Everyday runner

Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:06 am

Going to sell my e46 diesel 320cd coupe and now I do a 30 mile round trip everyday so was toying with the idea of a 318i or something

but question is, how reliable and economical are these to run everyday?

I know a 325 is out of the question cuz I know the M20 drinks!

Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:41 am

The 'something' should be a 318iS if fuel consumption is a priority. In a different league to any other E30 regarding fuel efficiency.
Then there's always the LPG option of course. Cheap and simple to fit on any E30.
Reliability - Providing the 'usual' E30 issues have been addressed properly, it will be the most reliable car you can hope to run.

Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:56 am

Brianmoooore wrote:The 'something' should be a 318iS if fuel consumption is a priority. In a different league to any other E30 regarding fuel efficiency.
Then there's always the LPG option of course. Cheap and simple to fit on any E30.
Reliability - Providing the 'usual' E30 issues have been addressed properly, it will be the most reliable car you can hope to run.

Quite right, my 325i Touring provided everyday family transport (school runs/shopping/work) for just over ten years.

Was good as gold, in regards to the economy, I figured i'd rather spend the extra on MPG and be driving a quality reliable car (and a cool one at that!) that never really went wrong.

Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:02 am

How much do you get out of a full tank in a 318is?...how much is a full tank in one actually?!

I think I'll keep an eye out on ebay/classifieds etc etc and see what I can get

Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:09 pm

My touring has an M44 engine fitted, but it's more or less the same as an M42. It averages 375 miles to a tank when used daily (short round town trips), which works out at 30mpg. On a run I can get 37-38mpg.

I recently fitted a 3.91 ratio diff and hit 41mpg on a run, but only get 26-27mpg around town.

Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:21 pm

Rickz wrote:How much do you get out of a full tank in a 318is?...how much is a full tank in one actually?!

13.6 gallons / 61.8 litres, according to the Wiki:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/318iS

Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:05 pm

The Is has a 55l tank as standard. They are good on fuel for what they are, especially compared to six pots