E36 318ti any other options?

[Sam the Mut]

Fancy something RWD, smallish, 4 seats, under 2litre around the grand mark and not stupid insurance. pretty sure a compact would covers it. can anybody think of anything else thats worth a look?

[SteveS Cup]

Get the 318is. So much better than the compact (I loved my 318ti but the coupe is much nicer)

Few old Volvo's.

Merc 190e?

[Sam the Mut]

Yeh but their just a bit to big.

[swansea v6]

I've just bought a 318ti compact, R reg, mileage is 150,0000 but only cost £450!! Have owned a 325i coupe in the past and of course the compact is no where near as fast but the compact is a really good drive. Costs peanuts to insure, parts are cheap and plentiful and it returns 30mpg day to day and nearer 40 on a run. Go to 318ti.org for all the info you need.

[clonmult]

Sam the Mut said:

Yeh but their just a bit to big.

What, the iS is a bit too big? Its barely any bigger than the Ti, a little more interior space, and surprisingly flexible (folding rear seats on some) for a coupe.

[falkster]

Another vote for a Ti. You can get some nice examples with M tec kit for around £1500. There was a great looking avus blue one on a V plate went for less than your budget.

[300bhp/ton]

Sam the Mut said:

Fancy something RWD, smallish, 4 seats, under 2litre around the grand mark and not stupid insurance. pretty sure a compact would covers it. can anybody think of anything else thats worth a look?

The e36 compact gets a rough ride, but it shouldn't really. It's all e36 from the A pillar forwards and bespoke from there back using e30 rear end suspension. In fact, it's very similar to a z3 or even a Z3 M Coupe in many ways.

Just don't expect it to be a rocket ship, although if you fancy a project there's no reason you couldn't swap in a 2.8 six from a 328i.

[BoRED S2upid]

A compact coming up to winter time is going to be a LOT of fun and will either improve your driving or kill you. Good luck and enjoy I had a 318ti for years a mate still has it but he runs it on winter tyres when the weather changes the girl.

[Turbo Harry]

300bhp/ton said:

The e36 compact gets a rough ride, but it shouldn't really. It's all e36 from the A pillar forwards and bespoke from there back using e30 rear end suspension. In fact, it's very similar to a z3 or even a Z3 M Coupe in many ways.

Just don't expect it to be a rocket ship, although if you fancy a project there's no reason you couldn't swap in a 2.8 six from a 328i.

See here for what can be done with a 318ti!









http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3253796.htm

[SteveS Cup]

I had planned a 328 lump in mine but circumstances changed and I got my realistic dream car instead (TT).

It was a cool car but the inside of the coupe was much nicer.

[gtidriver]

I had a 325ti msport in imola red.It was a great car,and went really well, managed 33mpg most of the time, apparently it was a topgear lifer car,before i got it.Make sure you get the msport as it looks so much better than the se,es spec models.

[Frances The Mute]

The 318ti is a fun little car. Unfortunately, little is the operative word.

The're not as well built as their saloon/coupe brethren which is a bit of a bind. Still, some decent suspension will turn a lively little car into something to really enjoy.
It has a characterful, fizzy lump which enjoys being revved but if you're used to torque, it will be a big step down.

[Sam the Mut]

Frances The Mute said:

The 318ti is a fun little car. Unfortunately, little is the operative word.

The're not as well built as their saloon/coupe brethren which is a bit of a bind. Still, some decent suspension will turn a lively little car into something to really enjoy.
It has a characterful, fizzy lump which enjoys being revved but if you're used to torque, it will be a big step down.

I drive a 1.1 106 a lawn mower has more torque.

[Jw Vw]

Sam the Mut said:

Frances The Mute said:

The 318ti is a fun little car. Unfortunately, little is the operative word.

The're not as well built as their saloon/coupe brethren which is a bit of a bind. Still, some decent suspension will turn a lively little car into something to really enjoy.
It has a characterful, fizzy lump which enjoys being revved but if you're used to torque, it will be a big step down.

I drive a 1.1 106 a lawn mower has more torque.

The 318ti is a cracking car. Snap one up OP.

[SteveS Cup]

I went from a 325 coupe to the 318ti. I actually really liked the engine... Loves to be revved and you can carry a fair amount of speed / throttle through corners (once you've upgraded the suspension!).

[Bill Carr]

Frances The Mute said:

The 318ti is a fun little car. Unfortunately, little is the operative word.

The're not as well built as their saloon/coupe brethren which is a bit of a bind.

I have to say my experience doesn't bear that out - my Compact was tough as old boots. Details of my history are in my profile. I appreciate that everyone's is different though I honestly couldn't fault mine in the years I owned it. Most solid-feeling car I've owned, on reflection.

The boot is plenty capacious and a bit more useful than the saloon/coupe if, like me, you often have large items to lug around (no, not passengers).

I think the Compact is a decent little car, often maligned unjustly. It certainly makes sense as a used purchase at this stage in its life compared to e.g. a Focus/Astra/Megane or similar competitors from the same era.

[Melvin Udall]

SteveS Cup said:

Merc 190e?

Regret selling mine. Despite only being a 2.0, it was a lovely car to drive!

[MagicalTrevor]

I really fancy a 318Ti as a track car with eventual possibilities for the BMW Compact Cup.

If I can get a reasonable condition one for less than £800 then I'd be happy

[SteveS Cup]

Melvin Udall said:

Regret selling mine. Despite only being a 2.0, it was a lovely car to drive!

My brother had a 2.6 one with the Zender (I think) kit which actually looked good! It went well and handled very well.