318 vs 325...

[DOC-K]

In looking at E 30's, It has been a long time since I owned one (3)
I'm looking for a a convertible...so as a just 'tooling around" with the top down car, how much of a difference is there in performance? (No hurry, just a Sunday drive)

[101]

IMHO - the added weight of the convertible benefits greatly from having the 6 cylinder engine vs. the 4 cylinder. Even with the 325 engine, my convertible is a dog.

[roguetoaster]

Of course, with the wobbly 'vert chassis you'll never notice the buzzy nature of the M42.

The reality is, whenever someone brings up the "does the M42 have enough power question" the answer is always M20 or swapped car.

[Stanley Rockafella]

the answer is always M20 or swapped car.

:nice:

[roguetoaster]

:nice:

Ugh, one of the few times in my life I've wished I had a 318i.

The want (and need) is bad with this one....

[Stanley Rockafella]

[DOC-K]

For "just" a top down cruiser...something different.

[ELVA164]

For "just" a top down cruiser...something different.

If you don't care at all about power, you can honestly get either and use price and condition as your main factors.

[cory58]

My first Bimmer was a '92 318i vert with a 5-speed. Bought is when I was 27 years old in '94 for $20k (thank you stable job and good credit!) Needless to say it hooked me on BMWs forever.

With the 5-speed and M42 it had plenty of pep. So much fun to drive.

Cory

[Nairb]

1991 318is, when maintained well, is a joy to drive.

Love the m42. Putting a JB lightweight aluminum flywheel (9lb) and new clutch in mine soon, that'll be fun.

[varg]

Of course, with the wobbly 'vert chassis you'll never notice the buzzy nature of the M42.

The reality is, whenever someone brings up the "does the M42 have enough power question" the answer is always M20 or swapped car.

This. And since an M42 convertible is unlikely to ever be a valuable variant of the car, you're not sacrificing "all original" collectible value by ditching the M42 for an M20.

[nando]

The nice thing about the 318ic is it will certainly have the late body style, and you know it won't be a slushbox. They seemed to come in neat colors too, rather than the typical white or black ever 325ic seems to be.

[DOC-K]

Many years ago I asked a friend, mechanic, if he could boost the power in my 911...this was abut 77 or 78, he said that "if you have enough money you could put a helicopter motor in it then you'd have plenty of power" !!
How fast do you want to go in a 70's/80's technology chassis..(and brakes)

[nando]

Uhh, people have been building 300hp+ E30s for a couple decades now.

[MrBurgundy]

The sound of an m20 with the top down is so awesome.