E30 Zone

Seen a nice looking 320i , ideally after a 4 pot daily, but realisticly how much difference in the guzzle is a 320i ?

compared to say a 318i and a 325i ? is it in the middle on the scale ? are they really just as guzzy as a 325i like people say ?

anyone whos owned all 3 got an idea ?

If you've got a 320, you might as well, own a 325, I've owned both.

is it a big difference over a 318 or an IS to have a 320i ?

what sort of mpg is a 320 and rough difference to a 325 ?

I've gone from a 320i to a 325i in the same bodyshell. Zero difference in fuel usage. The M20 is a thirrrrsty beast.

320i has a very short stroke engine,this means that it like to rev,all/most of the grunt is above 3000rpm.So to access the performance,you need to use the gearbox,and pay accordingly at the pumps.
However,if your daily use is going to include a motorway trip,cruising at 65mph/3000rpm,and treating 3000rpm as a rev limit in the gears,you should be able to return 30mpg...

4-pot 30+ mpg 6-pot [m20] 18-25 mpg realistically,the 320i is poo in reality

daimlerman wrote:320i has a very short stroke engine,this means that it like to rev,all/most of the grunt is above 3000rpm.So to access the performance,you need to use the gearbox,and pay accordingly at the pumps.
However,if your daily use is going to include a motorway trip,cruising at 65mph/3000rpm,and treating 3000rpm as a rev limit in the gears,you should be able to return 30mpg...

thats what the 318is was like, drive sensible keep the revs down could return fairly good mpg, also drove a 318i and a 325i but never been in a 320 , does the engine feel exact same as a 325i to drive ?

currently driving a diesel range rover, returns around 26-28 average mixed mpg, get it up to 32 on a run

polsta wrote:

daimlerman wrote:320i has a very short stroke engine,this means that it like to rev,all/most of the grunt is above 3000rpm.So to access the performance,you need to use the gearbox,and pay accordingly at the pumps.
However,if your daily use is going to include a motorway trip,cruising at 65mph/3000rpm,and treating 3000rpm as a rev limit in the gears,you should be able to return 30mpg...

thats what the 318is was like, drive sensible keep the revs down could return fairly good mpg, also drove a 318i and a 325i but never been in a 320 , does the engine feel exact same as a 325i to drive ?

currently driving a diesel range rover, returns around 26-28 average mixed mpg, get it up to 32 on a run

Compared to a tank,a 320i will be bliss!

325i is both bored and stroked to get the extra capacity,this means less gear changes and lower revs for the same time/distance covered,hence all the knocking of the 320i when it turns in a similar drinking habit for less performance.

Treat a 320i properly,and you will still reach your destination,just a few minutes after the guy in a 325i!

Bear in mind that in the '80's company car taxation gave a huge break to sub 1800cc cars,hence the 318i being marketed in the UK,320i,in the main,found private buyers who wanted the smooth,effortless performance of the 6 cylinder engine,but did not need the extra grunt that 325i offered.

In today's 'classic' market,the 320i has become the orphan of the E30 range mainly because it is not understood properly.
I would buy a sound 320i over a ropey 325i every time.

interesting, i have the 325i which will be garaged and used soley for pleasure and fun in nice weather, so speed or performance are not any concern for a daily, just for nipping about on a daily basis and for work with a bit of retro cool factor, any petrol car seems nippy anyway after driving the rr

this is the car in question, what do we think ? looks fairly nice in the pics could possibly get it for under a grand waving cash, little bit of a tidy up and chrome bumpers etc it might be a nice car, am awaiting a reply about the small rust areas he mentions, what would the head work do to econemy ? make it better or more juicy ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... AQ:GB:1123

Looks like shadowline trim on the driver's door,wonder why?

Moredoor converted from auto,of course you would have prefered the OEM spec ,so must be worth all of £900?

I have owned two L-Jet chromey 320i and they gave around 26 mpg average, and two 325i, one high compression that would return 30 mpg average, and a low compression that would manage about 26 mpg average.

I would have thought that a cylinder head rebuild should make it more economical if done right and properly bedded in.

Intersting. I own a 316 1.8 and a 320i Sports coupe on motronic.
My 1.8 on average to light drive gives me 32-34 mpg which i consider pretty good.
The 320i is bloody surpising cos this particular model so far outstrips my previous 320i in economy. Why? Because the one i now have is in fantastic tune well looked after and not abused. I get high 20's locally, but on a run i exceed 30 mpg Easily, and i mean i am shifting at high speeds and still get good. Surprised me hugely as i was expecting much less.
Thing is, my 1.8 needs 1 or even 2 gears lower than what the 320i can take on hills. Effortless power All the way through on the revs.
But the main thing is The SOUND!!! That i love more than having a bloody stereo on board - know what i mean, and i don't wanna be without That!
So i for one Really Love the 320i but do not have the benefit of having driven the 325i alas.
I'm damn happy with the great example i have - so can't do better than that, eh?

A 320i is fine and a well maintained one is a lovely thing to drive. Try to drive it like a 325i and fuel economy will suffer. They're more of a cruiser. I recently drove mine up to Scotland and averaged 36.6mpg over 400 miles according to the OBC (these tend to be a bit optimistic so low 30s is probably more accurate).

They're good cars with a practically unbreakable engine. 129bhp is such a light body means they're quick enough to get out of their own way.

That car is rubbish and it will be L jet not motronic . L jet = avoid.

Check out the rear panel action as well!

I don't see how the buyers claim that because its still down as an auto on the log book can make it cheaper to insure will hold much water in the event of a claim!

L-Jet 320i aren't much slower than a standard Motronic one; there's only 4 bhp difference - it's the same engine. The only downer is, you can't chip them for a little more poke!