325i vs 318is, performance and handling pros and cons?

[mattrs]

How much slower is the is? Does the assumed lower front-end weight give much cornering gains? Finally what about tuning potential compared with the 2.5? i.e. Bang for buck? and upper limit attainable? (With out spending a fortune or going down the f.i route). Thanks in advance.

[capri_rob]

Here we go again

[ImysE30]

Use the 'Search' button

[mattrs]

Is it really that boring? I usually get a deacent response on here.

[ImysE30]

This topic has been done to death mate, no offence to you

[djk]

Use the 'Search' button

To be fair, I can't make the search throw up any old 318is v 325i threads, so I reckon we're gonna have to go through it all again

[ImysE30]

I'll grab some popcorn then

I.S is slower than a 2.5. I.S might corner better due to weight.

Both engines are tuneable, lightened flywheels, BBTB's etc etc

Are you looking to buy?

[Gortour]

Is it really that boring? I usually get a deacent response on here.

No offence meant, but this has been done SO many times before, the iS boys slag off the 325 boys, and the 325 boys slag off the iS boys... thread after thread after thread.

Basically, the iS is better on fuel, but not as quick.

The iS is tuneable to around 160bhp (from 136) with not much effort, air filter, exhaust, chip... much more is expensive.

The iS is claimed to handle better, but you'll probably need to be a hard driver to know the difference in the dry. More torque in the 325 makes it easier to boot the back end round too.

The 325 is faster, and easily tuneable to around 190bhp in the same way, and can be made to go faster by 2.7 or 2.8 conversion if you need, it is more thirsty and more costly to insure though.

Sports are no quicker than standard 325, but have close ratio gearbox and slipper diff. iS has slipper as an option. Both have rear discs standard.

Hope this helps. Plenty of info in the past threads. Good luck and enjoy.

[capri_rob]

You could spend a fortune tuning a 318is and get nowhere near the power a 325i has as standard. Handling wise if you compared both cars with new suspension bushes and unworn shocks there's very little in it.

The easiest and cheapest way to "tune" any E30 is to fit a bigger engine.

[fuzzy]

this one comes up that often i even cant be bothered with the banter just now. and i like the occasional noise up.

[mattrs]

Cheers guys.

To be fair fuel and insurance costs are not an issue, its all about performance on the limit because its for track use. I have a 325i track car that goes really well but it needs new tyres, exhaust and cosmetics, so i was considering selling it and starting again with an is. I have heard there not much slower and baby M3 stuff and wonderd how true it was.

Do they have a LSD as standard? How much slower are they? i know its 35 odd bhp so im guessing a bit. I guess the key is the weight difference.

[fuzzy]

its as much a baby m3 as im a handsome adonis.

[mattrs]

Fair enough

[Morat]

LSD was an option. I haven't seen any numbers on how common it was.

[hoshy]

If you've had the '25 I'd say go for an iS and find out for yourself. I'd lay money on you not being disappointed. Sure the iS is a little slower but there is not much in it and it's a damned good fun rev happy little schlag

[bss325i]

There is much in it!

A healthy 325i with a 3.91 dif will slaughter a 318iS all day long.

End of!

[jinksy]

cant we all get along?

[asmith88]

slaughter a 318iS

there realy isnt as much in it as you think mate

[bdx]

318 is

[bss325i]

slaughter a 318iS

there realy isnt as much in it as you think mate

I've owned enough E30's to base my judgement on.

4 pot = no torque = slower car.

[asmith88]

it really will not slaughter it..

[The_Diddler]

Could be a long night this, time to fetch me Horlicks

[stonesie]

Popcorn or beer, that's the real question

[bodger]

it really will not slaughter it..

yes it will

[bss325i]

it really will not slaughter it..

Ok you keep telling yourself that.

I suppose you think its a baby M3 and has a galvanised body shell?

[SUMPCRACKER]

Funny this thread should come up, me and robin were racing back from the MK meet earlier, and we saw one of those IS things. Breifly.

We wonderd if the extra weight of the galvanised shell was slowing him down?

[325isporttech1]

ive only been a member on here a few weeks and ive already seen this topic brought up way to much .Me personaly wouldnt be seen dead in a 4 pot bmw as they are not proper beemers in my book-even the m3's performance isnt exactly electric although the handling and the looks are a differnet story id confidently say my tech1 would slaughter any 4 pot e30 i.s that came near it

[Gortour]

Lets keep this on topic and not a slanging match please.

The question is "what's the difference between the two", not "which is your favourite" or "How many ways can you slag the iS / 325 off".

I've seen enough of these threads too. All of them turn into a bitch fest. Without exception.
Keep it nice, or it gets locked.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

If you want a 1.8 4 pot that goes well, buy a Mk2 golf, or the 1.9 205 Gti. Those were the cars BMW aimed for with the iS. They failed.

[mattrs]

I guess ive opened/ re-opened a can of worms here. Obviously the 325i will win a drag race, but what about on a twisty track, like Brands or Cadwell or even a tricky little b road for that matter? Would the weight difference/ distribution make the difference? Or narrow the gap at least?

[capri_rob]

a 318is might get close to or even keep up with a 325i on very twisty bits and if you constantly scream the nuts off it, but as soon as you give a 325i the beans down a straight you will pull away from the 318is.

You've already said fuel and insurance aren't an issue - so why trade down to a less powerful car ? Fuel and more usually insurance are the main reasons why people would settle for a 318is .... and then trade up to a 325i when the insurance becomes affordable.

The small weight saving the 318is has over the 325i is more then compensated for by the power advantage the 325i has as standard.

[Conan]

What i find weird - is that this argument always focuses on speed.

neither the iS (what I have) or the 325i are very quick anymore in modern terms but both are bought by people for there looks, style, and fun chuckability (thats why i have mine?)

For pace I bought an e28 M5 but I wanted an e30 for everyday/Track so iS made sense for me because of the fuel issue.

Point is both are v.fun cheap cars with retro flair (the 325 is quicker and sounds glorious) the iS is quick enough and revs like a nutter.

to the 325s though Just pray when your 'slaughtering' the iS off those lights there isn't and old woman reving up in her new golf diesel next to you

[bss325i]

I guess ive opened/ re-opened a can of worms here. Obviously the 325i will win a drag race, but what about on a twisty track, like Brands or Cadwell or even a tricky little b road for that matter? Would the weight difference/ distribution make the difference? Or narrow the gap at least?

No.

[bss325i]

What i find weird - is that this argument always focuses on speed.

neither the iS (what I have) or the 325i are very quick anymore in modern terms but both are bought by people for there looks, style, and fun chuckability (thats why i have mine?)

For pace I bought an e28 M5 but I wanted an e30 for everyday/Track so iS made sense for me because of the fuel issue.

Point is both are v.fun cheap cars with retro flair (the 325 is quicker and sounds glorious) the iS is quick enough and revs like a nutter.

to the 325s though Just pray when your 'slaughtering' the iS off those lights there isn't and old woman reving up in her new golf diesel next to you

Golf diesel, dont make me laugh!

[bodger]

twin cam kicked in yo