325e vs 318i - Most fuel efficient e30?

[anabolice30]

On paper I believe the 325e is more efficient than the 318i, but it seems that almost everyone is reporting better numbers than BMW did when the cars were released. So this leads me to believe that EVERYONE on r3v is lying (unlikely) or that "city" driving in Bavaria is not what we consider city driving. Either way, I digress, which e30 does r3v think get's the best consumption. I think the low revving tall geared 325e would personally. But I've only owned an i and an is so what do I know?

[kwill22]

I've owned an ETA and own a 318i now and I think my eta did only because it was automatic. It's really depends on driving though because if I drive my 318 the speed limit I'd be getting at least at what my eta was getting. So if they had the same tranny and were driven the same id Lean towards the 318.

[jharrel]

i miss my eta, great gas mileage! I have not owned a 318 but i own an 83 320i e21 chassis and it has an m10. the gas mileage is around 29-30mpg i assume. it is really good. probably about the same as my eta

[G-Man]

I can't speak for the early E30 318i with M10 motor but I own both a 86 325 M20 5 speed eta motor and a 91 318i M42 motor. They will both get great gas mileage (around 30 MPG) but the 318i will put more smiles per gallon on your face. The M42 motor comes alive after 3500 RPM so you have to drive it like you stole it and your gas mileage will suffer. The eta car makes a great daily driver for commuting and it's a great first car for a teenager. The 318i M42 is just a fun car and still gets great gas mileage. That's why the 318is is called the poor mans E30 M3. Their are some great deals out there on the 91 318i sedan vs the coupe since the coupe prices are definitely on the rise. The only drawback is the M42 motor requires premium gas with the high compression motor.

G-Man

[M-technik-3]

M42/44 only require 89 according to my manuals. My 318ti gets 28 overall city/highway combined. It's dropped a bit but k believe that's a minor vaccum issue right now.

[Javier h]

318i = 25 mpg

I've owned the car BRAND new from the dealer. Always got a solid 25 mpgs combined since day 1.....this was 25 years ago!

There is no power in the car, so you need to redline it in order for it to move. Even then, I keep hearing many get more mpgs from the m10 but seriously expect 25. Even when I drove it conservatively.

Look at the window sticker from the 325e. I had the original sticker from a 325e that I owned. I want to say that it said 27 mpg on the highway? but I cant remember. regardless I wouldn't expect much more.

[Jaxx_]

I've done 29.5 on the highway, but honestly I think that an eta will do better. If you can do the same mpg and have more power, that's the way to go.

edit: these figures were for stock L-Jet.

[Javier h]

Window sticker say 27-28 tops!

21 city/ 27 highway for the 1991 318i

Again, just go with the stated facts from BMW.



This is the sticker for the 1987 325e:

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/4049/img00267201106151617.jpg

Seriously, dont expect to break 25 mpg combined. Especially if the engine has seen better days.

[jharrel]

i read somewhere that people that have megasquirted cars can do lean out mixture around cruising speeds to get better gas mileage. which would be cool to be able to actually do if you travel a good distance to work everyday.

[jharrel]

^but that doesnt really apply to this thread. sorry. i just think its cool what you can do with technology these days. i think having a 318 would be better overall. they are lighter, more nimble then an eta. but it would be hard for me to choose between the two

[word is bond]

M42/44 only require 89 according to my manuals. My 318ti gets 28 overall city/highway combined. It's dropped a bit but k believe that's a minor vaccum issue right now.

I don't have my manual in front of me, but if I remember correctly it lists 89 in a non-US Octane rating, which translates to 91 at the pumps, herein the US. I get mid twenties in my 318is, but that's in awful Los Angeles traffic. Plus - I can't help but wring the thing out, so I definitely could get more if I drove more economically.

[Nick_S]

I would get 29mpg even with my roof rack and bike at 65mph with my m42. Can't speak for an eta though.

[BobombETA]

I used to get 30+ in my eta on the highway.

[anabolice30]

Oh yea, and it would be helpful to mention if this is around town or on the highway. I almost exclusively drive around town. I wouldn't call it "city traffic" though. It's more like navigating the suburbs.

[Nsquared97]

My beater '85 318 (M10) usually gets 25-28 combined city/expressway, and that's with me not being easy on the go pedal. Haven't tried a road trip with it, but I would expect 30+ on the highway pretty easily, although the stock 3.91 isn't doing you any favors at 70mph+. With the recent snow the mileage has dropped a lot though haha.