Finally I might be joining the club - BMW Forum

jdsony · 05-20-2004, 01:53 AM

Well I just might have found the BMW for me. It's a little early to tell now since I don't have all the specs on it but it's looking good so far. Here's what I know.

1992
$12,000 (canadian) (where I am this is a good price if it's not a 318i)
Black on Black
Racing Dynamics Chrome Rims
Tinted Windows
Lower plastic is all painted and looks like it may have a Racing Dynamics body kit I'll have to look again.

Not sure what model it is because the model number has been replaced with Racing Dynamics. It has dual exhaust tips though so I'm really hoping it's a 325i. Did any 318i's have dual exhaust tips?

I'm also not sure the mileage or if it's auto or manual (it was dark when I saw it). If it's auto I don't want it, if it's a 318i I'll have to think about it and the mileage is probably not too low given the price.

I called the owner tonight but he wasn't in so I'm supposed to call back tommorow and then I can find out the other details.

heifetz17 · 05-20-2004, 03:00 AM

You shouldn't give up just because of the gearbox. If it's an auto, you can still get it and just save up to have it converted into a manual. It would almost be more worth it to just buy a manual, but if the car's a gem other than having an auto, think twice before turning it down. If you're ambitious enough, you can make it a manual. Anything's possible!

jdsony · 05-20-2004, 03:37 AM

yeah, if it's got low mileage it may be worth it but if it turns out to be a 318i with an auto (less likely) I will turn it down since Im iffy on the 4cyl and I really want a 5spd. I like some 4cylinder motors but I find most too raspy for my liking and I enjoy the luxury of not having to down shift all the time for hills and rev up for taking off from a stop.

camnipotent · 05-20-2004, 01:04 PM

If the exhaust is original, it's safe to say it is not a 318. The manual conversion is a TON of money. I would suggest not doing it. It's just not worth it unless you really have the money and HAVE to have a manual. In that case, you should just buy a manual automobile.

heifetz17 · 05-20-2004, 01:27 PM

I agree. It would be quite an undertaking. I would actually take some 4 cyldr engines over my straight 6. Take a look at Mercedes SLK roadster engine. That things got some definate kick to it.

camnipotent · 05-20-2004, 01:31 PM

Same goes for an S2000. It just depends on the engineering and if a 318 has enough mods, it could put up quite a fight, it already does...

Turbodefrost · 05-20-2004, 02:05 PM

yeah you should definetely think about buying a manual, unless you want to spend all the money and take all the time to do a tranny swap. I bought an auto and I'm kinda regreting it. I still really love my car and it's pretty quick, but i'll probably do a tranny swap sometime soon.

jdsony · 05-20-2004, 02:06 PM

Well thanks for the info and restoring my faith in the 318i maybe I'll stop being a torque dork, we'll see. Where I am it has been hard to find manual e36 BMW's. 318's are the easiest to find in manual and E30's seem to be more common in manual. Within the last week I've been seeing a lot more manual 325i's, and 328i's for sale so I have a lot more to choose from.