How is the 318is as a daily ?

[Mot]

e30m50= perfect dd

[Mot]

Hells yes . As a regular daily the M50 beats the M30 in all areas except torque .

I've never seen the desireablility of an old M30 powered E34 but on the other hand I've owned a few M50 versions .

TCD kits are the reason.

[Jean]

I don't share the same opinion of the two clowns above me .

I'd say of the cars you listed the E34 M50 is the best daily , hands down .

Jean you should not put so much weight into just looking for a manual version though .
Auto E34 525's are all over and there are a bunch of really clean examples out there .
I find that for a true daily an auto is better/easier/friendlier anyway .

I don't mind driving a 5/6spd as a daily, auto is fine too but from what I read (not sure how true it is) some of the e34s used gm automatics and I would rather not take my chances with it braking.... or were they used only on a specific year/model ?

The 535i I test drive could deff. move but it's mpg in the city would probably be in the 15-20mpg range for me, car doesn't need to be fast , just enough to move out of it's way ..

[rThor432]

I've seen E36 M42's with GM trannys as well. Caught me off guard, never would have expected that.

[FL318is]

I like all the above choices.

I have an E30 318is, a E36 328i and a
E46 323Ci.

My favorite as a DD is the E30. Its like a go kart with ac. It is def cheaper to maintain and I like the looks of it.

The E36 has some wear and tear maintenance. Seems like E36 sheet breaks often. The E46 is bullet proof.

[VacMan]

I have an E39 as a DD. I love my E30, but being able to cruise in relative silence and comfort while doing my 1hr+ commute every day is key. It also makes me appreciate the visceral feel of the E30 more when I drive it.

5 series FTW, IMO.

Tim

Ps Early E39's can be found relatively inexpensively now...~$6k and up.

[euroshark]

I agree with everyone who said the 5 series is the way to go. 5 series FTMFW.

[Hick]

I love my M42. Great motor; smooth quiet rev happy. And you know how to work on E30s so why not buy another?

EDIT: Have owned the motor [two cars] for ~4 years and 41k and it has NEVER broken down on me. Stalled twice for no apparent reasons and started right up afterward like nothing was wrong.

[nando]

I want a DD - it will be an E30 318is. I like getting 30mpg, they drive nice, are easy to work on, etc. however, finding one for sale near me is another story altogether..

[JeffOlson]

E36 318is

I had an early 90's E36 318is. It was a great daily driver and a really fun car (though today I prefer E30's).

The motor, though, was the key for me. It had my favorite motor to this day: a 1.8 liter inline-4, with 16 valves, double overhead camshafts, timing CHAIN, and hydraulic valve lifters. Good performance, good gas mileage.

My 2005 C230 Kompressor (only 1.8 liters) has the same basic engine (just with a supercharger).

Check this out: http://www.m42club.com/

[Jean]

Thanks all, I am going to keep looking for the right 318is, unless I find a good e34 with m50. It doesn't need to be fast, just a good daily with good mpg , a/c, comfort, clean looks .

[TopOfTheLine89]

No ETA option? its a pretty good compromise between a 325is and a 318 and can be had for very cheap. Gets 25mpg city with me driving anyway.

[Hick]

they dont handle like 318is's

[Funkmasta]

ETA is a totally different beast than the 325i, which is a totally different beast than the 318is...

[Jean]

Sorry, not considering 325e's, I want a happy revving i4 :)