this thread die... We all know that a 325i is faster than a 318is.
1.8L V 2.5 Hmm which is faster.. And i bet we can guess which is better on fuel.
And theres enough threads for the op to search this kind of topic.

[B15NAC]

318is is great if you like small revy engines and you like really good handling not saying the 325 has bad handling just impossible to be as good as a 318is or any 4 cyl because of the weight. 325sport are great because they look really nice and they sound great with that 6cyl but let say most good standard m42 engines produce 140-150 bhp and a m20 is what 170 standard ? not much in it i would say with that heavy m20 up front

[Royalratch]

I think the price tag of a 318is and a 325is tells the story.

I would drive a 318 but come on, it doesn't compare to the sound of an m20 screaming her heart out.

Can this thread die... We all know that a 325i is faster than a 318is.
1.8L V 2.5 Hmm which is faster.. And i bet we can guess which is better on fuel.
And theres enough threads for the op to search this kind of topic.

No we can't. The point is not about straight-line speed. It's which is the better overall package.

For a good 325i to be as good as a 318iS it needs at least grand of options (more if it's a Sport) and are much harder to find as in good condition.

[bpowell555]

@e30topless: I've 'owned' for the grand period of 6 months or so, 3-4 325i's, all Tourings and didn't dig any of them. I've also ragged a 1 owner 30K miles 325i Cabrio around for a few weeks (friends car way back when) and was still unimpressed.

The problem is, you guys are al talking about your remapped, 6-branched, Bilstein'ed queens.

I'm talking stock V stock.

tourings and cabs don't count they are shit !

a nice 2 door 325i is an absolute joy to drive, ask Barry to lend you his sport for a day , you won't want to give him it back !!

Touring FTW!!! I can drive like a c0ck all day in my touring and still come back for more

[Tommek]

@e30topless: I've 'owned' for the grand period of 6 months or so, 3-4 325i's, all Tourings and didn't dig any of them. I've also ragged a 1 owner 30K miles 325i Cabrio around for a few weeks (friends car way back when) and was still unimpressed.

The problem is, you guys are al talking about your remapped, 6-branched, Bilstein'ed queens.

I'm talking stock V stock.

tourings and cabs don't count they are shit !

a nice 2 door 325i is an absolute joy to drive, ask Barry to lend you his sport for a day , you won't want to give him it back !!

Touring FTW!!! I can drive like a c0ck all day in my touring and still come back for more

+1

[Felix79]

318is is great if you like small revy engines and you like really good handling not saying the 325 has bad handling just impossible to be as good as a 318is or any 4 cyl because of the weight. 325sport are great because they look really nice and they sound great with that 6cyl but let say most good standard m42 engines produce 140-150 bhp and a m20 is what 170 standard ? not much in it i would say with that heavy m20 up front

The massive 17kg difference it the deal breaker with handeling

[Karlos1981]

[B15NAC]

yes but isnt the m20 hanging over the front axle more than the m42 so making it impossible to beat the 318is at handeling?

[e301988325i]

A standing start race, 318iS loses.
In gear race, 318iS loses.
Up hill acceleration, 318iS loses.
Motorway refinement, 318iS loses.
If you enjoy having to thrash your engine, 318iS wins.
Handling vs comfort suspension 325i, 318iS wins.
Fuel consumption, 318iS wins.

If you can't or dont want to pay the fuel bill & insurance for a 6 pot then the 318iS is undoubtedly the next best standard E30.

[bpowell555]

Handling seems to be being confused between what is in theory a slightly better arrangement and what is actually faster or feels better. For me a slightly sharper response in the twisties wouldn't count if it was slow. I'm constantly thinking I'd like a faster m20 - cam chip and 6 branch - so doubt i'd like a less powerful car. When ur overtaking a 5 car row of 40mph heros there's no substitute for power. Easy overtaking power is the only way u can have fun on congested A roads. For that reason i doubt i'd go for an iS, but i don't doubt on the right road at the right time u can have a great drive in one

Insurance, fuel and purchase costs are probably what decides it 9 times out of 10 as otherwise why would u ever go for the less powerful car?

[bpowell555]

... An iS with a turbo, different story

[e301988325i]

I'm constantly thinking I'd like a faster m20 - cam chip and 6 branch - so doubt i'd like a less powerful car. When ur overtaking a 5 car row of 40mph heros there's no substitute for power. Easy overtaking power is the only way u can have fun on congested A roads. For that reason i doubt i'd go for an iS, but i don't doubt on the right road at the right time u can have a great drive in one

Insurance, fuel and purchase costs are probably what decides it 9 times out of 10 as otherwise why would u ever go for the less powerful car?

Perfectly put! It's why 'sports' car like the little smart car aren't successful, there's not enough powere to overtake and you just end up stuck behind the 40mph 3rd gear everywhere morons.

[jann]

A standing start race, 318iS loses.
In gear race, 318iS loses.
Up hill acceleration, 318iS loses.
Motorway refinement, 318iS loses.
If you enjoy having to thrash your engine, 318iS wins.
Handling vs comfort suspension 325i, 318iS wins.
Fuel consumption, 318iS wins.

If you can't or dont want to pay the fuel bill & insurance for a 6 pot then the 318iS is undoubtedly the next best standard E30.

Thank you someone who sees sense. And i have a IS!

[senna]

iS all day long, and I have a 325i.

iS is more of a reflex, the 325 more of a response.

However I do like the 325 and the laziness it possesses

[Tommek]

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89208

Actually found someone who swaped a M20 for a M42

[Alex]

Ive had my 318is 2 year, i picked up a 325i sport tonight.

You cannot compare the two, a 325i is miles better end of!!!!

if you cannot afford the fuel and insurance buy a 318is.

the 318is is alot better than a standard 316i, 318i, 320i however a sorted 325i is much better.

the way they drive is completly different the 325i will pull hard from 2-3k however an IS needs to be rev'd to start moving.

[mark_i]

the age old question since Adam was a boy that has kept the zone going a long time.

No comparison.
2 very different cars.
Both very good, but for very different reasons.
You will need to make your own mind up about what you are wanting.

I'm lucky and got one of each and I like them both.
So has my 21 y.o. son