RE: SOTW: BMW 318is

[jrampton]

Hellbound said:

What's wrong with it? Or should I be asking 'What's NOT wrong with it?'

Only think i can find wrong is a judder at bang on 60mph and under breaking from speed which i thought would be a warped disc but a few people have told me that it would be a suspension bush.

This is it : http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2863285.htm

[danp]

I think that they are fantastic looking cars, especially with the M tec kit but NOT the rear spoiler for me.

Also love the driver orientated, cockpit feel.

Have consistently read that mpg does not vary much between them, so would prob have the 328i personally, but beggars can't be choosers, wouldn't rule out a clean iS.

Def on my "rat cars to own before I die" list.

[joz8968]

18-25yo's "M3" wannabe!

[clonmult]

Chris71 said:

So not vastly different to the six cylinders (based on what people say on here)?

The straight six soundtrack has got to be worth trading a few mpg for!

I would tend to agree, but then I was buying on condition (and spec), and most of the 323/328s I saw at the time were pretty dire, and the dual zone climate control (not the standard A/C) was pretty damn excellent.

Apart from one occasional flat spot, mine ran for 12 months without a fault.

Only sold it on due to family commitments (unexpected baby, swmbo, 2 kids, 1 baby seat plus luggage didn't quite fit into the 318iS).

[Hellbound]

S3_Graham said:

If someone does buy one though, if you want to get niggles sorted it does start to get expensive. I've spent a small fortune on mine trying to get it up to scratch.

Therein lies the conundrum. If you want to get them close to 99% then you're going to have to put the time and money in. Still, nowhere near as much money as it would cost putting an M3 right.

Always thought they needed the front lowering a little though. ^

[jrampton]

IMG_7584 by John Rampton Photography, on Flickr

[anything fast]

i have driven one and sorry i find them just too damn slow! you can get a solid 325i for about £1000, which is a much nicer drive and has that sublime sound a only a 6 pot beemer gives.. in fact a tidy 328 can be had for as little as £1500. Why bother with a bodykitted BMW that would get outpaced by a 1.4 Nova SR???

[MrGeoff]

hora said:

Uni? What was he studying, pimping?

Haha classic.

[BDR529]

Great SOTW Had my 318is a couple of weeks now, it's good fun




Mine has the window spoiler you don't see too often, I think it looks good, though some may not agree. Aside from some slight rust on the rear arches, its a very good example.

The M badge was fitted from the factory.. and YES it is going to go..

Edited by BDR529 on Friday 3rd June 21:34

[BDR529]

captain ash said:

Oh and you'll get blasted at the lights by Saxo VTR's

Edited by captain ash on Friday 3rd June 13:53

Having owned both, I can't say I agree. VTS's maybe..

[g3org3y]

S3_Graham said:

As for the chav image, while i dont think it is a chav car i do get plenty of piss taking from mates saying it looks chavvy.

The styling of the car has aged very well. It's certainly a much younger looking car than one would think (also applicable to the Ford Ka). Ask a non car enthusiast an estimated age/value and you'll be surprised. The image has however struggled, cheap prices mean that 'undesirables' have managed to get hold of them and there are many badly modified/crappy examples.

A couple of years back I was chosing between an E30 cabrio and an E36 cabrio. In the end I decided on the E30, I preferred the retro/classic styling and associated image. Plus already having had 2 E36s (325 and 328) I wanted to find out what all the E30 fuss was about.

My 328, Boston Green, Gen 5 CCFLs, HIDs and genuine Alpina Softlines.


The E36 is a big step forward over the E30. A well maintained 1995-1996 car can still feel just as modern as a '10 plate Eurobox imo. Very underrated in BMW circles, especially the M3 (not as pure as the E30 blah blah etc).

[v8will]

I had a 318is coupe a few years back, lovely little car (mine was black with cream leather) and I often regret selling it, surprisingly spritely for only having 140BHP

[swansea v6]

Used to have an E36 325i coupe and have just picked up an E36 318is compact, its the later 1.9 16v engine and although not what you call quick, it really is a fun little car to run back and for to work in. 12 months mot/tax all for £500 cant argue.......

[smash]

johnpeat said:

. . . like rejecting a meal in a restaurant because it doesn't weigh enough . . .

You sir win my "Analogy of the day" award

[johnpeat]

EDLT said:

As others have said, I'd rather save up some more and get a six cylinder one.

I'd rather have a DECENT 6 cylinder, but I'd take this over the same period 320 which had a tiny bit more power/torque and a lot more bits to go wrong/a much heavier thirst...

I'd really rather not have that kit and wheels tho - it's trying too hard, really.

[m444ttb]

iain1970 said:

We still have an S-reg 318ti Compact (individual) at work. Had it from new, with it's M-Sport bodykit, 60/40 dropped suspension, full leather and Fiji Green paint :-/ and it's still a willing, entertaining car to drive.

I'd love a Fiji Green Compact like that!

[Jellymonster]

what are peoples thoughts on the e36 - M3?

[Debaser]

I had an E36 318is and absolutely loved it, it was just so much fun to drive fast! I specifically wanted a 4 cylinder E36 for the lighter front end and better chassis balance.

[lankyarcher]

@Juniorjet
Crikey, you're a bellend.....

Edited by lankyarcher on Friday 3rd June 20:40

[RobertDB7V12]

E36: Had an M3 E36 in bright red registered (by someone else) 'M3 RED'. Loved it, went like hell, only thing I hated was the immobiliser which was a pig to work.

Given decent wheel/tyre sizes always thought the E36 v well proportioned.

Wonder if mine still exists...

PS: Nice shed.