320 vs 325

[JCB]

your opinions again please. having had he head crack on my track car and it costing me an fortune to fix i am nervous buying a similar age (1989-92) 325 convertible. i believe that the head cracking under the camshaft is a common problem. would i be "safer" going for a 320 convertible ??

[Jhonno]

no, 320i heads crack also..

[hammoj28]

320is!

Thought it was the 325i heads that crack.?

[JCB]

now im confused. i thought it was just the 325 that cracked. any other advice out there ??

[Jhonno]

they both crack

iS is a proper car but not what your after

[Paulsimon8]

I will have a full M20 2.0 engine going free minus the sump, 94k on the clock with full bmw servicing from new to 89k miles- you will need to collect from huddersfield

no smoke, rattles, knocks or anything - start up and all you can hear is the viscous fan whirring and the injectors ticking - just like they should

[JCB]

thanks but this is a bit of a tangent i think if your engine had a mint convertible body attached then i might me interested - i havent the slightest inclination to get my shiny spanners in the least bit dirty. i want a car that i can get in and drive away with no messing about !!! cheers all the same ! LOL

[Paulsimon8]

Oh well, to the scrapheap it goes then

[Geeman]

320's heads don't crack half as much as the 325's because the tolerances in wall thickness are a lot more than the 325's... therefore the stresses involved don't cause as much of a problem as occurs on the 325's with thinner metal walls...

HTH

Giles.

[Jhonno]

tbh i think its more with the driving style of the respective owner.. 325i's more than likely have been thrashed about, prolly from cold 1/2 the time. the 320i owner is more likely to be gentler on the car as they havent bought it for power

port sizes are supposedly pretty similar so i dont think thats the whole issue

[Martinaston]

Not again

While were at it i reakon its because the 2.5 runs hotter under the bonnet and the first chance it gets to overheat when the fan plays up it pops it's clogs

[JCB]

interesting points - thanks all. i have my eye on a 325 at the moment that is quiet cheap. been used by one lady owner for last 12 yrs and 90k on the clock. i think i will risk that it has not been thrashed.

[Jhonno]

Not again

While were at it i reakon its because the 2.5 runs hotter under the bonnet and the first chance it gets to overheat when the fan plays up it pops it's clogs

Another good point..

[Martinaston]

As for your original post, with the extra drag of the convertable the 2.0 will drink like a fish so if your not bothered about the speed get a 318.
Or stick to the 325 and rig up a loud bell to ring each time the temp guage goes over half way

[Martinaston]

I saw a nice silver 318 the other day and nearly jumped out in front of the guy to make an offer.

The 325 sounds good, how much is she after ?