hello...it is the stupid questions time again... I've resolved all my oil leak issues...  now the car is just sweet... but i need to ask a question(s)..

is it possible to make a 318iS quick enough to give a standard E30 325i run for its money..? maybe not beat it, but make the guy think...hahaha I'm not talking about Motorway speeds.. more like 0-60 times...  I've seen a couple of 325i boys(racers) with big alloys and sh*te... and u can tell they've never seen a 318is... and they go up ur ass just cause it says 318 at the back and try and take u... but at the mo there is no point me racing yet... i know if we did race, the 325 would eat me up... 

so whats my options? preferably no turbo's... or nitrous... all normally aspirated upgrade details please... if it is possible....

I've had to race some 320i boys.. again with their BIG 17's -18's allows and sh*te.. but they had to be beaten... have to say though a 320i with fat exhaust sounds just as mean as a 325....

I have a standard 318iS.. with 14in BBS.. all original... 115000 on clock... I have to say the car flys... but how fast would it fly next to a 325i???

Ah speed is one thing. Economy is another. You can sit back and enjoy the 30+ mpg.

I'll get my flat cap and driving gloves...you can borrow them if ya like!

that is true jonp... the car is bloody efficient... im still quiet surprised at that.... I'm getting some really good MPG...

Joking aside mate..

Have you thought about really going to town on the suspension and tyres?

Personally i'd have thought that the 318's handle really well anyway, but with the cash you could spend on the engine you could improve the handling. I've got a 528 and its blown away around the corners by a 320 i play with on the way to work. I can over take ( and then some) on the straights but around the corners it's on me tail.

Just an idea.

Good luck dude!!

Hi Beema,

The key is bridging the approx 35- 40 bhp gap that you have with the 325i. Equates to approx a sec on your 0-60 time (7.6 against 8.8) That is if these guys are standard.

If you're looking to blast the straight line sprint speed with a 325i then you would have a bit of a way to go. The engine basics would be a good place to start, free flow panel air filter/induction kit, free flow exhaust manifold and system and an ECU swap. Should be good for approx 15 - 20bhp. then you'll be getting close. You then can go for high lift cams but this will cost you cause you need the set (2). You could also play with the gearing, use a higher ratio diff, but this will rob you of top end speed and raise your fuel consumption for normal driving.

Then there's always lightening the car. Can make a big difference on BM's, lotta weight in the doors and bonnet especially. BMW, midway through the nineties, played with lightening the M3, ally bonnet and doors, etc. Took a sec off the 0-60 times.

It could cost you to try and beat them in straight line acceleration tho m8.

Best of luck 

Rob

Thanks for all the feedback... i know the 325 has about 35-40 bhp extra... but than it also weighs a bit more .. so its true if i lightened the car and do some mods on the engine it should be possible... I also read somewhere that the 4 pot E30 handle little easier/better than the 6 pots due to a lighter engine and better weight distrbution... so around twists and turns a 325(unmodified) should have quiet a challange against a 318is... do all 325's have m-tec suspension??  and sports seats etc.. ? o yeah and if someone has like 17/18's on a standard 325 that should drop there performance a little shouldnt it.. ?

personally i think the iS is perfectly balanced.. not talkin about performance but it is the best car ive ever driven...

jon p... yeah ive thought bout the suspension and tyres... im goin to get them sorted out soon... i think i might have to change my shocks and springs anyway.. are squeeking a little on corners...

but yeah i want to sort the tyres out, but first i need to source some nice 15's BBS's... or Alpinas..

Well the 325i gives up 70kg to the 318is so that's a start and they do say that the 4pot e30 is more balanced than the heavier 6 pot lump though I wouldn't necessarily agree with that where the touring is concerned as the weight distribution is better than the saloon (being a tourer owner I would say that eh? hmmm)  and they do have the heavier duty Mish suspension set up.

With 17"/18" wheels, their car would be slower accelerating if they don't use the correct profile tire to keep the rolling diameter of the wheel the same as stock and it ended up larger. They may have better handling than standard though (in dry anyway) with their larger wheels and rubber.

Only the 325iS had the full M-tech setup, I believe, though your 318is should have the stiffer M-tech springs and shocks 2, minus the thicker roll bars.

Hi sir,

is that what you call a moderator?

Don't really want to try to split hairs but with regards to the extra rotational inertia for bigger wheels, I thought that would be reliant on total unsprung weight? If the new, larger wheel and tyre weight is the same as stock, due to newer, lighter wheel materials used, and the same rolling diameters, then would the unsprung weight's inertia not balance out? i.e. would require the same energy input to move? There are variables though?

What is the main competition for the 318? is it a renault 19 16valve? or such like? If so BMW's are much nicer inside and out.

If you are happy with your car, why change is performance? But if you are like me you will want it quicker. Cams move the power band, so if you want a really 'revvy' motor i'd look at cams. This is the way i'd go 'cos if you keep it in the smaller power band she'd fly.

I've got a mate with a mini, its only got 110 Bhp..fast as hell to 70mph! As soon as you get it off cam its poo.

So really a 318is has a better suspension setup to a standard 325i?

Madrab I'm going to take your advice on some of the engine mods... ie.  free flow panel air filter/induction kit, free flow exhaust manifold and system and an ECU swap. And see how we go... Has anyone else already got a similar setup on a 318is?

And the tourer 325i probably is better balanced than a saloon.. for obvious reasons... but is it quicker than a saloon in a straight line?

The best way to challenge 325i owners is to sell your 318iS, but keep the boot badge. Buy a 325i and stick the badge on the  boot of your new ride.

You could spend ££££s on your iS and still only get similar straight line performance to a 325i.

Yep beema it sure does.

From the info I gathered the 318is was modelled on the 325is chassis with the better tuned chassis and slightly different suspension set up but was all M-Tech qualified spec.

The quoted figures I've got for a stock 325i is 136mph whereas the Tourer is 133mph. Mine isn't standard though and have had some fun with same type of 325i owners that I think you are talking about. I've had the speedo just over the 140mph mark though but haven't managed to get an accurate 1/4 mile yet to confirm what the top speed is. 0-60 time is approx 7sec.

CeaserBob... good solution... but you know what i would do than... get a 325i... but stick a 316 badge at the back... hahaha... but seriously though... it would be more of a satisfaction to have a 318is that has some serious power... but than not OTT... 325i is very nice...no denying that, but than the 318is has many advantages aswell...

JonP: The main competition for a 318is i would say is a Mk2 Gold Gti 16v.. btw is a Mk2 Golf heavier than a E30? They both seem to have similar engines... similar power output... etc..

Madrab... gettin 7 s for 0-60... do you really need anything quicker for a tourer... that car must be mad...

0-60 in 7secs in a tourer?!!!

Dunno what you've done to yours bud, but mine wont. The first gear in it is useless. It feels like you hit the redline at about 15mph, great for pulling trailers or tanks or whatever but not much else. Then you have the notchy gear change into second that cant be rushed, followed by an extraodinary burst of acceleration. Not the best combination.

Drove an e30 323i a long time ago that seemed much better at the take off, anyone know what the gearing differences are? Maybe a different box would improve a 318is?

Tim

Why not just get and E30 M3. There are still loads of people out there that dont know what they are. Even a 325 driver didnt seem to know what it was when I was behind him and hinted that he should pull over. Took a sneaky look at his face as I roared by him and his face was a picture. "WTF"

You should be able to get good money for your 318is and you can get a good 325i sport for around £3-£3500. Ive had two and they are ace.

Got to agree about 1st gear both mine were like that, I usually set off in second.

In terms of the top speed my clock said I was doing 152 MPH. Obviousley clocks arent 100% correct but I think 140 is a bit on the low side.

Chris 

Guys... I've had sent a few mails out and got some good replies back...

Emailed Brian Purcell... man that guy knows everything about the E30 318iS, he's written this article in BMW Car Club magazine, sent it to me, I would like to share it with everyone, but i dont think i can attach doc's... Anyway what it says in that just proves how good this 4 pot engine is... I'll try and add it somehow...

Here is Brian Purcells Article :

The Greatest E30 ever? by Brendan Purcell

Okay, okay, I won’t try to make

out that anything other than the

M3 was the pinnacle of all the

many E30 models. So maybe I

should start by coming clean

and calling the article ‘the

Second Greatest E30 ever!’

Although the M3 was the icon in most people’s eye, it had a couple of drawbacks which made it impractical for many, not least of which were the increased maintenance, insurance, security and purchase costs. Then add in the left-hand drive stipulation. So the runner up was the 325i Sport then. Well, not so fast. BMW, in 1989, had another 4 cylinder 16 valve car with characteristics similar to the M3’s S14. The engine used technology derived from Formula 1 and touring car successes, with cylinder head and inlet manifold design akin to previous M cars. This engine had a forged crankshaft,

pent roofed chilled cast aluminium alloy cylinder head, Motronic controlled coil-percylinder ignition with semi-sequential fuel injection, specially designed 3-electrode spark plugs, finite-element lightened pistons and con-rods, hollow camshafts, hydraulic lash adjusters, a duplex timing chain, twopiece inlet manifold and 10:1 compression ratio.

The engine was of 1796cc, designated M42, and generated 136bhp minimum, therefore yielding 75.5 bhp/litre. Many run-in engines produced around 140bhp yet could return 47.9 mpg @ 56mpg, 37.2 mpg @ 70mph and 26.9 mpg Urban. It weighed 13kg more than the existing M40 engine while being just 30mm taller. BMW briefly introduced this engine in the

E30, although it was much more extensively used in the follow-up E36 model. It was their first non Motorsport production 16 valve engine. Solid rear and ventilated front discs from the 325i were fitted. BMW adapted the Mtech suspension for the lighter engine, giving, in Europe, a 20mm front anti-roll bar, 14.5mm rear anti-roll bar, uprated gas dampers (in 51mm struts up front), -15mm front and –17mm rear uprated springs. A 4.10 differential was fitted with a limited-slip version being optional. The result was a reasonably quick car which was broadly comparable to the Gti brigade at the time.

However only now, when comparative focus is turned inside the BMW range, is it clear how its character was very much akin to the M3. The engine had a pronounced power jump at about 3750rpm. Although lacking low down oomph, it really flew above 4000rpm. In many ways the M3 also had a similar high end biased delivery. But if the revs were kept up, its power disadvantage on the road to the 325i was not so great (other than in top speed). 325i’s usually had greater specification, were higher geared and, given the M20 engine, ended up being sometimes over 100kg heavier!

Anyway, E30’s were not so much about drag racing... Its weight distribution was very close to the M3 too, with comparable spring/damper settings, although not quite as stiff (especially in roll). Cornering balance was almost identical though, even though the M3 had the greater outright grip. The car was shadowlined (dechromed) as standard, sat lower due to the M-Tech springs, had an extended front spoiler and generally sat on 205/55/15 or 195/65/14 basketweaves.

So, here was an E30 which handled and delivered power in a manner similar to the M3, yet cost less than £15,000 new. Its maintenance and running costs were low; fuel efficiency and emissions excellent. It used state-of-the-art technology in its engine while taking the best of established engineering in terms of braking and suspension.

It easily outperformed the 316i, 318i and 320i while out-handling the 325i. Although being down on power against the 2.5 litre engine, it could still give a decent turn of speed when kept on the boil, yet could return an overall fuel efficiency in the thirties. It was relatively rare car, with just 41,234 being made in less than three years. You can get a clean example nowadays for as little as £3000 - less if your standards drop.

Oh yes, the second greatest E30 was called the 318is. Written by Brendan Purcell, BMWCCGB Ireland Region, see his web site for more details of the E30 318is at:

www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/index.html.

38 BMW Car Club Magazine

Yep sure is gents, unless my pals stopwatch is way off the mark. Could be of course. This is approx, no calibration or anything so cannot say it's exact. In saying that stock is approx7.5sec and that's with a gear change? Got to agree with 1st though, waste of a gear!!

Tim, the box was rebuilt recently and I had the option to replace 2nd with a slightly longer gear (amongst others)and coupled that with a short shift running in a Blue Peter gate (homemade, great positive selection for those with sloppy gearsticks!)lightened flywheel and an AP Racing clutch. This gives me the chance to just get to 60mph just on the limiter in 2nd, which on the old box was around 55mph. I'm also running a Kent fast road cam that kicks in about 300rpm earlier.

b318isp-
ahah, now I understand! I'll be going back to the chap that told me that about the unsprung weight affecting acceleration and setting him straight. Many thanks for that m8, I hate to be given the wrong info then pass that on!!

falkster
I'm just running a 325i mate not an IS. Does your IS get over the 150 mph mark...ooer!!

Madrab wrote: falkster I'm just running a 325i mate not an IS. Does your IS get over the 150 mph mark...ooer!!

As far as I am aware there is no difference between the 325i and the sport both have 172bhp (If i remember correctly). The 152mph  that I got was out of my old 325ise.

O yeah... B Purcell's car does 0-60 in the low 8s... which is very reasonable... this could give a 325 something to remember...

I  also found some info on the E30Zone site about a new chip being checked out, costs around £175 and supposed to push 170bhp out of the engine... Im checkin that option out aswell...

beema318is wrote: O yeah... B Purcell's car does 0-60 in the low 8s... which is very reasonable... this could give a 325 something to remember... I  also found some info on the E30Zone site about a new chip being checked out, costs around £175 and supposed to push 170bhp out of the engine... Im checkin that option out aswell...

Thats got to be total nonsense. No way can you get 35bhp from a chip unless its a turbo'd car.

You would usually expect about 10% from a new chip unless you get your ecu remapped and they will sort you a chip out that is specifically for your car but you still wont see that improvement.

If it works (which is highly unlikely) give me the number and I will get one for my M3. All those guys on trackdays that have spent £,000s on their engines and are pushing little more than 260bhp would be spitting blood.

Sarcasm over

Sorry

No worries... we need everyones feedback to see if half of these theories are possible or not... but that 170bhp chip could be something real... ill let you know...

Chips are good! They do increase power (slightly).. but driveability is vastly improved. I had a Alfa 155 16v which i chiped. reved to 7500rpm.

Salted

Sorry.

jonp my jokes are far worse, far far worse..

i prefer spicy flavour.... my 318 i crap in 1st too...

chris, doesnt setting off in second screw your clutch faster?

dbanbery wrote: jonp my jokes are far worse, far far worse.. i prefer spicy flavour.... my 318 i crap in 1st too... chris, doesnt setting off in second screw your clutch faster?

Dave

Sounds stupid but 325s second was/are more like a first. If I set off in second in my M3 it would shaft the clutch.

<begin off topic>
just for the record - if you are going to sing the praises of b318isp (B. Purcell) - the B is actually Brendan .
<end off topic>

35+bhp CHIPS??

Can I have a bag full please?? oops sorry... 

falkster wrote: As far as I am aware there is no difference between the 325i and the sport both have 172bhp (If i remember correctly). The 152mph  that I got was out of my old 325ise.

Yep for sure, totally agree, same engine + same BHP but did some of the IS's not have revised gearing and a different LSD final ratio as well?

The chip available from E30 Zone which has been proven to increase power from 139bhp on a standard 318iS to 170bhp was in conjunction with an enlarged throttle body. The rev limit is also raised by the chip to 7,000rpm.

There are rolling road graphs to confirm the results of the test car.

kbannon - yes mate i realised a little later that it wasnt Brian but Brendan...

CeaserB - do we have any weblinks or info about this chip on the web ??

Cheers...

I have to say that I am extremely sceptical that a chip ,even in conjuction with an enlarged throttle body will produce that kind of power increase. In order to do this the standard throttle body would have to be hugely restrictive. I would have thought that you would at least need a change the cams as well to ge thtat kind of power. I could be wrong however!

Also speedos are inacurate and normally always tell you  that you are going faster than you actually are. The inaccuracy gets greater as your speed increases. I once new a guy who said his 1.8Mk2 cavalier SRI would do 138mph, another bloke who said his 1.3 astra would do 122mph. I was also in a 1.3 maestro that was apparently doing 118 mph according to the speedo. If you look at most road tests run by magazines like Topgear and EVO  cars tend to be slightly slower than the manufactures quoted top speed, not faster. 

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/ - http://www.e30zone.co.uk/

Keep an eye on the Tuning Zone section on the above link. It should be up and running soon.