Help- BMW E36 318i or 320i?
Discussion
318iS will be better than both - probably faster than the 320, and better on fuel than either.
The standard 318i isn't worth bothering with, the engine is just way too down on power.
325 or 328 will muller them all, and be about as good on fuel (insurance costs aren't that different iirc)
Are you thinking of saloon or coupe?
The standard 318i isn't worth bothering with, the engine is just way too down on power.
325 or 328 will muller them all, and be about as good on fuel (insurance costs aren't that different iirc)
Are you thinking of saloon or coupe?
clonmult said:
318iS will be better than both - probably faster than the 320, and better on fuel than either.
The standard 318i isn't worth bothering with, the engine is just way too down on power.
325 or 328 will muller them all, and be about as good on fuel (insurance costs aren't that different iirc)
Are you thinking of saloon or coupe?
What is the difference with the iS and the 318? Is it just a newer engine design?The standard 318i isn't worth bothering with, the engine is just way too down on power.
325 or 328 will muller them all, and be about as good on fuel (insurance costs aren't that different iirc)
Are you thinking of saloon or coupe?
the e36 320i (post 94'as it has VANOS) is way quicker than it has any right to be or any pub top trump player would have you believe.
had one for 100,000 miles and loved it for every mile. A stright 6 will take some beeting and you will smile every day.
325 and 328 will not actually drink much more if they are driven in the same manner.
happy shopping
had one for 100,000 miles and loved it for every mile. A stright 6 will take some beeting and you will smile every day.
325 and 328 will not actually drink much more if they are driven in the same manner.
happy shopping
DannyVTS said:
What is the difference with the iS and the 318? Is it just a newer engine design?
I think the 318i has the older 8V engine, less power - 115bhp.The 318iS had the newer 16V engine, 140bhp. Much better engine.
Regarding the initial question, if I'm genuinely honest, I'd say neither. The standard 318i is slow, lacking power and the constant revving to get it to go anywhere offsets the apparent benefit in economy/mpg.
The 320i isn't 'that' much quicker, but you get a lovely straight six that sounds great. Economy is a touch worse.
As mentioned above, the 325i and 328i are only slightly worse economy wise over the 320i but the difference in pace i quite significant, especially in '28 form.
My advice: 318iS or 325/328i.
To answer your original question, a 320i would be a better bet than a 318i. Smoother, makes a better noise, faster.
If you're looking at coupes, you won't get a 318i, only a 318is. 318is is 140bhp, 320i is 150bhp. Personally speaking I'd take a 320i over a 318is too but that's just my preference.
E36s are getting pretty old now so there's a good chance it will come down to buying on condition rather than engine size.
If you're looking at coupes, you won't get a 318i, only a 318is. 318is is 140bhp, 320i is 150bhp. Personally speaking I'd take a 320i over a 318is too but that's just my preference.
E36s are getting pretty old now so there's a good chance it will come down to buying on condition rather than engine size.
Mtech25 said:
Definatly in coupe form,but if the right saloon comes along cheaper than I'll happily take that.
how many mpg am i looking at for the 318is vs the 323 or 325?
I'm assuming manual?how many mpg am i looking at for the 318is vs the 323 or 325?
My auto '25 would do 32ish on a motorway run. I always felt the final gear left the car revving too high at 75-80mph. Town economy was poor.
My manual '28 would do 34-36 on a motorway run. Town economy was superior to the '. I'd expect the 323i (2.5 litre, 170bhp) to be even better.
Overall, the '28 was a the more economical and quicker car versus the '25.
jamesson said:
To answer your original question, a 320i would be a better bet than a 318i. Smoother, makes a better noise, faster.
If you're looking at coupes, you won't get a 318i, only a 318is. 318is is 140bhp, 320i is 150bhp. Personally speaking I'd take a 320i over a 318is too but that's just my preference.
E36s are getting pretty old now so there's a good chance it will come down to buying on condition rather than engine size.
I think there are some 318iS saloons out there, but they are quite rare.If you're looking at coupes, you won't get a 318i, only a 318is. 318is is 140bhp, 320i is 150bhp. Personally speaking I'd take a 320i over a 318is too but that's just my preference.
E36s are getting pretty old now so there's a good chance it will come down to buying on condition rather than engine size.
Agreed with the statement about condition. Many E36s have fallen into the hands of 'rude boi wikid modderz'. Be wary of rust - rear arches being the main culprit.
I have quite a nice e36 318is saloon (yep, saloon - not that common but stiffer shell than the coupe). It's a great little runabout and I suspect it would be quite fun on track too. I bought it a year ago when I sold my Elise and it's been spot on. I also have an e30 318i and I have spent plenty of time in 320s, and the 318is is a nicer engine than either of those IMO. It's a much lighter engine than the 320 so it handles much more nicely without all that extra weight over the nose. The 320 does sound good though.
I could be tempted to sell - although I hadn't planned to flog it I have just taken a new job and don't really need it any more.
I could be tempted to sell - although I hadn't planned to flog it I have just taken a new job and don't really need it any more.
jamesson said:
Gents - you are absolutely correct. I had completely forgotten there are some 318is saloons. I expect they will be quite pricey though. OP - what's your budget?
Depends if those who own them actually know/care what they have!The E36 gets a bad rep unfortunately. Following the iconic E30 was always going to be difficult (esp in M3 form) and early build issues didn't help. The chassis is however (imo) very decent. To do it justice, it needs a six.
g3org3y said:
Mtech25 said:
Definatly in coupe form,but if the right saloon comes along cheaper than I'll happily take that.
how many mpg am i looking at for the 318is vs the 323 or 325?
I'm assuming manual?how many mpg am i looking at for the 318is vs the 323 or 325?
My auto '25 would do 32ish on a motorway run. I always felt the final gear left the car revving too high at 75-80mph. Town economy was poor.
My manual '28 would do 34-36 on a motorway run. Town economy was superior to the '. I'd expect the 323i (2.5 litre, 170bhp) to be even better.
Overall, the '28 was a the more economical and quicker car versus the '25.
Maldini35 said:
Had an E36 320i.Went like the clappers. Much better than people will have you believe.
The 318is maybe as quick but no lovely straight 6 noise and they could eat head gaskets if you were unlucky.
Trust you to crop up saying a 320 is better than a 318 The 318is maybe as quick but no lovely straight 6 noise and they could eat head gaskets if you were unlucky.
PS - mine is an M44 and I've been surprised by how much I like it. Feels pretty bulletproof too. No idea what the M42s are like.
Edited by Birdthom on Wednesday 9th March 18:37
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