Considering an E30 :)

[AREITU]

I've always had sort of a secret love affair with E30s, namely the late model versions. My 240SX recently suffered some sort of timing chain related problem so I'm considering getting into something more substantial. What sparked my interest was a 318is that came up for sale. I learned that they're the poor man's M3 as far as performance potential and balance.
I would be primarily commuting and if things work out in a year or two, road racing. :)

I'm aware of things such as some parts being far cheaper than Japanese equivalents and the cars actually being rather simple to work on. So I had a few questions for fellow Bimmer enthusiasts:

325is vs 318is?
How is the handling relative to each other? [I'm sure this is a source of endless debate!]
Fuel economy city and highway? [Hey...gas is expensive. :(]
How do these cars handle 110+ climate with the AC going?
And finally, the electronics and vacuum systems. They're not gonna go wonky, are they?

Lastly. What is that scraping/whirring noise that a lot of E30s seem to have? It origionates from the back of the car from the diff area.

[rose89]

Welcome Areitu!

I'm rather new myself. Be careful around here, some of the natives can be rutheless. I feel much more at home at the Ford truck forums where if you don't be a gentleman they'll kick you out.

Anyway, the 318 is a 1.8l and the 325 is a straight 6 2.5l. The 325is will put out (roughly) 60 more horses than the 318is.

I have the 325i. I can't compare the handling with the 318, but it's great! Better than any Honda or Toyota I've owned. I haven't had it to 110+, but I'll cruise at 80 with no sweat. (Honda's start complaining around this speed)

I measured the first couple tanks in this car at 25 mpg. Not bad.

I've read plenty of forums (complaints) regarding the elctrical system. In fact, my temp/time display is broke. But, like you said, these cars are easy to work on so I'm not worried.

I hope you find an answer to the whirring noise. I've noticed a slight noise like that in my rear-end.

Good Luck.

[redhatpat]

Actually, you've got that all wrong. The 318is is the poor man's 325is. The M3 is the rich man's 325is. :)

If gas prices are a huge concern, then get the 318. Otherwise the 325 is much more fun to drive and still gets good mileage, I get 21.5 mpg city and high 20's hwy.

Handling between them is very close. Sure, some 318 owners will chime in saying the 318 owns the corners. Whatever. They weight very close to each other. The extra 60 hp in the 325 more than makes up for the .01g of cornering difference. (if its even that much).

Never been in 110+ climate, and my AC's never worked. I'll leave that for someone else to comment on.

Electronics are pretty straightforward and simple. When/if something goes wrong, there's lots of knowledgeable people on the bulletin boards to help out diagnose the problem.

Scraping/whirring from the diff could just be worn bearings? I have that in my car, and I've read that the diff will last for a long time even with that noise. If you're looking at a car with that symptom, don't let it keep you from buying an otherwise good car, but factor it into the price you pay. You can pick up a used good LSD for ~$300 or so.

Cheers!

[Itsnotme1988]

The 318is is a lighter car (2300 vs. 2600lbs) and feels it. This is due to the four-cylinder M42 vs the 6-cylinder M20 and the lack of tar in the back used in the 325is for ballast. I would personally prefer the 318is b/c it is lighter, and feels much more "chuckable" Off the line, it will take a 325is (stock for stock) but after about 70mph the 325is will be showing you rear tires.

The 318is, from what I have seen, averages in 30mpg. (my 1985 318i stays in the same basic range, a little higher on occasion)

If you get a 325is, GET A 5-SPEED!! On automatic transmission castrates these cars (my dad has an '87 with an auto).

My .02

[AREITU]

Thanks for your helpful replies so far!

As far as the electrical problems go, as long as it's not something major or overtly annoying, I can live with it. Little things like that temp display. "Big" things would be ones that prevent the car from running or make the fuel gauge stop working.

[vlm7]

Minor electical issue in my experience - In case you haven't already read or heard about it, the "Brake Light" indicator light can be annoying due to the car's finnicky attention to different brake light bulbs.