thinking about buying a convertible e30

[e30_black318is]

Hi,

I am a proud owner of a 318is - spending about £400 on it over the next few months - most of which will be to get rid of the small amout of rust and to fit the z3 short shifter thingy whatever its called.

I've been looking around on the various sites like e-bay and autotrader for a convertible and e30's seem to be plentifull and seem quite well priced.

the 320i seem good value for money.

my question is are they much heavier in weight - and what are they like to drive. is it worth going the few extra quid for the 325i.

lots of peeps have said the 318i is better than the 320i - but I would have thought 6 cylinders will always win the day over four - unless of course its a track day car or something like that - but for pottering about and the odd journey down to the coast, sure the 320i makes for a much more relaxing drive.

I'd like to get a j or a k plate with less than 100k on the clock. love to hear from any 320ic owners.

ta

[ed325i]

I had a 325 cab, they are heavier and dont handle aswell as the tin top's, still lots of fun with the roof up or down.
I would go for a 320 or 325.

[jaffro]

ive got a 320 auto cab. lovely to drive engine nice a smooth. id go for either 6 pot

[gooner1]

Never had or been in a 325i tin top so can,t really comment on the handling side but i know mine was set up
properly by thr p/o owner and it pulls like a train and corners as good if not better than most cars ive had.
Just had the one hairy moment but had just got it, booted it out of a roundabout in the wet and totally lost it.
Lesson learnt and 14" bottletops changed for 15". Enjoyed every minute of ownership. 1986 pre facelift cab btw.

[orangecurry]

I had a 318iC and 325iC at the same time.

The 318 handles more 50/50 from a balance point of view - the 325 moves around the engine more, feeling more nose heavy, but both are great fun to drive; you have to be slightly more careful with the 325.

The 320 is only a few more BHP over the 318, and the M40 318 actually has more torque IIRC - it's close in any case. So the 320 is as nose-heavy as the 325, as thirsty as a 325, but 40 BHP less.

If insurance isn't an issue, 325, otherwise 318 IMO.

To clarify, I've never driven a 320, and people say they are worth it for the noise.

[jaffro]

my 320 cab is nice a sounds good but i must admit im swapping lump for a 335 as the 320 is sluggish. but it is nice a smooth a does drive nice

[gra325i]

iv,e got a 318ic and its great plenty of poke, its not fast like the 2.5 obviously but imo cabs dont need to be fast thats what the sports for, cabs are for cruisin

[grantfk10]

iv,e got a 318ic and its great plenty of poke, its not fast like the 2.5 obviously but imo cabs dont need to be fast thats what the sports for, cabs are for cruisin

Yep, can't beat a cab for cruisin! I've had mine for a year and a half and still get that big grin when I open the garage door. 318i is plenty of fun, and cheaper to run (and insure) than the 325i. As Graham says - if you want speed, buy a sport.

[Ziggy]

Buy whichever you can find the best example of... & then put a bigger engine in it when you feel the need!

They really need the 2.5 lump at least - unless you're gonna be content with cruising

[Philwild]

Go for the 325i Cab! (I am biased though....!)

Its got to be a 6 pot E30. The engine bay is that big for a reason....

[e30_black318is]

I had a 318iC and 325iC at the same time.

The 318 handles more 50/50 from a balance point of view - the 325 moves around the engine more, feeling more nose heavy, but both are great fun to drive; you have to be slightly more careful with the 325.

The 320 is only a few more BHP over the 318, and the M40 318 actually has more torque IIRC - it's close in any case. So the 320 is as nose-heavy as the 325, as thirsty as a 325, but 40 BHP less.

If insurance isn't an issue, 325, otherwise 318 IMO.

To clarify, I've never driven a 320, and people say they are worth it for the noise.

interesting I have been told that on paper the 318i makes more sense then the 320i, and I'm thinking or resale - it would be easier to sell the 325i as they are more sought after, quite like the 318i designer models - but already own a 4 pot, I would like a 6 pot, I can have all the fun I want in my 318is

[FlappySocks]

320i's are soooo smooooth. And sound like a proper engine. I'd have a 320i over a 318 any day.

However, having viewed countless cabs in recent months, the no1 priority is condition. Most of them are pretty rough now, so i'd go for anything thats mint. You can always change the engine.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

I had a 318iC and 325iC at the same time.

The 318 handles more 50/50 from a balance point of view - the 325 moves around the engine more, feeling more nose heavy, but both are great fun to drive; you have to be slightly more careful with the 325.

The 320 is only a few more BHP over the 318, and the M40 318 actually has more torque IIRC - it's close in any case. So the 320 is as nose-heavy as the 325, as thirsty as a 325, but 40 BHP less.

If insurance isn't an issue, 325, otherwise 318 IMO.

To clarify, I've never driven a 320, and people say they are worth it for the noise.

interesting I have been told that on paper the 318i makes more sense then the 320i, and I'm thinking or resale - it would be easier to sell the 325i as they are more sought after, quite like the 318i designer models - but already own a 4 pot, I would like a 6 pot, I can have all the fun I want in my 318is

No e30 has 50/50 balance.

The 6 pot was the flagship engine. Hence earlier comments about the size of the engine bay. The 320i smokes around quite happily, keep it above 3.5k and it's a lot of fun. It is very thirsty on fuel, which is the reason people plum for the 325i. If you have a drop top, you really want to be listening to the 'Sonnet of the Six Pot', rather than the audio typist on acid noise rattling from the stumpy 4 pot!

The 320i is less sought after, so potentially you may get a better car for your money. As mentioned, there's plenty of scope for upgrade when you want a bit more oomph.

[shedrool83]

I have a 320ic and a 325i tin top.The 320 sounds great above 3.5k as said above but lacks power compared to the 325.But as gar325 said the drop top is for cruising and a great fun.Both mines are lowered and handle about the same IMHO

[ChrisBarns]

I have a 320 and a 325, both cabbies.

The 320 is smoother and sounds much better. It has much lower gearing so is more hard work on motorways (though if you cruise at 90 it just howls along like a 60s Aston!) and uses at least as much fuel as the 325 but it does sound classier, especially with the roof down. Very sophisticated noise and relaxed when pottering around town. When you get going the ratios are actually closer spaced and lower, so it is, in many ways, more sporting. Also you get to work the engine hard more often and there is a more pronounced step as the engine passes 3.5k and comes "on cam". On 15" BBS the 320 has more grip than it needs. Sometimes when driving the 320 I feel like I know something that those who went for the obvious choice (325i) don't. 320is are significantly cheaper on here but its not so noticable on Autotrader etc.

The 325 is much faster, especially low down. If i had to choose one I'd always go for the 325. It can kick the tail out in the dry, is more economic and easier for long distence.

HTH

[ChrisBarns]

Oh, and the 2002 and E30 M3 are the ONLY decent 4 cylinder BMWs. All proper BMWs are 6 cylinder (in the same way as proper Porsches are aircooled)

[Gortour]

318s are no problem, certainly go better than the 320.
For my opinion, I say 318 or 325, don't go 320.

Though the newest ones on late J / K reg should all be 318s anyway as they put all the sixes in the E36...

[Rosc0PColtrane]

318s are no problem, certainly go better than the 320.

I'll hold you to that one Gordon!!

[darkchild]

318s are no problem, certainly go better than the 320.
For my opinion, I say 318 or 325, don't go 320.

Though the newest ones on late J / K reg should all be 318s anyway as they put all the sixes in the E36...

A 318i has better low down torque but will always sound like a sewing machine. A 320i's power is all at the top end and needs to be worked harder but they sound lovely. 320i all the way.

[Gortour]

Agreed the six sounds better, but I've had a 320i and the current 318i, and the 4-pot certainly has more torque.
Ultimately, Mr Black iS, the cab will be yours, so try both and see which you prefer.

One other thought, a lesser car seems cheaper to insure than a grander one, so if you intend to mod, get a 316...

[mineralblue]

325

[Wigsworld]

Peak torque is actually less in the 318i with cat, 119lb.ft vs 121lb.ft for the 320i with cat. Without cat it has 122lb.ft, the 320i has 128lb.ft. I driven a 318i and didn't think it was torqier than 320i to be honest, just wasn't as nice an engine in my opinion.

[grantfk10]

[gra325i]

[320iAN]

ive only had my 320i Cabby for a few weeks and i'm happy enough with it, i sold a 325i tin top just before i bought the 320 and the power difference is crazy!
that said i think the 320i is an ideal drop top, got enough power to go with it's looks and the sound that all drop tops should have, mine is on standard suspension (for now) but it has all been replaced just before i bought it and it is so-smooth, very plesant car to drive and is probably still quicker than half the new cars on the road .. E30 Cabby is a real 4 seater cabby, built properly to i'm glad i bought one and i can see me keping it a while?

PS, it's still a project car at the moment .. here: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2908604/1