RE: SOTW: BMW 318is
Discussion
I had one about 10 years ago, at the time it felt a great car, at 21 I felt like I owned something special. Mine was montreal blue with silver (white) leather. Sold it to a guy who flew over from Northern Ireland. It was not being able to keep up with my boss in his 1.4 fiesta on the way to a meeting that made me decide to sell, it really was all show and no go.
The 318is in e30 is definately a great car but the heavier e36 was a disapointment. It's revvy but you don't get any where fast.
A few cars later I bought an e36 328i touring, a proper engine that made a great car. 328i's are now so cheap that the 318is should be over looked for the better car.
The 318is in e30 is definately a great car but the heavier e36 was a disapointment. It's revvy but you don't get any where fast.
A few cars later I bought an e36 328i touring, a proper engine that made a great car. 328i's are now so cheap that the 318is should be over looked for the better car.
I loved my one, got it from my old man when he upgraded to a E46 318Ci.
He had an ash black one which he toboganed into a vectra
, but he bought another with the insurance and got a 'Calipso Rot' M packed car, i ran it for a year and ahlf, it was epic, especially when i hooned it home from braemar 
Its what made me like Beemers, and its also making me fancy asking the nice lady at BMW tomorrow if they have any E46 M3's in stock i can look at after the mini
He had an ash black one which he toboganed into a vectra
, but he bought another with the insurance and got a 'Calipso Rot' M packed car, i ran it for a year and ahlf, it was epic, especially when i hooned it home from braemar Its what made me like Beemers, and its also making me fancy asking the nice lady at BMW tomorrow if they have any E46 M3's in stock i can look at after the mini
Kawasicki said:
My 1992 E36 318is regularly cruised german autobahns for hours at an indicated 135mph, 132mph on my gps, exactly in line with the published top speed. Interestingly, rather than struggle to hit this speed, it actually accelerated from 120 to 132 with ease. Top speed was limited by rpm, so it constantly bounced against the rev limiter in fifth gear at this speed.
So the claimed top speed was pretty spot on, and at that speed the car felt solid as a rock both in a straight line and cornering hard (tyres howling).
My feeling is that the E36 was a bit of a milestone for ride and handling. What has improved radically since 1992?
What has improved since 92? Nothing.So the claimed top speed was pretty spot on, and at that speed the car felt solid as a rock both in a straight line and cornering hard (tyres howling).
My feeling is that the E36 was a bit of a milestone for ride and handling. What has improved radically since 1992?
After owning a 99 model 318iS (black, damn was it a good looking car), I've driven/been driven around in both the E46 coupe and E92. Neither is obviously more comfortable nor more entertaining to drive - in fact, the E36, at least in this relatively basic form, is a more entertaining drive.
Similar experiences with performance as well - one journey back up to family up north, late at night, totally clear motorway, music playing, didn't realise that my speed was creeping further into 3 figure territory than I should have.
The car just felt planted, refined, just plain excellent.
And in coupe form it was surprisingly practical - fold down seats allowed me to carry fairly long loads at times. Dual zone climate control worked way better than the unit in the A6 I'm now wafting around in.
Definitely feel that the E36 hits a good balance between the refinement of the E46 and the raw feeling of the E30. By far and away the best car I've ever owned, and I'm more than just a little sad to no longer own the blighter.
Bought one on ebay (well, a 320) for £1,300 3 years ago.
Treat it like a shed. It has been hit by a skip, bin lorry, scractched, bumped, driven hard, toured Ireland, Europe etc. Used as a skip for a house build - rubble etc.
Costs peanuts to run. Keeps sailing the MOT, feels solid on the motorway etc. etc.
Would love one in better conditon but just can't part with it.
Treat it like a shed. It has been hit by a skip, bin lorry, scractched, bumped, driven hard, toured Ireland, Europe etc. Used as a skip for a house build - rubble etc.
Costs peanuts to run. Keeps sailing the MOT, feels solid on the motorway etc. etc.
Would love one in better conditon but just can't part with it.
I had a 1992 one of those about 4 years ago-possibly the worst car ive ever owned, although it looked pretty.. I really wanted to like it, but after replacing the rear arm bushes, rear wheel bearings, front ball joints, rear diff, putting up with the weird electrcal faults and getting blown away from the lights by a plumber in his transit (who didnt appear to be trying very hard either..) It had to go..
clonmult said:
Did a few miles in an E46 318Ci. Its definitely not an upgrade to the E36 318iS, unless your only priority in life is motorway cruising. E36 is a little faster, and just plain more fun.
yeah, the old man said that, and i have driven his E46 a few times, its a more motorway inclined car, the e36 was livlier and more light under foot, much more compliant in bends.Though i would hope the E46 M3 was a lot lighter and more taught than the 318Ci!!
Nice enough shed... I'd want the 328 myself though.
I've been thinking for some time that these are a close replacement for the Ford Capri in the early nineties (i.e RWD and accessible for younger drivers): they're relatively cheap, have a bit of a dodgy reputation, look best in black and you really want the 6 pot motor in one to have some fun!
I've been thinking for some time that these are a close replacement for the Ford Capri in the early nineties (i.e RWD and accessible for younger drivers): they're relatively cheap, have a bit of a dodgy reputation, look best in black and you really want the 6 pot motor in one to have some fun!
Edited by Faust66 on Friday 3rd June 09:39
Oddball RS said:
Richard-G said:
How right you are, now in the interests of balance, can you put photos of all the dud's up? i havent't got time.
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