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318is as daily driver?

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:56 pm
by Matt_J
Hi newbie here,

Just wondering if anyone uses their 318is as a daily driver and what its like on fuel?

Considering one amongst other things, any problems I should look for that are specific to this model? what colours were they in apart from red! winkeye

Cheers for your help,
Matt.

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:29 pm
by TheDutch
I think pretty much everyone that has one uses it as a daily driver - it's not exactly the car people save to only take out of the garage on dry Sunday afternoons. Good on fuel (pretty much the best petrol E30), even better when you're getting reasonable performance too.

Check out Brendan's highly revered website for more info. and buying guide: http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/index.html

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 10:21 pm
by Lordschleife
AFAIK the other colours the 318is came in were:

Alpineweiss II (White)
Diamondschwarz (Black)
Sterlingsilber (Silver)
Lazurblau (Blue)

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:28 pm
by Simon13
this is the best E30 for economy! great to hoon around in, nice handling.

They have it all going for them, excellent torque for a 1.8 and better than alot of newer cars too.

Just make sure that engine is sweet and it will be an enjoyable ownership

perfect for daily use and can handle big miles if looked after and they need proper servicing

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:19 am
by mason
My mate users one every day

is very happy :wink:

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:21 am
by Cava
You should'nt have any worries on using an IS as a daily driver, they have a good engine and running gear - just take your time in finding the right car. :D

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:37 am
by Sanchez
Do spend the money getting a decent one, they are definatley worth the cash, and they wont depreciate as a standard 318 320. Keep it standard body and interior. MPG approx. 45-47 full tank good for 280 push at 300mile for Ԛ£35. as TheDutch said http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/ is a very good site devoted to the 'is' it will make you want one.
Find out loads about them so you no when a good example comes along.

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:46 am
by Lordschleife
Sanchez wrote:MPG approx. 45-47
WTF?! How'd you work that one out?
I get more like 30ish
Your figures for mileage on the best part of a tank sound about right though

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:51 am
by Sanchez

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:55 am
by Sanchez
Lordschleife wrote:
Sanchez wrote:MPG approx. 45-47
WTF?! How'd you work that one out?
I get more like 30ish
Your figures for mileage on the best part of a tank sound about right though
got it of http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/
@65mph 47mpg
My mpg gauge doesnt work, so cant varify if thats true.
If i new how many litres in a gallon i could no if it wass true.

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:10 am
by Lordschleife
1 UK gallon = 4.546 litres

You can quite happily make the gauge go above 50mpg if you're light on the throttle esp, with a down hill/tailwind, but thats not a realistic everyday use figure - as soon as you push the throttle a little it'll swing down below 20mpg

Average for most people with an iS is 30-odd mpg mines probably a bit lower, but then I'm quite heavy on the throttle

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:24 am
by Matt_J
Thanks for the link.

Would love a silver one but you dont see to many around!

The more of that site I read the more I want one, hope a good one pops up soon.

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:27 am
by TheDutch
I've just averaged around 30mpg during 60 miles of heavy London traffic, usual average is at least 35mpg. Lordschleife, you must be Mr Dedicated Ruthless to get it under 30mpg, though I rarely use my brakes so perhaps I'm just Dr Jew-Bagel Frugalman.

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:24 am
by eko
As a daily driver i am sure you will be impressed.
As said above,a good all rounder,economy,performance and handling!

I average between 50-70 miles per Ԛ£10 of fuel depending how its driven.

Can get a little noisy at high revs on the motorway but you soon get used to that.

Gives a lot of more modern cars a good run for the money.

Looks good on the road too!

Diamondshwartz then Silver the best colour options in my opinion :)

Good luck with your search :)

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:15 am
by dark_sounds
diamondschwarz then lazurblau if you can find it,,, beutiful colour in the sun! i had one :(

i get 30 miles to a fiver which is roughly a gallon, with the occasional hoon, and im quite heavy take it to 2500/3000 before a gear change, just before the power really kicks in and drinks the fuel lol

localy cars for day to day, i use it everyday, and do silly miles everyday

though finding a good one will take a while, and more then likely will have to travel for it

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:35 am
by 6potWil6pot
A v good daily drive, the economy is nice too. Got from 27 to 36mpg when i used to own it, first figure town, second one motorway.
Infact which is only marginally behind my current 2000 1.7 Ford Puma :mad:

Another recommendation for the iS :D It could use more torque and the buzzy engine is an acquired taste but i enjoyed the one i had loads!