320is information, please

[GreenGeorge]

I would appreciate some advice from you with regard to 320isÔš's especially from those who have one or actually know this model. I have read the various links and topics already here but still have some questions (well quite a few actually!!).

I initially was considering an E30 M3 but have concluded that I will need to spend between Ԛ£8,000 and Ԛ£11,000 to get a good one. I did the usual trawl through the BMW car club, E30ZONE and PISTONHEADS forums. I was already aware of German Cars in Norfolk and spoke with Wayne who was very helpful and have come to the conclusion that if I spend between Ԛ£5,000 and Ԛ£7,000 I can get a very good example with low mileage and normally full service history.

(I think) I am looking for a 2 door 320is which appear to come with motorsport body kit and from what I have seen are generally better equipped. I am looking to use it on the road as my only car and might do the odd sprint or track day (but I donÔš't envisage more than one of two a year; and in reality as the insurance would be prohibitive probably wonÔš't do it).

This months Total BMW has a road test (of sorts) on the 320is and I have found a previous article by them from 2001 on the web. But other than that it is very difficult to get a flavour of the car. It appears to me to be an excellent Q car with nearly the performance of the M3 but without the in your face looks. I have even managed to find an insurance company that has the model on their books (Footman James) and can insure one comprehensively with protected no claims discount for under Ԛ£500.00 (with 6 points!).

I believe that the engine gearbox and rear differential (and steering rack?) are from M3 but the suspension and brakes are the same as the 325i Sport. Is that is the case? How have you found the handling in the dry and in the wet? Are the brakes up to the task? Do you use yours daily or is it a weekend warrior?

If you were buying one again, what are the options to have what are the ones to avoid? Would you buy another one? Have you had a chance to compare one against a M3?

Lastly do you know or any other write ups by magazines on the 320isÔš's?

Many thanks

George

[E30Mark]

The 320is came with or without the Mtech kit.

some are basic looking 4 door saloons.

Excellent Q car!

Wait for Geeman to pop his head in, he used to own one a while back.

[Demlotcrew]

Not sure on performance, and i dont own one.

but i can tell you that as a everyday car it will be great!

Good power, low on fuel, the brakes will stand upto the job and the steering rack is not M3, just a stock LHD one.

Down side is that its the same running costs as a M3, so many people just go for that, but i think it would be a good car!

Andrew

[Kedge]

Same engine as the M3 with a shorter crank, they only seem to fetch mint 325i sport money, and as they have spent most of there life in Italy or Portugal no rust to worry about under the kit.

Definately a car that interestes me a lot, Giles can't day a bad word about them, he should be able to tell you plenty.

Good luck

[Simon13]

Giles is about the only person i know on here who has actually owned one? Surprising really. I'd like one, one day.... 4 door too!

[Nick_TBMW]

I did 2 features on the 320is in 2005.

One was March and mildly modded.

The other was in April and was a comparison of a mint, standard 320is and a track prepped 320is.

Comparing the 320is and 2.3 M3? The M3 is ultimately the better handler, but both still feel simililarly quick. The track 320is was (with the M3 suspension and track)

The good thing about the 320is is the price and the insurance (insurers dont quite understand the car so basically insure is as a 318is - dead cheap). I've even convinced my dad to get one for when he moves abroad (and wants a LHD car).

[GreenGeorge]

Hi Guys

Thanks for your time and advice, just the sort of response I was hoping for.

Nick_TBMW I have read your April 2005 whch was really good and will contact the company that deals with your backissues to see if I can get a copy of the March 2005 magazine.

Anyone else with knowledge of 320is's please post your comments as I am sure I am not the only one interested to hear them!

All the best

George

[squeal]

theres a site bmwe21.net mate nand alot of info on the 320is,think it may be under 'italian m3'-also photos of owners 320is's and a technical page on them-hope this is of help to u

[billgatese30]

i have only heard good things about htem, but as far as handleing wise there is plenty of suspension and anti-roll bar upgrades availabe, as well as various coil over kits etc available as tey are the same as for the standard e30, so i think its pretty tunable as far as handling goes, even if the stock stuff isn't quite up to your required standard

[Nick_TBMW]

Hi Guys

Thanks for your time and advice, just the sort of response I was hoping for.

Nick_TBMW I have read your April 2005 whch was really good and will contact the company that deals with your backissues to see if I can get a copy of the March 2005 magazine.

Anyone else with knowledge of 320is's please post your comments as I am sure I am not the only one interested to hear them!

All the best

George

[GreenGeorge]

handleing wise there is plenty of suspension and anti-roll bar upgrades availabe, as well as various coil over kits etc available as tey are the same as for the standard e30, so i think its pretty tunable as far as handling goes

What companies do you recommend? I presume the Bilstein Sprintline range would be pretty good or the Eibach equivalent.

[billgatese30]

as far as coilover kits are concerned i'm certainly no expert. but aa far as i'm aware bilstien, eibach, h&r and leda all have products available.

if you just want to go for standard format suspension, then the H&R cup kit is supposed to be the dogs wotsits and they also do anti roll bars too.

it depends on your budget and what your are trying to achieve form the car too.

but i'm no expert, you might be best off starting a new post to discuss the matter and generate some ideas

hope that helps mate.

[Sjoerd320i]

320iS was availeble in 2 versions

the 4 door non mtech (the best sleeper bm ever)
and the 2 door all with factory mtech 2 kit

they all have 192 bhp 2.0 s14

[ItalianM3]

Hi, I have had my 320is for the last 2 1/2 years. It has been the best car I have owned to date, and has never let me down! People are right about the costs though and since most of the cars are standard with the original coolant/vaccum pipes etc... you will have to spend some money on the car itself when you buy.
My car came to England in 2002 from Italy. It has no rust and I bought it with 62,000 kilometers on the clock. Since I have owned it I have probably spent around Ԛ£2000.00 in the last two years, these have mostly been engine related parts, I did have a problem with loss of coolant this turned out to be the head bolts that were loose! Not by much but enough for the compression and compressed exhaust gasses to blow the coolant out of the exhaust and out of the overflow tank. This was a simple job and I did all the work myself, took about two days to dismantle the head get it pressure checked and reassemble.

The car is great and I am about to overhaul the suspension and bushes as these are still original! I have gone for the H&R 60/40 cupkit with the H&R ARB's, powerflex eccentric control arm bushes and standard bushes everywhere else.

When I look through the classifieds now, I cant seem to understand why there are 325i sports with 80-100,000 miles that are demanding more money.

There were only around 2500 2 door 320is's made and around 1250 of the 4 door version.
If I had to do it again I would go down the same route again.

One problem you may not like is there is quite a significant lack of torque compared to the 325i sport, dont get me wrong the 320is is faster (both being stock!) but it has to be revved to get the best out of it, thats what you get with a racing engine though. My engine is stock except for Uwe Banzal's uprated oil pan baffle and some magnecor ignition leads. When I have the money to spend I will get some uprated cams and the carbon airbox with the alpha-N, this will give me some very usefull added torque.

All round the car is an excellent drive, whether you are sitting in London traffic to blatting round country lanes and driving on the track.

I would recomend one without a doubt, remember you get what you pay for though, and you will most probably have to spend some money if you get a mint one also.

I hope this helps

regards

Luke

[GreenGeorge]

Hi Luke

Thanks for the excellent post. I would be interested to know your observations about the H&R 60/40 cupkit with the H&R ARB's, powerflex eccentric control arm bushes and standard bushes everywhere else you are planning to fit an the difference this makes to general driveability against the outright roadholding.


Thanks again for your input.

George