Which Vert Should I Buy: 318 or 325?

[mintzman]

Here's the dilemna I'm having: The 318's out there seem to be in a lot better shape than the 325's and much closer to their original condition. This primarily seems to be a function of the 318's leatherette interior, which just doesn't show wear and tear (or actually tear!) like the leather in the 325's. The tops are already manual and a lot of the 325's have to be converted. The stock wheels seem to be more common as well, which is a big plus as the more stock the better as far as i'm concerned. I live in New England so i'll only be driving the car on weekends in the good weather.
As a former owner of a new 318iS back in 1990, I'm very familiar with the car and love it (almost as much as my 1976 '02 that my dad bought new that year). The 318 is super fun to drive, and given it's a vert, the extra power isn't a major draw. Though i do hear that the 325 engine is as good as it gets. I keep coming across really clean 318's, where most 325's need a lot more TLC. Being pretty meticulous, the cleaner and more stock 318's keep beckoning me.
Welcome all opinions!

[packratbimmer]

Sounds like you are looking for a fun car to drive with great cosmetics. The Vert will be a heavier car than your 318iS was. I think that BMW compensated with a differential ratio change. I know some had 4.27 gear sets. With that in mind, I don't think long road trips would be the best as you would be revving high at highway speeds.

As far as the engines go - yes, the M20 is a bulletproof engine that will last 300K + if taken care of. There is the timing belt that needs to be changed on the M20 and they develop a few bugs after 25+ years, but nothing that prevents them from being completely reliable/viable even for daily use. The M42 is likely comparable in reliability and perhaps longevity. The only concern that I can recall is the profile gasket issue and that might have already been addressed at this juncture on most cars. Another upside of the M42 is that it carried over to the E36 so parts might be more readily available? The last point I will make is that the M42 will likely deliver a little better fuel economy especially in the city.

Cheers!

[estoguy]

I'm biased because I have a M20... as I recall the verts are heavier, so having the six would give some more umph. And that sweet sound of an inline six... :)

[3ics]

I have had both over the years. I would prefer the 325i. But at this point, with how rare it seems the e30 is becoming, I would go with the best one you can find. If it happens to be a 318i, then compare how much it will be to buy a 325 that will need work.

If the purpose of the car will be to cruise on the weekend and enjoy a fun drive, the 318 is fine.

[Das Delfin]

I think the 318i cabrios are a bit cooler.. that being said I have an early model 325i. But if you found a 318i in nice shape, I would grab it

[naplesE30]

Buy whichever car is in better shape, particularly the body! Espc being in the rustbelt. Leather repair isnt that big of a deal. Figure $1000 to do it all over in vinyl or $2000 for leather. Much cheaper than bodywork.

[dnguyen1963]

318s runs at higher rev on the highway than 325s, but then again, with the top down...who cares. I have an 325i vert and it is an absolute blast cruising on the highway, backway, and anyway.

[UlrichFennec]

Get that M20 swag. There's nothing as soothing as cruising with the top down, Depeche Mode playing on the stereo and the grunty straight six.

Do et. 325.

[mintzman]

Thanks for the advice and opinions! The summer months are waning so i'm feeling like i can sit back a bit and wait for that better condition model. Then be up and ready to go for next summer. Tough shopping remotely but a lot of really helpful repair shops out there that inspire confidence when the time comes for the PPI. I'll lean towards a 325 unless a great 318 comes along.

[rlich8]

Both great cars with great motors and advantages. There's nothing wrong with either. The M42 is slightly more modern and maintenance free, but the M20 has greater power and is the quintessential BMW engine. It's six to one, half a dozen to another. Buy the best one you can afford in general and put things like the condition of the body, interior, and mechanical systems before you look for 318 vs 325.

[KIRIEIW]

318s runs at higher rev on the highway than 325s, but then again, with the top down...who cares. I have an 325i vert and it is an absolute blast cruising on the highway, backway, and anyway.

I'm sure that had to be because the differential's where just different between the two cars, maybe a 4.10 vs 3.73? Of course I guess transmission gearing may be different between the two. Personally OP, I'd try to wait out for a 325i but I'm not sure how hard it is to find a nice, rust free example in your area. I know the 318's don't have a over head check panel, I think having one in these cars are awesome.

[anabolice30]

E30s arent fast, m20 or m42. Verts are even slower, I've driven both m42 and m20 verts. I couldn't tell a huge difference. Another plus of the 318i is that all 318i verts have plastic bumpers, whereas 325i verts only got them in '92 and '93 afaik

[Ether-D]

E30s arent fast, m20 or m42. Verts are even slower, I've driven both m42 and m20 verts. I couldn't tell a huge difference. Another plus of the 318i is that all 318i verts have plastic bumpers, whereas 325i verts only got them in '92 and '93 afaik

Well ain't that something'? Ya learn something new every day.

When I was on the way to pick up my schwarz vert, I didn't even know if it was an m20 or an m42. The craigslist ad didn't say, and I didn't care. It was about top-down and 5-speed and plastic bumpers for me. What is it about for you, OP? It seems to me you want a clean vert. Also, my car's leather interior was fucked, and I put in vinyl from a 318i vert (the vinyl is much better overall, think leaving the top down overnight and dew and such). And one more thing, a nice running m20 with a 5-speed is super easy to find and costs about $300. A nice vert interior is about as easy to find as Nessy (the Loch Ness monster), and will cost at least $500 and will still need a good bit of attention.


Good luck bro!

[phenryiv1]

E30s arent fast, m20 or m42. Verts are even slower, I've driven both m42 and m20 verts. I couldn't tell a huge difference. Another plus of the 318i is that all 318i verts have plastic bumpers, whereas 325i verts only got them in '92 and '93 afaik

Swapping plastics to an early vert is not terribly difficult.

[AbsorbantNut]

m20 gets my vote