325e vs 318i - Most fuel efficient e30?

[naplesE30]

My m42 avg 27 combined 50-50 driving with just me in the car. I would cruise at about 80mph on the hwy at 4k rpm. Switched out the 4.10 for a 3.73 and my mpg went to 30 every fillup like clockwork. I dont feel the 3.73 made the car much slower in city driving either, it was a good comprimise. At 80 it dropped the rpms down to around 3500.

My m42 still had the factory sticker on the dash over the fuel gauge saying 91oct only. So yeah premium it was.

[nrubenstein]

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.

You've got it backwards. The rest of the world frequently uses RON only, which reads higher, while we use AKI which is an average that is generally 4-5 lower for the same quality fuel. e.g. 98 RON in the UK is really 93-94 here.

[nando]

I drove a beat to shit, pile of a high miles 318is for a few months that consistently got 30mpg. clutch was fried and slipped at more than 1/2 throttle, timing rails were toast, tank full of rust, fart can, etc. etc..

[anabolice30]

I drove a beat to shit, pile of a high miles 318is for a few months that consistently got 30mpg. clutch was fried and slipped at more than 1/2 throttle, timing rails were toast, tank full of rust, fart can, etc. etc..

Damn, was this around town?

[alpineII_dirty]

I went through an eta and now I drive a 318is(4.10lsd), never paid close attention to the eta but i feel like the 318is is decent city driving like 21 or 22 mpg(i drive slow between 40/45mph) and highway not to sure because i like to stay with traffic so Im always on and off the pedal...My friend in his eta well 2.7i would be doing lower rpms then me while we cruise at 45mph and in highway he does way much better than me. Kind of frustrates me that he has more power/bigger engine and does better gas mileage than me -_-

[eur04lif3]

My average is 26.8mpg combined, but i don't baby my car at all...i'm sure i would get 30mpg if drove calmly.


PS. FUELLY is a good tool where you could see a wide spread of data from these two models.

[nando]

Damn, was this around town?

was about 50/50 highway/city.

It was fun to drive even though it was such a piece of shit. I kind of wanted to buy it and rebuild it but the costs are astronomical for what you get out of it. wouldn't mind having a stock 318is for a DD someday though.

when my ix was stock/automatic I got 21/26. That was when you could get ethanol free gas though..

[Mr. Tasty]

i get 26 mpg mixed with my stock eta that has a small vacuum leak. It is also really low and has 16x9 wheels. I can't complain

[AndrewBird]

I get 30 mpg on the highway in my 4000lb ix touring with an M50tu. 20ish around town. Maybe everyone should 24v swap? lol

[nando]

that's quite good for an AWD behemoth!

[AndrewBird]

Agreed. I was amazed the first time I checked it on a trip.

[squidmaster]

Damn my m50tu got 18-22 at most

[Threehz]

I can only report on the 318is.. I r3v the hell out of my M42, it has a fuel/air problem, pretty beat little car, averages 28 - 30 in the city on 91 gasoline. 36 - 38 on the highway with myself and two <125 pound girls. 38 - 40+ highway solo dolo.

Things to consider: very low car, 14" wheels, Tucson AZ weather.

Now, the real reason you own an E30 -- smile miles --> M42 >>> ETA (stock stock yall)

[jdirty]

I can only report on the 318is.. I r3v the hell out of my M42...

Same! I get pretty decent mileage but I can literally see the fuel gauge go down if I'm romping around all day. I get 20/25 but if I'm not being conservative or not really paying attention in general, my working odometer tells me I hit 1/4 tank at 200 miles. I still have the 4.10 open diff though as well as 16" wheels, banged up fuel tank, kamotors intake, and a walbro fuel pump. (if any of those matter)

[ak-]

I drove a beat to shit, pile of a high miles 318is for a few months that consistently got 30mpg. clutch was fried and slipped at more than 1/2 throttle, timing rails were toast, tank full of rust, fart can, etc. etc..

Should of kept it.
The return on investment would of made you so much cash nowadays!