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Southy_GTI View Drop Down
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Points: 33 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: which E30?
    Posted: 28-December-2003 at 13:11

Hi there Im the proud owner of a 1984 mk2 Golf GTI.

You need not hold that against me!

Im interested in some opinions of the 318i and 320i models as Ive got the craving for a bit of old skool RWD action.

The 325 sport seems to be the pick of the bunch before moving into 2.7 and M3 terratory but they will be too expensive to run as a daily drive!

Is the 320 quite tunable? I know it could never beat the goof round the twisties but can you fling them around with a set of coilovers and sway bars??

cheers

 
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Points: 304 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 13:33
I personally like the straight six in the 320 although the 318is is the popular choice of the four potters.
I had a '91 320i and thought, while it was no sports car, it did go pretty well as standard when you got it up the top end of the rev counter,also they are quite tail happy!
Iv'e never driven a 318is so I can't comment.But they have a good following on here (as you will soon find out, no doubt!)

Welcome to the forum and to the world of the BMW.

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Points: 825 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 13:57

The 325i isnt too expensive to run as a daily driver. If the wallet allows then I would go straight for the 325 maybe even sport model. You would only get bored or a 320 and get rid within 6 months or spend a fortune on upgrades then it will costs more to run than the 325.

You can buy a good example for about 3k these days baring in mind they were 20k plus when they were new, Lots of car for little money
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Points: 666 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 14:31
check out some of the cars on www.e30zone.co.uk in the gallery to help you make up your mind mate.  Personally i'd go for the 325i its not atll bad on fuel if you drive sensibly.


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Points: 78 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 17:02

I've got a 1991 320i and I love it. Really nice engine, beautiful exhaust note especially when I have the top down and enough power to have a bit of fun on the twisties. It's my first car so I didn't want something super quick and I don't understand why everyone on this site knocks the 320i. I knew my 320i wouldn't be the fastest car in the world (although I can easily keep up with most decent hot hatch backs) but I couldn't care less. I never bought it so I could thrash the arse of it, I just wanted a fun car with a bit of character that still looks great. Most modern cars, although they may be quicker have no character, they're just really bland and boring cars I think. I'd definitely have a 320i over 318i, just for the noise more than anything.

I don't see how a 320i would be more expensive to run than 325i?

 
1991 E30 320i Convertible
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Points: 97 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 18:26

I've got a 320i and find it a good car and quick enough,but i do own a 250bhp turbo mk2 golf,so i can get my kicks in that!

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Points: 825 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 18:30
What golf is it hammer? I used to have a G60 rallye with small pulley, chip and cam but only managed to get 215 but was still very quick until i totaled it
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Points: 1259 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 18:38

Let me start by saying that all e30's are great cars and all are very inexspensive to run with a possible exception being the M3's which are about twice as exspensive as the others. Other than the M3 there are two models which are significantly better than the others and those are the 318is and the 325i sport. The 318is has a 16v engine and will handle better than the 6 cylinder cars and is quicker  than a 320 and not far off a 325. The 325i sport and 318is has different suspension which is lower and stiffer. Makes use of a LSD and so handles better than a standard 325 which if you have driven one on a wet road is interesting. The sport also comes with a full body kit, recaro interior and often has leather and air con. The 318is comes with a modified front spoiler, small rear spoiler and recaro interior and 325 brakes.

If you are moving from a golf gti which is a quick car, the best comparable car is the 318is. If you want something a bit quicker then go for a 325i sport. Insurance cost and running cost are not scary. A good 318is can be bought for about 2k and a good sport for between 2.5 - 4k.
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Points: 33 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 18:38

Nice hammer! - is that a 20VT swap or one of the original TurboTechnic jobs?

I've got a 2e two liter block in the garage thats going on the 8v, with a flowed head and cam 140bhp & bags of low rpm  torque is the norm.

does that straight six in the BM have any low down torque?

guess id better stop asking and test drive one really!
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Points: 33 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 18:45

sohlman - cheers for the info.

seems the 320 is a bit more laid back then. To be honest after driving a 16v golf and a few vauxhall valver engines theyre not my cup of tea.

Its fun revving them up but most feel really damp below 4k

I dont think I can manage a 2.5 tho.
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Points: 825 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 18:49

Why cant you manage a 325. Sohlman was quoting prices of 325 sports but if you get a 325 iSE you will be able to pick one up cheaper.

How much are you wanting to spend?
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Points: 1259 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 18:58
The 318is is quite torgue more so than a 16v golf as its a light car and the 320 and 325 have a lot of low down pull.  You need to drive all three and see what you like. Another option that comes around in BMW car magasine and Total BMW is an old Alpina. Have seen then for less than 2k. These are either 2.5 or 2.7 and generally have close to 200bhp. They will be not much more to run unless they need engine work. However as mentioned by falkster you can't go wrong with a good 325 and if you can find one with a LSD all it needs is some uprated suspension and you will have a car that handles like a sport.
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Points: 691 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 20:51

l,o m8

 welcome to the forums

 ive had a 320 , 325 and a 2,7 conversion and to be totally honest theres virtually no difference in running costs ! if anything , with my spirited driving the 320 used more fuel cos of having to drive it harder .

  i have to say the last car i owned b4 getting into be,ems  was a campaign gti , with a dubsport built 16v motor and it was the best car ive ever had for fuel economy ,  if urs is the same ur gna have a shock with a beema !! although as most on here will agree , the sound of a 6 pot when its singing is priceless !!
e30 2.7 cab
e30 325i
e30 325 sport
e30 318 touring
e28 m5
e28 m535
e34 m5
e39 540
e36 318ti (green)
e36 318ti (mauve)
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dannywig View Drop Down
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Points: 78 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 21:19
Sorry but a 318is is nowhere near as quick as 325i, its only marginally quicker than a 320i.
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Points: 97 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 22:49

Originally posted by falkster falkster wrote:

What golf is it hammer? I used to have a G60 rallye with small pulley, chip and cam but only managed to get 215 but was still very quick until i totaled it

Its a 2l 16v turbo running 10psi,fettled by Stealth racing Southam

Southy,do you go on the Club Gti forum? your name rings a bell.
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Points: 1259 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 23:40

Originally posted by dannywig dannywig wrote:

Sorry but a 318is is nowhere near as quick as 325i, its only marginally quicker than a 320i.

Quickness is not just about 0-60. The 318is has a much lighter engine and the car has perfect balance. It is substancially quicker than a 320 and about .8 second off a 325, but around the right track a 318is would be quicker than a 325. The 320 and 325 carry a heavy engine at the front which does affect it's handling. That is why M3's had 4 cylinder engines. Now if you put a 200BHP 6 cylinder e30 against a standard M3, there in gear times would be very close if not quicker for the 6 cylinder due to more torque, but around a track (twisty bits) it would not stand a chance.

So yes i agree a 325 is quicker than a 318is, but overall not as much as you might think.

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Points: 691 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-December-2003 at 23:52

you have been told

e30 2.7 cab
e30 325i
e30 325 sport
e30 318 touring
e28 m5
e28 m535
e34 m5
e39 540
e36 318ti (green)
e36 318ti (mauve)
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dannywig View Drop Down
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Points: 78 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-December-2003 at 00:22
Originally posted by Sohlman Sohlman wrote:

Originally posted by dannywig dannywig wrote:

Sorry but a 318is is nowhere near as quick as 325i, its only marginally quicker than a 320i.

Quickness is not just about 0-60. The 318is has a much lighter engine and the car has perfect balance. It is substancially quicker than a 320 and about .8 second off a 325, but around the right track a 318is would be quicker than a 325. The 320 and 325 carry a heavy engine at the front which does affect it's handling. That is why M3's had 4 cylinder engines. Now if you put a 200BHP 6 cylinder e30 against a standard M3, there in gear times would be very close if not quicker for the 6 cylinder due to more torque, but around a track (twisty bits) it would not stand a chance.

So yes i agree a 325 is quicker than a 318is, but overall not as much as you might think.

I'm still not convinced that a 318is is as quick as some people make out, but I'm probably wrong. I wouldn't swap my 320i for one just because its quicker round a racetrack anyway. I've heard that an M3 isn't that much lighter than a 325i sport, its just because the M3 engine is more free reving and has higher BHP output that makes it quicker.
1991 E30 320i Convertible
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Points: 78 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-December-2003 at 00:32
Surely they could have made the MK1 M3 a six pot instead of a four pot and it would have been as good if not better. I've heard the only reason the M3 was a four pot was because BMW were experimenting with 16 valve 4 cylinder technology, the same as VW. If 4 cylinders are so much lighter why didn't BMW use it in the next generation M3? or the latest one for that matter?
1991 E30 320i Convertible
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Points: 691 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-December-2003 at 00:45

if the e36s with the 6 pots are better , why is it they get eaten by the e30s on track days ?

 sometimes manufacturers make mistakes when they bring out later models !  like vw did with their lardy mk 4 & 5 golf .

 personally i wouldnt touch a 4 cylinder beemer with a barge pole , but thats simply because i think the 6 pots are the best sounding , and smoothest engine ive ever had .
e30 2.7 cab
e30 325i
e30 325 sport
e30 318 touring
e28 m5
e28 m535
e34 m5
e39 540
e36 318ti (green)
e36 318ti (mauve)
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