325i vs 318is, performance and handling pros and cons?

[djk]

a sorted E30 regardless of its engine can carry serious enough speed in the corners on track if there is commited pilot at the helm. It just takes a fair bit more nerve and skill to extract it from an E30 compared to someone in an e46/e90. It won't be as quick agreed but theres plenty that can be hassled when they are peddled right!

I have to say, no road based car ever really cuts it on a track - you could get a useable zetec formula ford for about 4-5k that would pee pee on anything but the most outrageous road based creation on nearly any circuit you care to mention. For example, the zetec lap record at Castle Combe is 1m07s - Mark Funnell presently races a 300bhp+ supercharged Toyota powered Lotus Exige, with slicks, wing and diffuser at combe and just about laps faster than this, 1m06 IIRC.

Maybe but this thread is about galvanisers and boat anchors not single seaters.

Just trying to add a bit of variety to this careworn topic!

[Felix79]

And so we accellerate towards once again

Yeah but who's gonna get there first the 4pot wannabe or the 6 pot rightness driver.....................

I think a dirtysix driver with 3.8 24v rightusness will

[mattrs]

Thanks for all the sensible comments and the less sensible amusing ones too. The general consensus is that any small weight saving or handling gain wouldn’t offset the lack of torque and out right power. So I think i will keep my 325i for now.

It would have probably been a complete B*****d getting the cage out anyway!

[Dave_M3]

Another thread on this debate already!!!
Were we not having one last week?!?
And three pages in just one day and still not locked!!!


End of the day... as a track car, both the M42 and M20 are a waste of time unless you throw lots of money at them.

A good M52b28 and a little bit of work and you'll have the best of both worlds plus a little bit extra.

right number of valves,
6 cylinder sound,
happy medium in weight,
And a good deal more power and torque than both the M20 and M42



But for simple fun e30 motoring... the iS is better obviously

[mattrs]

Another thread on this debate already!!!
Were we not having one last week?!?
And three pages in just one day and still not locked!!!


End of the day... as a track car, both the M42 and M20 are a waste of time unless you throw lots of money at them.

A good M52b28 and a little bit of work and you'll have the best of both worlds plus a little bit extra.

right number of valves,
6 cylinder sound,
happy medium in weight,
And a good deal more power and torque than both the M20 and M42



But for simple fun e30 motoring... the iS is better obviously

lol! I have got a stolen recovered e36 325i with a good 100k lump in it. Originally bought it to do the conversion but the car was better than I first thought, so I decided to put a lock set on it instead to turn a profit! Very tempting not to, mind you.

Decisions Decisions!

[Dave_M3]

Nah, M50s are going out of fashion now. It's M52s and S50s people want now

[BAZE30]

From what I've read of the first post - regardless of the blagging aspects of which is better - WHAT ARE THE TECHINCAL differences!!!

Same chassis?
Different engine, obviously!
Diff ratios?
Brakes? I know ATE on Sports but does IS's have them also?
What are the weight differences?
How many sold of each?

NO MORE JIBBER JABBING

[bodger]

[Dave_M3]

Same chassis, same shocks, exactly same brakes (abs on most 325i however but optional on iS),
Different front spring rates.

130bhp-152bhp for an M42 depending on condition and chip fitted
150-182bhp for M20 depending on condition and if chip fitted
M42 weighs 100kg, M20 weighs 117kg (would have slightly more of an effect than 17kg with engine being longer)

[da4x4turbo]

318is is for girls

325i is for boys

[rado-steve]

318is is for girls

325i is for boys

lol

[asmith88]

the only difference i can see is the drivers

6 pot owners being c**ks

dont start into this "not a proper bmw" rubbish, it has the badge im afraid its a bmw

[Dave_M3]

318is is for girls

325i is for boys

Really must give you a spin in my iS again over the summer... it seems you've lost your ways abit lately

I might have found a left hooker in need of some work for you too

[bodger]

simple fact is bmw are known for their silky smooth six pots, a proper sports car engine, not a rattly four pot. im not biased i have one of each of the cars, the 'is' is the wife's

[bss325i]

6 pot owners being c**ks

As i said, iS owners suffer from little man syndrome.

[ian332isport]

FFS

I think this is done now.