Falling Back On The 318is - BMW Forum

Mfarb · 12-17-2004, 10:37 PM

Reality just hit me and told me that I probably won't be able to comfortably afford the 96-98 328iS so instead of giving up on my all time most favorite car body the e36 I began considering the 318iS. I will be getting the exact same esthetics, but obviously it will be a big 50hp downgrade (friggen pansy 4cylinder), but maybe later on I will be able to chip it, induction, exhaust... etc+ it is way lighter than the 328 so speed wont be completely sacrificed.
Also, since this will be my first manual shift car

(im only 18) perhaps it is better for me to stay on the lower end of the power spectrum. The 328 is one step away from m territory and maybe I should stay away, at least for now

.

My main questions are about $$$ of course, namely how much of a drop off in price am I looking at from the 96-98 328iS to the 96-98 318iS? Am I still looking at a big jump in insurance rates just because it is the all mighty

(i mean comeon, friggen 4 cylinders!, gimme a break)?. Also, How does the 318iS fare maintainence wise?

Any other opinions and advice that would help me in my decision making would be well appreciated,

Thanks again guys.

bigred318 · 12-18-2004, 12:24 AM

your doing the right thing and getting the 318 in a manual, i own a 318is 1994 along with my 325, and the 318 is way slower, sure it is only a four cylinder but they are pretty slugish, great cars, but dont excpet to be fast. they handle the drive really good though, as for insurance its not to bad... maintence... not to bad, a bmw so spendy but not OUTRAGEOUS... after market parts are a little harder for the 318, but they are also out there. just not as much as the m3 328 or 325. if you cant get the 328 why not save for a 325? great cars? if not drive the 318 see if you like it and be ready to walk if you dont

hope this helps

i drove a 318 for a year and ahalf so i can help ya out

David

jrhaile · 12-18-2004, 12:27 AM

I'd keep looking until you at least got a 6er man. You'll be so disappointmed with the 318. The biggest plus of a 318 is gas mileage though

24valve · 12-18-2004, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mfarb@Dec 17 2004, 10:37 PM
Reality just hit me and told me that I probably won't be able to comfortably afford the 96-98 328iS so instead of giving up on my all time most favorite car body the e36 I began considering the 318iS. I will be getting the exact same esthetics, but obviously it will be a big 50hp downgrade (friggen pansy 4cylinder), but maybe later on I will be able to chip it, induction, exhaust... etc+ it is way lighter than the 328 so speed wont be completely sacrificed.
Also, since this will be my first manual shift car (im only 18) perhaps it is better for me to stay on the lower end of the power spectrum. The 328 is one step away from m territory and maybe I should stay away, at least for now .

My main questions are about $$$ of course, namely how much of a drop off in price am I looking at from the 96-98 328iS to the 96-98 318iS? Am I still looking at a big jump in insurance rates just because it is the all mighty (i mean comeon, friggen 4 cylinders!, gimme a break)?. Also, How does the 318iS fare maintainence wise?

Any other opinions and advice that would help me in my decision making would be well appreciated,

Thanks again guys.

[snapback]253602[/snapback]

You will be unabashedly disappointed.

///M Power · 12-18-2004, 01:46 AM

Beware that it is more difficult to upgrade to M3 parts from the i4 rather than a i6

supark · 12-18-2004, 05:12 AM

Yeah, at least save up a bit more money and get a 325 - you'll be glad you did, and it'll be worth spending a few more bucks on insurance.

kearnyme · 12-18-2004, 11:52 AM

The 318 is an Awesome beater car with its fuel economy / handling.

It's top end power is fine.

You just won't be beating anyone in a drag race. I'll still be using mine as a beater when I get my new car.

If I want to go really fast I just ride my bike. :wink

ridikuledind · 12-18-2004, 02:59 PM

I love my 318is. I get good gas milage and i've taken it up to 110mph on the freeway with no problems. I dont think that i'll ever need to go faster then that. No body else knows the differance either, I took off the "318is" emblem so as long as you dont get a 318ti you'll be styling.
-my 2Cents-

Delmarco · 12-18-2004, 03:07 PM

I must speak here.... B)

If you want a BMW to drive to work/school everyday....pick a few chicks up in on the weekend the a 318i will do...plus you'll have extra cash to fix it up or clean it up.

If you hang out with racers and want to impress your male friends in the high school parking lot and spend dough making your car look and sound like an E36 M3. Then by all means cash in for a 325i or 328i.

You'll look good in both cars and you'll feel good in both cars regardless of the engine specs or numbers on the back....just dont go drag racing people in a 318i or don't expect a weeks worth of driving from a full tank in a 328i.

but to each's own....my next car will definately be a E39 530i. Cause by then I'll be late twenties and that car will suit me more. What I mean is age is also a factor too on taste.

Mfarb · 12-18-2004, 05:17 PM

Sure I wanted the 190hp 328, but the main reason I love bmw's, especially the e36's, is because of their looks and I get the same esthetics w/ the 318iS.

I don't plan on spending more than 9 or 10 k on the car so I am probably looking at 80-120k miles. What specifically should I ask the seller when I am negotiating? I got a few things in mind:

1.O2 sensors
2.Cats
3.When was the clutch replaced
......

If you guys could give me a list of specific things I should ask about I think that would really help me find the best possible car.

Thanks a lot! Really helpful info!

Also, Bigred318 and ridikuledind, seeing as how both of you either have or had the 318iS roughly how much should i expect to pay in insurance each year? What about getting liability insurance?

Thanks again.

thekid · 12-18-2004, 05:35 PM

Theres not really any specific things that you have to look out for on the 318's that you don't have to on the 6ers. The only thing that comes to mind right now is bent valve springs. If the previous owner downshifts into the high rpms with out rev matching it will bend the valve springs, making the 318 down right slow.

ganjacyde · 12-18-2004, 06:08 PM

the e36 318 posesses probably the strongest bmw engine ever made...it might lack in the power, but if well maintained can last you well beyond 300-400 thousand miles. if you're in it for aesthetics, it's definately not a bad decision.
most people are more about the inline6, but the 4 is still enjoyable. a little forwarning though, engine parts for the 4cyl are a little harder to find, the market is completely dominated with 6cyl parts...you're going to be missing out on alot of upgrades you could do if you had a 323/325/328. but... if you ever come up with 2-3k extra some time you can throw a DASC on it and you'll have the biggest sleeper in your town. with the weight of the car you get close to US spec m3 performance.
whether you get a 318, 325, 525, etc you still can feel safe that you're driving a bmw, not some piece of trash hyundai or some shit. in whatever you decide, its still a good decision as long as its bmw.

oh, and to answer your question about insurance. mine is $200 a month, used to only be $100 but i unfortunately wrecked my car not too long ago. its still in the body shop getting a kit and a few upgrades put on, the damage was minimal, but still had to get the shit fixed. i'll have some pictures of it here in a week or two when i get it back, it should look phoenominal. but yeah, back to my point: insurance isn't very high for the 318...

bigred318 · 12-18-2004, 06:19 PM

with the amount of money you aer looking at spending you could buy a 325, which isnt much slower the 328 and can easily be as fast a 328, like i said before go for that! also the 318 isnt as bad as everyone has said.. honestly out of all you who have said this who has owned one for a year or so....

well i have and i still own one right along with my 325, both great cars

David

ganjacyde · 12-18-2004, 06:23 PM

yeah, now that i see you were planning on spending around 9-10k...you could easily get a 325/maybe even a 328 in excellent condition. you just have to look around and wait for whats right for you...the worst thing to do is settle down on something you don't completely want.

but yeah, with your budget you can definately find more power if you want it. but if you want the 318, by all means go for it because it's a great car and you can usually find them for well under 8k. you could just use the extra money on upgrades for it.