Advice on BMWs?
Discussion
Hi folks.
I am currently looking for a new car. I want something reasonably powerful (140bhpish) and unusual. I currently drive a Volvo 850 10v, which I love, but is using a bit too much fuel. I have owned an mx5 before, and really enjoyed the rear driven layout.
I love the idea of an e36 318is, but am struggling to find one anywhere near me (south east Scotland). There is one that looks a belter on ebay, but it is in London. Am I as well keeping an eye out for a 318ti and settling for that (same twin cam engine, some z3 bits I think) when I find one, or hold out for a 318is?
I have around 2k to spend and am not worried about mileage as long as there's a good lump of history.
Does anyone have an alternative suggestion? Needs good boot space, otherwise I'd be looking for another mx5. Have thought about a lot (even a Rover 200 BRM, just because it has a 'diff. And red leather. And a Rover badge)
Cheers!
I am currently looking for a new car. I want something reasonably powerful (140bhpish) and unusual. I currently drive a Volvo 850 10v, which I love, but is using a bit too much fuel. I have owned an mx5 before, and really enjoyed the rear driven layout.
I love the idea of an e36 318is, but am struggling to find one anywhere near me (south east Scotland). There is one that looks a belter on ebay, but it is in London. Am I as well keeping an eye out for a 318ti and settling for that (same twin cam engine, some z3 bits I think) when I find one, or hold out for a 318is?
I have around 2k to spend and am not worried about mileage as long as there's a good lump of history.
Does anyone have an alternative suggestion? Needs good boot space, otherwise I'd be looking for another mx5. Have thought about a lot (even a Rover 200 BRM, just because it has a 'diff. And red leather. And a Rover badge)
Cheers!
Agent XXX said:
don't do it. They're s
t.
Reason you can't find many e36 318s is because they've probably all broken and been scrapped.Utterly s**t car.
Definitive. Same story with the compact then? What's wrong with them? Never driven one, just sat inside and the driving position seems to fit me wellt.Reason you can't find many e36 318s is because they've probably all broken and been scrapped.Utterly s**t car.
Gruber said:
gonnagetyoursBenny said:
I'm a touch suspicious of an ad that says full service history and then includes a shot of the history only stamped up to a date 8 years ago, so I'd want to see copies of the rest of the history. I'd want to see evidence of genuine care, rather than just getting done the odds and ends needed to pass a MOT.But if it stacks up in photos etc, and if the seller will provide the missing info and hold the car for you, it might be worth getting a local specialist to go and take a look (Walkers Autotech aren't too far away and Andy knows e36s very well). And then if it's a good'un, get a cheap flight down and enjoy a good road trip home again.
aka_kerrly said:
A reasonable number of 318TIs have now been converted to race in the BMW Compact Cup which is a surprisingly popular series!
Those saying it's a woeful car are being overly harsh, the 318IS in compact or coupe form can certainly be a good bit of fun (certainly more so than a Volvo 850)
I'd describe a 318TI as a RWD Golf mk2 GTI, remember when it comes to the suspension people generally go all soft and say the E30 M3 is the greatest thing ever yet any other BMW variant that shares it's floor pan or bits of it is slated.....
A friend of mine built one of those! Very affordable route to motorsportThose saying it's a woeful car are being overly harsh, the 318IS in compact or coupe form can certainly be a good bit of fun (certainly more so than a Volvo 850)
I'd describe a 318TI as a RWD Golf mk2 GTI, remember when it comes to the suspension people generally go all soft and say the E30 M3 is the greatest thing ever yet any other BMW variant that shares it's floor pan or bits of it is slated.....
MiggyA said:
I would ignore this guy, OP. An vitriolic minority of one. Try one and judge for yourself. I've been running a 318ti for 2 years and while interestingness and fun are subjective, I've had plenty of fun with mine, for what it is (a hatchback) it's more interesting than the average, and as far as reliability I've not had to do anything to it for the past year and it gets used daily.
FWIW i'd definitely get the TI rather than the iS, the extra weight will do the 140 motor no favours as it isn't that torquey, and I seriously doubt the lack of multi link rear suspension will change your experience for the worse.
I don't think there's much movement in weight is there? Both about 1300kg wet?FWIW i'd definitely get the TI rather than the iS, the extra weight will do the 140 motor no favours as it isn't that torquey, and I seriously doubt the lack of multi link rear suspension will change your experience for the worse.
MiggyA said:
I would ignore this guy, OP. An vitriolic minority of one. Try one and judge for yourself. I've been running a 318ti for 2 years and while interestingness and fun are subjective, I've had plenty of fun with mine, for what it is (a hatchback) it's more interesting than the average, and as far as reliability I've not had to do anything to it for the past year and it gets used daily.
FWIW i'd definitely get the TI rather than the iS, the extra weight will do the 140 motor no favours as it isn't that torquey, and I seriously doubt the lack of multi link rear suspension will change your experience for the worse.
I don't think there's much movement in weight is there? Both about 1300kg wet?FWIW i'd definitely get the TI rather than the iS, the extra weight will do the 140 motor no favours as it isn't that torquey, and I seriously doubt the lack of multi link rear suspension will change your experience for the worse.
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