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316i to 325i - should I?

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:45 pm
by Skip
Just been looking at 325s for sale for a mate and I cant beleive what you can get for very little money! Did a quick search and found that insurance is going to be pretty much the same for my 1990 316i LUX and a 1988 325i touring! :eek:

So with insurance being the same, tax being the same, the only other cost really is petrol, I get 35-40mpg out of the 316, what do you 325 boys get, I am guessing (hoping?!) on about 25-30? I could just about live with that for the extra performance I would be enjoying... :D

Someone convince me! :mad:

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:48 pm
by E30BeemerLad
20mpg is the norm for a 325 mate, and anyone who says they don't give their car a good twatting and gets better mpg than that is either dead or lying!

I really would check those insurance quotes again/ elsewhere!

Where' bouts in Norwich are you mate, I make regular trips down there and know the area reasonably well

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:51 pm
by Skip
Bugger, thats a bit worse than I was expecting! :cry:

I am an old(ish) git mate, so I guess any E30 is going to be around the Ԛ£250 for me to insure! :wink:

What about a 320 then? I quite fancy getting away from 4 pot rattly-ness! :-x

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:52 pm
by Paul325i
Touring isn't that great on fuel extra weight and the lower ratio diff, probably get mid 20's out of it averaged.

I managed high 30's from my 325i SE on a long run, but you only have to floor it a few times and that goes to pot.

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:58 pm
by sabrje
Sounds like you've already convinced yourself.... :roll:

Another convert to a touring is also a bonus - tourings tend to be cheaper to insure than the equivalent saloon or coupe.... winkeye

You know its the right thing to do

As for the consumption - it does depend somewhat how you drive and I might not be the most aggressive driver but the worst consumption I've ever had was 24 mpg - that was when I was exploring its potential the week I got it. Last weekend I went to exmoor, loaded up and and never dropped below 80 all the way. Whilst I was there, I did 50 miles of 'spirited driving' on the twisty stuff. Got back home, filed up again and I'd still managed over 29 mpg....

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:03 pm
by Skip
Sounds like you've already convinced yourself.... :roll:
Is it that obvious?! :oops:
Another convert to a touring is also a bonus - tourings tend to be cheaper to insure than the equivalent saloon or coupe.... winkeye
Always preferred them, just always beleived that myth that they are more expensive! :roll:
You know its the right thing to do
It makes sense, as I love my E30, just wish it had a bit more go (and sounded like a proper BMW!)
As for the consumption - it does depend somewhat how you drive and I might not be the most aggressive driver but the worst consumption I've ever had was 24 mpg - that was when I was exploring its potential the week I got it. Last weekend I went to exmoor, loaded up and and never dropped below 80 all the way. Whilst I was there, I did 50 miles of 'spirited driving' on the twisty stuff. Got back home, filed up again and I'd still managed over 29 mpg....
Thats what I wanted someone to tell me! Cheers mate! :D

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:09 pm
by sabrje
Check out this thread for some more touring positives:

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... sc&start=0

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:14 pm
by E30BeemerLad
Skip wrote:
What about a 320 then? I quite fancy getting away from 4 pot rattly-ness! :-x
wouldn't bother with the 320 mate, you have the thirst of a 325 with the performance of a good 318. Nice noise though

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:17 pm
by Skip
E30BeemerLad wrote:
Skip wrote:
What about a 320 then? I quite fancy getting away from 4 pot rattly-ness! :-x
wouldn't bother with the 320 mate, you have the thirst of a 325 with the performance of a good 318. Nice noise though
Thought as much... bugger! Oh well, 325 it is then, anyone want to buy a 316i LUX... winkeye

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:32 pm
by E30BeemerLad
got any details on the lux? where abouts in Norfolk are you. I am gonna be in the area on the weekend of 19th November if you are not desparate to sell immediately. I am thinking of the idea of getting a late good shell and swapping my 325 goodies over but I may make other plans so don't hold out on me if a punter comes along with the folding!

cheers
lee

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:36 pm
by Skip
Its a 1990 on a H - its had a rear end on it at some point and they fitted a steel bumper rear panel, do a search on my profile for some piccies...

Its quite clean though, interior is mint, done 152,000, to be honest, I wouldnt have said it was the best example to use for the conversion you are talking about, but you never know!

I am based in Watton, do you know it?

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:39 pm
by E30BeemerLad
thanks mate, given the history there are good odds of some horrors being discovered or things not fitting properly at the rear end.

I know Watton vaguely, I have family in Attleborough and I have a property in Banham. Will be living back down there next summer, can't wait!

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:17 pm
by Skip
thanks mate, given the history there are good odds of some horrors being discovered or things not fitting properly at the rear end.
Thats what I thought, so no probs...
I know Watton vaguely, I have family in Attleborough and I have a property in Banham. Will be living back down there next summer, can't wait!
[/quote]
Blimey, I drive through it every day as I work at Lotus! Small world! :D

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:15 pm
by Andy335Touring
Skip wrote: as I work at Lotus!
What do you do there ?

Do you get to do any test driving ! winkeye

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:10 pm
by E30BeemerLad
my brother works at Lotus, in the emissions dept, my old man works at Van Diemen

Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 8:38 am
by Skip
Hehehe, no test driving, but I did get a discounted day of "Sideways training" with the two masters of getting an Elise sideways this summer, absolutely superb, I have been practising ever since! :twisted:

I work in IT so I probably know of your brother, whats his name?

Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 9:04 am
by E30BeemerLad
Paul Jones

Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 9:09 am
by Skip
Nope never heard of him, but I can see his user account...