318is or 325is

[Rob]

me?

[Stu]

Yea at Tryon and Mallard, didn't notice teh bling caravan next to you? ;)

[rwh11385]

Yea at Tryon and Mallard, didn't notice teh bling caravan next to you? ;)

2001 Caravan Sport. Tow-package, Sport package! >> both m42 and m20 :rofl:

[Rob]

that m42 requires total concentration, i must have missed ya'll...

[Streetspec_iS]

personal preference mate. test drive both till you get a feel for which one you prefer.

personally i like the m42s. ive always been a fan of 4 cylinder cars, so that why i chose the 318.

just make sure you get what YOU want, not what some bmw-net-geeks influence you to get.

[nickmp0wer]

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

my 350 miles on 12 gallons is drivng it pretty hard. I think the m20 wouldnt be able to achieve that going 60 for 350 miles. If im on the freewy in 5th and floor it the gauge needle goes to about 17mpg

[e9nine]

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

my 350 miles on 12 gallons is drivng it pretty hard. I think the m20 wouldnt be able to achieve that going 60 for 350 miles. If im on the freewy in 5th and floor it the gauge needle goes to about 17mpg

I am speaking from my personal experience. I have owned both types of cars. Flooring the car in fifth and looking at the mpg isn't the best way to compare. That varies based on load on the engine. 5th gear is not going to consume the least amount of fuel by default either, different variables affect fuel consumption.

My aim here is to help confuse anyone who thinks one car is better than the other. There is no true answer.

[BS87]

Each has different advantages off the bat.

The M42 has Good gas milage, no timing belt, rockers, etc. Plus they are ALL 5 speeds.

The M20 has power, super reliability( not saying the m42 doesnt, but 300k? comeon) etc.

I could buy either one, if it came down to a 325 vs a 318iS, i'd choose the one that's in better physical condition. They are both great E30s.

[bmwm3n528]

Meh, they're both slow...just buy a Miata and enjoy the top down moments.

[trent]

personal preference mate. test drive both till you get a feel for which one you prefer.

personally i like the m42s. ive always been a fan of 4 cylinder cars, so that why i chose the 318.

just make sure you get what YOU want, not what some bmw-net-geeks influence you to get.

Yea but your opinion doesn't count, you live upside down anyway.

:weak:

[Mystikal]

Yea at Tryon and Mallard, didn't notice teh bling caravan next to you? ;)

2001 Caravan Sport. Tow-package, Sport package! >> both m42 and m20 :rofl:

Seriously, I'm scared of the current gen Odyssey and Sienna. :shock:

[Ryan Stewart]

Fuck it all. Go buy an 84 318i with a blown motor and swap in an M50 and run 10lbs of boost through it.

Maybe get a 325es. Then you can have the timing belt of the M20 and the mileage and utter lack of balls of the M42. Its the best of both worlds.

[rwh11385]

Fuck it all. Go buy an 84 318i with a blown motor and swap in an M50 and run 10lbs of boost through it.

Maybe get a 325es. Then you can have the timing belt of the M20 and the mileage and utter lack of balls of the M42. Its the best of both worlds.

That's what I said. Early 318 is the lightest, so it's the bestest if that's the main reason the 318is > 325is.


Stewart, the eta has torque, which means it has balls......just no damn top end or horsepower. It'll get you places and you don't have to bang a redline just to get going.

[trent]

Fuck it all. Go buy an 84 318i with a blown motor and swap in an M50 and run 10lbs of boost through it.

No need for boost when the car weights 2300lbs :)

[RCWells]

About a month ago, I made a 3hr trip home from Tupelo, MS and was low on gas and low on money so I decided to drive it slow and easy home to get the most mileage I could. I drove 55-60mph the whole way home, and got about 26-27mpg. That of course does not reflect my "normal" driving, but the point is, even the M20 can get good gas mileage when not driven all out. Under normal driving conditions, I usually get around 21-22mpg.

Typically a 6cyl motor will run smoother than a 4cyl. The 4s just tend to be a bit more buzzy. Of course the power will be much better with the 20, but it really just depends on what you are looking for. I have not personally driven a 318 so I can't speak as to their performance. I have had some experience with other 4s though, and I personally will never own one. I really didn't think I would ever own a 6 after having had 8s, but the 325is is quite the exception.

You really need to get out and drive some of each to make an informed decision.

I think if you can find a good 325 for a fair price, go for it.