Your 4 cylinder BMW experiences

I'm trying to avoid a "VS" thread here, for a couple of reasons, but mostly because I don't want to limit the field of choice to 2 or 3 cars.

With that in mind, this week I saw 2 cars on CL that got me to thinking....if you could buy a 4 cylinder BWM as a second or even third car, which one would it be? (Choice must be manufactured between 1977 and 2007.) If only for looks, since I've never driven one, I prefer the "original" 320's. But would like to hear PROS and CONS of any and all possible models.

For vintage motoring E21, or for more modern 318ti. Just an opinion, no real facts to provide reasoning

I've been seeing a lot of E36 318is in the self-service junk yards. Those are probably the cheapest to buy (other than the sedan version). A 1996 318is with the 1.9L M44 and LSD and sport package is a nationally competitive H Stock car.

I think the desirability scale is:

E30 M3
E30 1991 318is
E30 1991 318i
1996-1998 Z3
E36 318ti Club Sport/Sport
E21 320iS
E36 318is
E36 318i
E30 M10 318i

For every day use, I'd go with the 1991 318is.

as much as I like the e30 318is.. I think the Ti is a better daily. It is more resistant to rust, has a better suspension (especially in the front) and has that huge hatch to throw all your junk in.

the bad points are the typical e36 interior issues such as self decomposing door panels and headliner.. but the ti specific stuff is pretty tough

The E-21 can be a good choice in today's world. They are still inexpensive, but prices are going up.

The early cars, up to '79, have the 2liter M10 motor, 4 speed trans and an open 3.64 rear end.

The later cars have a 1.8 M10, 5 speed and a 3.91 diff. The 320is, starting in 1980, provides the Recaro seats and LSD's that are coveted by the 2002 world.

These cars have not enjoyed the respect of the rest of the bimmer world, it's been treated like the ginger of the family. But that is changing.

I drive a 1981 320i in our local SCCA events. The Southern California region has a class for the early cars and I have built the car for "H Stock" Historic2. www.solo2.com

Find the best, most complete car you can find. But be prepared to replace the "ware" items in the suspension. The front suspension control arms, struts, wheel bearings and steering rack bushings are probably going to be the starting point for your rolling restoration. But the parts are available and the for the later cars they are cheaper.

The off-set of the rims for these cars will make upgrading to larger rims a challenge, look for an ET-13 or 18. They are out there. My street tires are a set of 15X7 ET-13 running 205/60/15's Toyo's under the stock fenders. That would never have worked on my 2002.

Good luck on your quest.

David

I've had a bunch of 4 cyl bmws and DD a 318ti. I'd say an e30/m42 combo with a couple of tweaks would be good - better build/material quality, a little lighter than e36s and more power than m10 versions. I do keep an eye peeled for a 320 - but my first thought would be getting a six in it or boosts. For value, 2002 - but there seems to be a pretty good buy-in premium on them these days.

aye.. the E30 318is is 100 pounds +/- than the 318ti

M10.... Good enough for F1 - good enough for you!

mad_machine wrote: aye.. the E30 318is is 100 pounds +/- than the 318ti

It is a much bigger weight difference in favor of the E30. There is about 100lb savings for the ti over E36 318is.

E36 318is 2,850 lbs
E36 318ti 2,750 lbs
E30 318is 2,550 lbs

Vorshlag lightened their 1991 318is under 2,350 lbs in ST form.

M42 FTW. I might be biased.

integraguy wrote: I'm trying to avoid a "VS" thread here, for a couple of reasons, but mostly because I don't want to limit the field of choice to 2 or 3 cars. With that in mind, this week I saw 2 cars on CL that got me to thinking....if you could buy a 4 cylinder BWM as a second or even third car, which one would it be? (Choice must be manufactured between 1977 and 2007.) If only for looks, since I've never driven one, I prefer the "original" 320's. But would like to hear PROS and CONS of any and all possible models.

I might be tempted to go 1.9L Z3 roadster since you all but eliminated the 2002 with your timeline. It drives like an E30 - but you get 5 lug wheels, bigger brakes, easier to disassemble/modify E36 front suspension. Cool penis-like hood and mostly handsome interior.

I prefer the E30 318is to any E21 for driving poise, for looks E21 all the way.

Closer in weight than I thought - poked around a little - I see weights ranging from 2590 to 2745 for the ti and weights from 2602 and up on m42/e30s. So same weight, better front suspension. I really like the dynamics of the ti - and I really hate the quality of the trim materials.

m42/m44's make the worst exhaust note though.

i'd choose an M10 over that alone. i know that's weird, but whatever, you asked for opinions.

stock the M42/44 do sound very mechanical. I have the rare supersprint exhaust on my ti.. it wakes up the M44 and makes it sound a LOT better. Still has a mechanial sound to it.. but that is common to most BMW.. just look at the sound the e46m3 makes

For what it's worth, I love my m10 powered e30. It's not going to win any drag races, but it has no problem doing whatever I ask it to do. (Cruise at 95, get +25 mpg city, be reliable, be cheap to maintain)

Plus, the motors supposedly take huge amounts of boost.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Cool penis-like hood

the e36 318ti has the e30 rear suspension like the Z3, but the sedan and coupe e36 318's have the updated e36 rear suspension. I imagine this would only be relevant if your want to compete seriously with the car.

mad_machine wrote: stock the M42/44 do sound very mechanical. I have the rare supersprint exhaust on my ti.. it wakes up the M44 and makes it sound a LOT better. Still has a mechanial sound to it.. but that is common to most BMW.. just look at the sound the e46m3 makes

in my opinion, M42/44's always sound like they have a bafffle loose in the muffler. and that's on top of that stereotypical crappy blattttttttt sound that some 4 cylinders make.

I miss my 91 318is dearly.

LIghtweight flywheel, chip, exhaust, intake and it's basically as quick as an E30 325is, with better mileage.

As far as rust mentioned earlier, find a base model with no sunroof.

z31maniac wrote: I miss my 91 318is dearly. LIghtweight flywheel, chip, exhaust, intake and it's basically as quick as an E30 325is, with better mileage. As far as rust mentioned earlier, find a base model with no sunroof.

shhhh... don;t tell the fanbois... don't know the sixes are ALWAYS faster?

mtn wrote: M42 FTW. I might be biased.

^^^^^^^ This......and last time it was weighed, my ti was under 2000lbs....

I'm emmensly biased, but I wanted and wanted the 2002tii I drove at the Mecum Indy auction last year.....had a bunch of alpina stuff on it and only brought $8k Stupid Brown on Tan coloring

i am supremely skeptical of a supposed sub-2000lb E36.

I think his ti might look like this:

instead of:

any e30.

M3 preferably then later 318i/is with the M42 then early 318 with M10. The M10 has no power to speak of, but the early 318s are in the neighborhood of 2300lbs (before removal of 50lbs of electric locks/windows/etc) so even with 100hp they're reasonably quick.

That said, I'm putting an M42 into my early 318 this winter...

or a 2002tii.

I vote M10 just for the sound. Mine moves my e21 pretty good, I haven't weighed it but I've got to be real close to less than 2000 lbs.