advice on buying e30 318is or 320i se

[dansi]

hi im gaging to get a bemmer and want iver the 318is or 320i se which is best any advice would be great.plans are to get either and slam it 60mm with 17'' alpinas with scorpiondtm system.

[Zayyan]

318is = better handling, a little quicker than the 320i, and better fuel economy (though they're more expensive to buy in the first place so will take a good few miles to start saving)

320i = the noise, sideways is far easier due to the heavy front end, cheaper to buy

I'd recommend a 320i personally as I'm all for keeping iS's original!

[tomstickland]

I've got both here! I started with the 320 and liked it so much that I wanted something a bit more focussed and bought the 318IS.

As already said, 318IS is a bit faster and better on fuel, whilst the 320 is more refined and a lot cheaper. Tidy 318IS are knocking on Ԛ£1500 but are just about worth it.

I'm not a fan of "slamming" cars and fitting overly large wheels. If you buy a 318IS then put it on the original BMW alloys if possible. Over large wheels don't do the handling any favours either.

Anyway, actually you can do whatever you want to the car, so best of luck.

[SwirlyE30]

If you can find a nice 318is id say go for that.You get the sport extras like gearknob, steeringwheel, and recaro seats.Plus its a nice little engine, and can always have a 2.7 or somthing put in at a later stage.


The 320 sounds nice, and is a little heavier at the front, but a sport LSD on and IS should kick out ok for what it is, or at least if you give it some.

[Handy]

I am considering buying an E30 again.I used to own a 1989 320iSE which failed its MOT and would have cost more to sort than it was worth as it was a bit tatty.
I am considering a 318iS too. But the 320i is sweet and that straight 6 is superb!

[Tim_P]

I'd go for the 318iS for all the reasons above, such a good little car. I bought mine for a couple of reasons, 1) I've always wanted one and 2) It was cheap and I plan to sell it on a make a couple of quid.

[TOURINGDADDY]

Dude the 318is is gonna be the better buy by far unless u can afford a 325 drift daddy