95/96 e36 318is coupe as daily driver
Discussion
Great little cars, I've been running one close on a year (99/T plate). It hasn't missed a beat in that time. Wouldn't say its amazing on fuel (30 around town, 34 on the longer run to work), but probably better than the 316i and the 6 cylinder models. Although by all accounts a 328 could get close on economy.
Its relaxed pottering around town, ride is quite good, and the chassis is great for hooning around
I'd suggest trying to find one with anything other than the standard 15" wheels though - thats the one area where mine just doesn't look right.
One thing I have noticed of late is that there seems to be a huge number of 318iS on the road - seems that every E36 coupe I see is the 1.8!
Its definitely worth going over to the e36coupe forums for more info though.
Its relaxed pottering around town, ride is quite good, and the chassis is great for hooning around
I'd suggest trying to find one with anything other than the standard 15" wheels though - thats the one area where mine just doesn't look right.One thing I have noticed of late is that there seems to be a huge number of 318iS on the road - seems that every E36 coupe I see is the 1.8!
Its definitely worth going over to the e36coupe forums for more info though.
I had a 318is coupe for two and half years. (99 T plate) Was a nice car. Bit on the thirsty side, loved to rev high and was quicker than it actually feels.
Only things that stopped working on mine were, stacker in the boot. Volume knob on the stereo and I broke the differential also.
(Purchased with 56k, sold with 80k)
Only things that stopped working on mine were, stacker in the boot. Volume knob on the stereo and I broke the differential also.
(Purchased with 56k, sold with 80k)
cant really do a 328 although i would like to , for insurance reasons. high crime postcode, me being quite young and no driveway/garage means my 2.5 v6 is milking me!
thanks to all for your info on this.
i think an IS is the way i will go. will do some more reading up on it.
clonmult your info is very helpful, decent mpg figures as i have read elsewhere. also as my current daily driver gives me about 25mpg combined!
thanks to all for your info on this.
i think an IS is the way i will go. will do some more reading up on it.
clonmult your info is very helpful, decent mpg figures as i have read elsewhere. also as my current daily driver gives me about 25mpg combined!
Mine is a '99 T, specced brand new by me and owned to this very day. It's nearly nine years old and I can't part with it. My brother was going to buy it off me at one point but the thought of selling it made me feel physically unwell. He got fed up of waiting for me to find a sensible insurance quote on the 840Ci Sport I was interested in and backed-out of the deal. I was secretly glad. Mine is a pretty unique example - Sports pack, full leather, lots of extras and only 39k miles on the clock! I was only getting 24mpg, probably due to mostly short, urban journeys, but that went up to 28mpg when I switched to Optimax (now V-Power) and I get 40mpg on A roads and have managed to stretch it to 50mpg on motorways. The upsides are just about everything - relative economy, low running costs, chuckability (it's 14kgs lighter than a Lotus Esprit GT3!). The only real downside is the lack of low-end grunt - use the engine properly or a Bimbette in a Corsa will p3wn you at the lights!
I drive a 318iS coupe as my daily / runabout car and it's great! It's a nice place to be, has all the "mod cons" climate, phone port, leather etc. etc. I can confirm it drives well, it's not the fastest car in the world but handles nicely.
Mines a 1994 L plate, in metallic red with light beige leather interior.
Mines a 1994 L plate, in metallic red with light beige leather interior.
One interesting thing on the economy (and performance) that has intrigued me on mine.
It revved incredibly freely when I first bought it, and I could get just over 40mpg on a long run (250 miles, Basingstoke to Blackpool, doing circa 80 most of the way).
After an Inspection I, the engine was smoother, but has felt a lot tighter. Doesn't have quite the same pull, and economy on the same long run dropped to about 34.
It revved incredibly freely when I first bought it, and I could get just over 40mpg on a long run (250 miles, Basingstoke to Blackpool, doing circa 80 most of the way).
After an Inspection I, the engine was smoother, but has felt a lot tighter. Doesn't have quite the same pull, and economy on the same long run dropped to about 34.
Have a 95 with 210 on the clock as a daily, also tracked a couple of times a year. White, cloth interior, mtech suspension (now upgraded to Bilstein) 15" wheels, tinted windows. Very country spec car.
Couple of things starting to play up, but most are basic wear and tear stuff, and caused by a minor accident (bent strut, broken engine mount). Never left me stranded or anything. Oil and filter change every 5000miles
Never let me down. Do a lot of long distance country driving and have seen very good fuel economy on those trips.
Getting rid of it soon though. Just want a change. 2.5 years is the longest I've ever held onto a car and want a change.
Couple of things starting to play up, but most are basic wear and tear stuff, and caused by a minor accident (bent strut, broken engine mount). Never left me stranded or anything. Oil and filter change every 5000miles
Never let me down. Do a lot of long distance country driving and have seen very good fuel economy on those trips.
Getting rid of it soon though. Just want a change. 2.5 years is the longest I've ever held onto a car and want a change.
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