E46 320i and 318i

[5pen]

I'm off to test drive a couple of cars on Saturday - lined up already are a '53 plate 320i and an '04 318i. The 320i is priced at about £1500 more.

I've always been a bit wary of 318s as being a bit underpowered, but was that true of the later 2 litre ones such as the one I'll be looking at?

I quite like the idea of the straight-six, but for what I'm going to be using it for (my main motor, but I only do about 7k miles per year) does it offer a worthwile benefit over the 318 considering it's older and more expensive?

Experiences of owners past and present are most welcome...

[soprano]

given a choice i would always go with the 6cyl

[B3Svert]

An 04 318 will be the 2.0 16v valvetronic with 143bhp & 148ft lb. It's quite a bit more economical than the 2.2L 6cyl which has 170bhp & 155ft lb. I used to average 34-37mpg in my 318ci and gave it a lot of beans. Sensible driving would improve it apparently.

[Mustard]

318i is a noisy and gutless

320i spins its little heart out but gets no where (works well in a Z3 or Z4 but too much weight with a 3er)

My advice would be go for a 325i does more mpg and nicer drive... much more torquey and I believe higher geared (waits for someone to say you might aswell have a 330i! lol)

[anythingcars]

I've recently acquired a 320Ci (2.2 6cyl) and i think it's lovely to drive, not "fast" but certainly goes well enough for a bit of fun, and generally is nice to drive about in on either motorway or A/B roads....

I have driven a few 318's and i personally think it's a big difference to the 320 and would go for this everyday over the 318...

Re above comment on the 325i - definitely agree it's better then the 320 but as he said himself you really may as well just go for the 330 as i find the 325's are quite hard to come by so your choice of good ones is limited, where as there seems to be a lot of 320's and 330's about - and as you say you only do 7k a year, why not just go for the 330 on a limited mileage policy?? Shouldn't be too much more to run really (except tax....)

I'd always just recommend you try them all though, then only you have to decide as it's hard to take advice without knowing yourself and forming your own opinion :-)

HTH anyway, Nick.

[5pen]

Thanks everyone for replying. I know I'd like the 320, I was perhaps hoping someone might tell me that the later 318s were ok and a better value option. Not sure I can stretch to a 330i but it's got me thinking...

Thanks again and keep 'em coming.

[Dino D]

For 7k miles a year just get the big engine and enjoy!
The fuel saving isn't going to be that big so it makes sense financially. Besides, the 325/330 can be very economical if driven well when commuting.