E30s: 318 vs 323 and 325

Ok back to the original subject line:-

318is:- Nippy, not very fast! But handle VERY well, brakes are good, suspension even better Economy in mine averages 37mpg...

323i:- Only made for two years 85/86, tons of torque, no LSD means sideways action just when you don't expect it... I owned one for 5 years, used to average 29mpg. In standard form it was quicker than may mates Series II Rs Turbo! Watch for rust, rust and more rust...

325i:- Cheaper than a M3... but still pull like a train. Economy 23mpg, heads crack, brakes can be a bit iffy if pushed too hard, but engine makes a lovely noise when pushed. Good fun!

Overall if your young and insurance is an issue you can't go wrong with a 318is, it will entertain you!

Auto's can be good fun too... it depends on your journey, of your sat in heavy traffic all day, then a auto is for you, as I always seem to find E30 clutches start to 'stick' and judder if your sat in traffic.

for me it would be a 323 with a 3:9 diff!!!!

paul325i Agree with NASCAR being mans sport, although formula one cars sound fantastic. [/QUOTE wrote: disagree.... NASCAR is the american football of racing.... lets go in circles... fun... hmm no wo

disagree.... NASCAR is the american football of racing.... lets go in circles... fun... hmm no wonder US car are crap round bends

I've got a 325i convertible and wouldn't swap it for anything else.  Tried a 318i lux first but performance is everything.  I know insurance can be a killer but seeing as the 318is is group 13 ish, the 323 and the 325i are group 15ish , personally, I'd go for the 325i and work overtime if I had to!    Plus there are probably more 325i's to choose from.   As to manual over automatic, not sure, still trying to get my brov-in-law to swap his 535i sport auto for the day, just for research purposes of course!!!  I wouldn't take it anywhere near a race track, honest! 

is it worth me lookin at a 320 then? eamo is persuading me otherwise with the 323i, since it isnt that much more insurance as opposed to my 318i, hmm.... and cant you fit the limited slip diff to them anyway? if you find a 325 at a breakers?

As most are saying get a 325i but I would deffo go for the sport. Ive had a 325 se and a sport. No difference in performance really but they are a much better car overall. Very smooth and look great with 17" Alpinas on them.

You can get a mint one for £3k and they wont drop much.

Chris

Why how old are you?? Is it the insurance cost or the cost to buy. It is pointless to get a 323 might aswell get 320 but then again keep what you got until you can afford to get 325 sport or E30 M3.

Im sure insurance aint that bad, I had two 325s ( se and a sport) when I was 19 and it only cost me £600

Chris

dannywig wrote: Mark R wrote:   Can't comment about the 320i performance, never driven one! as a sub-note, the 318is is quicker than the 320i... The 318is may be slightly quicker, but they don't sound anywhere near as nice as a 320i. I heard a 318is the other day and they sound like any other 4 cylinder car. To me the sound of the engine is very important, if doesn't sound nice then I'm not interested.

Your right my 318is doesn't sound anything like a decent 6 pot, I miss my 323i for that exact reason! as well as the extra power / torque...

My next BM will be a 6 pot!

paul325i wrote: Formula one cars are auto?  Whats the paddle shift for then? Agree with NASCAR being mans sport, although formula one cars sound fantastic.

OK - you asked for it! The paddle shift is there IF the driver wants to OVER-RIDE the automatic computer map for gear-changes for the circuit. And for the pit-stops, and if (When!) he spins... So its an OVER-RIDE for the automatic gear changes - got that?

If you like Nascar, come to Rockingham for the ASCAR, no Auto's allowed there!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am 19 nearly 20 and it cost me 1550 TPFT (the cheapest i could get) for my c reg 318i valued at £900 (its probably could get £1000 for it since its completely original with FSH (BMW up to 1999), good alloys, leather, aircon, new tyres new battery with a small amount of rust (cosmetic). the engine is mint with no smoke at all, and the drive train is mint too.... (apart from needing some new axle bushes i think.... slight knock when i lift my foot off clutch when i change gear, and its pretty simple if i have the tools yeah?) anyway, i have only seen a handful of e30s looking better than mine since ive had it (bear in mind i havent been to any shows)

 

id rather have bettr mpg than better sound..... mine sounds better than a normal 4 pot simply because its a BMW, and thats the old M10 engine!!

proper bo i tell thee