E30 Zone

I would like to buy a 318i/iS or a 325i

There are plenty of 320s about but are they the worst of both worlds??
i.e gutless and uneconomical with a heavy engine or am I mistaken?

I think that everyone apart from 320i owners will think that you are NOT mistaken.

I own a 320 and I wouldn't say thet are the worst models, I'd rather have one over a 316 carb, but they are not great on feul and don't have a huge amount of power. I don't think I'd have a 318is over a 320, yes they are faster but I love the 6 cyl noise. A 325 is the on to go for imo, unless you can afford an m3 obviously.

No, they're fine. 'Only' 125 bhp but they're not heavy so they'll still do 100 mph anywhere and will do 30 mpg on a run. The 316i/318i are okay - better on fuel but the engine is not as robust (and 320i's are practically unbreakable) and just a bit ordinary. 318iS's are a bit faster and better on fuel, but are quite harsh and noisy - the 320i is smooth and sounds glorious at higher rpm. The M42 engine isn't unreliable, but they have more 'issues'. 325i's are a fair bit faster, but more expensive too.

A good 320i is a nice car to drive, no question.

6 cyclinders is what you want regardless... I have a 318i a 320i & a 325i... My favourite is my 320i... But the 325i is loads faster... But still love the 320 more. Might be because it was my first and is a chromie, but I love it.

It depends what you want, they're a very smooth refined drive, and sound lovely. It also happens that the vast majority of good rust free low mileage e30s tend to be 320i autos.

Performance is very similar to the 318, and with worse economy, but they're totally different drives with different character.

an auto moredoor povo spec 320i is the worst all rounder imo

The later ones (plastic bumper basically) had a 4.1 diff meaning that they accelerate a little better in the upper gears, but are more revvy and worse on fuel. Older ones had a 3.45 which was more suitable - with this taller diff they can get to 60 in second gear and the cruising fuel economy is very good - an easy, easy 35 mpg sat at 75. A good compromise diff is a 3.7 from a 325i. I put one in a four door '89 car and it was perfect. That car also had a remap and a 325i TB - and gave Simon 13's 325i Sport a hard time in a straight line.

My first E30 was a 320i SE manual. Non comfort seats, 23 MPG on average and my mate's 325i was faster and returned better MPG.

Best avoided IMO.

Topblag wrote:My first E30 was a 320i SE manual. Non comfort seats, 23 MPG on average and my mate's 325i was faster and returned better MPG.

Best avoided IMO.

325i's are crap IMO. My Sport Evo would destroy a 325i Sport AND do better mpg figures.

It doesn't matter what car you own - there's always something better.

magpie wrote:an auto moredoor povo spec 320i is the worst all rounder imo

Oi!! Don't push it mate..!!

my 320i manual got to the bridge quicker than an auto!

Is that a rust free shell being scrapped?

I was thinking the same thing! Looks mint.

Imo the 320i is not the worst model tbh. 325's obv faster ect but the 320's were usualy owned by older people and generaly better looked after. I bought my 3rd e30 (320i) for the shell as she came from an older owner and is mint, also a nice spec (se) so a good base to fiddle with.
320 not that fast and not great on fuel either but a nice smooth engine and sound bloody lovely all the same. Oily bits can easily be swapped which was my intention the very minute I payed the guy for mine

I love my 1983 320i Auto, sure it's a bit slow, but far more refined than my 325i. My last 320i touring (ex Adit car) was a great performer considering. I have no problem with them as long as you take them for what they are.

there's nothing wrong with a good 320i ,
far more durable than a 4 pot and they sound fantastic,

I had one as a daily for about 6 years it was always a pleasure to drive

Bmw + 6 cylinders = proper bmw.

n1tr0_9 wrote:Is that a rust free shell being scrapped?

far from it.

Jim320i wrote:I was thinking the same thing! Looks mint.

l@@ks can be deceiving this had more issues than the obvious as per title.

jacking point and both inner rears along with a shmokey donk were it's main demise.so all in all only ever bought for frag and no more.

first thing i sold from this was the gear linkage! so i fraged a 2dr for another gear linkage for my 24v galvaniser project, [live and learn i spose !]

anoter bucket of crud!

That looks like my body kit. Which has been sitting on one of the dog kennels since I got it. Aha

all money's have been spent very wisely to finish a build i've been needing since i first saw this can be done when i joined the zone a little while back,the reading up on thus has been fantastic and most of the knowledge [sponge like] sucked up in huge amounts.

if i can do it on here,so can you!

random home SCHWEET home pic

you can't wait can you Mick ?

can you Handle a 6 pot ?

e30topless wrote:you can't wait can you Mick ?

can you Handle a 6 pot ?

aye but unsure on the 24v variant until broken in

magpie wrote:

e30topless wrote:you can't wait can you Mick ?

can you Handle a 6 pot ?

aye but unsure on the 24v variant until broken in

it will be fun with the 3.64

Micks 320i was mine, sounded nice, had more power top end, but overall judging from what i have learned on here over the past year or so 6 - 2.5 are the boys to own

Never again will i own a 320i

Sport here i come

If your good mechanicaly buy a 320 for its shell and rip the guts out and replace with something more

e30-dk wrote:If your good mechanicaly buy a 320 for its shell and rip the guts out and replace with something more

Ticked that box

Diff, engine internals, suspension etc...

If i were to buy another e30 in unmolested spec it would most likely have an m20 engine for the simplicity factor,

Plus the b20 block does very well for a 2.8 conversion.

That being said the lack of love shown to this model is no secret.

Lets flame those m40 318 turds next!

some hard core 320i more doors are out there.


have you seen the price of 4dr mk11 scorts nowaday's

nice engine the b20, gutless, but nice to drive

My first E30 was a 320i. Same as what's been said before..a bit short on shove but smooth, massively reliable and sounds great! But I did find, when driven carefully on a long motorway run, I could get about 40mpg...

Andyboy wrote:

Topblag wrote:My first E30 was a 320i SE manual. Non comfort seats, 23 MPG on average and my mate's 325i was faster and returned better MPG.

Best avoided IMO.

325i's are crap IMO. My Sport Evo would destroy a 325i Sport AND do better mpg figures.

It doesn't matter what car you own - there's always something better.

True that.

Blah blah my mates 320, blah my 325i. The latest 320d will keep up with an e30 325i on the straight, and then decimate it on a tight b road.

The e30 is an old and slow car.

Is it a classic?...nearly. Is it a cult car? nowhere near...

magpie wrote:some hard core 320i more doors are out there.


have you seen the price of 4dr mk11 scorts nowaday's

Yes.

They are worth more than that pos in your sig.

jonb wrote:

Andyboy wrote:

Topblag wrote:My first E30 was a 320i SE manual. Non comfort seats, 23 MPG on average and my mate's 325i was faster and returned better MPG.

Best avoided IMO.

325i's are crap IMO. My Sport Evo would destroy a 325i Sport AND do better mpg figures.

It doesn't matter what car you own - there's always something better.

True that.

Blah blah my mates 320, blah my 325i. The latest 320d will keep up with an e30 325i on the straight, and then decimate it on a tight b road.

The e30 is an old and slow car.

Is it a classic?...nearly. Is it a cult car? nowhere near...

that's why we drive 318iS's

jonb wrote:The e30 is an old and slow car.

Is it a classic?...nearly. Is it a cult car? nowhere near...

Go on then.... give us your definition of what a classic and a cult car is.

replace yr beam bushes or get some talent - tard? google.com