ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Dec 21, 2014 21:50:22 GMT
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Its a great compromise engine, power, torque and noise and they never go wrong. The engines no, the cooling system..... huge pain in the bum!  IMHO it all comes down to who owned it and how they maintained it. Letting coolant changes go astray, using the cheapest coolant you can get your hands on in addition to ignoring leaks will be a recipe for disaster. People say the same thing about Mondeos with the V6 engine, saying they need head gaskets before 100,000miles approach and that the water pumps fail in all of them. After owning two that is complete BS IME. (Before I gave my 2005 V6 away it had covered 260k on the original engine untouched with me buying that car with 110k on the clock. Unlike many people I never let the engine run without antifreeze, using the best coolant I could buy (Ford's 10 year) in addition to changing any part of the cooling system which became suspect (hoses, and radiators from what I could tell). Call the above a waste of money but it beats being trailered back home at the most inconvenient point in time and let's be honest, I had more than my money's worth out of the Mundaneo ; how the forum peeps thought I was lying about getting so many miles out of it! The one before that was a complete nightmare and someone else's mess (in hindsight I wish I threw a match to the 2.5 V6 before I let myself in for the world of pain, but maybe then the 3.0 may not have lasted out as long...). I am not criticising yourself, but maybe some previous owners a while back from yourself. Christ, the Stag I owned which was owned by a reputable club member had no end of bodges to the cooling system when I took a look (no thermostat ;not good in a MkII Stag with the later manifold and a different sender). 3. If you believe what everyone says about the E30 318is being the "baby M3" you'll be very disappointed! You mean 320iS?  I think the poster was referring to people thinking that the 318iS could be considered in a similar league to an M3 despite a 140BHP (minimum) shortfall in power. As a great car the 318iS can be considered that ; comparing it to an M3 is a different kettle of fish (awaits the can of worms to be opened). I'll agree that the 320i was never the quickest of cars and relatively slow. Christ, I would say my 323i is swift, but certainly not quick! |
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Last Edit: Dec 21, 2014 21:57:25 GMT by ChasR
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The E30 320iS IS the baby M3. The S14 engine restricted to 2 litres, for tax purposes in Italy and Portugal, and only available in those countries, bolted into a standard - i.e not box arched - bodyshell. LHD only and rare.
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Dec 29, 2014 14:53:14 GMT
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You don't say what you want it for ? is it for a "daily" is for "fun" for the "retro" factor, or for a "show" car and so on. If its economy your after - then stay away from 6 pots ! although you've not said if its an E30 or E36 is you were looking at, I feel it must be an E36 as I'm sure the E30 318is wasnt offered with an auto ! I may be wrong. I have an E30 is, and its great fun, and I wouldnt say you'd be dissapointed even if people do sometimes refer to it as the "baby" M3, this is mainly because of its similarlities to an M3, which is - its a four pot, but mainly because it has a stiffer chassis (from the 325 Sport) and the suspension is - set-up to M-Tech specifications and is comprised of: -15mm front springs, -17mm rear springs, appoximately the same ratings as the M3 Firmer Boge gas dampers (shocks) Stiffer 20mm front anti-roll (sway) bar Thats why it is sometimes called the Baby M3 Whatever BMW you go for, I'd say you'll have more fun in a manual - especially in a 3 series, I've had an E36 318i 4 door,(years ago) also more recently - summer this year, I had an E46 318i 4 door, and both were "daily's" and had ample power - 140 bhp if I remember correctly, and very eccononical, (I think - anyway) PS - If it is "Retro" factor, then it has to be an E30.  |
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Gem
East Midlands
Posts: 1,328 
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Dec 29, 2014 18:04:14 GMT
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I used to have a chipped 318IS E30 and it was one of the best cars I had for mpg. Used to get 150ish miles to £10 if I was lucky.
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