316i to 325i - should I?

Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:45 pm

Just been looking at 325s for sale for a mate and I cant beleive what you can get for very little money! Did a quick search and found that insurance is going to be pretty much the same for my 1990 316i LUX and a 1988 325i touring!

So with insurance being the same, tax being the same, the only other cost really is petrol, I get 35-40mpg out of the 316, what do you 325 boys get, I am guessing (hoping?!) on about 25-30? I could just about live with that for the extra performance I would be enjoying...

Someone convince me!

Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:48 pm

20mpg is the norm for a 325 mate, and anyone who says they don't give their car a good twatting and gets better mpg than that is either dead or lying!

I really would check those insurance quotes again/ elsewhere!

Where' bouts in Norwich are you mate, I make regular trips down there and know the area reasonably well

Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:51 pm

Bugger, thats a bit worse than I was expecting!

I am an old(ish) git mate, so I guess any E30 is going to be around the Ãƒ”šÃ‚£250 for me to insure!

What about a 320 then? I quite fancy getting away from 4 pot rattly-ness!

Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:52 pm

Touring isn't that great on fuel extra weight and the lower ratio diff, probably get mid 20's out of it averaged.

I managed high 30's from my 325i SE on a long run, but you only have to floor it a few times and that goes to pot.

Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:58 pm

Sounds like you've already convinced yourself....

Another convert to a touring is also a bonus - tourings tend to be cheaper to insure than the equivalent saloon or coupe....

You know its the right thing to do

As for the consumption - it does depend somewhat how you drive and I might not be the most aggressive driver but the worst consumption I've ever had was 24 mpg - that was when I was exploring its potential the week I got it. Last weekend I went to exmoor, loaded up and and never dropped below 80 all the way. Whilst I was there, I did 50 miles of 'spirited driving' on the twisty stuff. Got back home, filed up again and I'd still managed over 29 mpg....

Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:03 pm

Sounds like you've already convinced yourself....

Is it that obvious?!

Another convert to a touring is also a bonus - tourings tend to be cheaper to insure than the equivalent saloon or coupe....

Always preferred them, just always beleived that myth that they are more expensive!

You know its the right thing to do

It makes sense, as I love my E30, just wish it had a bit more go (and sounded like a proper BMW!)

As for the consumption - it does depend somewhat how you drive and I might not be the most aggressive driver but the worst consumption I've ever had was 24 mpg - that was when I was exploring its potential the week I got it. Last weekend I went to exmoor, loaded up and and never dropped below 80 all the way. Whilst I was there, I did 50 miles of 'spirited driving' on the twisty stuff. Got back home, filed up again and I'd still managed over 29 mpg....

Thats what I wanted someone to tell me! Cheers mate!

Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:09 pm

Check out this thread for some more touring positives:

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... sc&start=0

Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:14 pm

Skip wrote:
What about a 320 then? I quite fancy getting away from 4 pot rattly-ness!

wouldn't bother with the 320 mate, you have the thirst of a 325 with the performance of a good 318. Nice noise though

Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:17 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:
Skip wrote:
What about a 320 then? I quite fancy getting away from 4 pot rattly-ness!
wouldn't bother with the 320 mate, you have the thirst of a 325 with the performance of a good 318. Nice noise though

Thought as much... bugger! Oh well, 325 it is then, anyone want to buy a 316i LUX...

Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:32 pm

got any details on the lux? where abouts in Norfolk are you. I am gonna be in the area on the weekend of 19th November if you are not desparate to sell immediately. I am thinking of the idea of getting a late good shell and swapping my 325 goodies over but I may make other plans so don't hold out on me if a punter comes along with the folding!

cheers
lee

Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:36 pm

Its a 1990 on a H - its had a rear end on it at some point and they fitted a steel bumper rear panel, do a search on my profile for some piccies...

Its quite clean though, interior is mint, done 152,000, to be honest, I wouldnt have said it was the best example to use for the conversion you are talking about, but you never know!

I am based in Watton, do you know it?

Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:39 pm

thanks mate, given the history there are good odds of some horrors being discovered or things not fitting properly at the rear end.

I know Watton vaguely, I have family in Attleborough and I have a property in Banham. Will be living back down there next summer, can't wait!

Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:17 pm

thanks mate, given the history there are good odds of some horrors being discovered or things not fitting properly at the rear end.

Thats what I thought, so no probs...

I know Watton vaguely, I have family in Attleborough and I have a property in Banham. Will be living back down there next summer, can't wait!

[/quote]
Blimey, I drive through it every day as I work at Lotus! Small world!

Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:15 pm

Skip wrote: as I work at Lotus!

What do you do there ?

Do you get to do any test driving !

Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:10 pm

my brother works at Lotus, in the emissions dept, my old man works at Van Diemen

Thu Oct 27, 2005 8:38 am

Hehehe, no test driving, but I did get a discounted day of "Sideways training" with the two masters of getting an Elise sideways this summer, absolutely superb, I have been practising ever since!

I work in IT so I probably know of your brother, whats his name?

Thu Oct 27, 2005 9:04 am

Paul Jones

Thu Oct 27, 2005 9:09 am

Nope never heard of him, but I can see his user account...