318is or 325is

[silverblades181]

ok so if I want to go economical but lacking in power I get the 318is and if I want power the 325is? I gotta admit the 325is would be my first choice but finding one is HARD!!

[f u z z]

318is. i have over 300k on my car, and it still runs amazingl. I run it in every autocross and track day we get around here. I liek driving the 318, quite fun.

M42 POWER BITCHES! (where is my back up on this one)

He wasn't asking what car you have. He was asking which car is better. I think you need to fix your response. :)

i was just saying that the car runs great and for a long time and is reliable.

[Rob]

ok so if I want to go economical but lacking in power I get the 318is and if I want power the 325is? I gotta admit the 325is would be my first choice but finding one is HARD!!

both are hard to find, 318is are harder since they didnt make them as many years. If I was buying an e30 all over again, it would have been a 325is. The 318is is fun to drive for sure, but different, and slower.

[nickmp0wer]

some people will value power over handling gas mileage and reliablity and some wont. It jsut depends what you want

Handling? Where's the significant advantage of the M42 car in that department? It has a little quicker turn in, the same which can be achieved by stiffer front springs and more camber in an m20 car.

Gas mileage? Who cares? If I were one of these queers that bitches about gas and fuel prices, I'd putter around in a civic DX.

Reliability? Where's the M42's advantage there? A timing belt change every 4-5 years in the M20 vs busted driveline parts on the m42 cars. Take your pick.

There's nothing wrong with the m42 cars, that being said, I'd find a nice m20 car at the top of my priority list.

-Charlie

ok but if the same suspension mods are done to the 318, what then?

gas mileage is something to think about when you are going to be driving the car every day. I just filled up my car after going 350 miles a tad over 12 gallons. how many would you use going the same distance? 16? thats around $10 every fill up.

how many m20s have gone over 300k?

im not saying the 318 is better then the 325 but pointing out why one would choose it over the 325

[Rob]

how many m20s have gone over 300k?

Longevity is not something I would call in favor of the m42. lots of eta motors out there over 300k, i haven't personally seen any m42s myself though...

[rwh11385]

m20s go just as long.....there's a 400k m20 somewhere I think. :?: chicaho area maybe. But definately 300K as long as you change the timing belt.

[Jand3rson]

m20s go just as long.....there's a 400k m20 somewhere I think. :?:

A rebuild/replacement is not a daunting task, either! :up:

[BS87]

m20s go just as long.....there's a 400k m20 somewhere I think. :?: chicaho area maybe. But definately 300K as long as you change the timing belt.

He's on bimmerforums. He's at 420k or 440k I think now.

[trent]

ok but if the same suspension mods are done to the 318, what then?

Then the M20 car will REALLY smoke the M42 car.

how many m20s have gone over 300k?

An M20 will last longer than an M42. Hands down.

[nickmp0wer]

what do you have to support that

[trent]

what do you have to support that

oh nothing...im just a nobody. :)

[Charlie]

what do you have to support that

Life experience.

-Charlie

[e9nine]

M20 has power readily available while you have to get the m42 to do what you want it to do.

Gas mileage on a heavy driven m20 vs m42 is almost the same.

m20 has 2 more cyls and needs more service items than the m42.

The m42 is easier to work on and oil changing is a breeze just because of the drop in filter.

No idiot lights and sensors to bother you in the m42.

If you're one who likes torque and the rush of a balanced simple rear whel drive car, get the m20.

If you like simple mods for power, get the m20.

If you want to mod and GAIN power, get the m20.

I still favor the m42 over the m20 though. Don't ask why though, you guys won't understand.

[Rob]

oh, and neither will make 200whp NA with bolt ons.

[Stu]

My dad as we saw Rob's 318 at a stoplight today:

"If I were to get another E30, it would be a stick-shift 318is."

For kicking around town, I will too. Track? Who knows, never been there.