320is Vs M3

[b4bmm]

I know that the 320is is the little brother of the M3 with the same s14 engine but as 2 litre instead of 2.3 but are all the engine parts
different too, I.E are the parts for this car hard to find and are they more expensive,less expensive or roughly the same? I live in Ireland and these cars would be very rare over here, is there many in the U.K? Any help would be appreciated

[Sjoerd320i]

iirc it's only a different crank

somebody please correct me if i'm wrong (Geeman? )

[billgatese30]

engine wise i'm not sure how its different to the s14 fitted to the m3. however the body, chassis and suspension is identical to the 318is in every way, just different interior trim and running gear to suit the s14

at least thats all i think is different

[Sjoerd320i]

engine wise i'm not sure how its different to the s14 fitted to the m3. however the body, chassis and suspension is identical to the 318is in every way, just different interior trim and running gear to suit the s14

at least thats all i think is different

I thougt it was based on a 325 sport, hence the bodykit?

[redrobbie]

It was the alternative to 325i in Italy and Portugal coz of tax issues, so they made the 320is. The m3 also had a different stroke length to the 320iS.

Too bad they never made this in Right hand drive

[Nostrils]

In terms of parts for servicing like Oil, Brakes, Filters etc., these are all available from German Swedish. All the other parts for the bodywork etc can be purchased from either GS or Eurocarparts.

...or from this site too!!

As for the engine parts, these will be harder to come by on the open market unless you come up trumps with E30Zone, S14.net or BMWCarClub members selling/breaking parts! Many of the parts for the engine are still availabe from BMW Dealers at top dollar though!!

It sounds like you are thinking of buying 1 or the other....get some insurance quotes first on both before taking the plunge....this year for me was more difficult that the previous 5 years....and damned expensive for an old geyser too!

[billgatese30]

engine wise i'm not sure how its different to the s14 fitted to the m3. however the body, chassis and suspension is identical to the 318is in every way, just different interior trim and running gear to suit the s14

at least thats all i think is different

I thougt it was based on a 325 sport, hence the bodykit?

not sure, but it think that it had the checky cloth from the IS and also came with 14" BBS unless asked otherwise, again like the IS. however, for all the things that make a sport different to an IS, then its not much, only really the engine, suspension and body and brakes were all the same.

[Sjoerd320i]

good point there Chris

to bad it ain't 5 lug tho

[Simon]

Some of the parts prices for the S14 are shocking, Ԛ£160 for a waterpump, Ԛ£65 for a thermostat

[b4bmm]

I already own an M3 and was looking for a cheaper alternative to run on the road as an everyday car. I would rather a 320is to a 325i because they are very common over here now. The 320is would be a dark horse. So generally speaking ye are saying that a 320is would be just as expensive to run as an m3?

[Sjoerd320i]

It was the alternative to 325i in Italy and Portugal coz of tax issues, so they made the 320is. The m3 also had a different stroke length to the 320iS.

Too bad they never made this in Right hand drive

nope it was the alternative for the m3 the m3 was never sold in Italy

hence why they call it the Italien m3

[Simon]

I already own an M3 and was looking for a cheaper alternative to run on the road as an everyday car. I would rather a 320is to a 325i because they are very common over here now. The 320is would be a dark horse. So generally speaking ye are saying that a 320is would be just as expensive to run as an m3?

Engine wise and body panel wsie yes, but all other parts are essentially the same, even the suspension between E30 M3 and E30 are exchangeable (shocks, springs) the control arms are expensive on the M3 (alu arms) but steel ones can be used no problem, brake pads are not M3 specific, discs are almost the same price as normal E30.

[mysteron35]

Hi , the M3 was available in Italy and the 320is was an tax break model for Italy and Portugal only , I've personally had M3's from Italy and my current car is from Rome .
Regards Steve.

[Sjoerd320i]

whoops

[M3Compact]

I already own an M3 and was looking for a cheaper alternative to run on the road as an everyday car. I would rather a 320is to a 325i because they are very common over here now. The 320is would be a dark horse. So generally speaking ye are saying that a 320is would be just as expensive to run as an m3?

Engine wise and body panel wsie yes, but all other parts are essentially the same, even the suspension between E30 M3 and E30 are exchangeable (shocks, springs) the control arms are expensive on the M3 (alu arms) but steel ones can be used no problem, brake pads are not M3 specific, discs are almost the same price as normal E30.

Does the 320iS use 5 stud wheels?

[billgatese30]

no, only 4 studs, use same wheels as normal e30 and could be ordered with 14 or 15 inch BBS

[Sjoerd320i]

Does the 320iS use 5 stud wheels?

good point there Chris

to bad it ain't 5 lug tho

[Karan]

i only see engine parts and exhausts being costly... rest os same as 325 i guess...... what is the shocks/springs situation on these,,,,,, although they would be uprated if i had one anyway

[Sjoerd320i]

think it's normal m-tech supsension

[billgatese30]

yip, i think they took a 318IS/325I Sport and binned the lump, box and probably the diff, bolted in new ones, changd the badge on the boot, and there you go, one 320is

[b4bmm]

It seems to me then that there would be no point in buying one if i wanted relatively cheap second car running costs

[Sjoerd320i]

nope not a good idea mate almost just as expensive as an m3

[Geeman]

Right... Hi guys.

The 320iS was based on a LHD 325i Sport, and DIDN'T come with the 'checky' cloth, but the normal Sport cloth, or leather.

The only differences from a 320iS and a 325i Sport are:

Engine (shorter crank throw and longer rods to make it a 2-litre version of the S14)
Gearbox - M3 dogleg
M3 Prop
M3 Diff
M3 Steering rack
Exhaust - specific to the 320is, though a normal M3 one would also fit, but the rear valance would want modifying.
Front springs

Everything else was 325i Sport stuff. Brakes, shocks, bodykit, etc.

But to throw a spanner in the works, there was also a standard 4-door version that look just like a standard 4-door 325i.

They came standard with 14" BBS's... 15's were an option.

So, the only difference between the M3 and the 320iS in terms of engine bay stuff is the different crank and longer rods. Everything else in the engine bay is standard M3 stuff.

Hope this helps...

Giles.

[Sjoerd320i]

But to throw a spanner in the works, there was also a standard 4-door version that look just like a standard 4-door 325i.

Giles.

how could I ever forget that awsome sleeper

rather have a 2dr tho

[billgatese30]

thank christ someone cleared that one up

[Geeman]

I want another one now... Got used to my 4 pots again!

[Pete320is]

I'm pretty sure the 320is doesn't share the steering rack with the M3
I thought it uses the standard E30 rack. I could be wrong though!!

Here's a useful link to the M Registry info on the 320is...

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=10

[Geeman]

Wow!

In all my time in researching the 320iS I never came across that.

Granite Silver with Cardinal Red leather for me please...

Cool.

[Sjoerd320i]

you havn't?

i've seen it many time popping up on google search for 320is

[japcarkiller]

i want one 2. think there just a bit more special than the 325 sport.
i don't mined a bit of 4 pot wrongness now and again.

[Demlotcrew]

So, the only difference between the M3 and the 320iS in terms of engine bay stuff is the different crank and longer rods. Everything else in the engine bay is standard M3 stuff.

Hope this helps...

Giles.

This is true for the 2.3 S14

A

[billgatese30]

hows omi's IS going then?? good i take it

[b4bmm]

Thanks for clearing that up i think im better
looking elsewhere for an affordable (also fast and enjoyable) M3 alternative.

[Geeman]

I bought mine thinking it would be a cheaper way of owning an M3, then after I was ready financially, I would move one step up and actually buy an M3 once I had got used to the idiosyncrasies...

That didn't work.

Everything that needed replacing or upgrading turned out to be related to the M3 parts... exhaust, dizzy cap and rotor arm, leads, etc...

Left me having spent a fair few quid on the car, which wasn't the plan at all. Don't get confused thinking that it's a cheaper alternative to the M3, becasue it's not. It's just different.

Bloody good car though.