Does anyone know ....

[CaesarBob]

what the running costs for a 320iS are like?

Assuming most of the consumables except engine bits are standard E30 but what about fuel consumption and insurance?

Do insurance companies just laugh coz they're imports?

[Hap]

one for Giles Bob, however i think Total bmw have an article regarding a standard 320is and a "race" preped one with roll cage in silver with graphics that was at Donnington 2004

Hap

[Geeman]

Yeah, TBMW have an article on the 320iS - pretty good. Wayne Howlett (German Cars) is the guy I bought mine from. Nice chap.

Running costs are the same as a 325i. Like you said, the only things that WILL cost money are parts for the engine. Everything else is Sport spec. The only difference (apart from being LHD) is the engine, box, prop, diff, exhaust and steering rack. I think the springs are unique, though 318iS spec stuff will be fine. Exhaust is a pain though. M3 front section and 320iS back section. I modified mine to use a complete M3 system, though I'm told a 325i rear section will mate up too, with no bodywork modifications.

Insurance is cheap. They have no idea what a 320iS is, so they insure it as a 320iSE. As long as you're happy with this arrangement (I was) then it's happy days.

Any more info you want, just ask...

G.

[CaesarBob]

Cheers Giles. I've seen the TBMW article, which was what got me thinking really. The red one does look rather tempting.

So really the major stuff is the engine, box, diff and exhaust. Other than that what is the fuel consumption like? Guess low to mid 20s for a combined figure assuming you don't cane it.

Is there anything which legally has to be changed in order to register one in the UK? Have heard the mph speedo is not essential, what about headlights and stuff like that?

Cheers

[Geeman]

I bought mine from Wayne, so it was all ready for the UK, apart from the KPH speedo, which is not needed for MOT. They come with cool Portugese plates on... white and white. Nice.

I had to register it myself which required a letter to BMW(GB) for authentification and the date of manufacture (UK register imports on manufacture date, NOT on foreign registration date). Wayne can give you the specific guys name, department and address for this... I can't remember it, sorry.

Fuel consumption. To be honest, I can't remember. So that means it couldn't have been that bad. In fact, I think it was better than my Sport.

That red one will be M3 money at a guess. Mine was Ԛ£4600, and I spent money on paint and the exhaust, but mine was mint after that. NO rust what so ever... so I'm guessing this one, with this spec and condition would be Ԛ£6k or more... ONLY guessing though.

Giles.

[E30Adam]

When I found one that I was going to buy, I called a number of insurance companies who wouldn't touch it because they didn't have it listed. If they insure it was a 320iSE then you'll effectively be driving it around uninsured.

You'll have to declare it's an import and will need to find an insurance company who will cover an imported car and from my experience it's not cheap. They will also want to know EVERYTHING about the car.

How do I know this... because I used to work for an insurance company!

[Ant]

the headlights can go from LHD to RHD with a twirl of a few screws Bob, have a look on your surrent steed @ the rear of the low beams and you;l see wht the score is

320iS, go for it M8

[CaesarBob]

Cheers for the advice fellas.

Think i'll ring round a few insurance companies and see what the opinions are like.

Ant - i think i remember the headlight adjustment now you mention it.

Anyone know if they 320iS was available in a limited range of colours or whether they came in standard E30 hues. Have got a mental shopping list going but i'm not sure if such a car even exists.

[Geeman]

They come in standard Sport colours, as they are based on a Sport shell.

Not seen a white one though... doesn't mean there isn't some about. I've only actually seen Diamond Black, Brilliant Red & Lachs Silver in the flesh, so to speak.

I told my insurance company EVERYTHING about it, and they were still insistent on insuring it as a 320iSE. I even asked the question about if anything happened to it (and it did) and they were fine about it. That was with Liverpool Victoria (who I'm still with).

Fantastic car Bob. I still kick myself for not having hung out longer with the convertible and got one myself. I crave one! The gear change from 2nd to 3rd is fantastic, the ratios are perfect, and when your up in the rev range, it sounds bloody lovely. If you DO get one, let me be first on the list to 'make sure it's okay' for you...

Giles.

[CaesarBob]

If it happens i'll definitely come to you for a thorough health check/assessment Dr. Giles.

Sounds like the first choice colour is probably a no-go then. Really fancy a Laser Blue one but i don't think i've seen a Sport in that colour. So Diamond Black it is then, not a big fan of Dolphin Grey, but could go for Brilliant Red or Lachs Silver.

Not gonna be impulsive though as i'm after certain things, which i didn't search for last time i bought a car and regretted it later. Althought they can be retro fitted it's never the same and hard to actually get on and do.

[Simon13]

i thought there was a quote from Wayne in Tbmw saying the brilliant red one he has is the only one he has come across?

They defo tickle my fancy too. Having spoke to a few M3 owners in the past they have all said 30mpg is achievable without having to drive like a granny. It is after all a 2.0 16v

[CaesarBob]

I've been trawling around the web and found the claimed fuel consumption figures were surprisingly good.

56mph - 45mpg (6.3 l/100km)
75mph - 35mpg (8.0 l/100km)
Urban - 22mpg (12.8 l/100km)
Combined - 31mpg (9.0 l/100km)

The original figures were quote as litres/100km but they're about that in mpg. From the sound of them it wounldn't be an awful lot worse than my iS now.

Not managed to find any details of colours though, but all the ones pictured on the web are either Lachssilber, Delphingrau or Diamondschwartz.