318is vs 325i What do you prefer?

[txtorquemade]

its all in what you want.

if you want: gokart, nimble, sick exhaust sound at 6500-7000rpms, thrash around in and out of every single intersection or curve in the redline all day long over and over again with out to many problems- 318i/is

Kinda have to say, the above sums it up for me.


if you want: even powerband thats stronger, classic exhaust note, little less nimble stock to stock, sick 1-2-3 burnouts, and broken rocker arms ;) - 325i/is

Kinda sums it up for me.....

[bp9129]

lol that video was pretty funny.

not as funny as "newmeninsidehim" but still funny

[HarryPotter]

lol that video was pretty funny.

[Reap3r]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c5jcJue-Yc

/thread

HAHAHA!! That is gold!!!

[bp9129]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c5jcJue-Yc

/thread

lmmfao wow. that was amazing

[FJ40]

That was really, really funny.

[carguy101]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c5jcJue-Yc

/thread

[Holland]

This may help. At my last autocross I was driving a bone stock M42 with 160k miles with shit stock suspension and did 1.27 seconds better than a 89 325i and he had billie sports, h&r races and some really nice tires.... take this as you will but the M42 is a pretty damn good little car, noisy yes all in all it really gives you a great experience. (My background: 1st car MGB then moved to Jags and Explorers, two each, and then to this car. I dont know if its bc its like my first car or what but it really is very rewarding to drive. You can feel everything and after all aren't we enthusiasts? There is a reason why I chose the M42 over the M20....)

The only problem with this is that there are two different drivers with two different driving skill levels. I honestly prefer underpowered cars myself. I haven't driven an M42 or an M20 but my take on the situation is that the M42 probably isn't much faster in the corners than an M20 if any. I think though that the variable that wold make it faster though is the feel, giving the M42 driver more confidence to push it in the corners than if he were driving an M20 through the same corner. In the end though it's all down to driver preference. I understand and appreciate the benefits of torque but at the end of the day I just prefer the car I can rev the piss out of.

[carguy101]

This may help. At my last autocross I was driving a bone stock M42 with 160k miles with shit stock suspension and did 1.27 seconds better than a 89 325i and he had billie sports, h&r races and some really nice tires.... take this as you will but the M42 is a pretty damn good little car, noisy yes all in all it really gives you a great experience. (My background: 1st car MGB then moved to Jags and Explorers, two each, and then to this car. I dont know if its bc its like my first car or what but it really is very rewarding to drive. You can feel everything and after all aren't we enthusiasts? There is a reason why I chose the M42 over the M20....)

[HarryPotter]

see, your taking me the wrong way. I was never bashing on the M42- just stating the M20 is more powerful. the S14 has no torque- just like the M42-- but it does have about 70hp more- which makes a big difference.

I guess coming from a muscle car V8 background I just like the feel of a bit of torque from down low-- not that the M20 has alot of that either though.

Eh the b27 has plenty of low end grunt, I loved it for DD duty.

[mikeedler]

I just find it funny you bash the hell out of the m42 and like your s14.

Congrats slacker on making the right choice! I'm just kidding, I love the 325's too but something about older twin cam 4 bangers is the shit. reminds me of the old school rally cars.

see, your taking me the wrong way. I was never bashing on the M42- just stating the M20 is more powerful. the S14 has no torque- just like the M42-- but it does have about 70hp more- which makes a big difference.

I guess coming from a muscle car V8 background I just like the feel of a bit of torque from down low-- not that the M20 has alot of that either though.

[Tbolt]

i like my m20, id like to drive a 318 though after reading this thread.

[harv]

i don't enjoy winding every gear to 7k, so i guess the 325i is more my thing.

BINGO.

But if you do like winding the heck out of it.......

John

[8380 Labs]

i have an m20 car, but have driven an m42 car as well. it felt a little too close to the 2L mk3 jetta with bolt-ons i used to own, pretty whimpy.

i don't road race on back roads and i don't enjoy winding every gear to 7k, so i guess the 325i is more my thing.

[tehwickerman]

you all can believe that all you want. I will not-- and I did spend alot of money to lighten the flywheel on my S14, as well as a few M20s back in the day. It does not make your car any faster-- but when you take your foot off the gas you sur do notice it.

and of course I realize that a lighter car will handle better-- but the same car with 100 lbs. less is definately not THAT noticable to make such a big deal out of it.


congrats on the new car. I am sure you will enjoy it.

All i know is. I drove my car before I changed the flywheel. I drove my car after I changed the flywheel. It is faster with a lighter flywheel. the ratios of the 240 box and where the inertia is fixed on a single mass flywheel makes a huge difference. faster, higher revs=higher speeds. especially on 4 cylinders. 2 less cylinders and a lot less shit make a big difference as far as weight goes plus that little difference helps the balance of the car a lot. i'd say with a driver in the car the 318 has ALMOST perfect 50/50 distribution. I just find it funny you bash the hell out of the m42 and like your s14. I get 0-60 in about 6.5 seconds, which is not "FAST" but it's definitely fast enough. especially considering it's a 1.8L 4 cylinder that gets 30+ to the gallon and is fun as hell to drive.

Congrats slacker on making the right choice! I'm just kidding, I love the 325's too but something about older twin cam 4 bangers is the shit. reminds me of the old school rally cars.