RE: SOTW: BMW 318is
Discussion
Oddball RS said:
Four pot BMW = Huge fail, i'd rather walk its quicker.
Clearly you've never driven one OR you walk at one hell of a speed...Taking a "oh, it's not the most powerful engine, so it's crap then" attitude is like rejecting a meal in a restaurant because it doesn't weigh enough - it shows ignorance of the true purpose of the thing...
I'm about to chop in my beater Audi A4 1.9TDI for a decently specced 328i coupe as soon as I can find one. I've done 5000 miles in the diesel over the last month and a half and I can feel a big bill on the way. I've had a couple of E36 coupes in the past and also a couple of E30's, which are a better ownership prospect. BUT a decent E30 will cost far more and won't take abuse as well. I guess me returning to E36 ownership is a testament to how well the car is engineered.
As for the E36 not looking as nice. Well, that was certainly true 5 or so years ago. But I've found, as have others, that recently they've become strangely appealing. Sure there are dubious models out there, along with owners, but I've never really let that put me off buying one. I always felt I could overcome such stereotypes. And from what I remember, the E36 was 'hated' because it was seen as a bloated, somewhat benign successor to the E30. Putting things in context, that's not so true anymore.
Anyway, a black or silver mtech optioned coupe with tasteful bbs rims will do me. And from what I remember, chicks liked the 'bad man' image. Every little helps when you're a single man about town!
As for the E36 not looking as nice. Well, that was certainly true 5 or so years ago. But I've found, as have others, that recently they've become strangely appealing. Sure there are dubious models out there, along with owners, but I've never really let that put me off buying one. I always felt I could overcome such stereotypes. And from what I remember, the E36 was 'hated' because it was seen as a bloated, somewhat benign successor to the E30. Putting things in context, that's not so true anymore.
Anyway, a black or silver mtech optioned coupe with tasteful bbs rims will do me. And from what I remember, chicks liked the 'bad man' image. Every little helps when you're a single man about town!
Edited by Hellbound on Friday 3rd June 11:40
"coming to a council estate near you" ????
Hate the way how some people see the e36 as having a "chav" image.
I think they are a really smart looking car and thats not just me being biased.
Yes you can pick up old rotten examples so easily now days and the youngsters love them as they are easily modded but good clean examples of the 328i sport and M3 are out there and sought after.
Find yourself a clean one and you will have a lot of car for the money!
Like i have said i have owned mine for around 3 years and has a good few choice mods and thats only to improve on what already was a nice tight car.
They have aged but i just cant find anything else catching my eye from that era like the E36 coupe does.
Hate the way how some people see the e36 as having a "chav" image.
I think they are a really smart looking car and thats not just me being biased.
Yes you can pick up old rotten examples so easily now days and the youngsters love them as they are easily modded but good clean examples of the 328i sport and M3 are out there and sought after.
Find yourself a clean one and you will have a lot of car for the money!
Like i have said i have owned mine for around 3 years and has a good few choice mods and thats only to improve on what already was a nice tight car.
They have aged but i just cant find anything else catching my eye from that era like the E36 coupe does.
You absolutely right rossi. Nice car too.
Of course if someone wanted a 6 pot and didn't mind what shape it came in, they could put Riggers out of his misery and take his touring off his hands;
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2767945.htm
Of course if someone wanted a 6 pot and didn't mind what shape it came in, they could put Riggers out of his misery and take his touring off his hands;
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2767945.htm
johnpeat said:
Oddball RS said:
Four pot BMW = Huge fail, i'd rather walk its quicker.
Clearly you've never driven one OR you walk at one hell of a speed...Taking a "oh, it's not the most powerful engine, so it's crap then" attitude is like rejecting a meal in a restaurant because it doesn't weigh enough - it shows ignorance of the true purpose of the thing...
What could be wrong with it? A very free revving, pleasant sounding 4 pot that will happily live its life at the red line, reliable, well balanced handling.
For me it was way more entertaining to drive than a mates Impreza WRX, its very definitely *not* all about the power.
I think I should have bought an E36! My E46 330i Sport is rubbish. Silly light steering, and the reliability is great a part from issues relating to just the electrics, body, interior, brakes, engine, and steering...
I agree that the E36 is very much starting to look cool again. Some great owner's cars in this thread
My dad has a 4 pot BMW (E46). It is S L O W.
I agree that the E36 is very much starting to look cool again. Some great owner's cars in this thread
My dad has a 4 pot BMW (E46). It is S L O W.
clonmult said:
johnpeat said:
Oddball RS said:
Four pot BMW = Huge fail, i'd rather walk its quicker.
Clearly you've never driven one OR you walk at one hell of a speed...Taking a "oh, it's not the most powerful engine, so it's crap then" attitude is like rejecting a meal in a restaurant because it doesn't weigh enough - it shows ignorance of the true purpose of the thing...
What could be wrong with it? A very free revving, pleasant sounding 4 pot that will happily live its life at the red line, reliable, well balanced handling.
For me it was way more entertaining to drive than a mates Impreza WRX, its very definitely *not* all about the power.
Of course the engine size matters, obviously it depends on your budget, but imagine this:
You have your lovely 318 at the lights, now Charlie Sheen pulls up next to you at the lights with his M3 and shouts "WINNING" - you wouldn't have a leg to stand on.
The only reason people buy the smaller engine is because they can't afford it/it's running costs, they also will have made a compromise that they would prefer a finer quality vehicle than a less luxurious car with more power.
So for the price and the insurance group, yes, the 318 is value for money... but the engine size IS an issue.
rossi-328i-sport said:
"coming to a council estate near you" ????
Hate the way how some people see the e36 as having a "chav" image.
I think they are a really smart looking car and thats not just me being biased.
It does have a chav image because it's the cheapest "expensive looking" car money can buy.Hate the way how some people see the e36 as having a "chav" image.
I think they are a really smart looking car and thats not just me being biased.
Edited by JuniorJet on Friday 3rd June 13:09
Hellbound said:
Of course if someone wanted a 6 pot and didn't mind what shape it came in, they could put Riggers out of his misery and take his touring off his hands;
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2767945.htm
OT, but what is the white coupe hiding behind the BMW in pic 6? Nissan 370Z?http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2767945.htm
NickXX said:
My e36 318iS - picked it up for £800 (obviously spent a little since 
).
Brilliant revvy little track donkey
Great SOTW!
I may have to take back my earlier comments regarding the 318is having seen your pics. How do you find it as a track day car? ). Brilliant revvy little track donkey
Great SOTW!
I'm after a budget track day car at the mo and hadn't considered one. Maybe time has clouded my view of what they drive like.
I also see from the Watford bomb thread that you are local. I think I recognise the flats in the background of your pic. I'm in ricky but am often in croxley/watford.
I had an E36 318is quite a few years back, I found it to be a fantastic handling car (after i'd replaced the rear shocks) and I still think the E36 is the best looking 3 series by a mile. I did hate that M42 engine - it was so underpowered, although it revved pretty high it wouldn't exactly set the world alight - I found it good fun in the wet were you could break traction, but in the dry it was frustrating trying to have some fun. I chopped what was left of it in for a 328 after the water pump failed and took the head gasket with it.
(Make sure the plastic bladed original BMW water pump has been replaced with a newer metal pump - it's an easy job too)
(Make sure the plastic bladed original BMW water pump has been replaced with a newer metal pump - it's an easy job too)
JAM35F said:
I may have to take back my earlier comments regarding the 318is having seen your pics. How do you find it as a track day car?
I'm after a budget track day car at the mo and hadn't considered one. Maybe time has clouded my view of what they drive like.
I also see from the Watford bomb thread that you are local. I think I recognise the flats in the background of your pic. I'm in ricky but am often in croxley/watford.
It's great on the track - a lot of the interior has been taken out, so weighs a bit less than standard.I'm after a budget track day car at the mo and hadn't considered one. Maybe time has clouded my view of what they drive like.
I also see from the Watford bomb thread that you are local. I think I recognise the flats in the background of your pic. I'm in ricky but am often in croxley/watford.
Otherwise, it's chipped, is on Spax coilovers, has an Eisenmann exhaust and a few other bits and pieces, which makes it a lot of fun on the track. It shares brakes with the 328, so they work well out of the box (being designed for a heavier, more powerful car). It corners better and outbrakes a lot of other stuff - the only place it really gets held back is on the longer straights in speeds upwards of 80mph.
For context, I also use my e46 M3 on track.
Yup - that picture is from the Cassio Metro estate. I don't live there any more, but haven't moved very far.
Have literally just this week sold my E36 318iS to some lucky blighter for just over a grand. Was a great little car for the 5 months I owned it - did exactly what it said on the tin, but was underpowered for me.
As many have said, the 328 coupe offers the same but with a far superior engine, (smoothness and sound as well as power and torque) and I've got the Sport with it's standard suspension upgrades which in terms of handling and a driving proposition is again in a different league to the 318is.
And the beauty of it all? I sold the 318 for more than I paid for the 328, the 328 is just as economical on a run (as long as you can resist booting it!) - just need to get the AC, and various other electrics sorted out.... BUT for the sheer fun of what is still a very quick car and proper fun, I don't mind getting hot and having no idea how much fuel is left in the tank!
As many have said, the 328 coupe offers the same but with a far superior engine, (smoothness and sound as well as power and torque) and I've got the Sport with it's standard suspension upgrades which in terms of handling and a driving proposition is again in a different league to the 318is.
And the beauty of it all? I sold the 318 for more than I paid for the 328, the 328 is just as economical on a run (as long as you can resist booting it!) - just need to get the AC, and various other electrics sorted out.... BUT for the sheer fun of what is still a very quick car and proper fun, I don't mind getting hot and having no idea how much fuel is left in the tank!
JuniorJet said:
You have your lovely 318 at the lights, now Charlie Sheen pulls up next to you at the lights with his M3 and shouts "WINNING" - you wouldn't have a leg to stand on.
The only reason people buy the smaller engine is because they can't afford it/it's running costs, they also will have made a compromise that they would prefer a finer quality vehicle than a less luxurious car with more power.
I have an e46 M3 and my e36 e36 318iS - what do you make of that?The only reason people buy the smaller engine is because they can't afford it/it's running costs, they also will have made a compromise that they would prefer a finer quality vehicle than a less luxurious car with more power.
Not all of us are concerned about what the guy next to us at the lights is thinking
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