Originally posted by tluv@Jan 18 2005, 05:57 PM
Hi.

I've always been a huge fan of the BMW E30 body style.  Now that i've saved up enough money (I'm a student), I've decided to buy my first!  I'm looking to spend about $2000-$2700. 

My question to all of you experts, could you please give me some advice on whether it would be "better" to get a 325 or a 318?

I want to fix it up as much as possible, with engine upgrades, etc.  Should I choose the 325 for the power, or the 318 for the lightweight of the car?  Which is overall the better car in terms of handling (i'm probably going to lower it), weight distribution, reliability, etc.?

Any and all input is GREATLY appreciated!

I've been trying my best to gather as much info as possible on the subject and am stuck!

Thanks,
T

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well the 325 is going to be a faster car as far as stock comparison goes, but its also not going to be as good on gas. i have a 318is, and its lowered, 17 inch wheels, flow master, custom ground cams, rebuilt top end, computer chip, and nice sound system, and of course its gotta be the 5 speed, and its not a slow car anymore, its also not really fast, but theres always stuff you can do to them. as far as reliability, well the 2.5 liter's got more moving parts, so therefore if somthing breaks its going to be more expensive, because theres 2 more pistons, 2 more injectores, a bigger head, with more valves, more expensive to get the head machined, and theres a good chance of that needing to be done seeing as the heads are alluminum, and your looking about 350 for machining for a 1.8 and prolly 500 for the 2.5 those are canadian prices, where i get my machining done. but assuming nothing major is wrong, i was originaly going to get the 2.5 liter, my friend just bought one, but mines faster hehe.... prolly cause mines got the cams! and exhaust and everything else and soon to be more features but thats my shpeal. anywho good luck with the buying.! also the 2.5 liter is going to be more money then the 1.8

 

If you're going with 318, then try to find one with the later M42 engine. a is model also is much better.. it comes with goodies. I have driven both and I like to have a little more power but the 318 is very light on its feet. Can't go wrong with either unless you got alot of passengers.. but we all know the back seat is for show only!

 

go with the 325. you will be glad you did, and dont worry about the head. You wont have to do anything to it unless you crack it, ive never seen anything happen to one that wasnt provoked by operator error.

325=good
318=gay

I am hoplessly devoted to bimmers so i can say that

 

Originally posted by e30fanm3@Jan 19 2005, 02:47 PM
go with the 325. you will be glad you did, and dont worry about the head. You wont have to do anything to it unless you crack it, ive never seen anything happen to one that wasnt provoked by operator error.

325=good
318=gay

I am hoplessly devoted to bimmers so i can say that

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if you were hoplessly devoted to bimmers you wouldn't call any bimmers gay. also, my 318 can take my friends 325 in a drag race, so i have speed and light weight all in one nice bound package of ass kicking. and also, heads warp on they're own, go to a machine shop and ask any one of them, and how can it be prevoked by operator error? that im currious about? if they didnt' warp on they're own how do you suppose that a head would warp? im sure noone puts it in a vice and starts beating it with a hammer, and well no intelligent person uses sand papper on it and sands it uneaven so i duno?

 

I dont think i ever said anything about warping a head. I dont remember the last time i heard anyone complain about the heads warping on 325s. And what kind of mods do you have to beat your friends 325? And why do you subject your bimmer to a style of race that it was not made to be in? Oh, and there have been a few bimmers that were gay. Isetta, for example, yes it is valuable and good to have but it is a gay little car. And also 318s

 

Were it up to me, I'd definitely get a 325is, just because they didn't make the 318s to be fast in the same way as the 325s. The weight difference really isn't worth the power you're losing. There are a lot more modifications and information on the M20 than the M42, also.

 

I own a 325es, so I 'm partial the the 325's. The 325es 2.7 comes out of the factory with 121 hp @ 4250 rpm and the 325is comes with the 2.5 with 168 hp @ 5800 rpm. Both with more power than the 318 with 101 hp @ 5800 rpm. The 'es' has the most torque because of the longer stroke (81.0 vs 71.0) and I prefer that. For me, personally, it gives me the opportunity to add modifications like a turbo charger. It gives me the low end I need for start power and an exceptional high end for a continued upward power curve. So far, I've added a high flow air filter and a more radical computer chip, which will get me by until I am able to afford my Garrett turbo charger, then I get rid of the beginner kit. I think whatever you choose to purchase, you will be happy with your Bimmer. I love mine.

 

despite what these guys say, i think that the 87-91 318is is a car that is as close to perfection as it gets. the engine IS/WAS/AND ALWAYS WILL BE....PERFECT!!! it is a workhorse, and built to run forever!!!!

it is easy to work on, and with a chip, headers, and exhaust WILL FLY faster than you ever really need to go. the balancing on the car is PERFECT!!!!!, the 325 is heaver, and has more problems. any mechanic will tell you that.

MY 91 318is was almost as fast as my 94 325is, but the balance was so much better(stock) that my car is now.

in MY OWN opinion, for a first BMW, the 318is WILL be the perfect first BMW for you!!!!!

if you would like any help deciding, shopping, and any questions about the cars (i do work on them ALOT) PM, or e-mail me.

Mark

 

I have an '85 318i with the SOHC M10 engine. I advanced the timing a little and she runs great now as long as I use 93 octane gas.

She's not a speed demon, but still very fun to drive and will run FOREVER!

BTW, calling a car "gay" is simply immature. Makes you sound like these pop punk/rap-rock/XBOX/micro$oft loving/riceboy dummies that I have to bear with every day here in O-Town.

1989 5.7L IROC-Z= my fast car (will demolish anything e30fanm3 has ) I'll list my mods if you'd like.

1985 318i= My beater car that will outhandle the 'ROC any day.

 

Now, Late in the 80s BMW changed the 316 from a 1.8 carb (avoid) to a 1.6 inj. The 318 remained 1.8 inj. however, both had very similar performance (316i non cat= 102BHP). The 318iS used a 1.8 16V engine and was a bit quicker. On any of the above an auto gear box will cost you up to 6 MPG!!! Mind you this is a BMW and stick is the only way to go. Also of the above engines the late 316i was the only one to be taken on to the E36 series, and was used well into the 90s, very reliable.

From memory 0-60 (uk spec)
316i 10.7 (auto 12.2)
318i 10.2
318is 8.5
320i 8.7
323i 7.5 (old now)
325i 7.2
M3 around 6.0

All of the 6 pot engines are a dream, especially the 320, so smooth and quiet.
For me it would have to be a 6 pot, but remember the 1.6 4 pot inj. will be the easiest to get spares for in the future.

 

no need to list your mods, cause they are the same mods every one that owns an american muscle car. I guarantee you wouldnt demolish a 745i turbo STOCK with 260 horse. put comparable mods on it and you wouldnt touch it

 

ugh the chest beating is making grog no hear :blink:

Truth is any Bimmer is a dream, you look at your best value for your cash and get it.

:wrench I have a 83 320i and just love the handling, alas its a wee bit under powered at times.

which ever way you go have fun driving :driving

 

now the 320 was an awesome car, but if they offered an i-6 in it i would rather have that over the 4

 

Originally posted by e30fanm3@Jan 21 2005, 12:11 PM
now the 320 was an awesome car, but if they offered an i-6 in it i would rather have that over the 4

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there would be no reason to offer the i-6 in the 320...it was designed to be a slower, higher economy car. If you wanted the six you would have gotten the 325 (if you were buying them in the 80's that is)

to the noob who is looking for advice: you have to decide what you intend to use the car for. If you like going fast and having lots of power, then the 325 inline six is the way you NEED to go. If power is your thing, the four cylinder will not keep you satisfied for a long time. But if you are like me and you love HANDLING then you should think about getting one of the four cylinder renditions (M42 preferably). It is always going to have less power potential than the six (if you did mod for mod the six would always pull ahead), but it will be much better balanced and will be perfect for twisty canyons.

Look at the E30 M3.....FOUR CYLINDERS for a reason. BMW wanted the car to have perfect balance. And it was damn fast. It was also DOHC i believe so that helps out tremendously. But what I am saying is that the four cylinder can provide adequate power if handling is your game.


So think carefully when deciding which model to get. You can't go wrong with any bimmer. And don't think I am saying that the six doesn't handle well. It most certainly does, but the four will just have slightly better balance.

Go to Sticky-flo.com for some sweet videos of what the E30 can do in the canyons (325is). No professional drivers, just average joe. So even you could take roads like that with some practice!!

Well thats my input...Good luck shopping. :thumbs

Adam

 

ugh the chest beating is making grog no hear :blink:


argh, me agree with grog, no good. :cry

 

if the 318i is a bit slow nd the 325i handels a bit worse shouldnt the 320i b perfectly in the balance??

also, since an e30 would be about 15-20 years old now nd have a reasonable milage on it, it would b better to get a 6cyl one, therefore 320 or 325, as each cylinder would have done at least 30%-50% less work for all those years meaning the engine will last longer and do a higher milage than a 4cyl engine! technically speaking tht is ...

 

I read that the more hp the faster the engine wears. The 325 and 320 has more hp but each cylinder has done less work. In the end does that just cancle each other out??

 

Id say, go for a nice 325, but a 318iS, there is nothing wrong with it, you just get less power.

Either way, definetly try and get an e30 that is an iS, cuz it comes with lots of nice goodies.

 

i have a 318is and i'm really happy with it. it really depends on if you want speed or handling i think. the 318is can be pretty quick if you put money into it, but it's great stock for just taking out on some nice curvey roads and having fun, but the 325 would be a lot faster stock... i would eventually like to get a 325is but they're pretty tough to find...i think it comes down to gas mileage really...if you are willing to pay more to go faster, then get the 325, but if you are semi-cheap like me, get the 318. by the way, 318's are defintely not gay... like some people on this forum are

 

Originally posted by IrishBimmer@Jan 26 2005, 11:38 AM
i have a 318is and i'm really happy with it. it really depends on if you want speed or handling i think. the 318is can be pretty quick if you put money into it, but it's great stock for just taking out on some nice curvey roads and having fun, but the 325 would be a lot faster stock... i would eventually like to get a 325is but they're pretty tough to find...i think it comes down to gas mileage really...if you are willing to pay more to go faster, then get the 325, but if you are semi-cheap like me, get the 318. by the way, 318's are defintely not gay... like some people on this forum are

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i totaly agree i drive a 91 bmw 318is, its got custom ground cams and a rebuilt head, chip and exhuast for engine performance wise and with my 1 and 2 cylinders not running properly me and my friend tie in a race and he has a 325 so if i somhow figure out why shes running rough then ill be able to beat him and if i take off my heavey ass 17 inch wheels and put the 14's back on ill cream him.