My Bmw dilemma, need advice!
Discussion
Hi guys, I am looking at getting a 320i as my second car! but my problem is I don't know which one to get! an e36 manual coupé is quite rare as iv'e only found a handful and the majority of them aren't in reasonable condition to buy. However, the e46 320 is alot slower i think? but there are alot more of them about and personally i think they look more suited to me than the e36. Throw some advice at me and even suggestions if you like, oh and is it worth looking at an e36 318is?
Thanks
Thanks
E36 318IS really handle well, i think i have on over a 320 E36, it has a revving 16v engine which isnt the normal 318 one and sports suspension which the 320 dosnt have, if you go for an E46 then get the later engine as its a 2.2 with a bit more power, however fuel consumption across the 6 cylinder range is much of a muchness so if insurence isnt an issue try a 325,328 or a 330.
E46 320i is a 2.2 litre 170PS engine, rather than the E36's 2.0 litre 150 and certainly doesn't feel any slower in practice and as has been said, the fuel consumption difference is barely distinguishable.
All E36 coupes had sport suspension so are a touch firmer than the saloons (as with each generation since), only the E36 328i Sport model had M Tech suspension.
All E36 coupes had sport suspension so are a touch firmer than the saloons (as with each generation since), only the E36 328i Sport model had M Tech suspension.
If an E36 318is is anything like an E30 318is (which I own), then it should be a great all-rounder for someone your age. The four cylinder engine should hopefully make it cheaper on insurance, whilst the 16v engine loves to rev and returns good fuel economy (mine regularly returns 30-35 mpg depending on the type of journey).
HTH
HTH
I have an E36 318is. Nothing but praise for it even though it did cost me an unexpected £400 last week....
Good engine & gearbox, good fuel consumption (apparently as I don't bother with that guff!!!) & handles very well.
Got approx 108k miles ok mine & apart from the usual wear & tear on old car which is used every day it hasnt caused me any grief.
It's good for day to day town driving & is just as happy on the motorway - mine undertakes regular trips down to Devon for a long weekend & will cruise up & down the M5 without missing a beat.
Would I buy another one? No. For the simple reason that i have no intention of selling mine.
Would I recommend one to someone else? Yes. Without hesitation.
Good engine & gearbox, good fuel consumption (apparently as I don't bother with that guff!!!) & handles very well.
Got approx 108k miles ok mine & apart from the usual wear & tear on old car which is used every day it hasnt caused me any grief.
It's good for day to day town driving & is just as happy on the motorway - mine undertakes regular trips down to Devon for a long weekend & will cruise up & down the M5 without missing a beat.
Would I buy another one? No. For the simple reason that i have no intention of selling mine.
Would I recommend one to someone else? Yes. Without hesitation.
Boaszay said:
£1500 for a 'P' plate 318is? f
k me. Mine is an 'R' plate 318is & if I did want to sell it i would be lucky to get £1k for it even with full service history & with the factory fitted M Sport body kit fitted.
Not to mention that mine has the original, & correct, wheels fitted whereas the one in the ad has M3 wheels on it!
The 320 in any flavour is disappointing, sounds lovely but really isn't fast and you pay in mpg for the noise. I have had plenty of E30's and E36's and given the choice of a 320 and a 318is, I would go with the 318is (I have had both)
I had a brand new 318is in 98, and whilst it wasn't that playful on dry roads, on wet it was very easy to get the back out. That said, it is just a warm up for the real experience - powerful 6 pot. With the E36 I went 318is, 325i then M3 - which is like the 318is x 20
I had a brand new 318is in 98, and whilst it wasn't that playful on dry roads, on wet it was very easy to get the back out. That said, it is just a warm up for the real experience - powerful 6 pot. With the E36 I went 318is, 325i then M3 - which is like the 318is x 20
Why would you want to put it sideways? If you turn off the traction control you can indeed get it sideways but it's not something that I would either want to do or that I would recommend.
Seems an odd thing to ask tbh.
Most people could get most cars sideways if they tried but it's just not necessary is it?
Ignoring that, the 318is is a very very good car. I love mine & have no intention of letting it go.
Seems an odd thing to ask tbh.
Most people could get most cars sideways if they tried but it's just not necessary is it?
Ignoring that, the 318is is a very very good car. I love mine & have no intention of letting it go.
Boaszay said:
zwolf, what about the 318is? anything good to say about it? that would make me want that over a 320i?
I'd always take the six cylinder as I prefer the engine's character and sound many times over any four, so would be the wrong person to say why a 318iS would be better. An 318iS can and will go happily sideways if you so wish, whether E30 or E36.When I was younger (under 25) there was no difference between insuring a 318iS and a 323i, so the latter is what I had - and still have a huge soft spot for to the extent of buying one again 18 months ago. The wife killed it recently and I'll have another at some point.
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