E30 Zone

I was thinking in terms of fuel economy and cheaper insurance a 316i might be a good buy, after all you still get the classic E30 styling. However, word on the street has it that they are an underperforming bore to drive.

What do you reckon?

depends what you are used to ... i have a 316i touring as my daily you have to keep the revs up to get any fun out of it but it can be a fun little car to drive and mine is returning around 33mpg

I have no problems with mine tbf.

It's a little under powered acceleration wise but you can chuck it around at some fairly decent speeds if you're in the mood to thrash it. I guess it all depends what you're looking for in a car, I was just looking for one that's work and last me a bit because getting the bus was doing my nut.

the 1.8 is a better bet

Simon13 wrote:the 1.8 is a better bet

by a long mile ! , the 1.8 is almost enjoyable on the motorway !

e30topless wrote:

Simon13 wrote:the 1.8 is a better bet

by a long mile ! , the 1.8 is almost enjoyable on the motorway !

i have a lovely 1.8i cab for sale dude p.m me if ur interested

Its good on mpg, very strong and revy. But an M20 puts a smile on your face.

mabz wrote:

e30topless wrote:

Simon13 wrote:the 1.8 is a better bet

by a long mile ! , the 1.8 is almost enjoyable on the motorway !

i have a lovely 1.8i cab for sale dude p.m me if ur interested

I didn't say they were good enough for me to own one ! I will stick to 6 pots

Blitz wrote:Its good on mpg, very strong and revy. But an M20 puts a smile on your face.

Nothing revvy about an m40, M42 is revvy

hits the rev limit almost instantly if you plant your foot too the floor in neutral

I find my 316, albeit a carb'd version a nice little car to drive. However I am never going to say it is better in any way than a 6 cylinder, and the quicker I can get one the better.

my 316i is my daily drive
i love it, its abit gutles but they are fun. but then im not used to driving big engine cars
so depends what your used to.

Simon13 wrote:the 1.8 is a better bet

I had a 316 (1800cc) for 8 years, great little car.

Alex wrote:Nothing revvy about an m40, M42 is revvy

hits the rev limit almost instantly if you plant your foot too the floor in neutral

That's why I love mine. The way an M42 revs from 4-6.5k is something else.

The 320i I have/had (MOT fail) isn't exactly renowned for its power but I found it an enjoyable drive. A 1.6 can only be a backward step. That said, I only need something to pootle about in. You know, going to the shops, dropping the daughter off for various appointments, occasional motorway trips.
The concensus seems to be that a 318i is the best compromise.

for just a run about
i think either will do just fine

inlovewithRWD wrote:

Alex wrote:Nothing revvy about an m40, M42 is revvy

hits the rev limit almost instantly if you plant your foot too the floor in neutral

That's why I love mine. The way an M42 revs from 4-6.5k is something else.

i had a play about with my cams again on sunday, it now runs way better than it ever has and fooking takes off after 4000rpm

I have never driven a 316, but I found even the 1.8is too slow for me. It was excellent fun to throw around but the lack of oomf made it a bit frustrating at times.

I'm having to do a 60 mile round trip in a 316 (1.8 carb) 5-6 days a week!

poor git

you will be lucky to get 20 mpg barry, or has it had the webber fitted?

e30topless wrote:you will be lucky to get 20 mpg barry, or has it had the webber fitted?

I know, bloody gas guzzlers.

my first e30 back in 1989 was a 1985 C plate 316 carb , C596JBR I think,

it was a greedy coont, I paid £400 for a weber conversion got a choke in the console and lost the mpg swing-o-meter, made it slightly better on fuel though,

Mine has the webber conversion and isn't to bad on juice.

No mpg swing o meter in mine from new.

So fuel economy is much of a muchness between different models? Basically, they're all thirsty?

the old pre-face 316 are thirsty, the later 316i and 318i are much better

Ranchero wrote:So fuel economy is much of a muchness between different models? Basically, they're all thirsty?

The best would be a 324td - Not sold in this country and a 325e - also not sold here

I recon the 318is would be the best on fuel out of the UK range of e30s

I think I'd rather have a M10 then a M40. M10 seems to have such pedigree.

In all honesty my 316 has been a fantastic car, starts fine every freezing morning, runs like a dream etc....

It is just a cracking little car, and I would recommend a decent one if your not crazed about performance,

just get a 325i and keep it well tuned and stock and it will do 30mpg and you wont have to dog
it. Insurance is cheap on all e30's if you go on the classic insurance.

Insurance is a minefield. When I was first looking at getting an E30 I found quotes for 316's at around £150. When I finally got on to insuring the 320, the cheapest I could get was £340.

Are E30's even officially "classic"?

As far as i know they are now considered proper classics.

How old are you?

Im 25 and pay £124 a year fully comp for a 325i touring with lancaster classic insurance, my old 325i sport was £220 a year fully comp with them. I found when i bought the touring the prices varied madly, confussed.com came up with the best again which was lancaster.

As I say, insurance seems a bit random. I'm 42 but the cheapest I could find was £340 on the 320i. 3rd party etc. That was via confused.com. I've got 3 points on my licence but would that make such a difference ?

It shouldnt do as ive got 3 aswell but you are right when you say its random. Did lancaster come up on confussed for you? if not might be worth giving them a call as i think a lot of people on here are with them.

My opinion would be the iS in terms of ecconomy vs. styling vs. a morsle of performance.

Saying that, there not too far ahead of a 318i.

I've drove 2 316i's and in jersey they aint bad, but cant comment on motorway driving. Also there's the 316 (not 'i', but a carb'd model), which is a nice little bulletproof motor. A 2L'd 316 could be amusing?

Depends what you want from a car. The 4 pots are noticably more nimble feckers and can be thrown into a corner quickly and effortlessly. I've found the 6 pots to be much more weighty (obviously) at the front and need a bit more of a guidance into the twisties, but the reward is much more worth it.

Want a nice car just to drive, any E30 really (if its not a shed). Want a powerful car? Then 325i is your minimum, and conversions for beyond that.

I used to drive 325i but when it failed its MOT through rust, looking for another one i saw a 316 for sale and bought it because it was very solid.

The insurance was only £30 cheaper but it is cheaper on fuel.

But i bought it to put the m52 in it

I've a very good 316 auto coming up for sale soon if your interested 86000, full history and a good body with no rust