BMW e36 318is - opinion?
Discussion
I have tonight just picked up my new track hack - as above ^^^
Anyone had one on track before and what did you think?
Maybe should have done a little research before I bought the car but you have to strike whilst the iron is hot and I have it now. Might be at Goodwood next Friday so I will let you know
Anyone had one on track before and what did you think?
Maybe should have done a little research before I bought the car but you have to strike whilst the iron is hot and I have it now. Might be at Goodwood next Friday so I will let you know
I've got a 4-door e36 318is which I use everyday - I picked it up as a cheap runaround and I actually really like it - it's surprisingly good and handles nicely. I'll probably use it for the odd track day when I want to take passengers out (I have an e30 track car but that only has 1 seat).
I think the key is not to get carried away - it's quite a good fun little road car but its never going to be a brilliant or fast track car as it's heavy and underpowered. You could spend a LOT of money trying to turn it into a track car and still end up with a car which isn't that quick on track and is horrible to drive on the road. I plan to just stick some decent pads and fluid on it, run it on cheap durable tyres and have some fun with it.
HTH.
I think the key is not to get carried away - it's quite a good fun little road car but its never going to be a brilliant or fast track car as it's heavy and underpowered. You could spend a LOT of money trying to turn it into a track car and still end up with a car which isn't that quick on track and is horrible to drive on the road. I plan to just stick some decent pads and fluid on it, run it on cheap durable tyres and have some fun with it.
HTH.
Hiya fella,
I had 318is for 5 years, good solid car, cheap to run and service. I never tracked the car.
They used to call the 318is the mini M3 due to the mtec suspension as std, also the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving. The arches are rolled as STD, not sure if you know this or not. TBH I would prob make a great track car.
What year is is the car as there are 2 types of engines, the M42 and M44 (M44 having more torque), also I believe the later had a LSD.
I had 318is for 5 years, good solid car, cheap to run and service. I never tracked the car.
They used to call the 318is the mini M3 due to the mtec suspension as std, also the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving. The arches are rolled as STD, not sure if you know this or not. TBH I would prob make a great track car.
What year is is the car as there are 2 types of engines, the M42 and M44 (M44 having more torque), also I believe the later had a LSD.
Edited by sonny.j.h on Thursday 19th August 23:24
sonny.j.h said:
Hiya fella,
I had 318is for 5 years, good solid car, cheap to run and service. I never tracked the car.
They used to call the 318is the mini M3 due to the mtec suspension as std, also the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving. The arches are rolled as STD, not sure if you know this or not. TBH I would prob make a great track car.
What year is is the car as there are 2 types of engines, the M42 and M44 (M44 having more torque), also I believe the later had a LSD.
Is that right? I didn't think they all had mtec and I'd be surprised if mine had lighter glass as it weighs a shed load! Not sure about the LSD as it hasn't got enough power to really need it! Mine's a 98R 4 door with an M44. Nice engine. I had 318is for 5 years, good solid car, cheap to run and service. I never tracked the car.
They used to call the 318is the mini M3 due to the mtec suspension as std, also the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving. The arches are rolled as STD, not sure if you know this or not. TBH I would prob make a great track car.
What year is is the car as there are 2 types of engines, the M42 and M44 (M44 having more torque), also I believe the later had a LSD.
Edited by sonny.j.h on Thursday 19th August 23:24
As far as I know it was the E30 318is that got the mtec bits as standard with the bigger struts and brakes from the 325i sport, not sure about lightweight glass though. Slipper was an option.
E36 318is will be a giggle on the track - certainly not the quickest but with a few, cheap mods you'll have lots of rwd fun!
E36 318is will be a giggle on the track - certainly not the quickest but with a few, cheap mods you'll have lots of rwd fun!
I'm picking up a 1993 E36 320 Saloon tomorrow, £200 for the car, £300 to get it through the MOT and have a budget of £500 left. Have found some cheap coilovers(£190 - yes i know they'll be s
t, but better than the 17 year old stuff on there at the moment), Mtec brake discs(£160), EBC Green Stuff Pads, 5.1dot fluid, Strut Brace and it'll be ready to hit the track.
Oh i forgot that its an Auto so need to convert it to manual at some point, that'll be an interesting job.
I hope it'll make an awesome track car, I know its massively underpowered, but strip it out and it should make for some RWD goodness.
t, but better than the 17 year old stuff on there at the moment), Mtec brake discs(£160), EBC Green Stuff Pads, 5.1dot fluid, Strut Brace and it'll be ready to hit the track.Oh i forgot that its an Auto so need to convert it to manual at some point, that'll be an interesting job.
I hope it'll make an awesome track car, I know its massively underpowered, but strip it out and it should make for some RWD goodness.
Edited by Gillet on Friday 20th August 09:59
Gillet said:
I'm picking up a 1993 E36 320 Saloon tomorrow, £200 for the car, £300 to get it through the MOT and have a budget of £500 left. Have found some cheap coilovers(£190 - yes i know they'll be st, but better than the 17 year old stuff on there at the moment), Mtec brake discs(£160), EBC Green Stuff Pads, 5.1dot fluid, Strut Brace and it'll be ready to hit the track.
Oh i forgot that its an Auto so need to convert it to manual at some point, that'll be an interesting job.
I hope it'll make an awesome track car, I know its massively underpowered, but strip it out and it should make for some RWD goodness.
You might want to upgrade those to Red Stuffs which I found stood up a lot better to fast-road and trackday use than the chocolate-alike Green Stuff pads. t, but better than the 17 year old stuff on there at the moment), Mtec brake discs(£160), EBC Green Stuff Pads, 5.1dot fluid, Strut Brace and it'll be ready to hit the track.Oh i forgot that its an Auto so need to convert it to manual at some point, that'll be an interesting job.
I hope it'll make an awesome track car, I know its massively underpowered, but strip it out and it should make for some RWD goodness.
Edited by Gillet on Friday 20th August 09:59
I have driven both the E30 and the E36 318is on tracks and they are both great track cars. Get fresh fully synth oil and new recommended spec. coolant in the car and go have some fun. The E36 is a well balanced, agile car. They can be driven in nice controlled 4 wheel drifts, or fairly lairy (fun and slow) oversteer. Drivetrains are tough, you will find out the weak points on your own particular car after a couple of track days, but get the engine freshly serviced and it should survive a long time. I had a 1992 E36 318is which I used to drive when the engine bouncing against the limiter in top gear for tank after tank of petrol. A good friend of mine simply upped the rev limit of his 318is to 8000rpm and did hundreds of laps of the Nurburgring with the thing sounding and feeling like it was about to explode, which it finally did.
For brakes, look what production based racers are using and copy them, usually a pad change will do the trick, but it depends on the track you drive.
Don't let anyone dis your car either, anyone who thinks you need 6 cylinders to go quickly isn't worth listening to.
For brakes, look what production based racers are using and copy them, usually a pad change will do the trick, but it depends on the track you drive.
Don't let anyone dis your car either, anyone who thinks you need 6 cylinders to go quickly isn't worth listening to.
sniff diesel said:
sonny.j.h said:
the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving.
Not true I'm afraid. Don't know where you heard that but it's a new one on me.sonny.j.h said:
sniff diesel said:
sonny.j.h said:
the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving.
Not true I'm afraid. Don't know where you heard that but it's a new one on me.I run an e36 318iS as a track car.
Few points:
- The e36 318iS does not have thinner glass.
- No e36 318iS (M42/M44) came with an LSD as standard, it is an extremely rare option on both.
It is a great car on the track. There is a lot of interior and sound deadening that can be removed to get the weight down.
The brakes are good, as the e36 coupe shares brakes across the range from 318iS to 328i. I use stock pads, but I understand that EBC Red stuff pads are good on track with this car.
I have changed the ECU chip in mine (you don't need to remap the M42 engine) which cost me £30 from a US eBay seller. It has raised the rev limit from 6,400 to 6,800rpm (the engine is supposedly safe up to 7,200), and given it a bit more oomph across the rev range. I know that 'eBay chips' deservedly carry a lot of stigma, but it is really worth doing on the M42 IMO if you can find a reputable supplier.
I have also fitted Spax RSX coilovers to replace the worn dampers, although ran it as stock for a while.
I'll be at Bedford next Saturday in it
Few points:
- The e36 318iS does not have thinner glass.
- No e36 318iS (M42/M44) came with an LSD as standard, it is an extremely rare option on both.
It is a great car on the track. There is a lot of interior and sound deadening that can be removed to get the weight down.
The brakes are good, as the e36 coupe shares brakes across the range from 318iS to 328i. I use stock pads, but I understand that EBC Red stuff pads are good on track with this car.
I have changed the ECU chip in mine (you don't need to remap the M42 engine) which cost me £30 from a US eBay seller. It has raised the rev limit from 6,400 to 6,800rpm (the engine is supposedly safe up to 7,200), and given it a bit more oomph across the rev range. I know that 'eBay chips' deservedly carry a lot of stigma, but it is really worth doing on the M42 IMO if you can find a reputable supplier.
I have also fitted Spax RSX coilovers to replace the worn dampers, although ran it as stock for a while.
I'll be at Bedford next Saturday in it
sonny.j.h said:
Hiya fella,
I had 318is for 5 years, good solid car, cheap to run and service. I never tracked the car.
They used to call the 318is the mini M3 due to the mtec suspension as std, also the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving. The arches are rolled as STD, not sure if you know this or not. TBH I would prob make a great track car.
What year is is the car as there are 2 types of engines, the M42 and M44 (M44 having more torque), also I believe the later had a LSD.
i havent seen such a load of old bollo* in a long time.I had 318is for 5 years, good solid car, cheap to run and service. I never tracked the car.
They used to call the 318is the mini M3 due to the mtec suspension as std, also the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving. The arches are rolled as STD, not sure if you know this or not. TBH I would prob make a great track car.
What year is is the car as there are 2 types of engines, the M42 and M44 (M44 having more torque), also I believe the later had a LSD.
Edited by sonny.j.h on Thursday 19th August 23:24
thinner glass = no
lsd = no
mini m3 = well im still picking myself up off the floor
seriously mate you really should check your facts before posting information like this - people come on here for advice etc, and if they read your post they might then make decisions based on a load of old cobblers.
Wayne I'll be at Goodwood 27th if thats the one you mean? in something simarly underpowered (well a bit more power) & German so could have some fun
Sim on Northloop has a 318is he keeps at ring, ex racer, not a mega spec think its on spax coilies, stripped caged, has coped with a massive amount of laps 200+ I think literally zero having gone wrong, think its been just 1 wheel bearing & it hardly wears tyres at all.
Sim on Northloop has a 318is he keeps at ring, ex racer, not a mega spec think its on spax coilies, stripped caged, has coped with a massive amount of laps 200+ I think literally zero having gone wrong, think its been just 1 wheel bearing & it hardly wears tyres at all.
BountyHunter said:
sonny.j.h said:
Hiya fella,
I had 318is for 5 years, good solid car, cheap to run and service. I never tracked the car.
They used to call the 318is the mini M3 due to the mtec suspension as std, also the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving. The arches are rolled as STD, not sure if you know this or not. TBH I would prob make a great track car.
What year is is the car as there are 2 types of engines, the M42 and M44 (M44 having more torque), also I believe the later had a LSD.
i havent seen such a load of old bollo* in a long time.I had 318is for 5 years, good solid car, cheap to run and service. I never tracked the car.
They used to call the 318is the mini M3 due to the mtec suspension as std, also the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving. The arches are rolled as STD, not sure if you know this or not. TBH I would prob make a great track car.
What year is is the car as there are 2 types of engines, the M42 and M44 (M44 having more torque), also I believe the later had a LSD.
Edited by sonny.j.h on Thursday 19th August 23:24
thinner glass = no
lsd = no
mini m3 = well im still picking myself up off the floor
seriously mate you really should check your facts before posting information like this - people come on here for advice etc, and if they read your post they might then make decisions based on a load of old cobblers.
BountyHunter said:
sonny.j.h said:
Hiya fella,
I had 318is for 5 years, good solid car, cheap to run and service. I never tracked the car.
They used to call the 318is the mini M3 due to the mtec suspension as std, also the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving. The arches are rolled as STD, not sure if you know this or not. TBH I would prob make a great track car.
What year is is the car as there are 2 types of engines, the M42 and M44 (M44 having more torque), also I believe the later had a LSD.
i havent seen such a load of old bollo* in a long time.I had 318is for 5 years, good solid car, cheap to run and service. I never tracked the car.
They used to call the 318is the mini M3 due to the mtec suspension as std, also the car benefits from lighter glass (25% thinner) to maintain weight saving. The arches are rolled as STD, not sure if you know this or not. TBH I would prob make a great track car.
What year is is the car as there are 2 types of engines, the M42 and M44 (M44 having more torque), also I believe the later had a LSD.
Edited by sonny.j.h on Thursday 19th August 23:24
thinner glass = no
lsd = no
mini m3 = well im still picking myself up off the floor
seriously mate you really should check your facts before posting information like this - people come on here for advice etc, and if they read your post they might then make decisions based on a load of old cobblers.
OK so the LSD was a "OPTION" some models.
iguana said:
Wayne I'll be at Goodwood 27th if thats the one you mean? in something simarly underpowered (well a bit more power) & German so could have some fun
Sim on Northloop has a 318is he keeps at ring, ex racer, not a mega spec think its on spax coilies, stripped caged, has coped with a massive amount of laps 200+ I think literally zero having gone wrong, think its been just 1 wheel bearing & it hardly wears tyres at all.
I look forward to meeting you sir Sim on Northloop has a 318is he keeps at ring, ex racer, not a mega spec think its on spax coilies, stripped caged, has coped with a massive amount of laps 200+ I think literally zero having gone wrong, think its been just 1 wheel bearing & it hardly wears tyres at all.
and indeed, let the entertainment commence 
NickXX said:
I run an e36 318iS as a track car.
It is a great car on the track. There is a lot of interior and sound deadening that can be removed to get the weight down.
The brakes are good, as the e36 coupe shares brakes across the range from 318iS to 328i. I use stock pads, but I understand that EBC Red stuff pads are good on track with this car.
I have changed the ECU chip in mine (you don't need to remap the M42 engine) which cost me £30 from a US eBay seller. It has raised the rev limit from 6,400 to 6,800rpm (the engine is supposedly safe up to 7,200), and given it a bit more oomph across the rev range. I know that 'eBay chips' deservedly carry a lot of stigma, but it is really worth doing on the M42 IMO if you can find a reputable supplier.
I have also fitted Spax RSX coilovers to replace the worn dampers, although ran it as stock for a while.
I'll be at Bedford next Saturday in it
Thanks, that is what I needed to know really.It is a great car on the track. There is a lot of interior and sound deadening that can be removed to get the weight down.
The brakes are good, as the e36 coupe shares brakes across the range from 318iS to 328i. I use stock pads, but I understand that EBC Red stuff pads are good on track with this car.
I have changed the ECU chip in mine (you don't need to remap the M42 engine) which cost me £30 from a US eBay seller. It has raised the rev limit from 6,400 to 6,800rpm (the engine is supposedly safe up to 7,200), and given it a bit more oomph across the rev range. I know that 'eBay chips' deservedly carry a lot of stigma, but it is really worth doing on the M42 IMO if you can find a reputable supplier.
I have also fitted Spax RSX coilovers to replace the worn dampers, although ran it as stock for a while.
I'll be at Bedford next Saturday in it
I have an LSD from the previous track dog but haven't the time to fit it before tomorrow.
I will see how it goes and decide whether to fit the coil overs after tomorrows foray.
The chip is something that I was interested in for my 325i but just never got around to it. Where did you get yours from?
Have a good one at Bedford and thanks for the info.
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff