Which BMW?

Sat May 20, 2006 12:06 pm

Hi all, I'm in the market for a new car and I fancy a BM. I can't decide what to go for though, I've just sold a VR6 which while it was great fun and fast it was also terrifyingly thirsty! I've always hankered after a 325 Sport but I don't know enough about them to know what problems to look out for.

I've also considered a 318is but again, lack of knowledge is holding me back.

Any hint/tips greatly appreciated. Budget is Ã‚£2.5k max

Sat May 20, 2006 1:23 pm

Ã‚£2.5k will get you the best 318is in the country, a mint mark 1 sport, or if you're very lucky a good mark 2, but you'll have to be patient.

On sports, look for rust, rust, and then look for rust, particularly on the rear arches. Also check that the cylinder head isn't knackered (oil in the coolant, or vice versa). There's plenty of tatty ones about, be careful.

Read this: Sport buying guide

The 318is is essentially a Sport without the engine (obviously) and the bodykit, and is a superb motor. I'd have one again in a second, as they're mostly rust free, unlike Sports, and are reasonably cheap to run. Highly recommended as your first E30.

More advice to follow, no doubt. And you're doing the right thing...

Sat May 20, 2006 1:42 pm

Thanks for that! Any places you recommend looking? I'm in the north East but I don't mind travelling for the right car.

Sat May 20, 2006 1:49 pm

hi,a m8 where abouts in north east r u.iv,e got my 318is comeing up for sale soon.

Sat May 20, 2006 2:04 pm

why are 318is's rust free but sports arent?

is that a true statement or are you slightly biased because you own one?

Sat May 20, 2006 2:29 pm

fuzzy wrote:why are 318is's rust free but sports arent? is that a true statement or are you slightly biased because you own one?

No i don't think that is biased, i think the shells were treated differently or something fuzzy, not sure myself.

Pretty sure kidsinister doesn't have a sport or a 318is i think he has an alpina.

Sat May 20, 2006 3:22 pm

this ones up for sale soon in the midlands

Sat May 20, 2006 3:27 pm

baboon5151 wrote:hi,a m8 where abouts in north east r u.iv,e got my 318is comeing up for sale soon.

Hi mate, I'm in Saltburn near Middlesbrough, not far from you at all. email me with pics/details please. gavinrdavis@yahoo.co.uk

The same goes for beemertoms in the midlands, details please. I have cash waiting!

Sat May 20, 2006 3:58 pm

fuzzy wrote:why are 318is's rust free but sports arent? is that a true statement or are you slightly biased because you own one?

The rear opening windows on Sports, etc. allow water into the inside of the arches (that's my theory, anyway - I had an E21 with buggered arches, and, yep - opening rears). 318is' don't have them, so don't rust much there.

I used to own one. Top motor for buttons money.

Sat May 20, 2006 4:06 pm

What are they like performance wise? Power figures etc. I want something fun to drive that will probably see track use but I want better fuel consumption than the VR6s were getting!

Sat May 20, 2006 4:29 pm

did you get photo,s

Sat May 20, 2006 4:47 pm

the 318is is'nt mega fast, but is great to drive, i use to own a mk1 golf gti and that was like a go kart and quick, the 318is is'nt as quick off the line as my golf was but once you get it rolling and above 4k rpm the its great fun. There classed as being the next best thing for handling after the e30 m3 as they have a lighter 4 pot just like the m3 where as the the 325 is a heavier 6 pot. I cant really compare the handling of a 325 with the 318 as i've never driven the 325. The other benefit of the 318is is the M42 engine is newer than the M20 of the 325. Both have there pros and cons id say test drive both and see which one you prefer.

Sat May 20, 2006 4:50 pm

try and test drive both cars first but i think u might go for a 325 coz its a big six like a vr6 and that noise is what u love admit it.

Sat May 20, 2006 4:52 pm

kidsinister wrote:
fuzzy wrote:why are 318is's rust free but sports arent? is that a true statement or are you slightly biased because you own one?
The rear opening windows on Sports, etc. allow water into the inside of the arches (that's my theory, anyway - I had an E21 with buggered arches, and, yep - opening rears). 318is' don't have them, so don't rust much there.

I used to own one. Top motor for buttons money.

lol nonsense.

318is' were built in south africa iirc and were galvanized, hence no rust!

Sat May 20, 2006 5:23 pm

Dan, you beat me to it. i was just about to post that they were built in SA and galvanized!!!

Zonda, you will not be dissapointed with an iS.., they're amazingly fun, fairly cheap to run and easy to look after

i love mine, and theres loadsa paeople out there that will agree with me...

Sat May 20, 2006 5:32 pm

baboon5151 wrote:did you get photo,s

Yep cheers mate, I emailed you back, did you get it?

Whiterhino, I do love the noise from the VR6, I've owned 3! but they are simply too expensive to run. Ã‚£57 of fuel to go 220 miles, that's a shit load! If the 325 was better I'd certainly consider one but they aint much different in engine capacity term so I can't see there being much difference if consumption.

mk1chopper, I've just soild a MK1 Golf GT1 trackcar, it was a 1.8 origianlly and was pretty rapid! Then I put a 2.0 16v in and that's a whole different overdraft

Thanks again for the help guys!

Sat May 20, 2006 5:43 pm

318-is wrote:lol nonsense.

318is' were built in south africa iirc and were galvanized, hence no rust!

Fair enough, didn't know about the SA thing.

However, something must contribute to the rear arches going first, as is the case a lot of the time, and the frames of those windows let water in (as do sunroofs and boots, of course); I know from first-hand experience.

I stand by my theory - I'm having that sort of week.

Zonda; the 318is is officially 140BHP (or thereabouts) and mine benefitted from a Viper chip, which helped with the torque throughout the range. I fitted a Zone BBTB as well, but didn't notice much difference. I suspect this mod would be of more benefit for track use.

The Sport is 173BHP; you can get a Zone chip for it plus all sorts of other mods to make it go hairily fast, see the Zone shop. Oh, and Sports come with an LSD as standard; a 318is with one is a rare beasty.