91' 318is Vs 318i

[Hoody]

I have recently become a BMW fan and the 89-91 318 and 325 models have caught my eye. I've been searching high and low for a 325is, but I guess no one wants to let them go in Hawaii. Anyway I've decided that I'd settle with a 318 despite a big difference in power, but I've heard good things about it such as handling and its sporty feel. I'm going to check out a 318i tomorrow and was wondering if therea are any major difference between an 318is and a 318i. The guy that was selling it said the only main differences are the spoiler and an air scoop or something.

[APS]

Originally posted by Hoody@Dec 23 2004, 06:14 PM
I have recently become a BMW fan and the 89-91 318 and 325 models have caught my eye. I've been searching high and low for a 325is, but I guess no one wants to let them go in Hawaii. Anyway I've decided that I'd settle with a 318 despite a big difference in power, but I've heard good things about it such as handling and its sporty feel. I'm going to check out a 318i tomorrow and was wondering if therea are any major difference between an 318is and a 318i. The guy that was selling it said the only main differences are the spoiler and an air scoop or something.

[snapback]256889[/snapback]

iS has the front and rear spoiler kit, m-tuned suspension, multi-valve engine (m42 rather than m40 - about 20% more grunt) iSes (325iS as well) are always a manual coupe... and iS has a 'sportier' interior...
the 318iS was the poor man's M... in UK espicially it's considered the best track car behind the M3 and is the spiritual successor to the 2002

with all that said, i dont think the true 325iS was ever sold in the US???... so may be the same deal for the 318iS???

[e30fanm3]

Originally posted by Hoody@Dec 23 2004, 04:14 AM
I have recently become a BMW fan and the 89-91 318 and 325 models have caught my eye. I've been searching high and low for a 325is, but I guess no one wants to let them go in Hawaii. Anyway I've decided that I'd settle with a 318 despite a big difference in power, but I've heard good things about it such as handling and its sporty feel. I'm going to check out a 318i tomorrow and was wondering if therea are any major difference between an 318is and a 318i. The guy that was selling it said the only main differences are the spoiler and an air scoop or something.

[snapback]256889[/snapback]

Hi. I own a 325is myself and am very happy with it. I personally wouldnt settle for a 318 but they are fun to drive, as long as you keep them in the higher rpms. As for as i know the only difference beween the 318is and the 325is is the 318 comes with vinyl recaros instead of leather. Of course it comes with the thicker "is" front lip spoiler which most people dont like cause they are pretty low and they bust them off, and they are 100 bucks. If i were you i would wait for a 325is to turn up, its worth the wait. Oh and they were made in the US, and they did make automatics, mine was until recently.
jake

[Hoody]

So even in the US the 318is has a better engine and more power than the 318i? The car is selling for 1900 or best offer, and I don't know if I have the patience or money to afford a 325is. I was just wondering if the 318i is not too different fromt he 318is. So what do you think, is it worth it to wait for an "IS" instead of and "i"? I'm kind of jumping at the chance because they're hard to find in those years down here. Thanks for the info though.

[spiff325is]

In a nutshell in facts and in my opinion.

an iS is a must, the 318 is DOHC and was actually designed more for the track then the 325, the 325 was designed more for economy(even the i's), the DOHC 1.8L engine will do very well at highspeeds, then only thing you lose with a 318i is a tid bit of power, and weight(which is a good thing)..

wait for the iS, you will get more, the iS has M-Tech Suspension, and nice Recaros and other little goodies that you would just be wasting money on if you went from an i to an iS.

[Hoody]

Thanks for the information guys. I don't have a choice but to wait for an "IS" anyway. I called the guy today and it was already sold. But from the information you gave me I think some higher power was telling me to wait for an "IS" . You guys were a big help thanks again. And I promise you'll be seeing pics of my 318Is soon enough.