How does a 318iS compare to a 325iS?

[MrDazzle]

Hi,

Partly based on my previous insurance Q, but partly based on other factors...

How does the 318iS stack up against the 325i Sport. Apart from the obvious power difference that is? I get the impression this is a point of some contention among E30 owners .

TBH, I'm not hugely concerned about straight line pace. Again like I said in my insurance Q I ride a motorbike which would spank even an M5 engined E30 in a straight line I'm far more concerned about enhancing my driving trade in a tidy RWD car. I get the feeling the 318iS is the nimbler and more 'honest driving' (if that makes any sense!) car, whereas the 325iS is more of a 'put your foot down to get between corners' type of car?

The only concern I have is that the 318iS will be well...slow...frustratingly so that is. They're what...120bhp? Do they have enough power to unstick the rear tyres and let you steer on the throttle?

[kam-325i]

The 318is is a more balanced car than the 325i sport, due the lighter engine up front.

318is = 136Bhp, 1125Kgs = 120.88 Bhp/T

325i = 170Bhp, 1200Kgs = 141.66 Bhp/T

1990 Figures

[Jimbob]

Having had both (to an extent) I'd say the 318is is very pleasant to drive.

Don't get me wrong, the 318is is a great car especially for the cost of the car+insurance+petrol against a 325i for sure. I don't know the exact figures but I think its between 40-50kg in weight difference in engine. Surely this can't make too much of a difference with the right suspension and tyres?

[kam-325i]

The 318is is a more balanced car than the 325i sport, due the lighter engine up front.

318is = 136Bhp, 1125Kgs = 120.88 Bhp/T

325i = 170Bhp, 1200Kgs = 141.66 Bhp/T

1990 Figures

Weights are for the Two Door models.....

[stevetigger]

Right, I for one have had six 325i Sport's, Its the sound that makes all the difference, My mrs could hear me coming from miles away(not literally) but she could tell it was me, like she just said the 318is sounds like every other car! The straight six 2.5 sounds pure sexy! I would buy the 325i Sport just on that alone.

[kam-325i]

The straight six 2.5 sounds pure sexy! I would buy the 325i Sport just on that alone.

So did i !!!

(Well, a 325i anyway)

[MrDazzle]

Hmm....I bought my bike on sound (3-Cyl engine) so could I really justify doing it again?

Damn right I could

[tim_s]

you can't really beat the sounds of the six pot. the 318is sounds pretty average, but has a nice noise when being used.
the 325i sport its quicker too, only slightly in a straight line at sensible speeds, (i think this is because 325is don't always make the power claimed at factory, whereas 318is seem to always make at least the factory figure), but its the torque that makes it a quicker car in reality. the 318is needs to be used to go quick, if you were to compare in gear times like 5th gear 40-60 or whatever, the 325i would be much much quicker. if you want something that can break traction in the dry, you want a 325 sport. plus it has an lsd from the factory, and better spec than a 318is.
i guess really neither car is particularly quick though.

i would personally have a 318is for a load of reasons though, especially if i had your insurance record. 325i insurance is overpriced, i can insure a e36 328i for less, and an audi s2 for just a bit more. on those grounds alone i wouldn't have one. also the m20 engine is a really old design, 2v per cyl belt driven, the m42 is a much more modern design with 4 v per cyl and chain, so less maintenance and gives much better fuel economy.
a good sport is more expensive by quite a bit, plus the 318is does feel more nimble, its got lighter box/diff, less options, no bodykit to add weight etc. i personally prefer the look of the is and not to have the mtec kit as by now a lot of them have become rust traps.

[adamS]

I've had both.

iS was a joy. Revvy and a lot of fun. But the sport is a different animal. The sound, torque and looks. It just awesome!

[E30Mark]

Perhaps a 318iS owner needs to take Mr Dazzle for a spin!

The 318iS is fun, not fast! If you know how to drive it properly ( i Dont...) then it can whip all sorts of cars...

Last year at Rockingham raceway, Brian (johnson???) with a 318iS Baur was all over all sorts of cars on track, but then he was a driving instructor for Brands hatch i believe!

Where do you live dazzle?

For Ԛ£200 the iS can easily achieve 146BHP, some say more......

[kam-325i]

Didn't the 325i Sport just have the normal M20B25 engine as in all 325i's ?

[MrDazzle]

I live in Portsmouth, but I also spend some time in Loughborough. I'm even going to Telford next weekend too...

[kam-325i]

I live in Portsmouth, but I also spend some time in Loughborough. I'm even going to Telford next weekend too...

Portsmouth -> Telford, Ouch....Loooonnnnggggg drive baby !!!

If you end up coming up the M5/M42, dont carry on towards the M6, go via Worcester (A442).

[E30Mark]

Didn't the 325i Sport just have the normal M20B25 engine as in all 325i's ?

Same engine, but sport has a lower ratio gearbox...

Dazzler, if you that sort of mileage is economy an issue? if so then a 325i sport can be a thirsty beast if pushed. The 318iS will give you 32 - 42 mpg... If your passing wimborne, i'll take you out!

[MrDazzle]

Nah, I don't drive from Telford - Portsmouth.

I went to Loughborough Uni, so did my girlfriend. She's still there and I'm not, hence driving between Portsmouth and Loughbourough. But I might be getting a new job in Telford soon (fingers crossed) so I'd be moving up there. Can you guess why I'm looking at new cars?

I'd still be driving between Telford and Loughborough alot though...so yeah, economy might be an issue. I even found myself considering a diesel at one point, but then I took myself to one side and had a quiet word with myself.

[E30Mark]

Nah, I don't drive from Telford - Portsmouth.

I went to Loughborough Uni, so did my girlfriend. She's still there and I'm not, hence driving between Portsmouth and Loughbourough. But I might be getting a new job in Telford soon (fingers crossed) so I'd be moving up there. Can you guess why I'm looking at new cars?

I'd still be driving between Telford and Loughborough alot though...so yeah, economy might be an issue. I even found myself considering a diesel at one point, but then I took myself to one side and had a quiet word with myself.

Do you know Ziggy (Jon) here on the zone? (lives in Wimborne too) He's just finished at Loughborough, but his g/f is still up there, and spends his time driving up and down to Loughborough in his 325i Cab, might be worth finding out what economy he's getting if it could be an issue.

[kam-325i]

But I might be getting a new job in Telford soon (fingers crossed) so I'd be moving up there. Can you guess why I'm looking at new cars?

Job, Telford ??? It better not be the one i'm after !!!

[tylerma]

Hmm....I bought my bike on sound (3-Cyl engine)

Triumph by any chance?

[MrDazzle]

Speed Triple.

[tylerma]

Speed Triple.

Mmmmmmm nice

[Kedge]

I'm pretty local to lougborough, you'd probably drive past mine on your way from Telford, i wouldn't mind taking you out in my iS. Certainly wouldn't claim to be able to drive it proparly though, just give you an idea.

[MrDazzle]

Hmm....

I'm driving up to Lufbra next thursday evening (12th), then I have an interview in Telford on the 13th at 2pm, then I'll be in Looga again until the afternoon of the 15th...

Any good to you?

E30Mark...'fraid I don't know Ziggy. I know a bloke called James with a Dolphin Grey 325i (M-Tech kit but not a sport) and another called John (2 M535's, 2 E30's plus various others) though. Both have been on this website but I don't know their online names...

[kam-325i]

I have an interview in Telford on the 13th at 2pm,

Anywhere nice ?

Just stay away from Hollinswood Interchange (island) It is a fecking nightmare !!!!

It had some saftey improvements installed, since then the accident rate on the island has quadrupled....

[MrDazzle]

Feck knows if it's nice!

I've been once already, this is a follow up interview to make sure the MD likes me basically. Small family firm...8 engineers, 4 other office staff and some shop floor workers. Looks like a great job, big wheel in a small machine!

S'a firm called Ingimex, they're the industry leaders in custom Aluminium bodies/tippers/dropside/etc. conversions on light comercial vehicles (tranny vans and the like). Job is for a design engineer.

They're in 'Halesfield 19'...part of one of the big industrial estates. Been to Telford before though, quite like it. Then I quite like the Midlands anyway for some bizare reason

[kam-325i]

I used to work at Ingimex !!!!

I was there when they were developing the Transit Flareside with Ford. I was employed on the "F1" / Specials line as a fabrication engineer, making one off bodies/tippers.

Its got a great canteen, Just keep an eye out for "Doris" (Dave Day) if he is still there..

You'll also find that "We" dont like "The Midlands" Label. !

[MrDazzle]

Small world

Had a techincal interview with Jeremy Gallen before crimbo. He said 'If you get past this interview you'll have to ocme back and meet my brother the MD'...I take that to mean it's just a 'make sure you fit in' type interview, 'cause they're such a small firm.

What are they like to work for? Seem like a cool lot to me, small firms tend to be friendly don't they?

EDIT: What's wrong with the midlands label? you're in the middle aren't you?! TBH I always thought birmingham was northern, being from the south coast and all Living in Leicestershire changed that though!

[kam-325i]

Small world

Had a techincal interview with Jeremy Gallen before crimbo. He said 'If you get past this interview you'll have to ocme back and meet my brother the MD'...I take that to mean it's just a 'make sure you fit in' type interview, 'cause they're such a small firm.

What are they like to work for? Seem like a cool lot to me, small firms tend to be friendly don't they?

EDIT: What's wrong with the midlands label? you're in the middle aren't you?! TBH I always thought birmingham was northern, being from the south coast and all Living in Leicestershire changed that though!

I was on the shop floor, but it was a great firm to work for. They do look after their employee's.

Officialy, the Midlands ends at the county border of shropshire. A lot of people from shropshire dont like the label "Midlands" because of the Brummie/Dudley/Wolverhampton image.




Anyway, 318is purley because it will be cheaper to run than the 325i....

[stevetigger]

If you dont get a 325i Sport, I will come round your new work place and hit you round the face with a fish!

[MrDazzle]

In a really boring, old man kinda way, I'm actually most concerned about fuel economy!

I'd be doing a 140 mile round trip every weekend on top of all the 'normal' driving I do.

[Kedge]

E30Mark...'fraid I don't know Ziggy. I know a bloke called James with a Dolphin Grey 325i (M-Tech kit but not a sport) and another called John (2 M535's, 2 E30's plus various others) though. Both have been on this website but I don't know their online names...

That sounds like the Jon Mark was on about.

Can't do Thursday mate but anyother day should be fine, you on msn, try and sort something out.

[stevetigger]

In a really boring, old man kinda way, I'm actually most concerned about fuel economy!

I'd be doing a 140 mile round trip every weekend on top of all the 'normal' driving I do.

I did 60 miles a day and then some! I put in Ԛ£20 every other day! Cheap mate!

[MrDazzle]

Or alternatively...

You spent Ԛ£10 a day on fuel. Driving the 175 miles Portsmouth to Loughborough only costs me Ԛ£15 tops! Alright that's in a modern diesel car, but still...

[stevetigger]

Or alternatively...

You spent Ԛ£10 a day on fuel. Driving the 175 miles Portsmouth to Loughborough only costs me Ԛ£15 tops! Alright that's in a modern diesel car, but still...

Yes about Ԛ£70 a week, thats bloody good! I do the same miles if not less in my 1.6 16v Zafira and I put Ԛ£50 a week in that! So I think the 325i is econmical