318is vs 320i

[dan1si]

opinions on these 3 im only 23 so insurance is in the way speed and how tunable

[philn]

You should be able to insure any e30 at your age for a pretty reasonable sum.

Just shop around.

[stevetigger]

You should be able to insure any e30 at your age for a pretty reasonable sum.

Just shop around.

I was gunna say that!

[Ziggy]

I'm 24 & insure a 325i cab for Ԛ£300 fully comp. If age is the only thing putting you off, don't let it! 325i all the way...

Otherwise, the 'is is faster, better to drive etc etc than a 320i. On the other hand, they're more expensive to fix when they go wrong, & more expensive to buy in the first place...

[Dan318-is]

IS Hands down

im biased but its a better engine imo

[jonb]

320i is a waste of time. a 318is is a nice car when up together, and will shit down the throat of a 320 on any road. no brainer.

trying to tune any of these cars is just pissing money against the wall. buy a 318is and enjoy.

318is"s are as rare as people make out hence you could get a nice genuine non counciled up motor for about a grand.

[Cava]

Got to be the IS

As well and the engine, the chassis is also a cut above a standard 320.

b.t.w. I am also biased, but i don't care.

[Sanchez]

check this out about the 'IS' im biased as well.

http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/

it will answer most questions and make you wana but one, better fuel economy aswell, got to south london from edinburgh on 1 tank of fuel 65mph all 442.8 miles.


im 23 0ncb and f.comp for less than Ԛ£600

[E30Mark]

opinions on these 3 im only 23 so insurance is in the way speed and how tunable

these 3?

Personally i love the 318iS, but again I'm totally biased!

[steerfromtherear]

I S all day long you can have one worth owning for around a grand and it really is a world better than a 2.0 bar one thing......... the noise

[stevetigger]

Come on people, the poor lad needs a 325i

[6potWil6pot]

iS is a nice car! Ive owned one too Fuel eco is definately in another league as the 320i drinks and drinks! I got between 26 to 35mpg with the 4 cyl.

[NIX]

You've probably guessed what the general feeling is but he's another vote from me; iS (defo!!)

[RSTurbo50]

Ive driven a couple of E30 320i 's and I have to say they are one of the most sluggish cars I have ever driven. They do sound sweet....but my god they are slow!


Get the 318is ....actually no buy a 325i and have some real fun!

Stu

[Andy335Touring]

Get the 318is ....actually no buy a 325i and have some real fun!

Stu

defo, get an insurance quote first as i can't see a 325 being to much more than 318is or a 320 ?

[m3ben05]

23!!! Mate, you can get insured on any e30 no probs. Im 20 and im insured fully comp on my M3

[Zayyan]

23!!! Mate, you can get insured on any e30 no probs. Im 20 and im insured fully comp on my M3

For how much may I ask?

I'm planning an M3 as soon as I turn 21....though if I can get it sooner....

[philn]

I had an M3 when I was 21, paid Ԛ£1200 FC with HIC.

[Vacant]

Once again, 325 Sport must be sensible enough to insure - crackin' car.

Of the 2 you mentioned, 318Is assuming it's a good un.

[SwirlyE30]

If your 23 then Sport no question. Insurance at your age on the two would be pretty similar, and to be honest, whatever people say about the is being lighter etc, the sports a nicer car. Quicker, nicer drive, and it looks nicer.

I have an IS, its a nice car, although pretty slow compared with some stuff now-adays. Id easily swap my car for a nice sport, as your then left with 2.7 options if you want somthing even quicker.

And as for Economy, well doing similar ish driving all week (live/work togehter) ,i do about 30-40 quid a week and my brother Rare in his 2.7 does about 50-60. So its not ridiculous in terms of fuel, good thing im not driving my camaro atm.....12mpg sucks ass

[tomstickland]

I'm all for the iS. I'm biassed because I own one. It's such a good car. Cheap to run, 30mpg even when driven hard, lighter engine, MTech suspension, uprated shell of some sort(? am I correct).

Such a good package if you want to develop your RWD driving skills. Once you're in tune with it then it just goes on providing driving satisfaction.

However, if you want straight line acceleration then it'll probably dissapoint you. Get it on a wet and twisty road and it'll thrill you.

[Dan318-is]

I'm all for the iS. I'm biassed because I own one. It's such a good car. Cheap to run, 30mpg even when driven hard, lighter engine, MTech suspension, uprated shell of some sort(? am I correct).

Such a good package if you want to develop your RWD driving skills. Once you're in tune with it then it just goes on providing driving satisfaction.

However, if you want straight line acceleration then it'll probably dissapoint you. Get it on a wet and twisty road and it'll thrill you.

Couldnt agree more

[SwirlyE30]

Yeh the IS is a nice car. A good first RWD motor as theres enough power to have some fun, but not too much so your going to kill yourself.

Although after having driven mine for a while, im getting disssapointed with the performance. Sure they corner nice, but then so does a sport.

If anyones ever been in a nice 2.7 and then an IS, the IS is a nice handling car, but a modded sport, or 2.7 with nice susspension would eat it anyday, its all about the torque baby! The IS has none, and in everyday use its not exactly the fastest of cars until your able to constantly keep it above 3k

[tomstickland]

But, to me, that's the attraction of the iS. It demands driver input to get the most from it. It's not about just pressing a pedal down the straights. You have to keep it over 4K to get the most. On my trip round Wales I was surprised by how fast it is on twisty roads - you just keep it on the boil all the time, the back constantly working to push the car around. It's so delicate on the throttle, I love it. Less weight over the front wheels compared to the 6 pot engines.

[SwirlyE30]

I know what your saying mate, and i dont Dissagree, although everyone says how the IS is some awesome car that handles amazing and although its a nice car, its nothing speical tbh.

All E30's require driver input, all need a blip of throttle on the down change to keep it smooth, all need you to know how to drive them round a corner, all need you to 'how' to drive in order for them to be a complete package, thats why i like them. Although you jump in a 2.7 with a Cupkit and nice ARB's and bushes, take that round wales, then tell me you still want to IS (fuel aside).

The 6 pot is heavier yeh, but its hardly noticeable, you literally wouldnt notice the difference unless you were a good driver on a track spending time with both cars to see how they corner at high speed etc.


Back to my main point, if your over 21 and want a nice car, go for a sport! Or an M3, but then thats a completly differnt kettle of fsh

[tomstickland]

Depends what you want really. After a few years of chasing power I wanted something that had "just enough" power, but evertything else sweet. Sure, there's not much to argue about really; they're all E30s.

[johnna]

Part of the six pot appeal is wrestling the heavier front end into line.... a real driving skill.
My 320i cabby (extra steel) returns 30mpg and can deliver decent performance when kept on torque.
It is lowered and it's handling is well sorted (better than the 320i e36 coupe I had).

Not a bad car at all. But that won't stop some 2.7 or m50 shenannagins next summer.....

[swindy]

Got to agree, I have outrun a 318is and I love my 320i. Sorry guys I do.

[JOSEMI]

I have a 320, and I am very happy with it. I found a bit of a tendency to slap 320s in the zone - which doesn't bother me at all- and would add a few good points to compensate the attack against 320's:

awesome sound
powerful engines nevertheless
six pot smoothness/rightness
revvy engine with an excellents 1st and 2nd gears
excellent cruisers if you know how to handle them and reduce economy...

on top of my head

Jose

[e30e30]

ide say go for the 318is, but dont rule out the 320i , this is also a very good motor aswell

[Simon13]

go 325! i bought mine when i was 21 insurance won't be a prob even with a few sp30's like i had!

320's are pony
318iS but they break easily! it won't take the grief u can give a 325 either imo

[Chaos]

But - and it's a big but - when you can buy a strong tidy 325i for well under a grand, you have to weigh it all up.

for older ppl yeah i cant fault your logic.
but if your younger and have insurance issues then a 320/318 might be a better option.