Will I be happy with a 318ti?

[aceyx]

the ti cuts off about 250lbs over the 325 sedan. IMO it's easier to add power than to reduce weight, especially in a car whose 50/50 balance generates the entire "feel" of the car.

it is however, considerably fatter than the e30 (over the years, bmw seems to be adding weight to contribute to high-speed stability, not to mention comfort options).

either a drawback or a positive issue is the trailing-arm suspension. for autox, it may be tail-happy, but some people prefer that. matter of taste/driving style really.


snow isn't a big problem in the ti. with proper snow-tires fitted and patience, chances are that if you can't get it going, you shouldn't be going in ANY car. FWD/AWD/4WD only helps you go . . . but accidents are caused by not being able to stop.


getting an extra 11hp at the crank isn't a big deal, and will cost under $1k. how much do you want at the wheels?

overall, it may not be the perfect car for your purposes, but it takes a little getting used to making the best of what it's got (the oomph comes above 3500rpm). the 70-90mph pull is surprisingly strong, so i'm inclined to say it's a much different beast from the e30 318is.

CirrusSR22 is a member in your area(ish). hit him up with a PM, maybe he'll show you the capabilities.

[not2fast]

ACEYX,

It is a tough decision. I love the hatch and looks of a "ti". I like the extra doors and the 6 of the 325 Sedan. It seems that it will be a lot easier to find a sedan and get the wife to buy into as long as I have the MR2. It would take a lot of work and money to get a 'ti' to hang with the MR2 on a track or parking lot.

I found this like that had 0-60 times of some cars. The 325s are a lot quicker. I'm not sure how they are on gas.

Year-Make-Model-0 to 60-quarter
--------------------------------
1995-BMW-318ti-8.9-16.6
1994-BMW-325i-7.4-15.5
1998-BMW-M3 Sedan-5.5-14.0
1993-Toyota-MR2 Turbo-6.1-14.7
1999-Honda-Prelude-6.8-15.4
1994-Acura-Integra GSR-7.1-15.5

[AlaskaBlue]

The numbers can be decieving. I have run a 15.9 second quarter @ 86 mph with a bad take off. As far as engine mods I have a dinan chip, K&N Panel filter, and a lightweight flywheel. GDB has run a 15.6 quarter mile on a bone stock 318ti.

[96cali]

Then buy this 325ti with M cams:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-...QQcmdZViewItem

The guys name is Robb Hunter. Good guy, have not seen his car.

[not2fast]

Originally Posted by 96cali

Then buy this 325ti with M cams:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-...QQcmdZViewItem

The guys name is Robb Hunter. Good guy, have not seen his car.

I saw that last night. I'm going to be in Ashville, NC next week. If he doesn't sell it I might have to figure out a way to see it.

[evalha007]

Pros:

Handling is excellent, esp. w/sport package
Comfort
Smooth Ride
Looks cool
32 mpg highway (premium only however)
Rides smooth at 80 or 90+ on interstate @4200rpm
Small = easy to park

Cons:

Not much storage space
More quick than fast (only 140hp w/1.9l)
Probably not great in snow, but does have TC (standard? not sure)
Only 2 doors, but decent back seat space considering...

[aceyx]

i run 89 octane no problem, and i have no idea what you're talking about storage space. i could survive several days stranded with what's in my car at the moment, and none of it is just sitting around on seats or in the footwells. (whereas in my jeep, i just throw everything in the trunk)

i have found that in practice, the ti keeps pace with the 325 sedans. again, it's just a matter of how and where the power is generated. sixes give a nice, smooth pull but 4-bangers give a nice fuel-injected shot at the end.

if you do a lot of highway (since this seems to be a multi-use car) go with the six. if it's mainly around town and at the track, i'd be inclined to go with the ti.


in my experience, it's better to learn to drive a slow car, because you rely on technique rather than the engine's power, which easily translates up if you move on to something with more power. if you move down in power, you're screwed.

[evalha007]

I'm sure the engine is fine on whatever octane, but the manual says to put at least 91 or 92 in it. Just going by the book...

I meant not much storage space compared to say, a sedan. Compared to an MR2 it might as well be an aircraft hangar.

[AlaskaBlue]

Our cars would have more storage and versatility compared to many 325i sedans due to the fact that no all of their seats fold down. I believe it was a rarely checked option.

I have done fine with my ti in the snow. No traction control and I have the LSD. Just keep your wits about you. It is also a very fun car in the snow, track, parking lot, or wherever else.

[not2fast]

Originally Posted by aceyx

in my experience, it's better to learn to drive a slow car, because you rely on technique rather than the engine's power, which easily translates up if you move on to something with more power. if you move down in power, you're screwed.

I totally agree with you. I learned how to autox in a 84 GTI. The car was slow as a snail, but it made you drive lines to go fast. It would embrass a lot of cars with twice the hp.

Whatever I get will replace my 1994 Honda Accord EX sedan. It has been a great car and I wonder if I am asking for trouble selling it because it is the cheap to drive and never gives me any problems. The only problem I have with it is that it is an auto and boring as hell to drive. I bought it planning to drive it until it dies and then pickup a Lexus IS300, Infiniti G35, or BMW 325, but I can't stand it anymore. I have tried driving the MR2 in the summer everyday, but I'm asking for trouble with it. It feels like I'm playing a video game when I get behind the wheel of it after the Accord and I end up doing things that will get me another speeding ticket and this will be number 3 on the year even though I have never gotten one in it. (Damn Volvo S40)

[not2fast]

Originally Posted by evalha007

Compared to an MR2 it might as well be an aircraft hangar.

I tell the Miata guys something simular to that.

The MR2 has a nice little frunk and good size trunk.

[not2fast]

Originally Posted by AlaskaBlue

Our cars would have more storage and versatility compared to many 325i sedans due to the fact that no all of their seats fold down. I believe it was a rarely checked option.

I didn't know that. I like the hatch, but my wife has a VW Passatt Wagon 4Motion so i don't need the hatch for functionality, but like the looks. The sedan would be nice for times when we want to go somewhere with the 9 month old and not take the wagon.

[aceyx]

my gascap says 89aki minimum (i have a 97). maybe they changed something.

see this thread about hatch functionality: http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthrea...3675#post33675


BUT if you're gonna take family trips with this thing, i VERY HIGHLY suggest AGAINST the ti. there's something about driver's rear-ending these things and less trunk = less crash protection.

of course you could always take the wagon. but that's a very crucial bit of info.

[not2fast]

Originally Posted by aceyx

BUT if you're gonna take family trips with this thing, i VERY HIGHLY suggest AGAINST the ti. there's something about driver's rear-ending these things and less trunk = less crash protection.

of course you could always take the wagon. but that's a very crucial bit of info.

The "ti" would take trips in the second car out of the equation. The only time we have had the family in the Accord is when the Passat is in the shop. It is nice to have the extra doors. The thing is my wife hates driving manuals even though she can just fine. I for one want the manual or else I will just keep the Accord and suffer.

[96cali]

Originally Posted by not2fast

I didn't know that. I like the hatch, but my wife has a VW Passatt Wagon 4Motion so i don't need the hatch for functionality, but like the looks. The sedan would be nice for times when we want to go somewhere with the 9 month old and not take the wagon.

I have a 19 mos old daughter and her infant carrier fit just fine. Because the front seat flips so far forward I could actually stand inside the car crouching to get her buckled in. It was not difficult, and in fact more comfortable in a way, than sliding her into our Passat sedan. Now that she has graduated to a toddler size Britax seat (huge but safe) it is a squeeze even in the Passat. So the ti will fit her and we have taken day trips in the ti. Fitting a stroller in the back is a bit more challenging!