The Search - E36 318is
Discussion
I have one which I've owned from three months old. A coupé with a sports pack and a whole load of other nice extras. I'm always looking around for others, purely out of curiosity, but they are extremely difficult to find, other than ones which are being broken for spares or sold as cheap drift cars.
I assume you enjoy it then mitch if youve had it this long? I'm desperate to find one ^^
I know sideways, trying to hit it before they fly up in price. I'll be hit with high insurance as I'm only 20 but thats going to happen no matter what I get.. wad quoted nearly 2 grand for a 2006 116i and £2200 for an e36 318is, choices made and the search is on
I know sideways, trying to hit it before they fly up in price. I'll be hit with high insurance as I'm only 20 but thats going to happen no matter what I get.. wad quoted nearly 2 grand for a 2006 116i and £2200 for an e36 318is, choices made and the search is on
Devi said:
I assume you enjoy it then mitch if youve had it this long? I'm desperate to find one ^^
Yes, I just grew attached and have never wanted to part with it. Of course, the purists will sneer at it not having six cylinders, but the smaller engine of the 318 means a lighter nose and a more delicate handling experience. The next chapter in the life of mine will start when I've had it refurbished. It's currently suffering from the usual rust that these experience but I'm hoping to get that fixed in due course. I'd sooner pay a few grand to have mine mint than own anything that I could buy for a few grand instead. Once it's back to showroom condition it'll probably be semi-retired and something I care a whole lot less about purchased for day-to-day use.
Edited by MitchT on Friday 10th July 22:51
Absolutely lovely mitch, will love to see her good as new again. Thats what im planning, run it a few years and keep her retired. Its going to be my first car, having driven my dads 1 series causing me to be addicted to BMW. 
Im just concerned as finding one in decent nick is hard at the moment.. whether its rusted arches or an abused differ.
Im just concerned as finding one in decent nick is hard at the moment.. whether its rusted arches or an abused differ.
Finding one without rusted rear arches is nigh-on impossible. Even some of the better E36 M3s have bubbling paint on the rear arches.
Here's a decent one ...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-BMW-3-Series-1-9-31...
Here's a decent one ...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-BMW-3-Series-1-9-31...
Yeah i know mitch, therein lies the the problem.. that one is real nice, but going to england is a bit out of reach due to work commitments
Really hoping to find one over here.. but its like a needle in a haystack, except the needle might not even exist!
Really hoping to find one over here.. but its like a needle in a haystack, except the needle might not even exist!
Edited by Devi on Saturday 11th July 00:19
Devi, one thing I will say to you is rust, that killed my E36 coupe and my mates, both went around the windscreen so the car leaked water in.
I owned a 328 my mate had a 318is, the 318 was not a bad car, it handled and steered better than my 328, it was also quite nippy, if your not arsed about that 6 pot noise definitely get one, my mate also got 40 mpg as well, he was a very steady driver though.
I owned a 328 my mate had a 318is, the 318 was not a bad car, it handled and steered better than my 328, it was also quite nippy, if your not arsed about that 6 pot noise definitely get one, my mate also got 40 mpg as well, he was a very steady driver though.
See that sounds awful mate but I've been told not to let a wee bit of rust put me off, as its so common. Have to keep my wits though!
I would prefer to go for a 325 or 328 although I'm 20 with no NCB and completely deadset on an E36. So the 318is is the choice due to insurance, its a shame they are so much harder to find!
I would prefer to go for a 325 or 328 although I'm 20 with no NCB and completely deadset on an E36. So the 318is is the choice due to insurance, its a shame they are so much harder to find!
A mate of mine is going to see a car for me today in his home town. 170k miles with 9 month MOT but the cleanest example I've seen, arches seem to be immaculate. Avus blue, full m3 rep, the elusive E36 318is!(1998)
He owns an e36 3.2 evo m3, sanotirini blue individual with cream leather. The mutts nuts. Does a lot of work on it himself so he would know what to look for. Hopefully all is well and I'll be able to put a deposit on wednesday.
The plot thickens!
He owns an e36 3.2 evo m3, sanotirini blue individual with cream leather. The mutts nuts. Does a lot of work on it himself so he would know what to look for. Hopefully all is well and I'll be able to put a deposit on wednesday.
The plot thickens!
Edited by Devi on Monday 13th July 07:18
Edited by Devi on Monday 13th July 07:19
e21Mark said:
Max M4X WW said:
e21Mark said:
I've been looking for a 4 door 318is for a while now. (ideally white, with no sunroof) Hope you have better luck.
Are these not best avoided? Built in Spain or something?Max M4X WW said:
e21Mark said:
I've been looking for a 4 door 318is for a while now. (ideally white, with no sunroof) Hope you have better luck.
Are these not best avoided? Built in Spain or something?If you look at the later 318i 4 door's then they will have the 16v valve engine, the last year or so of production I believe.
I always fancied a 318is back when I was 18/19 a teacher at school had had a 99 one and it was lovely. Set to looking and actually found for some reason I could insure a 323i for the same money so the 6 pot won on that occasion. Still miss an E36 somehow a more simple innocent driving experience. That 323i felt like the fastest thing in the world at 2 weeks before my 19th birthday!
I always fancied a 318is back when I was 18/19 a teacher at school had had a 99 one and it was lovely. Set to looking and actually found for some reason I could insure a 323i for the same money so the 6 pot won on that occasion. Still miss an E36 somehow a more simple innocent driving experience. That 323i felt like the fastest thing in the world at 2 weeks before my 19th birthday!
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