325 or 320 touring?

[schnaarf]

first post, just discovered this magic place.

I really want an e30 touring, but cant decide between the 320 and 325. The only thing putting me off the 325 is the insurance. Im 20 and im guessing that the 25 has quite a bit more power the 20, hence boosting the insurance, am i right?

Also looking for info from people my age about their insurance

thanks a lot
steve

[Grim_Reaper]

im getting a 325 (well trying to, 'rents are against getting another car) and i just turned 19 ...TBH from what people have said on here the 320 isnt bad, but its not really that good either, it goes like a 318 and it drinks like a 325...so your best bet is 318 for insurance purposes or a 325 for power

[ed325i]

Are the 320 and 325 the same insurance group
I would go for the 318 instead of the 320.

[JohnnyThunders]

As far as 320 touring or 325, i would say go for a nice late 318i touring. All the benefits of the 325i's suspension and brakes with low insurance, also generally have been ragged much less than their 6 cylinder brethren.
To choose a 320 over a 318 is just indulgence - the six pot sound is all your getting really.

disclaimer
(the previous post is only my opinion and is based on my personal experience of the 320i and the 325i)

[Frenchy]

Owned a 320i and a 325i Sport coupes,loads more grunt and better fuel economy in the 325i(may offset insurance costs)

[320Touring]

Hi there, the 320 is cheaper to insure, but the 325i is much more rapid.

I like my 320i but would advise you to try both engines out before deciding what suits you...

Also, bear in mind that 320i tourings tend to be less ragged and cheaper than the equivelent 2.5 ones, and an engine swap is only a weekend!

Welcome to the zone BTW

[Frenchy]

Fair point about the 325i being ragged!

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Does the 2.0 have more torque than the 1.8? The Touring is a heavier car than the saloon/coupe. THis may be a consideration. Welcome to the fold!

[320Touring]

Does the 2.0 have more torque than the 1.8? The Touring is a heavier car than the saloon/coupe. THis may be a consideration. Welcome to the fold!

has more torque than the 318i m40, but tless than a 318iS (although the 320's torque is usable at low revs...)

[Rosc0PColtrane]

m40 in a touring right?

Low rev torque, proper grunt eh???

[maxfield]

No replacement for displacement.

[snoops]

welcome to the zone! try getting a few insurance quotes and go test drive a 325i and 320i and see which one you want.

[Cotty]

Go for the 325i. I spend loads on a 316 (1800cc) andsold it because it was not powerful enough and I really wanted a 325i. I now have the car I dribbled over when I was younger, wish I had bough the 325i tourer when I was yonger and just kept impoving it rather than start from scratch with a bog standard 325i tourer 8 years later

[fuzzy]

anything less than a 2.5 in a touring would be a waste of time and will only leave you disappointed. imo.(not including my 2.0 conversion obviously)

[BadDave]

Having owned a 318 and currently own a 325touring ,and regularly driven a 320 touring

I'd have to agree with Fuzzy on this.

Would be even better if you could find a 2.7 version or one thats had an S50 conversion done.

[e30bmlover]

lol, go for the 320 my friend, go for the 320... silky smooth.... just a word of advice from experience.... watch out for oil leaks.. oil leaks i tell ya!

[Chris71]

I'd check it out first. I got cheaper quotes for the 6 cylinders than the 4's from one company! Guess the boy racers can afford to run a 318, but not a 325.

[HairyScreech]

i found a 318 and 20 to be the same on insurance. the m20 wears the miles better and sounds better.

320 isnt that bad on fuel in a touring, im getting about 33mpg.

[fuzzy]

33mpg.

33mpg? i can only dream of figures like that

[320Touring]

33mpg.

33mpg? i can only dream of figures like that

3.3 is nearly the same....

[fuzzy]

33mpg.

33mpg? i can only dream of figures like that

3.3 is nearly the same....

[Rosc0PColtrane]

I get 10 less per mile in my b20 8o

[G524]

I drive a 325i Touring, I'm 21, I live in a nasty little shoit hole in essex (a lot of car theifs) and my insurance is £990 per year with 1 years no claims, never had an accident, been driving 2 and a bit years.

As for which one to go for, get a 318i Touring. The fuel economy in the 2.5 is pony, although it may just be mine. Some people claim they get 35mpg outta a 2.5, but to get that i think you gotta sit at 56mph downhill on the motorway. In neutral.

So, get a 318.

[ZedOne]

I'm not a right foot softy in mine, yet I still get between 28 and 33 mpg in my 325 (28 around town and 33 on a run)

I've only had it a week, but the figures are based on 600 miles with a good combination of motorway and city. I wouldn't have gone for a smaller engine unless I was willing to stick a 2.5 lump in because the point of the car is the practical useable space combined with the grunt of something more sporty all wrapped up in a lovely looking shell.

As someone has mentioned (320Touring, possibly elsewhere on the forum?) Tourings are the new black.... (except mine's green!)

[320Touring]

As someone has mentioned (320Touring, possibly elsewhere on the forum?) Tourings are the new black.... (except mine's green!)

new SPORT! sheesh, Get it right

Mind you, you've only had it about 10 days, so I'll let you off this time.

[George_Of_The_Jungle]

I'm 20 and insured on a tech II (325i sport)......... £1500 TPFT, but i got some points on the paper, thanks to the welsh police at 6.30am on the way to the welsh rally, which didnt help. i havent driven either the 318, or the 320, but can guarantee the 325 will put a smile on your face!

[CharlieT]

Have you got any no claims? I am 21 and have 3 years NCB and my TPFT insurance on my 320i coupe is.....

£381

Bargain! (Admiral if you're wondering)

[andye30nut]

im 22 have a 325i touring 5 points on licence it costs me £422 a yr ive got a 320ise had a 316 318 etc theyre ok 325i is the best tho

[schnaarf]

I dont have any no claims, i probably have about 1 yr as a second driver no claims so might have a go at that. Insurance seems pretty cheap for the 325. I had a 3.6 Jaguar Sovereign as my first car (£300 off ebay) which cost £80 to fill up and did about 10mpg and was only £1500 (second driver). Im not bothered about petrol, if i wanted economy i'd have to buy a low powered car which im not going to do!

By the way whats the difference between the 325i and 325?

thanks for all the replies, you've convinced me to buy. What are the main things to look/hear out for when buying? Going for a 89/90 325/325i safe

[HairyScreech]

318 and 320 were both £650 fully comp for me. 21 with 1 claim and 2 years ncb.

[BadDave]

By the way whats the difference between the 325i and 325?

There both the same
Some call it a 325i
Some just call it a 325

[gaszman]

i have a 320 tourer but some times i feel a little let down with the get up and go but i think it just needs a good service