So im thinking of getting another E30...

[svenga]

Afternoon zoners,

After selling my sport in February last year i have taken a step back from the zone, i simply felt a little left out being e30'less. However i did lurk so hello old friends and hello to the new crowd.

I have semi concluded that its maybe time to scratch the itch i have had since i heard my last e30 drive away, the dream of driving a Mitsubishi Pajero has worn off.. Im beginning to get sick of forking money out on the rusty shed and the novelty of being high and having no pride in a daily vehicle has worn off.

I have owned a 316i, 320i, and ofcourse the sport previous.. At the time it deemed necessary for me to part with the sport due to the fact i could only run it five months of the year and the continuous maintenance routine it developed. Infact at times i wish i kept my minty 316 despite its gutless power.

So, although i have not fully convinced myself.. I have began looking at E30s for sale again, just to see what is out there and in hope something might pop up locally (highly unlikely). Again i would ideally want a coupe, no cabbies, more doors, or tourings.. But an in-famous and recurring question for you all is below..

What model should i aim my sights at? in particular, a standard 325i, or a 318is..

Whatever i chose will be my daily, so a standard un-touched example would be a must. I would treat the car as if new and most likely pay the price for a low mileage unmolested example, as none turdy as possible.

I have always had an appeal for a 318is, why? you tell me? maybe because ive had the others and fancy experiencing what the IS is all about and having fun with the M42. However i do not want to set my heart on one, pay the price, only to feel disappointed because i still had strong memories of the little buttons the sport pushed (ie the 325i lump )

The car would be daily in and out of town, mixed driving really, not a serious amount of miles driven yearly but enough to warrant a good decision. fuel economy is not a major issue but i guess it would be nice (clearly in favour of the IS right?)

So to finalise my babbling, what makes you guys chose your 325i over the IS, or vice versa?? try to sell me your opinion as though you were selling the car to me!

Kind Regards,

Sven.

[capri_rob]

If you've had the others then go for the iS. Buy a decent one and it will hold its value if you get bored and want to punt it on.

Decent 325i's are getting very thin on the ground now especially 2 door models, whereas there does still seem to be a few decent iS examples around at sensible money.

I'd quite like to try an iS to see what all the fuss is about as I've had plenty of BMW's but never one with less than 6 cylinders.

[age]

go for the iS. i've had both and found the 325 very underwhelming!
with the iS you can always daily it for a while till you get bored then drop an m52 donk in to really light a fire under its ass

[JungleGus]

Agree on the iS - balance is nicer, they tend to come with nice options and just look right with an iS lip and no kit. Keep it standard and tidy and they'll always be worth decent £. Plus, it feels less "serious" than a 2.5 which tends to bring a smile to the face.

And easy to M52 if you so desire since you can use the entire drivetrain.

[magpie]

welcome back svenga


get a good solid 318is mate , when you get bored with 136 bhp i'll stick a 24v donk in it for ya

[knob]

Hi guys,
I have had my Is for over 12 years now. and covered over 100k miles in it and it is a fabulous car. I think the power of the m42 and the way it delivers it is a perfect match for the "standard" chassis and suspension set up. I often refer to it as having a split personality, if you potter about keeping the revs under 4000 it is very docile and returns 40mpg easily, however if you work that engine keeping it betwen 4500 and 6000 on a favourite stretch of road it is just sublime. It is so well balanced with brilliant handling and roadholding that you never tire of it and always step out of it smiling. It is in the garage just now nearly finished a wee make over and hopefully back on the road for June. Cant wait.
I got my first 325 sport about 2 years ago and after a mild restoration put in on the road last May and have covered over 13k miles in the last year. It too is a great car, mechanically very strong and the car feels more "solid" than the Is. Fabulous engine and sounds fantastic, but totally different from the M42, as the revs rise. It is not as well balanced and chuckable as the Is, the heavier engine does make a difference when really pushing into tight corners and I find it harder to keep the right line in a corner as it either understeers badly or the tail goes out and you can never quite get the exit speed quite right. For example on corners I know really well the Is will go round them at least 15mph faster than the sport and with much less drama.
To compare the 2, It is as if the Is is the teenager, always wanting to have fun and wanting to play and the Sport is much more grown up and although more than capable of having fun it always makes me feel slightly guilty if I push it to its limits. Strange but true.
They are both fabulous cars, each with there own merits and qualities and I love them both, however if pushed for a choice then the Is wins every time as it really is a perfect package for every driving occasion. The slogan that BMW used to use "this car is greater than the sum of its parts", or something like that, is a perfect description for the Is
Cheers
Jim

[magpie]

wow ^^

[Blitz]

A 325i is superior in every way to a 318is. Its much faster, sounds much better and far more tractable.

[svenga]

Jim almost made me want to own two again ..

Mick check the wanted section So it begins again!

I think ill stick to keeping my aim at an IS, I have read online and spoke to a few owners and ex owners of mixed e30s and all are saying to give the IS a try as it might just surprise me.

Thanks for the input so far guys!

[RM2186]

Welcome back Sven...... looking forward to see what you buy.

[Split_S]

I own two 1991 318iS...Rebuilding one now and the second is a parts car in great condition but with a blown headgasket. As a result, Ive never driven either but cant wait!

Also just bought a 1990 M3 3 weeks ago after realizing Ive only got one life to live...Now THAT is a great car.... get yourself one of those.....

Of course ive already ripped out the whole of the rear suspension, fuel tank, diff etc to replace the brakes and put in a bunch of new stuff... one day i will buy an e30 and not immediately tear it apart!!!

Good luck on your search!

[pacerpete]

I own two 1991 318iS...Rebuilding one now and the second is a parts car in great condition but with a blown headgasket. As a result, Ive never driven either but cant wait!

Also just bought a 1990 M3 3 weeks ago after realizing Ive only got one life to live...Now THAT is a great car.... get yourself one of those.....

Of course ive already ripped out the whole of the rear suspension, fuel tank, diff etc to replace the brakes and put in a bunch of new stuff... one day i will buy an e30 and not immediately tear it apart!!!

Good luck on your search!

Your M3 will be even better when you fit some proper wheels

[jimbom30cab]

What are the best alloys to fit these m3s?

[Cypriotgeeza]

I've never owned a 325i as I went straight from my IS to my 3.5 but the general opinion on them is correct as it is very "chuckable" and is just a generally fun car to drive..

I used to have mine as a daily and im not sure how much traffic you sit in but mine wasn't getting anywhere near to the 40mpg someone claimed earlier
It is a 20+ year old car after all it isn't going the be the most economical!

Only downside i felt with my IS was when pulling up next to a 325i and hearing the howl of their engine as they pulled away..always made mine feel a bit inferior

Stick a speedtouch chip in it aswell then you can have some fun!

[Blitz]

What are the best alloys to fit these m3s?

16" M3 BBS.

[Split_S]

Pacerpete: I totally agree. Those are 17" and way too big. I have the original 15" bbs (which were standard on the original M3s)and will refit those but the 16s do look nicer. Those were standard on the Evo 1s...

[bss325i]

16" BBS were standard on all Evo models, Ceccotto and Ravaglia editions, 215bhp models, and an option on 195/200bhp cars from '87.

[Split_S]

Didnt mean to hijack the thread:

If you like driving, curves and corners, i think the 318iS is the way to go....