I Finally Found the One...

[speedblind]

I have a 1991 318 and routinely get 28-29 mpg.

That said, I can't see the argument that the 318 is lighter when you're considering a swap. I think the Spec E30 series proved that the 4 cyl. cars can't keep up with the 6 bangers and that it's too costly to extract equal performance when starting with a 4-cyl. As others have said, great daily drivers but not the best choice for total all-out performance.

[Massive Lee]

I make faster laps with a 318 than with a 325. The 318 has a better balance. But, this is for track purpose. On the street, nobody cares about balance and only want some oomph at the redlight...

[Stu]

1991 BMW 318is
Find a Car

Fuel Economy

We have revised the 1985-2007 MPG estimates to make them comparable to the new 2008 MPG estimates!

Fuel Type

Premium

MPG (city)

19

MPG (highway)

25

MPG (combined)

21

So much for the fuel economy theory.

I don't think people are worried about insurance rates on a 16 year old car

Not having to replace the timing belt would be a plus but not if that means less power. The only 318 i've driven was and e36 and it was scary slow.

I just feel the best non s14 4 cylinder BMW is a 2002. Now thats light weight.


Model 318i 1984-85 318i/is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92 M3 1987-91
Curb Weight (Manual Trans.) 2360 lbs. 2602 lbs 2654 lbs. 2813 lbs. 2865 lbs.
Curb Weight (Auto Trans.) 2380 lbs. N/A 2698 lbs. 2865 lbs. N/A
Curb Weight (Convertible) N/A 2867 lbs. N/A 3015 lbs. N/A
Curb Weight (4 Door) 2450 lbs. 2657 lbs. 2765 lbs. 2895 lbs. N/A
Wheelbase 101.2 in. 101.2 in. 101.2 in. 101.2 in. 100.9 in.
Weight Distribution front/rear 53/47 54/46 53/47 53/47 53/47


Don't get me wrong. Nice car and i'd take it over a civic si or rsx any day

That fuel consumption source is way off base; a well maintained 318is will easily get 30mpg on the highway and quite a bit more than 19 around town. Hell, my 3.0L 24v 318is gets more than 19 around town, running over 60 pounds of fuel pressure to boot! :D

[M42Technik]

I'm doing a test right now on a full tank. My trip meter started the new tank at 353. I'll let you know how many miles I went on how many gallons, and I do only city driving right now from work to work.

[Tad]

NICE car man!
looks immaculate,
how much did you get it for?
Nonsunroof models must be rare, is there a weight savings there?
Seems like THE best platform to start with imo.
and 318 motors can always be swapped out, so who cares.
Finding a rare model e30 that clean is what really counts.


on another note.
well, the fact is, you can use regular in 325's, and you have to use premium in 318's, from a cost standpoint, that overrides any mpg savings you might get.

[ejnight]

Nice find. let the mods begin.

[M42Technik]

No sunroof E30's are very rare...in fact I think they only came here as 318iS cars, so they were only made for one model year.

EDIT: I could be mistaken though, I seem to recall the '84 318 may have had no sunroof as well...I'll let someone chime in.

[LivingLegend06]

1991 BMW 318is
Find a Car

Fuel Economy

We have revised the 1985-2007 MPG estimates to make them comparable to the new 2008 MPG estimates!

Fuel Type

Premium

MPG (city)

19

MPG (highway)

25

MPG (combined)

21

So much for the fuel economy theory.

I don't think people are worried about insurance rates on a 16 year old car

Not having to replace the timing belt would be a plus but not if that means less power. The only 318 i've driven was and e36 and it was scary slow.

I just feel the best non s14 4 cylinder BMW is a 2002. Now thats light weight.


Model 318i 1984-85 318i/is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92 M3 1987-91
Curb Weight (Manual Trans.) 2360 lbs. 2602 lbs 2654 lbs. 2813 lbs. 2865 lbs.
Curb Weight (Auto Trans.) 2380 lbs. N/A 2698 lbs. 2865 lbs. N/A
Curb Weight (Convertible) N/A 2867 lbs. N/A 3015 lbs. N/A
Curb Weight (4 Door) 2450 lbs. 2657 lbs. 2765 lbs. 2895 lbs. N/A
Wheelbase 101.2 in. 101.2 in. 101.2 in. 101.2 in. 100.9 in.
Weight Distribution front/rear 53/47 54/46 53/47 53/47 53/47


Don't get me wrong. Nice car and i'd take it over a civic si or rsx any day

hmm, I guess there must be something wrong with my car if im getting 34mpg on the freeway, Ill try leaving it in forth so that I can get the correct gas mileage since your source knows whats right. In the ~1500 miles ive put on my car since ive gotten it i have never had a tank get less than 28mpg, and that was pretty much all around town with even a couple hours spent in a wet parking lot having fun. My 325is never got me more than about 25mpg all freeway. Your weight figures are skewed too, including a 318is in the same catagory as a 318ic. weight savings are all over on the car, not just the lighter engine. It has less sound deadening, small tranny, smaller diff, smaller engine and generally less power features, these things add up and id bet the difference is a good 100lbs or so. This is not to say that I think a 318is is a better car, id still rather had a 325is if I were not planning to modify either car, but since i do plan to add power in the future why pay more for a bigger engine that your going to replace anyway? Overall I feel the advantages vs. disadvantages balances out.

Edit: Reguarding to how slow it is:

What you drove was an E36 which is a heavier car, and because it was owed by an E36 owner (my generalization leads me to believe they are not a true BMW enthusiast) it was poorly maintained. You cant compare a busted E36 318 with an E30 318is. As far as accereration the E30 318is is going to be about on par with a 1.8L Miata or an AE86, not the most powerful cars, but both are loved and regarded as very fun cars to drive. I put my e30 in that same catagory

[KenC]

1991 BMW 318is
Find a Car

Fuel Economy

We have revised the 1985-2007 MPG estimates to make them comparable to the new 2008 MPG estimates!

Fuel Type

Premium

MPG (city)

19

MPG (highway)

25

MPG (combined)

21

So much for the fuel economy theory.

WOW! I wonder where they did their testing?

When my car was running (long story, search if you're interested), I was getting 29-30 combined.

[JustAdam]

Very nice - I have the same car, but with the sunroof :)

[KenC]

Very nice - I have the same car, but with the sunroof :)

And a lift-kit apparently ;)

[golde30]

my city driving mpg is 20 on my 318is. it depends on your definition of city driving. SF is all hills, stop sign/traffic signal on EVERY block. pretty much the worst driving conditions. i almost never get into 3rd gear in the city...

[Hick]

I average about 28 to 32 MPG mixed with a 3.73 diff

[Stu]

I average about 28 to 32 MPG mixed with a 3.73 diff

Interestingly, my 318is with the M42 didn't lose much straight-line performance with the 3.73. Drag racing a friends 4.10 318is (both with chips), 1st-3rd gear acceleration was even, though shift points were not in the same place. Not sure about in the higher gears. This is not to say a 3.73 is the optimal diff for the motor, I'm sure on a track the 4.10 will be very helpful on corner exit and uphill sections.

A 3.25 diff in the 318is was...interesting ; )

[Hick]

For both autocross and daily driving, i prefer the 3.73. Im actually very surprised how well it worked out, the 373 works much better than a 410 with the m42.

and drops near 500rpms in 5th gear