E30 Zone

Hello havent been on here in a while as i havent had the internet for the past year anyway iv just sold my e36 316 couple and im looking to buy a e30 320,did all the 320s have the same engine? are they 5 cylinder? what power did they produce? one thing the concerns me is cost of parts if i buy a decent low milage lots of histort etc 320 how reliable are they and will it cost a fortune to repair if it brakes?

finaly any genral opinions on the 320 performance wise whats it like to drive has it enough power to throw you back :p

thanks

They are straight 6 cylinder engines producing I think 129BHP. All 320i's had the same engine except the 320IS. parts are cheap. A 325i has 320i economy with bags more power. Get a 325i if insurance is not a problem.

^what he said^

What they both said, cheap and cheerful in the wet

Ye the 320i and 325i are both straight 6 (6 cylinder) engines. Parts are expensive from dealerships, but coz of the age of the car parts are available all round this site and ebay etc for cheap and plenty of them. Owning a 320i, all i want to do is buy or upgrade to a 325 becuase the 320i is a thirsty car (the Zone ECU should improve this tho + some extra horses!) but it depends on insurance as Blitz said. 320i's are cheap to insure, and 325i's are pretty expensive to insure, but you do get more power for juice! But if insurance is a problem, i'd say your better off with a 318i as they are as fast as the 320i but less juice and insurance. But like the 325s the 320 is a very smooth engined car!

Get a mint 320 (for a lot less than paying for a 325) and put a 2.5 lump in it

NayC wrote:But if insurance is a problem, i'd say your better off with a 318i as they are as fast as the 320i but less juice and insurance. But like the 325s the 320 is a very smooth engined car!

No, the basic 318i isn't as fast. I had one very many moons ago and it didn't compare. It made a lot of noise and fuss, which gave the impression that it was doing a lot, but it simply wasn't as quick off the mark and on a run was left well behind.

Dead right about fuel consumption - a consistently heavy right foot = frequent top ups, although it's seriously good fun keeping that little six on the boil. Adding a chip helps, but the increased performance lower down and greater willingness to rev also tempts you to boot it hard, which sort of defeats the object.

I love mine to bits, but wouldn't recommend it. If moolah is an issue, either with day to day running costs or insurance premiums, you'd best steer clear and get a 318 ... or better still a 318iS.

Nowt wrong with a 320, not as quick as a 325 but not as dear to buy or insure either. You're also more likely to find one that hasn't been abused. I actually like the fact that they need revving to make them go, it's all too easy in a 325 which has much more shove low down. They also make the right noise as they have the correct number of cylinders. I get 30mpg in both of mine. A 318iS is probably a good idea for economy, but you can pay quite a premium for a nice one due to their relative rarity.

^^^^ What he said ^^^^

If buying a 320i, go for the later (1988-on) facelift cars, which had Motronic engine management. Prior to this, they had analogue L-Jetronic which can't be chipped, and produces a bit less power (125bhp instead of 129bhp).

318iS has more power than the 320 and is only a shade slower than the 325 with the added benefit of much cheaper insurance...

As far as I can gather, the 320 is only good for the sound of the 6 cylinder engine! I'd defo be getting a 325 if insurance & petrol bills aren't a problem or a 318iS if you want the grin factor without the high running costs!

the 320 is reliable, as long as its got service history upto date, i wouldnt worry about the millage too much.
they drive well, can cruise along nicely or get the revs up and they go even better.
mines on classic car insurance and is pretty cheap.
theres alot more 320s that have been looked after then 325s so if your not looking for all out performance its a good way to go.
when i 1st got it mpg was rubbish, but ive got used to driving it and now i can get 30mpg from a tank, thats at best really and keeping it under 70.
plenty of parts around on here and advice so again i wouldnt worry to much.
you can always drop a bigger engine in after, rust is your enemy so finding the most solid car is more important.
unless its a 316 they are just tooooo sloooow. i had a 318 which wasnt much better also.
best bet get out and drive a few differant cars. you might be happy with a 320, or find your better off gettin more cash for a decent 325

NayC wrote: Parts are expensive from dealerships,

No they are not! Not by dealer standards, anyway.
If you want expensive dealer parts, try a Jap dealer!
Another thing that makes BMW dealer parts cheap, is that nearly every small part of a part is available, and available individually. For example, you can buy individual headlamp adjusters. If this was a French car, and more than about five years old, you'd be lucky if you could buy a complete headlamp assembly, even if it was just the adjuster needed.
When I first owned E30s, I had a period of overlap when I had (real) Minis as well, and the BMW parts were far cheaper than the equivalent BL (Rover to you) parts.

As Brian said - BMW parts are not expensive (compared to other manfacturers) and way cheaper than the wifes Scenic - quite amusing really

Ah, well you see our dealership in jersey which deals with BMW is called 'Jacksons'. Notoriously expensive if you like (£65 per hour labour........, my mechanic is £20 (and better!!)). Although i haven't had to use Jacksons yet for anything they're costs are steep. Maybe its just jacksons and jersey so if i need parts from a dealership i may just go with and english dealership...

id go with a 318iS. . . iv got a 325i but its an auto. although it pulls like mad, i still would rather have that 16v lump screaming its boll*cks off in front of me. plus with the chip the limiter goes upto 7k, which really unleashes a rev-happy drift monster (LSD required)

Brianmoooore wrote:

NayC wrote: Parts are expensive from dealerships,

No they are not! Not by dealer standards, anyway.
If you want expensive dealer parts, try a Jap dealer!
Another thing that makes BMW dealer parts cheap, is that nearly every small part of a part is available, and available individually. For example, you can buy individual headlamp adjusters. If this was a French car, and more than about five years old, you'd be lucky if you could buy a complete headlamp assembly, even if it was just the adjuster needed.
When I first owned E30s, I had a period of overlap when I had (REALLY SAD) Minis as well, and the BMW parts were far cheaper than the equivalent BL (Rover to you) parts.

jox43w wrote:finaly any genral opinions on the 320 performance wise whats it like to drive has it enough power to throw you back :p

thanks

erm.. to put it frankly no chance.. 320i and performance are an oxymoron

Jhonno wrote:

jox43w wrote:finaly any genral opinions on the 320 performance wise whats it like to drive has it enough power to throw you back :p

thanks

erm.. to put it frankly no chance.. 320i and performance are an oxymoron

what bo**ox

I have a 320 (touring) and, while it isn't as quick as the 325 or M3, it isn't a slouch...
It will easily keep up with traffic, even at 80mph on the motorway.

I reckon 0-60 in arround 10secs and a top speed well in excess of my balls (on a public road, at least).

You do need to row it along to keep the engine in the power band (over 3.5K), but the gearing helps...

@ the OP: Unless you add FI, no 320 is gonna "throw you back"...But it isn't as bad as all that.

Here you go Josh: few ideas for you: (no connection to any seller, btw)

320 full convertible (manual)...looks a bargain and must be better than a 316 Baur TC!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-BMW-320I-CON ... 286.c0.m14

very late (L reg) 316 Touring

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1993-BMW-316-I-TO ... 286.c0.m14

whats the average mpg of the 320i and the 318is? i think ill look for a 318is then.

I used to get around 26mpg average out of my two ('84 & '87) chromey L-jet 320i E30s, up to 30+mpg on a motorway cruise, though it could drop to low 20's mpg if caned or around town. I gather the 1988-on Motronic cars are slightly better on fuel and power.

People on here with 318is report 35-40mpg average.

30mpg average I get out of my two motronic 320s (both are manual, had an auto for a while and it was much worse). Record for a tank is 38mpg which was a motorway trip in poor weather, cruising at 55-60 most of the way. Worst was 27, in the cab, mostly country lanes. Town driving is the killer, I reckon if you were commuting through mostly built up areas you'd see it drop to low twenties, but it's the same with almost anything. It's probably better with an is, but it'll take a while to get back the extra you would have shelled out buying one.

I'm lucky if I average 22mpg, and I drive like a nun

after having an e36 316,an e30 320i would be suitable,
they dont pin you in the seat they are more smooth than speed,

NayC wrote:Ah, well you see our dealership in jersey which deals with BMW is called 'Jacksons'. Notoriously expensive if you like (£65 per hour labour........, my mechanic is £20 (and better!!)). Although i haven't had to use Jacksons yet for anything they're costs are steep. Maybe its just jacksons and jersey so if i need parts from a dealership i may just go with and english dealership...

IIRC labour is over £100+vat an hour at most dealers here, 1 garage in london is apparantly close to £200 an hour labour

thanks for all the replys unfortunatly this car will be my daily driver if i really wanted i could afford the insurnce but adding running costs on top isint going to be a good idea unless i use it as a second car and have limited milage or something.

i think i will look out for a ming 318is 16v although not very fast its pretty nippy and smooth and sounds nice. i want a nice e30 to cruise around and if i like it ill consider selling and getting a 325i

stonesie wrote:

NayC wrote:Ah, well you see our dealership in jersey which deals with BMW is called 'Jacksons'. Notoriously expensive if you like (£65 per hour labour........, my mechanic is £20 (and better!!)). Although i haven't had to use Jacksons yet for anything they're costs are steep. Maybe its just jacksons and jersey so if i need parts from a dealership i may just go with and english dealership...

IIRC labour is over £100+vat an hour at most dealers here, 1 garage in london is apparantly close to £200 an hour labour

Get a 60% Labour discount card?

The 318iS is okay until something goes wrong with them - cracked head, timing chain, coil, profile gasket, ECU etc etc etc. The 320i is not a slow car - 129 bhp in something that doesn't weigh much is going to be quite brisk. You will get a much better 320i for the £££.

Andyboy wrote:The 318iS is okay until something goes wrong with them - cracked head, timing chain, coil, profile gasket, ECU etc etc etc. The 320i is not a slow car - 129 bhp in something that doesn't weigh much is going to be quite brisk. You will get a much better 320i for the £££.

wise words andy, allot of people slate the 320, hell even iv got one! but they are a very good base car for more power, chucking in a b25 is minimal fuss and will give you an instant 40bhp increase. then if you are fed up with that you have many options to consider.
the choice is yours!