E30 Zone

hi, im 19 with ncb, ive had a mk 4 1.25 fiesta, corsa c 1.2 sxi and am considering stepping up to a 318is in the future, just need to ask a few questions...

is this car alright for an everyday car? (dont want the car to break down on me)

do you get much feedback from the wheel/car? (the difference between the fiesta and the corsa is frightning, the corsa is no fun to drive)

how much for a good one? (people have been saying 2-3k)

i do about 180-250 miles a week mostly on A and B roads.

ive tried getting quotes online but no one will take me on, does this mean im looking for a big premium?

anyone here around my age with a 318is with fully comp insurance?

it wont be mega expensive as it comes under 318i

will be reliable

and 1.5k gets a good oner

Anyone who has one on here will tell you how good they are, I dont have one but one of my mates has one which ive driven and it was an awesome drive with plenty of driver feel and feedback. For a good one you're looking at 1500-2000 maybe even 2500. If you get a good one i cant see you having any problems.

I know of some young guns with 318iS that have had good deals from a company called Nationwide. Have you tried the usual people like Adrian Flux, Herts Insurance Consultants (HIC), Footman James, Warwick Davis to mention a few.

Steering should be nice & direct with good feedback. For a genuine mint car which should not give you much bother then yeah around the £2K mark should buy the best available. Rust is a the main enemy. These are older cars than you have been driving, so proper regular maintenance is needed to avoid a troublesome car.

Welcome by the way

E30BeemerLad wrote: These are older cars than you have been driving, so proper regular maintenance is needed to avoid a troublesome car.

May be older , but doesn't have a Ford or Vauxhall badge on the front! Once any previous neglect has been sorted out maintenance should be minimal compared with those.

insurance should be no problem...............i insured a 325 at 18 so a 318iS at 19 should be no probs

i was insured with privilege by the way

it will be a big step up from the ford and the vauxhall and should eb fairly reliable

and you also have hte added advantage of rear wheel drive

Had one for over 4 years, great car!

Take your time to source a decent one, there are plenty of dogs out there!

A superb car which you'll enjoy so much more than your cars to date!

Bob_S runs one and is a similar age to you I believe.

They are very nice and a great way in to Beemer ownership. Good value too as has been stated above

They're a nice zingy thing. Not lightening quick but lively enough. A mate of mine has a lovely silver one for sale, 80'000 miles and totally standard and original although it might have Bilstein shocks.

It's taxed, MOT's and on the road everyday. £1500 Sir!

Welcome aboard BTW.

thanks for the help guys, you look like a friendly bunch.

what kind of things shall i be looking for when buying one?

low milage? rebuilt engine? i dont mind modifications, infact im probably looking for one that has a decent suspension setup on it.

i have just bought a 318is for £1300 i am 19 and i am covered with tesco fully comp on my dads insurance for £800. the car is fantastic to drive, and its good to have a different car from all the other 19yr olds with 1.2 litre puntos. the car has been totally reliable so far, if you can get one, definatly do it.

318ISingh wrote:
low milage? looking for one that has a decent suspension setup on it.

Yes, look for a low mileage one - something less than 250,000 miles would be OK. They left the factory with a decent suspension already fitted.
Coming from Ford and Vauxhall you're going to have to forget every concept you have about cars and start again. This is a whole new world, where the engineer rules in the factory and not the accountant!

as above im with tesco, am 21 and its 600 odd for the year fully comp.

great car to drive, comfortable and reliable. fuel economys good.

bought mine for 900, cost me 1500 in total on the road, love it!!!!

absolutley different class to your previous motors!

try elephant./co.uk for insurance mate, thats whoI'm with.

compared to the fiesta and corsa you wont believe you waited to long to buy one!

318IS any good?
no,best get a 325i












only joking for those who have read the other related thread

Am 18 n jst bought a 318is. My insurance isnt that much, it was cheaper than my 1.4 MG. The iS is really good fun around roundabouts n quite nippy in the higher rev range. Really easy 2 drive as well

I'm not as young as you so can't really help you with the insurance, but i've have had my iS for a while now...and would definately recommend one, as all the guys have already stated, it's a good car and fun to drive, definately not the fastest e30 out there, but still a great car at that.

Also....as said, 2k will get you a minter. Once bought just maintaine it regularly and it'll be sweet..

and this too

Brianmoooore wrote:

Once any previous neglect has been sorted out maintenance should be minimal compared with those.[/quote]

I have a 318is for the last 18 months and it's a cracking little car. Had an E30 316i for 9 years previous to that and wish I had got the 318is much sooner!!!

Running costs should be similar to an ordinary 318i.

I have a 318is for the last 18 months and it's a cracking little car.

When you say cracking, are you referring to the cylinder Head?

... just a joke, I,ve had mine 5 years and its brilliant but make sure the lump and suspension are in good condition to take advantage of the iS features

you wont be disapointed the 318is are good cars and a good start into the bmw ownership as said above once previous neglect is fixed there relatively easy to keep on the road. watch out for timming chain rattles as if the chain breaks it can be costly also make sure the engine is not overheating as again head damage can be a costly repair and forget trying to get a second hand engine cheap as there like hens teeth i know this as im probarly one of many thats broke a 318is for the simple reason i couldnt source an engine