[2ndBimmer]

Basically the Ti is a 318 with its tail chopped off. Interior space is the same, and the 318ti got a simpler dash layout than the rest of its e36 generation; it has less switches and dodads and more dials and a smoothed over look, its alot less 'busy.' And yes, it uses the rear suspension from the previous generation 3 series, the e30 (84-91). The shorter car (166 inches versus 175 inches) makes for a car thats about 200lbs lighter.

Car and Driver got a 95' model to 60 in about 8 seconds. Figure 9 for a slushbox.

Thats what you get with only 133 horses.
The 328, depending on year, put out about 190+ ponies.
There are ALOT of mods people do to get more juice in their car. Some tweak the heck outta the engine as is with chips, exhausts, various intakes... the usual fare of souping up. Extremely popular is dropping in a 2.8/3.0/3.2 liter engine from the higher performing BMWs. And lets not forget forced induction.

The only major problem Ive had with my car was the catalytic converter going. Luckily this was covered under extended warranty. Unluckily they screwed me out of a new muffler, them things are expensive.