318is or 325i That is the Question?

[J-Boy]

Hello chaps I'm new to this forum and new to BMW (I have a couple of Mercs)

I am thinking of a 'modern classic' and the e30 seems to be slapping me in the face as the one to get, but I have a few questions as like I say I'm new to this game.

At the moment I'm looking at the 325i and 318is.

I would want the car as an everyday motor but would use the merc for big trips etc so here are my questions.

1. Which of the two makes the better everyday car for mixed driving (Town, M-way, B road) and why?

2. Can someone give me a comparison between the two for MPG and insurance?

3. Reliability and build quality; are they similar for both or is one better than the other?

Thanks for your time and patience.

Best wishes.

[Eddie25]

Welcome to the zone mate. But be warned you have just opened a large can of worms. Everybody here loves the E30 but arguments can and do go on forever about what the best engine is for it.

[oakey]

Mate. This was possibly a bad question to ask. This subject always causes a huge debate where you will be left more confused than before you asked.
I'd suggest you test drive a few of each and make your own decision as to which you prefer.

What mercs do you have? I own a 1984 190e with 42k on the clock which I like

Welcome to the zone

[320Touring]

I'll keep my eye on this

they are totally different cars to drive, and I'd advise having a test drive of both before parting with your hard-earned

Welcome to the zone

[tommye30]

Get the 325i loads more fun to drive and it sounds awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!

[J-Boy]

Thanks fellas, didn't realise I had hit a political wall on this one!

Anyone care to share the easy stuff first then like MPG and Insurance, before we get into the everyday practical motor bit please?

I have a Nasty A Class and a nice C Class Merc, both fairly new. (My Mrs uses the A Class)

Thanks for the welcome.

[oakey]

318is will probably be cheaper to insure and give better mpg.

[dannyboy759]

Depends on your budget!
And what at the time is availible, is´s are quite hard to find in good nik for a decent price 325´s are more common but are getting harder to find, just whats turns up or what you can find.

[Cotty]

I cant comment on the 318is as I have never owned one. I love my 325i so you really need to try both to see what suits you.

[J-Boy]

I've driven both the 325i and the 318i (not the S) a few years back and I liked both too be honest! It will really come down to which is the better car for everyday use in terms of reliability, MPG, insurance, practicality.

I'm in no rush so can wait until the right car comes along.

I would really like some views and reasons for and against each car within the criteria I have set please chaps.

Thanks.

[Gortour]

Welcome to the Zone J-Boy.
Opinion well divided here, a real can of worms - and a VERY common argument topic.

As I see it from reading many arguments before:

325 6 cyl, very smooth, economy not wonderful. Problems with heads cracking, take care.
318iS 4 cyl, handling claimed to be better due to less weight over the nose, economy slightly better. Chipped and tweeked slightly, can output pretty similar figures as a 325. Profile gasket a problem - water leak at front of engine.

Depends what you want the car for, daily commute, track car, family transport etc... The iS is only a 2-dr, the 325 can be had in 2dr, 4dr, convertible and Touring (estate).

[schuey]

I have just got my 3rd IS today having just sold my 325i track car. The is gives considerably better mpg,I dont think there is much in it reliabilty wise,I have never had a problem with any my IS' but have nothing but trouble with the 6 pot,however I think it was just a bad 'un.
The 325 sounds better,but doesnt handle as well and dare I say it,is a bit more common(in numbers not class!)
Try both then get an IS

[Gortour]

I've driven both the 325i and the 318i (not the S) a few years back...

The iS and the 318i are two totally different cars. I suggest you try an iS before making a decision.
The iS has sports suspension, an extra 20+bhp and more torque.

[J-Boy]

Thanks for the replies Gortour & Schuey.

I would go for a two door no matter which model I go for, Looking at it so far I think the 318is ticks more boxes than the 325i for me. (Both seem excellent cars though)

Having driven a 318i your right I need to get into a 318is - will check out local garages for a go.

Keep the facts and opinions coming though please fellas.

[Cotty]

Anyone care to share the easy stuff first then like MPG and Insurance, before we get into the everyday practical motor bit please?

Its not as easy as that, these are old cars. One 318is may be better than a 325i and the opposite me be true depends on condition. You can't trust these cars as X is better than Y because its not true. A rusty 325i could cause you more greif than a clean 318is and reverse may be true

I bought my 325i touring because its what I wanted, not because of MPG figures, insurance etc I bought it for what it is/I wanted

[jibowski]

simple! ask yourself

A,if you value sharper handling over strait line grunt

B, if you can afford the lower mpg of a 325I

C, if you want a sporty looking 2dr, a 325I maybe a grand or so more than equivilent 318IS

and you'll have your answer

everyting else is similar in reliability and servicing costs as apart from the engines mechanics are similarish

This is like an alpina/hartge versus m3 debate for poor people!!!

[J-Boy]

I bought my 325i touring because its what I wanted, not because of MPG figures, insurance etc I bought it for what it is/I wanted

Thats a good point, the thing is I like both cars and the decider for me (I'm not performance mad) will be down to the boring things like MPG and Insurance as I would be happy with either car at the end of the day.

[fuzzy]

i to have never owned a 318is but i did find the performance of my 2.5 touring surprisingly nippy and up to the job before ripping out my engine to replace it with a 2.0 handling wise they both use the same suspension iirc. the 2.5 has more power (171bhp) but is a bit lazier compared to the revier 'is' engine that has about 140bhp. some claim that the 'is' engine has the same insurance rating as the basic 1.8 engine but im sceptical about that as insurance companies dont miss a trick.
this discussion will go on forever unresolved as the lesser 'is' owners will never admit that they have an inferior car

[J-Boy]

This is like an alpina/hartge versus m3 debate for poor people!!!

Quality comment!

Anway, your post has helped me decide I think thanks mate.

[schuey]

I dont know how old you are etc,but my IS insurance is the same as it was for my 325i when I changed it over today,give or take a tenner or so.
£257 fully comp age 27, 3 pts, and there is no no claims as they are all on the family car,probably a different story altogether if you are under 25,aaaaaah I remember paying £1500 for insurance-them were the days

[J-Boy]

I'm 39, full no claims, live semi rural location, clean licence.

[schuey]

Your insurance will probably be free then!!!!!!

[fuzzy]

I've driven both the 325i and the 318i (not the S) a few years back and I liked both too be honest! It will really come down to which is the better car for everyday use in terms of reliability, MPG, insurance, practicality.

Thanks.

dont compare the basic 1.8 to the 1.8 is. totally different engined cars not forgetting different suspension and rear disc brakes. if your that bothered about fuel economy get a diesel

[Gortour]

J-Boy, I see you're in Hayling Island. If you know Portsdown Hill, there's an E30Zone meet next Saturday (10th) at the burger van at 10am. This will then move on Hindhead for 11am. You're welcome to join us mate.

[J-Boy]

Not that bothered about fuel economy but want over 25 mpg!

Free insurance now yer talking!

[J-Boy]

J-Boy, I see you're in Hayling Island. If you know Portsdown Hill, there's an E30Zone meet next Saturday (10th) at the burger van at 10am. This will then move on Hindhead for 11am. You're welcome to join us mate.

Spot on Gordon, yes I know Portsdown Hill. Which burger van do you mean the one at the view point (biggest car park) or the one on the raised parking area towards the research base?

Jamie. (I had to choose J-Boy as a name as JamieG had gone)

[Gortour]

Jamie, it's the one at the view point. Mick's monster burgers... er, as in my avatar...

[J-Boy]

Cheers Gordon, I should be able to make it do you thik it would be possible to go to the second part of the meet in someones 318is or 325i if anyone who has one is leaving from the hill?

[Gortour]

If you're prepared to leave yours behind at the burger van, it shouldn't be a problem...

You're welcome to join me, but my turd is a 318i auto, not an iS or 325... Have to see who turns up...

[fuzzy]

Not that bothered about fuel economy but want over 25 mpg!!

your not the only one but for me figures like that are the stuff of dreams ive put in £100 in fuel this week since sunday as im working out of town atm and unfortunately as im always running late in the mornings i do have a very heavy right foot which doesnt help

[J-Boy]

If you're prepared to leave yours behind at the burger van, it shouldn't be a problem...

You're welcome to join me, but my turd is a 318i auto, not an iS or 325... Have to see who turns up...

No problem leaving my motor at the burger van as long as I can get back to it!(Long walk from Hindhead!)

Thanks yeah going up in yours would be good mate.

[tailoutcharlie]

325 all the way, you'll mever tire of that sound IMO or course

TBH mate, if you can look at, have a ride in, listen to a couples of cars at this meet, you'll prob know right away which is best for you.

[Gortour]

No problem leaving my motor at the burger van as long as I can get back to it!(Long walk from Hindhead!)

Thanks yeah going up in yours would be good mate.

Ok, no problem. As I said, mine's not an iS or a six, but you're welcome anyway.

[Andyboy]

Haven't we been here before?

[Gortour]

J-Boy, sorry, I'm going mad.
Adi, (adit) has an iS, he's going next weekend, and he's lookin to sell it...
In fact, he's got 2, one black and one white. Both very nice examples, and both available as he's trying to get his M3 finished.

The 325s, there'll be several of those to sample...