e30 318i or 325i?

[freshbadboy]

Hi all,

I am newish here, but couldn't be happier to be here.

I have been considering purchasing an e30 convertible for the last couple of years, but have now decided to act on it and search for one.

I already drive a VERY big car with a VERY big engine (Chevy Trailblazer EXT with an inline 6cyl 4.2L). Love the truck, but hate the mileage.

One of the reasons I started to search for an e30 convertible (other than the main reason which is my love for the car) is because of the 318i 4cyl engine and the gas consumption.

First I want to ask you how much difference in mileage is there between the 318i vert and the 325i vert?

Second, which one would you recommend?

Third, it seems that most people around here own and drive the 325i, and whenever the 318i is mentioned, people laugh at the 4cyl fact. Are they that bad?

I really don't intend to drive the car hard (or fast), hence I started looking at the 4cyl version. But if the 6cyl engine is so much better, then I would have to reconsider.

Please advice.

Thanks

[bimmerbob]

I guess the real question is how much are you going to drive the car.
If you go to fueleconomy.gov you will see there is about a 15% improvement between a 318 over a 325. However a 318 need at least mid grade fuel which eats into your fuel savings. Approximately 6 months ago I had both a 325 and a 318 to sell. I had both. I chose the 325 as I felt it was a much nicer car to drive. This was also at the peek of fuel prices. Six months later I still miss the economy of the 318. There are no easy answers so you need to know what you value the most.

[Polaris78]

I've owned a non-cabrio 318i, and I've driven a 325i. Both are very fine cars.

The 318i was great for my needs at the time - decent on gas, very fun to drive and throw about, and certainly more than capable of getting about in today's traffic - great fun to rev as well. Just a great little car that was the most cost effective BMW I've ever owned.

The 325i however, to me at least, has that extra edge that goes beyond the 318i, and would make me become a true enthusiast of the car. Maybe its just my love of the old school motors, but I simply find it a more satisfying experience overall. If I were in the market for a daily driver, I'd go for either, but probably the 318i; the engine is newer technology, fuel economy (by todays standards) is also pretty average rather than on the thirsty side in the 325i. If I were going for driving experience with a car I would be willing to invest in, I would wait for and buy a 325i.

For what its worth, the M42 motor in the 318i has a chain, while the M20 motor in the 325i is a belt...

Best of luck,
C

[freshbadboy]

Thank you both so much. Very informative posts that stem from first-hand experiences. Very much appreciated.

Both you posts kind of strengthen my desire for the 318i and its M42 small engine. As I said before, I am in it for the classic look and not the performance side.

Please keep the comments coming.

[M635]

I've never owned a M42 powered car... I have a '90 325i that I use everyday! Mileage is decent actually. If you drive respectfully, gas mileage is great. But obviously that mileage will drop when driving it hard the entire time. Mind you, most of my driving is in the city so I'm getting pretty good mileage (I can't floor it!!).

But I do also own a '90 320i 'vert. Now this car is a great car on gas. Quicker than the 318i, and could stay behind a 325i. Basically a car in between. It's a 2.0l I6, pretty quick and peppy car. Unfortunately most of these are JDM specs, so you'd have to import one, or find a guy selling one. If you ever locate one, the 320i is your best bet! Not slow like a 318i, and not as gas guzzling as a 325i (but mind you, the 325i is quite the beast!) I've been using my 'vert for the past 3 weeks now as my 325i needs an oil pan to be replaced and I'm enjoying it.

[E30M3]

320i= slowest e30 around....ask Colin. 2.0L M20 FTL, sorry Greg. My vote goes for the 2.5L M20 in the 325i, either way an e30 is using 20+year old engine technology. You want fuel economy? Buy a bike..

[M635]

Have you ever driven a 320i befor Declan? But to be honest with you, the acceleration is a little lacked, but after that it's pretty quick. Obviously not quicker than the 325i. The 318i is no better than the 320i, but the 320i will have to come on top of the two.

[E30M3]

Colin has one... and its even a 5spd. lol m20 weight with m42 power... id take the m42 or a bigger m20..

[Weeman83]

The M20B20 320i was concieved mainly to satisfy those markets that taxed vehicles based on engine displacements, usually the threshold is set at 2000cc.

When considering the dilemma of 318 vs 325, one should also recognize that the 1991 M42 powered 318i / is / ic were not built to the same level of refinement as the mainstream, long lived 325's. Note I said "refinement", not "quality". They were a last fighting stand that BMW released to fight the then-new hot hatch threats such as the Peugeot 205 GTI and the VW Golf GTI 16V. In effort to bring the price down, you'll find that the 318is lacks little things here and there that you normally expect to find in an average E30. The 318 has less plush interior floor carpets, drastically reduced sound deadening, manual sunroof, simplified trip computer, eliminated overhead check panel, vinyl (not plush) headliner, lighter duty transmission and smaller diff.

While this all might make you pucker about the 318, most of these things are what a true driving enthusiast will not care too much for anyway, and all help to clock in the 318 at over 220 lbs less than what a 325 weighs in at. Every other major mechanical component is otherwise the same between the 318 and 325.

Greg, I'll pull against your 320i with my M42 any day: A/C on.

[freshbadboy]

Weeman83,

If I understand your post correctly, and given my circumstances, I think you are giving the 318i a +1 here over the 325i

Please note that I personally understand that the 325i is a better performance engine with faster response and more horse power. But I am not looking to race the car. It will strictly be for good looks and cruising.

Now does the same theory apply for the convertible (ic) version of these cars? Is for example the weight difference pretty much the same (~220lbs) allowing for less weight that the smaller 1.8L engine to be responsible for? I know that the verts are heavier than their hard-top sisters (i & is) to begin with.

Thank you all for all the feedback.

[Weeman83]

Here goes my weight gospel:

any 4door vs 2door: ~35lb difference
any 325 vs 318 (M3 not discussed): ~220lb difference
any cab vs sedan: ~300lb difference (Cab Heavier)

So, in the most stretched out case:

a 2 door 318iS (my car) weights in at 2605 lbs. A 325i Cab, can be estimated to weight in at 2605 + 220 lbs for being a 325 + 300 for being a cab = ~3125 lbs.

******

If you want a cruiser and a shower, get a 325. The 318 to some can be considerd a high strung ride because of its high revving nature, both in city and on highway cruises, and the raw feel inside due to the reduced refinements. I like my 318 because of precisely those reasons tho!

Come out to the next meet and I am sure a 325er and a 318er would be glad to give you a ride.

[freshbadboy]

RE: The 318 to some can be considerd a high strung ride because of its high revving nature, both in city and on highway cruises.

I am a very avid driver, and have driven 5spd for years to gain that extra control over the engine and for the love of hearing and feeling the engin. Therefore, like yourself, I think I would highly enjoy driving such an engine.

RE: Come out to the next meet and I am sure a 325er and a 318er would be glad to give you a ride.

When and where is that meet? I would love to show up.

[twinpac]

it's true that a 318 has better weight distribution and is lighter than a 325 but i personally would take the extra power over a small penalty in balance. i mean lookin at an e30 m3 you can see they they used the four banger to keep perfect balance and it obviously worked (e30 m3's rule) but an m42 is no s14 you might wish for more power

[Shocka]

Or an e21 320i, A little lighter yet than the e30 and better balance. Less power, but great revs, hooks right in.

[OUTATIME]

ive only just bought a 84 318i manual for a daily and was actually suprised by the 1.8lt. goes quite well for what it is and is good on fuel.
all my other cars have been skylines (rb30e+t & rb20det engines) so sorta use 2 havin abit of power on tap.
so being my 1st 4cylinder engine and 1st bmw i reckon its great, so far im lovin it. never been in a 6cyl e30 so cant really comment on their performance etc.