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So, I was planning on buying a fairly modern daily driver but due to the sodding bankers and the curse word economy, I've decided to spend a little less and buy something more retro, namely an E30. I'm thinking of a 318is but wondered if anyone could tell me the pros and cons of the 4 pot versus spending a little more on a 320 or 325. I'm primarily thinking of running costs (I do 70 miles a day every other week) servicing and parts. I'm not too fussed about mtech kits or anything like that - personally I think the E30 looks pretty awesome with no kit, some nice wheels and perhaps DTM style mirrors (I feel a euro look project developing at some stage  Have an ooooofffff E30 on Porsche 928 rims to make this a little more fun...  |
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Porsche 924 - gone
Citroen Saxo VTR - not very retro but I loved it - now gone...
MK4 Golf GTi 1.8T - gone but hardly remembered...
Mini Cooper S R53 - gone
BMW 125d Coupe - gone (mostly sideways)
Ford Focus RS Mk1 - hello low MPGs and "wanna race me" at every set of lights...
1973 BMW 2002 - Twin 40's, 284 Cam, Revolutions, E21 Recaros + more
Porsche Cayman 987 3.4S - here and due to cost me more money than I have
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servicing and things like top end rebuilds etc are alot cheaper on the 4 pot and the m42 in standard trim is a bulletproof engine and personally i think with a 4 pot up front they handle better e30s are an awesome car and i would reccomend a touring as a daily because a toruing will have rear disc brakes and the same suspension as the sport (51 not 45mm struts and a few other bits I THINK )
make sure with whatever you buy that the rear subframe bushes are in good nick or have been recently changed all the engines are interchangeable relatively simply aswell they are a good car but as with anything buy the LEAST rusty one you can even a povo spec one because all the tasty bits can be added at a later date
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PhoenixCapri
West Midlands
Posts: 2,684
Club RR Member Number: 91
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E30 - 318is vs 325PhoenixCapri
@phoenixescort
Club Retro Rides Member 91
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Well not much idea about running costs (they're about the same I always thought as the 318is uses 325i Sport parts except for the engine and less sound deadening), but the cars have very different charactors. The 325i is torquey and a great cruiser, but does struggle at feeling properly sporty even with decend suspension fitted (ie the 325i Sport) - theres just too much front weight from the 6 pot, plus the 6 pot doesn't rev as free as a sporty engine should in my opinion. Estate is the 325i to go for since if your going to cruise you might as well go practical too. The 318is (and its got to be an is not just an i, the 318i is curse word in comparison, the 325i is miles better than the 318i  ) feels like a proper sports saloon, eger to rev, quick to turn in and a joy to drive quickly on the twisties. But due to the revyness of the engine and the sportier feeling due to the reduction in engine weight, I've always found the 318is not totally at home when cruising. Where the 325i feels relaxed on the motorway at 70-80, the 318is is always begging you to turn off to the back roads and drive it hard, I like that in a car but it can become tiring on long trips when you just want to get there. Overall I prefer the 318is, and if you drive the cars in the same way the 318is uses less fuel, but since it begs to be driven they're about the same I think. However if its a daily and that will involve a lot of motorway miles the 325i will be nicer for most of the time - but when the roads get quiet and your in the countryside you'll wish you had the 318is.  |
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E30 - 318is vs 325Robinxr4i
@robinxr4i
Club Retro Rides Member 143
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I recently helped my mate work on his 325 and I would have thought the M20 would have been easier to maintain, service and fix for a DIY'er the engine is mechanically simpler and easier to work on, than the M42.
Plus it's significantly faster, makes a much nicer noise and this whole "the IS handles better cause it's got a light engine" thing is over played. Both cars handle well and extra weight doesn't make the 325 feel ungainly at all.
Only down side to the 325 is it thristy, but then again the performance does just about justify it ;D
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Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
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i know the less weight is said alot but its like comparing a tuned 2.0 capri to a 2.8i and anyone who has driven both in anger in the twistys will tell you the 2.0 is much the better car unless the engine was bolted together by a nimby  |
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I recently helped my mate work on his 325 and I would have thought the M20 would have been easier to maintain, service and fix for a DIY'er the engine is mechanically simpler and easier to work on, than the M42. Not really. More space around the m42, timing chain rather than belt, self adjusting tappets. Extremely simple engine to look after. I like the m20 but 25-28mpg versus 30-35mpg (I've never got under 30) definately swings it for the 318is these days. It isn't a motorway cruiser though and it isn't fast either but its a lovely thing to drive because the engine is so responsive and the car so light. Its worth all the racket on the motorway for a good twisty road. |
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10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,253
Club RR Member Number: 204
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E30 - 318is vs 32510mpg
@10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member 204
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318is all the way, more sporty, more fun, bullet proof, cheaper to buy, and superb mpg, i miss mine every time i hit a nice backroad..
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The Internet, like all tools, if used improperly, can make a complete bo**cks of even the simplest jobs...
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Well there's plenty to think about chaps - I'm thinking that the 318is might suit me the most but I do love the idea of a torquey straight six as well. It may well just come down to the practicality of more miles to the gallon and price in the end.
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Porsche 924 - gone
Citroen Saxo VTR - not very retro but I loved it - now gone...
MK4 Golf GTi 1.8T - gone but hardly remembered...
Mini Cooper S R53 - gone
BMW 125d Coupe - gone (mostly sideways)
Ford Focus RS Mk1 - hello low MPGs and "wanna race me" at every set of lights...
1973 BMW 2002 - Twin 40's, 284 Cam, Revolutions, E21 Recaros + more
Porsche Cayman 987 3.4S - here and due to cost me more money than I have
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straight 6 exhaust note. just sounds amazing away from lights etc
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Not quite the same but I had a E36 318is and it did around 350-400 miles to a tank on run.
Quite a nice revy engine, loves being revved.
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rtlkyuubi
Posted a lot
Low and Slow
Posts: 2,922
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deffently the 325. in my opinion a 1.8 is too small and not powerfull enough too pull along a fully kitted out touring. And the noise of the 6 pot!
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rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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E30 - 318is vs 325rob0r
@rob0r
Club Retro Rides Member 104
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For the economy alone I'd go for the 318is over a 325i. Mine is a cracking car and I did 110miles a day commuting in it and I never thought it wasn't that good at cruising, though the revs were a little on the high side on the motorway. You can't get an off the shelf 318is touring, but they are very easy to make. My 318is was my daily for two years and I absolutely loved every second. It's now off the road since I use a diesel passat for commuting but I can't bring myself to sell it.
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E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i
ETC
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For the economy alone I'd go for the 318is over a 325i. Mine is a cracking car and I did 110miles a day commuting in it and I never thought it wasn't that good at cruising, though the revs were a little on the high side on the motorway. You can't get an off the shelf 318is touring, but they are very easy to make. My 318is was my daily for two years and I absolutely loved every second. It's now off the road since I use a diesel passat for commuting but I can't bring myself to sell it. Would you sell it if it was going to a god home  |
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Porsche 924 - gone
Citroen Saxo VTR - not very retro but I loved it - now gone...
MK4 Golf GTi 1.8T - gone but hardly remembered...
Mini Cooper S R53 - gone
BMW 125d Coupe - gone (mostly sideways)
Ford Focus RS Mk1 - hello low MPGs and "wanna race me" at every set of lights...
1973 BMW 2002 - Twin 40's, 284 Cam, Revolutions, E21 Recaros + more
Porsche Cayman 987 3.4S - here and due to cost me more money than I have
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rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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E30 - 318is vs 325rob0r
@rob0r
Club Retro Rides Member 104
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It's not in amazing condition... at all. I picked it up after it had already been used as a road rally car so it was pretty battered, it's not improved under my tenure! It's out of MOT and tax now, though it wouldn't take anything to pass IIRC. The whole car is stripped out and has a welded diff, and some ugly rust spots! Pretty undesirable I'd imagine... I keep it as it's too good to break, and wouldn't get what I would want for it if I sold it complete. It's an absolute weapon though, as such I'm taking it to the RAF Marham trackday this weekend. I would entertain offers for it after this weekend but I don't imagine many people would want it!  |
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E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i
ETC
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Not driven a 318is but the 325i gets my vote. They're grunty and preetty nippy even in auto form. Driving a 325i has made me fall in love with bigger engines because I just love how effortless it feels. The understated power that is there should you need it but is perfectly happy to just potter around. I have a feeling that it might be a lot harder NOT to cane the 318is around since it sounds like that engine needs revving to get the best of it.
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Jem45
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,021
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I've had a couple of iS's, a 325i and a 320i auto. Less said about the latter the better - v.slow with the auto box. They've got the rep of having the performance of the 318i and the thirst of the 325i & that was my experience but maybe a manual box will hustle them on a bit better..
The 325i was great but the fuel bills kill you 'cause you will be planting it all the time! Most of the nice 325s at sensible money are 4 doors these days but they can still look really good with a sensible drop and not much else.
The iS is a top motor if you get a good one - my two felt very different power-wise though and I never really got to the bottom of it. Felt like completely different cars.
A good one won't be stressed on the M-Way though - dunno where that idea's coming from. I never felt that at all.
Make sure you buy one with no timing chain issues & good history, keep it nice and then sell for a profit in two years when a few more have been wrapped around trees! That baby M3 stuff is nonesense though - they're nowt like an M3.
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Carbs 'n chrome
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nomadx
Part of things
Posts: 322
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I have a 323i, its fairly nippy, but no rocket, i can't imagine the 318i is much fun myself. Such a cool looking car thou, i love mine!
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 :2003 Clio 172 Cup: - :1992 Fiesta XR2i Trackcar: - :1983 Nissan Datsun 280zx: - :1999 Standard STA: |
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I've owned a 320i E30 and driven both a 325i and 318is. My opinion is the 320 is not even worth looking at unless its solid and you intend on putting a 325i in as 2.0 is juicy but gutless although it sounds quite nice. The 325i is a quick car, juicy, but even by today's standards it feels quick and the noise is awesome. It's even more juicy as its hard to resist the noise when you press the loud pedal. The 318is is a nice car to drive, revvy and it feels pretty potent. If you want something better on fuel go for the IS. If you want something that sounds awesome and is genuinely quick go for a 325. I would ignore the 320 unless it is absolutely mint and solid, then look to chuck another lump in. You could always try and find a LHD 320IS in Portugal or Italy etc That would trump them all. All in all though the E30 is a great chassis and regardless of power, get it on a nice b road and you can hustle them along with a massive grin. They aren't too expensive to modify either although from memory there's more tuning bits and DIY mods for the M20 engine tuning wise. If you do get one make sure you pick up a Bentley workshop manual they are truly valuable during your ownership. |
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Last Edit: Oct 2, 2009 0:43:29 GMT by adam3442
'95 Toyota MR2 Turbo
'72 Toyota Celica TA22
'74 Mercedes 350 SL
'68 Mercedes W108 280SE
'03 Renault Clio 172
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You could always try and find a LHD 320IS in Portugal or Italy etc That would trump them all. which would be £6grand against £2500 for a nice 325i or reasonable sport if you ignore the "rare l@@k e30 sport dolphin grey £5000 innit" sports out there. get a nice plain spec 325i or you pay a real premium for a sport. if you use it daily, get a 318IS unless you can really afford the petrol. bmw's are never good at mpg, but my mates 325i sport with 4.1:1 auto lsd managed a high of 18mpg! reports ussually vary between that and 25ish mpg. Is will do 30-38 depending if drive it nice or drive it like rob0r ;D each has they're own little probllems and on the road its difficult to drive them hard enough to tell the difference in handling unless you drive like a demon. I prefer the 318is but its almost a personal preference so drive both before you decide or you could buy my 2002 when i sell it, perfectly usuable for everyday commuting and it will do 39mpg if you back the fuel pressure off |
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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The only E30 I've ever driven is my 325i Sport so I can't really comment on the other models. I would say in daily use mine was pretty horrific on fuel, averaged about 22mpg on my short daily commute, trips to the shops etc but about 30mpg on longer motorway trips to Germany etc. That being said, the noise, effortless power and any gear / any rpm acceleration make it great fun to drive and the handling is really good once in my opinion. I've driven it around the Nurburgring quite a few times and it felt totally at home, on the autobahn too. Any excuse to post a pic of the old girl... this is with my wife driving at the 'Ring this summer:  |
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Last Edit: Oct 2, 2009 7:55:32 GMT by Stu
'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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) feels like a proper sports saloon, eger to rev, quick to turn in and a joy to drive quickly on the twisties. But due to the revyness of the engine and the sportier feeling due to the reduction in engine weight, I've always found the 318is not totally at home when cruising. Where the 325i feels relaxed on the motorway at 70-80, the 318is is always begging you to turn off to the back roads and drive it hard, I like that in a car but it can become tiring on long trips when you just want to get there.
