Opinions on old shape 320s??
Discussion
Just an advance thought really...currently hooning about in an old 1.1 fiesta (1st car, still 19 
), which I'm gonna be keeping till about april or may next year, when I'm gonna get something bigger.
Criteria were: Big enough to fit loads of my stuff in, 2 litres for a comfortable amount of power, and RWD.
Have pretty much decided that I'm gonna look for a 1989-1991 age 320i saloon, with the flat 6 - and I've even been getting good insurance quotes (about 15% more than the fiesta!!!!), but was just wondering what they're like reliabilitywise - anything major to look out for when it comes to looking for one etc etc...
Thanks in advance
), which I'm gonna be keeping till about april or may next year, when I'm gonna get something bigger. Criteria were: Big enough to fit loads of my stuff in, 2 litres for a comfortable amount of power, and RWD.
Have pretty much decided that I'm gonna look for a 1989-1991 age 320i saloon, with the flat 6 - and I've even been getting good insurance quotes (about 15% more than the fiesta!!!!), but was just wondering what they're like reliabilitywise - anything major to look out for when it comes to looking for one etc etc...
Thanks in advance
The 2 litre straight six is a very strong engine. It looks like you will be looking for a late e30 rather than an early e36 car (150bhp). Early e36's suffered from poor build quality and suffered from rust on arches and trim falling off. If you buy an e36 make sure is is k/L or newer avoid any earlier ones. Another car to consider would be the e30 318is which came as standard with recaro seats front and rear spoiler (not bodykit) and Mtec suspension, LSD. These cars gave better performance and handling then a 320 (130bhp) in the e30 and due to a smaller engine size was cheaper on insurance. They were basically a baby m3 and were added to the range to compete with the golf gti and were as fun to drive as a 325i sport (175bhp), but with a little less power (144bhp) The only downside is that it is a more highly tuned engine, but if well looked after should not pose a problem. I made similar considerations at the same age, bought a 205 and then upgraded at 20 to a 635csi which i still own now. Good luck
An e30 3 series is the model that ran from 1983ish to 1989 It is the more square boxy model. The E36 is the model that ran from 1990 - 1998, the newer rounder model. A standard 320i se E30 is the same insurance as a 318is E30 which is the same insurance as a E36 320i se. I believe they are all group 12 insurance. A e36 318is coupe moves up to group 13. Value of the car makes a difference on insurance as does how much the excess is. The best performer of those three is the E30 318is and is also more fun to drive followed by the e30 320 followed by the E36 320. However the E36 is a newer design and is more stable, will have better brakes and will handle better in the wet. They are all slightly different car and will suite different driving styles. Buy the E30 320 for torque and lazy driving. By the e30 318is for sporty revy driving and the e36 320 for comfortable modern car feel driving. The choice is yours, but they are al good cars.
I echo sohlman, having owned a 1990 E30 318is for 4 years.
in summary, great car, very cheap to run, nothing important has gone wrong between 94,000 miles when i bought it and 118,000 where it is now. lovely handling, but wiggly in the wet. and the standard M-Tech sports seats are the bollocks! the steering wheel is from the original M5, body additions are smart but unobtrusive. only 14" BBS though and the 15s off the 325i sport look MUCH better - worth swapping. when new, probably the best car available for 14k. now worth peanuts. oh, and these cars have ABS as standard, unlike most other 3-series of this age including, i think, the 320i.
they only did the 318is in a few colours and my advice would be not to buy a red one - they can fade.
although, you can have mine for 1400 quid and a case of carling!
mail me with any questions, i'm happy to help.
edited to say, as far as i know, insurance grp 14, 136bhp, m-tech 16v head, 126mph top speed and 0-60 in 8.7 seconds.
they honestly are better than the 320i. look into it.
>> Edited by mikeylad on Tuesday 19th August 00:04
in summary, great car, very cheap to run, nothing important has gone wrong between 94,000 miles when i bought it and 118,000 where it is now. lovely handling, but wiggly in the wet. and the standard M-Tech sports seats are the bollocks! the steering wheel is from the original M5, body additions are smart but unobtrusive. only 14" BBS though and the 15s off the 325i sport look MUCH better - worth swapping. when new, probably the best car available for 14k. now worth peanuts. oh, and these cars have ABS as standard, unlike most other 3-series of this age including, i think, the 320i.
they only did the 318is in a few colours and my advice would be not to buy a red one - they can fade.
although, you can have mine for 1400 quid and a case of carling!
mail me with any questions, i'm happy to help.
edited to say, as far as i know, insurance grp 14, 136bhp, m-tech 16v head, 126mph top speed and 0-60 in 8.7 seconds.
they honestly are better than the 320i. look into it.
>> Edited by mikeylad on Tuesday 19th August 00:04
It doesnt matter what one you buy they are all safe bets but as soon as you say 19years old and my cars a BMW the insurance man will have a big . I bought my e36 320i coupe when i was 20 and it cost me £3000 for a years insurance 
but it was well worth it when mates only had fords. 
. e36 looks miles better and you can pick up a good one for only £4500 better than a saxo. 
Dan
. I bought my e36 320i coupe when i was 20 and it cost me £3000 for a years insurance but it was well worth it when mates only had fords. . e36 looks miles better and you can pick up a good one for only £4500 better than a saxo. DanI've always got my Trev to fall back on if I run out of luck...he's Cosmos Blue 
the perfect colour IMHO.
The colour green wasn't high on my wish list (desperately desired silver) but it was the only beemer around at the time with the right spec. On the look out for a silver, black or dark blue 1999 325i coupe to compliment Trev in the garage...
is it okay to say that on the BMW forum 
BTW if ever you get bored racing your mate in his Tiv....try against mine
>> Edited by cosmoschick on Sunday 24th August 23:10
the perfect colour IMHO. The colour green wasn't high on my wish list (desperately desired silver) but it was the only beemer around at the time with the right spec. On the look out for a silver, black or dark blue 1999 325i coupe to compliment Trev in the garage...
is it okay to say that on the BMW forum BTW if ever you get bored racing your mate in his Tiv....try against mine
>> Edited by cosmoschick on Sunday 24th August 23:10
. My car is to heavy to really stand a chance next to your trev .
bring your bimmer then the fun can begin 
Dan
Bearing in mind I can handle my Trev with some dexterity I'd welcome the challenge especially as I tend to thrash the beemer by driving it harder and faster than "the beast" 
only problem is im miles away for you we will have to wait for a meet then your arse is mine 
Dan
What battle?...foregone conclusion Dan 
Right thats how you wanna play then . I was gonna be nice a let you win because your a lady and i didnt wanna upset you but now you have made me mad... 
il let my driving do the talking a dont feel the need to mock you . like my rear spoiler? because thats all your gonna see... huphhhhh 
Dan. 
il let my driving do the talking a dont feel the need to mock you . like my rear spoiler? because thats all your gonna see... huphhhhh Dan. 
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