Why do I want a BMW 318ti?

[Chapel]

It's a BMW.. That's the point. You have to actually DRIVE the car properly..
The e30 rear suspension is awesome and nowhere near as unforgiving as some of you people make it out to be.

people think the E30 rear suspension is unforgiving?
jeez... these people must have never driven an E21 with a 6 cylinder... hoooooooo-faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[CannuckCorradoVR6T]

Why do I want a BMW 318ti?

Blurred vision? Confused? You're probably having a stroke

[Jrod511]

Blurred vision? Confused? You're probably having a stroke

That explains looking for Buick Reattas and 70's Shag Wagons. (Sometimes ebay leads to wild places...)

[ti.pilot]

A 318ti is a fun car. Don't let the hatters tell you otherwise. Would the car be better with an S52? Yup. Would a GTI be better in RWD? Yup. Here we are then, its BMW fun with GTI practicality.

The fact is that BMW should have created this car with the 2.8L and M package but you can deal with the 1.9L that is buzzy and fun or find a donor M3 and start your swap. I had a buddy check this one out. It may still be for sale. But it was in good condition but had a few rust spots that you cant see in the pictures but overall, very vice.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/2006724374.html



If you have specific questions, IM me or post up. I am looking to sell mine (but not very hard core) and get a 135i. I have a thing for the unloved BMWs. Oh, BTW, my car looks exactly like this but has the "California Roof".

[5mall5nail5]

Problem with the 318ti is that it still has E30 suspension. With an S52 sure it goes faster, but it doesn't go "better".

[jamerican1]

M3 swapped TI in San Jose: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2060810221.html

I swear if I was on the west coast I'd be about $7,000 poorer right now

[Scottyb 1.8T]

i actually like the way the Ti looks. i also like that they're practical, cheaper than your average E36 to run (old parts bin engineering) and relatively light while still being fun to drive. shame they're pretty gutless. you can definitely feel that it was built to a price (junky interior, solid front rotors, etc) although for driving around town it's not a big deal.

a friend of mine uses his as a track rat. it's been bulletproof and he can haul the entire weekend's worth of pit junk in the back. unsophisticated suspension parts or no, it's disturbing how fast it will go around a corner with a few choice suspension bits.



you've got your fun little cars already....i'd say keep the big 6.

[Chapel]

Problem with the 318ti is that it still has E30 suspension. With an S52 sure it goes faster, but it doesn't go "better".

only the rear suspension is E30... just like a Z3. the handling is obviously subjective. I prefer the way the rear end feels on the E30.

[dieselraver]

M3 swapped TI in San Jose: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2060810221.html

okay, im slightly aroused

[Jrod511]

Well, I've got a solid offer on the 6'er and I made an offer on a 318Ti M Sport. So we'll see if these threads hang together tight enough.

[Boxer2100]

Well, I've got a solid offer on the 6'er and I made an offer on a 318Ti M Sport. So we'll see if these threads hang together tight enough.

Assuming the deal goes through, how many weeks are you thinking you'll keep the ti?

[NOTORIOUS VR]

Problem with the 318ti is that it still has E30 suspension. With an S52 sure it goes faster, but it doesn't go "better".

Nothing wrong with E30 rear suspension at all.. I don't get why people seem to have a problem with it.

[Jrod511]

Assuming the deal goes through, how many weeks are you thinking you'll keep the ti?

9

[a2a4raddo]

Older doesn't mean less reliable. It means whatever you'd find would likely have more miles, but you can find something with less.

all else being equal, by all means it does. Parts age, hoses rot, a 90 318i with 50K will be less reliable then a 99 318Ti with 50K. It will need parts replaced sooner. Unless you find one where things have been replaced that havnt on the 318ti. But again, all else being equal...fact is..the car is older and things need to be replaced with time. With that being said, its easier to find a lower mileage 318Ti then a 318i...simply because they are newer.

[badb5]

all else being equal, by all means it does. Parts age, hoses rot, a 90 318i with 50K will be less reliable then a 99 318Ti with 50K. It will need parts replaced sooner. Unless you find one where things have been replaced that havnt on the 318ti. But again, all else being equal...fact is..the car is older and things need to be replaced with time. With that being said, its easier to find a lower mileage 318Ti then a 318i...simply because they are newer.

You can't generalize like that with these cars - way too many assumptions. Nothing can be considered equal when cars get this old - early 90's/ mid to late 90's doesn't make much of a difference in 2010. I know because I take years to find a nice old Bimmer and I bought a pristine low mileage 318ic, looked at Ti's during the search. I wanted a 91 318is but found an ic in the condition/ mileage I required.

I bought my 91 vert with 58k miles from the original elderly owner. She took it to a good indy BMW shop that replaced belts/ hoses, etc. over the years. It has almost 80k miles on it now, 3 years of trouble free driving with just fluid changes and a set of tires - that's it in 22k miles.

In my experience of buying nice old Bimmers from original owners - they tend to keep on top of maintenance and get things replaced due to age. Same exact scenario with my E34 by the way.

[a2a4raddo]

You can't generalize like that with these cars - way too many assumptions. Nothing can be considered equal when cars get this old - early 90's/ mid to late 90's doesn't make much of a difference in 2010. I know because I take years to find a nice old Bimmer and I bought a pristine low mileage 318ic, looked at Ti's during the search. I wanted a 91 318is but found an ic in the condition/ mileage I required.

I bought my 91 vert with 58k miles from the original elderly owner. She took it to a good indy BMW shop that replaced belts/ hoses, etc. over the years. It has almost 80k miles on it now, 3 years of trouble free driving with just fluid changes and a set of tires - that's it in 22k miles.

In my experience of buying nice old Bimmers from original owners - they tend to keep on top of maintenance and get things replaced due to age. Same exact scenario with my E34 by the way.

You are right and you are wrong. Your best bet is to find a car that has been maintained properly with service records and low mileage. However, all else being equal...a newer car will always be more reliable then an older one. Thats not to say the older one cant be more reliable...as it all depends on how the previous owner took care of it. But generally, newer cars will be more reliable and will be easier to find with less miles for obvious reasons.

In any event, i don't want to take this further off tangent then we already have. if you'd like to conitnue....pm me or lets start a new thread on the topic.

[BRealistic]

Are 318ti's easier to find in good shape for a fair price than a similar 325i?

[a2a4raddo]

Are 318ti's easier to find in good shape for a fair price than a similar 325i?

i searched for a clean 318Ti for several months before i gave up. I wanted a 5-Speed with M-Tech. During that time i ran into several E36 Coupes and sedans. Based on my experiance...they are not easy to find. And clean Ti's hold their value (percentage wise) better then any other E36 3er.

[Jrod511]

i searched for a clean 318Ti for several months before i gave up. I wanted a 5-Speed with M-Tech. During that time i ran into several E36 Coupes and sedans. Based on my experiance...they are not easy to find. And clean Ti's hold their value (percentage wise) better then any other E36 3er.

I don't even care about the mileage! Clean 5 speed Ti's are hard to find AT ALL.

[tcslol]

You are right and you are wrong. Your best bet is to find a car that has been maintained properly with service records and low mileage. However, all else being equal...a newer car will always be more reliable then an older one. Thats not to say the older one cant be more reliable...as it all depends on how the previous owner took care of it. But generally, newer cars will be more reliable and will be easier to find with less miles for obvious reasons.

In any event, i don't want to take this further off tangent then we already have. if you'd like to conitnue....pm me or lets start a new thread on the topic.

Point is that things aren't equal or general. The cars were of different build qualities to begin with and different owners will have replaced different parts at different mileages.

[BRealistic]

i searched for a clean 318Ti for several months before i gave up. I wanted a 5-Speed with M-Tech. During that time i ran into several E36 Coupes and sedans. Based on my experiance...they are not easy to find. And clean Ti's hold their value (percentage wise) better then any other E36 3er.

But why?

Wouldn't a 325is be a better sporting machine than a 318ti?

[WagonHatch]

What is the weight difference between a 318is vs 318ti?

(and a 325is, and m3 coupe, just for a great comparison on here)

[Maddave10]

My first car was a 1980 e21 hand me-down. Loved it soooo much and had it until 1997 with 181k on the odo and it still felt solid. If I had that 6er in my posession id NEVER sell it. Fix the body work and drive it. I rarely ever see big 6ers any more much less in great condition inside and out! What happened to the rear quarters tho if you don't mind me asking?

I have alot of seat time in 318tis. Have you driven one? Nice little car, kind of like an upscale vw golf from the same period but with rwd. I can't possibly imagine wanting out of an e24 to get into a 318ti tho. Speed or not, there are few cars on the road that have the cachet and presence of a well done big 6er. That interior is mint mint mint! As far as reliability goes, when the 318ti breaks I don't think it will be any cheaper to fix than the 6er, and since you've already put alot of time and effort into the car you are familiar with its mechanical condition.

How much were these cars new? I think the only real competition a big 6er has in terms of presence would be a 928, another guilty pleasure I have...I want one sooooo bad but am way to nervous about keeping it up. Set your car up right and keep it on the road!!!

[Mosbius Designs]

FWIW- a 1991 318is is the "modern" pedestrian four banger BMW to have imho.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...r_id=286142088



2600lbs.

**** now I want to get rid of my GTI for this.

[a2a4raddo]

But why?

Wouldn't a 325is be a better sporting machine than a 318ti?

rarity? simplicity? It all depends on what you value i guess. a '95 318Ti Clubsport has an LSD & several other M Goodies you wont find in a 95 325i. the Ti is also very popular for motor swaps...mostly M3 drivetrains, but i've seen a couple with SBC's under the hood. They are pretty much a more practical Z3 Coupe. If keeping stock, cheaper to maintain and better MPG's then a I or IS.

[teileguy]

thats a pretty rare shark. Late model ones with 5 speed are very very hard to come by, which is why all the interest in it. I have a 85 euro, and i know what you mean about the effort to drive it. its an awesome car, but for a daily you want something thats 'easier' to pilot around for errands and such. Maybe im just getting old....

Ti's dont have alot of power, but theyre fun. They all have the same problems (window regs, headliner falling down, trim) but the driveline is bulletproof. and a 6 cylinder swap is very easy to do if you really want more power.

I have a 95 stick, which i bought because a) it seems like 80% of the ones you see are auto, and b) it had black interior, where most of the non M-tech cars had ugly tan or grey looking cloth. I didnt bother with finding an m-tech because the bits to make the car look the part are cheap nowadays.

i think the people who say you should buy an e30 instead have never really driven one. Its a hatch with loads more room than an e30, and doesnt feel as dated as an e30 does. And this is coming from someone who loves old junk.

some inspiration:

[Benjamin.]

JRod, I found your chariot

http://york.craigslist.org/cto/2043058308.html





Good price, and most of the "custom" can be reversed

[Jrod511]

No way, Phunk. No. Way. I don't want that molested kiddie car.

[AKADriver]

If you want a really rare bird, I know there's a euro 323Ti floating around my area somewhere.

[a2a4raddo]

i found a yellow '97 5-Speed with 147K on the dash. Has the M tech bumpers & replica E46 M3 wheels. drivetrain is stock, but has a modified suspension...thinking about going to test drive it this evening.

[Jrod511]

I did manage to find a cleanish Calyso Red for a fair asking price; have been trying to reach the owner.

There was a 96 M Sport locally that keeps NOT selling on ebay because the reserve is too high. I was the last high bidder and didn't meet the reserve (each time the car goes for less). I get the guy on the phone and all he says is the reserve price; doesn't actually answer any questions; just keeps saying the price and talking about fees.

I sold the 635 by the way to a very nice guy. He got a great deal on the car and I really dropped my pants on the price, but I am happy. How did he do that? By not discussing price, price, price.

I don't NEED a 318Ti. If I find one I prefer it to be CLEAN, stock or OEM +, and have a high level of equipment (relatively). The proceeds from the 635 can go to far more useful things. With winter fast approaching and one project car in the works I am not desperate. If the right car pops up, sure I'll go for it.

Believe me, it's no penalty to drive a loaded E39 everyday, even with it's laggard automatic.

[a2a4raddo]

correction, the car is a '95 with M Tech front bumper, side skirts./ 5-Speed with 147K. 18" E46 Reps..some suspension work. Repainted Dakar Yellow. & french spec yellow fogs.

What would you guys pay for this? Asking price is $3,900

[Jrod511]

How many miles? I wouldn't want a 1995; aren't those OBD-I and M42 engines? Not sure on the OBD-I of that but they are the older 1.8's; I'd rather have the 1996+ 1.9 just because I don't like bastard one year engine/car combos.

$3900 sounds steep to me for that car personally. Not insane, but steep.

[a2a4raddo]

147K, yes...its OBD1

[Jrod511]

PM me; I'll give you the info for the 1996 M Sport at the Jersey Shore. 2 Owner. Super clean. No repaint. Asking $3800. I wasn't willing to spend that much. But I'd rather have a clean and original 1996 than a repainted 1995 for the same money.