Living with a non-M

Hello All,

I am an admitted BMW snob --I've been spoiled by owning two M3s (an E36, and an E46). I've always been of the mindset that if I was going to buy a used BMW, I'd hold out for an M car.

However, we recently acquired a 2000 320i -- that's the bottom rung of the 3 series ladder, with a small, low power inline-six. It is a sport package, with a manual, but pretty bare bones overall. I wasn't expecting much, given what I have to compare it to. And you know what? I was wrong.

This has proven to be a delightful car. It is nicely damped, with excellent ride. I don't fear some of my local roads as I do in my other cars. And I am pleased with the "useability" of the power -- like my Miata, you can "wind it out" in second and third gear without really "speeding". It is has the torque where you need it for around town, and highway driving. I love the non-power sports seats -- the power stuff always worries me in the other cars -- I know one day something will give and the seat will be in the wrong position.

Mileage isn't spectacular -- low to mid twenties so far, and it does take premium, which is the only real knock against it. I also miss the LSD. We had snow the other day, and even with appropriate tires it was a handful in the deep stuff. My E36 M3, with Hakkas and the LSD, is pretty much unstoppable.

My SO plans to use it for track duty and autox next year -- she finds the E46 M3 to be "too much" right now for her skillset. I will report back in the future about how it handles that type of event in "stock-ish" form.

Colour me impressed. And I guess I am no longer M-exclusive.

Rob

Yep! I have a 2003 325i ZSP (sport package) as my daily. I find it has plenty of scoot for everyday work, and handles just fine for some autocross playtime.

At the time I bought it in 2006, I was searching for a 330i ZHP (need 4 doors). They are without doubt a nicer car, but at that point the 330i was commanding a $5k-$6k premium over the 325i and to me they were not that much better. Especially since the cost difference I saved allowed me to buy the Manic Miata and have a dedicated toy car as well as a DD.

2003 325i checking in. Working on it is a bit more involved than something like a Miata, but certainly no more difficult (and probably easier) than any similar-era domestic car. Got mine for a great deal, and I've put over 10,000 miles on it in the past three months.

Love, love, love my 525iT to drive nearly every day.

Love, love, love my e36 M3 track rat only on a race track.

I love my non-M 330 ZHP too. It's a great car! That said, I'm trying mightily to resist the urge to swap in an S54. An e46 M3 sedan would be awesome!

In reply to dyintorace:

Start with a wagon and do it right......

I went from an E39 M5 to a E36 318ti. Complete polar opposites, but I had my reasons.

It is so nice to go into a car that is simple. The engine is so easy to work on and there is plenty of room compared to the 5.0L V8. The interior is also pretty bare and I don't have to worry about scratching up my leather everything anymore. Granted, I've only driven it about 100 miles since August, but I'm not missing the power yet.

yamaha wrote: In reply to dyintorace: Start with a wagon and do it right......

Wait, what? Daddy likes.

I miss my 318ti

mad_machine wrote: I miss my 318ti

I'll sell you mine once I'm done with it.

The only M in either of my BMWs is an M42

In reply to irish44j:

E30 intake manifolds I trust?

MiniZ.....I might have to remember that, but only if it is a '95. 96-99 can DIAF.

yamaha wrote: MiniZ.....I might have to remember that, but only if it is a '95. 96-99 can DIAF.

I don't have that M42 motor...but I has everything else.

No traction control on mine. No sunroof on mine either. Very early '96 model...the LSD was an option this car didn't get. At least I can add it on and still be STX legal.

I have a 318ti. I drove an e36 m3 about a month ago at an autox. It was 1000000 times better. I think my ti is a turd now. There's a lot of love for lesser powered BMWs in this thread. If anyone wants to trade an M car for one, let me know ;)

yamaha wrote: In reply to irish44j: E30 intake manifolds I trust?

indeed, why?

yamaha wrote: In reply to dyintorace: Start with a wagon and do it right......

Ive never noticed one of these. Were they sold here? Thats one of the best looking wagons i've seen.

Nice just looked these up and they are all over the place. M54B25 engine only though unfortunately but not a deal killer

ZOO wrote: I also miss the LSD. We had snow the other day, and even with appropriate tires it was a handful in the deep stuff. My E36 M3, with Hakkas and the LSD, is pretty much unstoppable.

Rob, have you considered snow chains or cables?

I've also heard of people temporarily engaging the handbrake will accelerating (if you're stuck) which acts like a LSD but I've never put it into practice

kanaric wrote: Ive never noticed one of these. Were they sold here? Thats one of the best looking wagons i've seen.

It was a one off.

I took an early 2000 something 325 convertible with a 5 speed for a ride a month or so back. It was a great car!! I could see one of these replacing my 924s with out much problem. There was a 330CI in the junk yard near me last summer that they were selling as a whole car. Needed a trans. At 7K I was tempted. It was otherwise flawless.

irish44j wrote:

yamaha wrote: In reply to irish44j: E30 intake manifolds I trust?

indeed, why?

From what I understand.. the E30 intake will lose you some power "under the curve" but you gain a few HP on the top end. The M44 more so than the M42

In reply to mad_machine:

Its a better design.....the e36 setup is garbage to make it feel torquier. Karmic, it was a one off built by the M division for whatever reason.

Mini, as its a slick top, I would consider making an exception.......I'll keep watching for whenever you get rid of it.

the M44 intake was a "dual plane" intake that was extremely heavy and only really added complexity and turbulence to the intake. the E30 intake was on my list of things to do when rust did the car in

dyintorace wrote: That said, I'm trying mightily to resist the urge to swap in an S54. An e46 M3 sedan would be awesome!

Same here. I honestly, rationally think that would be the perfect DD. A usable back seat, decent mileage, and tons of power.

My goal for my car is to be able to run sub-1:55 at Texas World while still getting my wife to ride in the car. :D