E36 coupe, 318i or 323i?
Discussion
Afternoon all,
I'm currently trying to decide between these two on the basis of economy vs performance (head vs heart
)
My daily drive to work is about 26 miles each way, 10 of which are on the motorway the rest a mix between A/B roads and queuing in traffic. Is there much difference between the two running costs wise? And what sort of range can you get out of a tank of petrol (I'd hate to have to fill more than once a week)?
I'm going to look at one of each tomorrow, around the £2000-£2500 price range, both of which are around 100,000 miles. I assume provided the service history is good, that sort of mileage is not a problem and it should last me a good few years yet? Anything else one should look out for besides the normal stuff?
cheers
I'm currently trying to decide between these two on the basis of economy vs performance (head vs heart
) My daily drive to work is about 26 miles each way, 10 of which are on the motorway the rest a mix between A/B roads and queuing in traffic. Is there much difference between the two running costs wise? And what sort of range can you get out of a tank of petrol (I'd hate to have to fill more than once a week)?
I'm going to look at one of each tomorrow, around the £2000-£2500 price range, both of which are around 100,000 miles. I assume provided the service history is good, that sort of mileage is not a problem and it should last me a good few years yet? Anything else one should look out for besides the normal stuff?
cheers
I had a 1996 318is on a P reg. This goes against all that is said about them but I really didnt like it. It was my second car, after a 2.0 16v calibra and it was soooooooooo slow.
on reflection it was the wrong car for me at that time, I had my eye on scoobs ect! it was a good steer but I just couldnt get over the lack of power.
on reflection it was the wrong car for me at that time, I had my eye on scoobs ect! it was a good steer but I just couldnt get over the lack of power.
Our 323 easily does 35mpg on a 75-80mph motorway run. Can't imagine a 318 doing any better. Couldn't get a 328 to manage better than 30 on the same run.
I also don't think that the 323 is pointless - You'll get a better one for the same money than a 328 and only loose a small amount of power.
It's also likely to have had an easier life as it wont have been bought as a performance car or by some young chav who wishes that his 318 is an M3 and driving it accordingly.
I also don't think that the 323 is pointless - You'll get a better one for the same money than a 328 and only loose a small amount of power.
It's also likely to have had an easier life as it wont have been bought as a performance car or by some young chav who wishes that his 318 is an M3 and driving it accordingly.
Thanks for the comments all!
Hadn't considered a 328 to be honest as I assumed it would be a bit too thirsty, especially as I tend to have a bit of a lead foot I'd rather be able to keep it on the right side of 30mpg without having to drive like a total saint. Price wise if I drop the budget to below £2000, all the coupes round my parts have done mega mileage which I'm not too keen on.
I'll give them (318 & 323) a go tomorrow and see how it goes
Regarding the Nikasil issue, would a 1998 "R" reg 323 be effected or not? How does one tell?
Hadn't considered a 328 to be honest as I assumed it would be a bit too thirsty, especially as I tend to have a bit of a lead foot
I'd rather be able to keep it on the right side of 30mpg without having to drive like a total saint. Price wise if I drop the budget to below £2000, all the coupes round my parts have done mega mileage which I'm not too keen on.I'll give them (318 & 323) a go tomorrow and see how it goes
Regarding the Nikasil issue, would a 1998 "R" reg 323 be effected or not? How does one tell?
rottie102 said:
318i is the worst choice of them all.
Bad fuel consumption and even worse performance.
If you can afford the insurance go for 328i, it's about HOW you drive it and not how big the engine is. All 6 cylinder BMW engines are using similar amount of fuel...
On the contrary imo. The 318is serves its purpose well and the revvy 4 pot with it's lighter front end makes for a relatively interesting drive. I've found that it takes a few chassis mods to the 6 pots in order to get that 'direct' feeling that the 318is possesses out of the box.Bad fuel consumption and even worse performance.
If you can afford the insurance go for 328i, it's about HOW you drive it and not how big the engine is. All 6 cylinder BMW engines are using similar amount of fuel...
The 320i is quite possibly the worst option from the range as it has the weight of the six pot with only 150bhp to push itself along. I had an early non vanos one back in the day and it was no performer but it did sound glorious.
The 323i is a capable car and can be picked up cheaply (take heed of the oil hungry nikasil blocks though) and returns respectable mpg with relative performance but I agree that the 328i makes for the best all rounder in terms of performance/economy. On the run the 6 pots will easily get you 30mpg with the benefit of extra torque but I imagine the 318 to be more frugal in urban conditions.
My old 328i auto was a workhorse and I used to sit in 11 miles of rush hour traffic across London everday and I still managed to average over 20mpg. The long gearing on the auto would see an easy 35mpg on the run and was effortless in doing so.
I'd grab a few insurance quotes for the 328 as there probably won't be hugely different from the 318is.
Edited by wpo750 on Sunday 7th December 02:09
wpo750 said:
rottie102 said:
318i is the worst choice of them all.
Bad fuel consumption and even worse performance.
If you can afford the insurance go for 328i, it's about HOW you drive it and not how big the engine is. All 6 cylinder BMW engines are using similar amount of fuel...
On the contrary imo. The 328is serves its purpose well and the revvy 4 pot with it's lighter front end makes for a relatively interesting drive. I've found that it takes a few chassis mods to the 6 pots in order to get that 'direct' feeling that the 318is possesses out of the box.Bad fuel consumption and even worse performance.
If you can afford the insurance go for 328i, it's about HOW you drive it and not how big the engine is. All 6 cylinder BMW engines are using similar amount of fuel...
The 320i is quite possibly the worst option from the range as it has the weight of the six pot with only 150bhp to push itself along. I had an early non vanos one back in the day and it was no performer but it did sound glorious.
The 323i is a capable car and can be picked up cheaply (take heed of the oil hungry nikasil blocks though) and returns respectable mpg with relative performance but I agree that the 328i makes for the best all rounder in terms of performance/economy. On the run the 6 pots will easily get you 30mpg with the benefit of extra torque but I imagine the 318 to be more frugal in urban conditions.
My old 328i auto was a workhorse and I used to sit in 11 miles of rush hour traffic across London everday and I still managed to average over 20mpg. The long gearing on the auto would see an easy 35mpg on the run and was effortless in doing so.
I'd grab a few insurance quotes for the 328 as there probably won't be hugely different from the 318is.
But anyway, even if 318is will save you few pounds, the difference in fun and performance is huge and as mentioned earlier - 328 is also good for economical driving...
I think the main difference between E36 323's and 328's now is that it's harder to find un-butchered 328's. Whilst I was looking for mine, it was far easier to find 323's that were in good condition, the 328 seems to attract the inevitable wannabe bay-racers whom fail to look after it and but s
te accessories on. The 323 isn't immune, but they do seem less susceptible.
Saying that, there are 328's in good condition out there, and it's more a question of perseverance, if you're not in a hurry you'll find one and it'll be well worth the extra effort. As said above, there's no real advantage to a 323, economy and the amount they fetch now are the same.
te accessories on. The 323 isn't immune, but they do seem less susceptible.Saying that, there are 328's in good condition out there, and it's more a question of perseverance, if you're not in a hurry you'll find one and it'll be well worth the extra effort. As said above, there's no real advantage to a 323, economy and the amount they fetch now are the same.
Annoyingly the 323i was sold this morning so didn't get a chance to see it!
Had a look and a drive of the 318is which I have to say was lovely apart from one big flaw; it felt too slow really Other than that it handled great was fully loaded with half leather, climate control, M sport alloys etc. Full service history was also a bonus, with mainly Dick Lovett stamps.
There was also a stange hissing noise from behind the dash somewhere which increased with engine rpm. The dealer reckoned it was normal but personally I think it would drive me nuts if that's the case?!?
So, the search is on for a 6 pot coupe
Had a look and a drive of the 318is which I have to say was lovely apart from one big flaw; it felt too slow really
Other than that it handled great was fully loaded with half leather, climate control, M sport alloys etc. Full service history was also a bonus, with mainly Dick Lovett stamps.There was also a stange hissing noise from behind the dash somewhere which increased with engine rpm. The dealer reckoned it was normal but personally I think it would drive me nuts if that's the case?!?
So, the search is on for a 6 pot coupe
Good stuff!
I'd genuinely recommend you take a drive in a 328i. I had one before my most recent M3, and until you start getting to silly speeds they're pretty quick, but even driving mine round London could still get good economy, and 35mpg on motorway trips.
Just check insurance costs as well.
I'd genuinely recommend you take a drive in a 328i. I had one before my most recent M3, and until you start getting to silly speeds they're pretty quick, but even driving mine round London could still get good economy, and 35mpg on motorway trips.
Just check insurance costs as well.
What are the point of these variants of the cars if they are, near as makes no difference using the same amount of fuel as higher variant models such as the E36 328 and E39 528, cost the same to service but don't quite have the same power? Not at all saying they are bad cars, just failing to see the point.
I guess the only "problem" with the 318iS is that it only starts to get moving with a good few thousand rpm on the clock. Get it past about 4k, and it just zings up to the redline.
Main advantage with the 318iS over the 6's is that its rarely got enough power to get you into major trouble in the dry - I really did try like a loonatic with mine to get the backend out - it just hung on like a demon, absolutely fantastic fun!
Economy, servicing, insurance will all be slightly cheaper with the M44 unit than the 6's, depends on what you want out of the car though and how tight the finances are.
Main advantage with the 318iS over the 6's is that its rarely got enough power to get you into major trouble in the dry - I really did try like a loonatic with mine to get the backend out - it just hung on like a demon, absolutely fantastic fun!
Economy, servicing, insurance will all be slightly cheaper with the M44 unit than the 6's, depends on what you want out of the car though and how tight the finances are.
clonmult said:
Main advantage with the 318iS over the 6's is that its rarely got enough power to get you into major trouble in the dry - I really did try like a loonatic with mine to get the backend out - it just hung on like a demon, absolutely fantastic fun!
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