M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: dude8383 on March 24, 2006, 02:48:46 PM

Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: dude8383 on March 24, 2006, 02:48:46 PM
Anyone know? I tried wikipedia, and googled but the ones i keep coming across are world wide numbers..
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: asubimmer on March 24, 2006, 05:17:01 PM
that would be cool to know :)
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: dude8383 on March 24, 2006, 05:22:25 PM
yup exactly why i brought up the question :)
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: asubimmer on March 24, 2006, 05:23:23 PM
yeah I hear that the 318is is almost as rare in the US as a E30 M3, would be nice to know #'s
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: dude8383 on March 25, 2006, 08:40:38 AM
damn...everyone that has posted on the other forums is just giving me world wide figures. blah i can't find anything either...its gotta be somewhere
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: Febi Guibo on March 25, 2006, 09:35:00 AM
write to bmw na on their site!
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: stevohill on March 25, 2006, 02:28:07 PM
I remember reading on a site somewhere(can't remember the site though now) that the production number's for 318is made between '89-91 was in the 40 thousands, which made it nearly as rare as the e30m3.  I wish I could remember which site it was though, had a lot of interesting info on it.
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: kowalski on March 25, 2006, 03:39:20 PM
thats not N.A. distribution tho, thats just the amount sold that year in total.
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: dude8383 on March 25, 2006, 08:07:23 PM
Quote from: kowalski
thats not N.A. distribution tho, thats just the amount sold that year in total.


yeh WERD...im wondering how many specifically made it here.
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: KidneyBoy on March 26, 2006, 12:23:22 PM
Okay, as of now there are about 70 members, now, everyone start taking note of all the 318is you see out there, report back in a weeks time.:rolleyes:
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: dude8383 on March 26, 2006, 12:48:20 PM
lol that should take a bit of time...
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: kowalski on March 26, 2006, 03:26:52 PM
Quote from: KidneyBoy
Okay, as of now there are about 70 members, now, everyone start taking note of all the 318is you see out there, report back in a weeks time.:rolleyes:



hahahaha...
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: asubimmer on March 26, 2006, 04:19:20 PM
k guys I have 4 so far
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: Choking Hazard on March 26, 2006, 06:02:41 PM
so thats it.  4.  Cool.  My cars is pretty rare....
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: 1991318is on March 26, 2006, 07:44:11 PM
that'd b awesome if there were only 4 made, could get some sweet money if u ever wanted to get rid of yours. But I got no plans on givin up on mine.
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: stevohill on March 27, 2006, 10:54:17 PM
Yeah, seeing 318is is a pretty rare occurence for me, well seeing e30's in general it seems, at least ones that are in "decent" condition. Usually I'll spot one and be like sweet another e30, only to find it's driven by a grandma and is more than likely auto, that or a horrible trashed e30 driven by a hispanic(since I live in az, no offense to anyone who is hispanic) Just makes me sad to see such great cars given no respect.
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: Febi Guibo on March 29, 2006, 08:29:10 AM
hey all this sounds a little... low?
but, here we go:

Quote
Dear Mr Guibo,

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately it's not very much we have in our archives about the US BMW 318is. The only differences between the 318i US and the 318is US were in the Spoilers and some different upholstery for the "is". Therefore both types used the same number range and we cannot find out how many were "i" and how many "is". The total production numbers for the BMW 318i/is US models are:

Four door sedan: 6.730 from May 1990 until May 1991

Two door sedan: 9.779 from December 1989 until May 1991

We hope this is helpful for you.

Yours sincerely,
BMW Mobile Tradition
Group Archives

9,779 two door iS models (in europe, the '.' is our ',')... wow if that's true... it's rare... I think when they say 'US' it means us + canada, but not sure... next letter is to BMW N. America.

Note also, I think the 1,000,000th E30 produced was a 318is!
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: dude8383 on March 29, 2006, 10:22:25 AM
wait so there were about 16,500 318i/is produced for the U.S. market?!
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: Febi Guibo on March 29, 2006, 10:29:43 AM
yeah that's about it...
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: 1991318is on March 29, 2006, 11:28:43 AM
Sweet, low numbers... Hopefully you get a response from NA, Interesting to see the actual numbers.
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: stevohill on March 29, 2006, 11:33:56 AM
So 16,000 total? thats production numbers, not how many are actually left running and in good condition.  We truly are the elitists of the e30's :)
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: RED IS 91 on March 29, 2006, 11:39:27 AM
My first post . great to be among friends
here's some info on the 318 is:)

It debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989 but was overshadowed by the launch of the 850i. Eventually, it was sold in most markets but was most popular in Italy, Spain, Portugal, UK, Ireland and North America. Even so, the 318is is a relatively rare car with 41,234 being made (out of a total of 2.2 million E30's = 1.86%). 9,442 were made in 1990, 29,171 in 1991 and 2,621 in 1992.

As of 2001, there are just 1687 UK 318is left registered with the DVLA in the UK - I guess Ireland has only about 150. I would therefore calculate that there are only ~15-20,000 E30 318is left roadworthy in the whole world - making them nearly as rare as E30 M3's! :eek:

The model was made different to the other sub 2 litre models by mainly incorporating changes in the engine, chassis and braking areas to overall improve its performance to GTi levels. The car was not sold or marketed as a boy-racer though, its overall heavier weight penalising its acceleration competitiveness, but appealed to the more astute driver who valued durability, depth of engineering and resale potential.

The 318is was dechromed and an extended front spoiler was fitted. Some of these spoilers were recessed in the middle, some had front foglights fitted and most had brake cooling ducts. Warmer climates had a grill (or even two) under the bumber to allow extra air to the radiator which was blanked elsewhere. A solid rear lip spoiler was also fitted as on other models. The M-Tech aerodynamic kit was also an option.
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: m42 fan on March 29, 2006, 11:40:27 AM
Seriously, I had no idea there were so few of these.  eye opening
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: kowalski on March 29, 2006, 12:17:23 PM
yeah neither did i, i know 3 other locals with 318is's
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: dude8383 on March 29, 2006, 12:58:53 PM
wow thats awesome...our cars are RARE then. i would feel guilty to swap it out for an S50 but damn is it ever so tempting..
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: Febi Guibo on March 29, 2006, 01:11:23 PM
you'd lose twice:

1. I'd take your M42Club priviliges
2. I'd take your car
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: kowalski on March 29, 2006, 01:15:51 PM
Quote from: Febi Guibo
you'd lose twice:

1. I'd take your M42Club priviliges
2. I'd take your car
3. I'd give you a backhand to the jaw


ahh you said it before me...
i fixed it up a little
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: Febi Guibo on March 29, 2006, 01:32:12 PM
aw I could never slug denis...!
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: dude8383 on March 29, 2006, 04:49:43 PM
lol nah like i said i would feel to guilty!!

maybe ill buy a second e30 (325is) that way i wouldn't feel that guilty yanking the engine out...

Quote from: Febi Guibo
you'd lose twice:

1. I'd take your M42Club priviliges

man i can't loose the damn commission! i live on this!

haha
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: sheepdog on April 01, 2006, 11:49:26 PM
Quote from: KidneyBoy
Okay, as of now there are about 70 members, now, everyone start taking note of all the 318is you see out there, report back in a weeks time.:rolleyes:


One week? How about I just tell you now, NONE!





I have seen two 318i (one was when I was looking for one) and one 318is in the last 2 years.

Several 325's, of differing vintages (one NICE late model white cab) maybe a dozen different ones. e30's are a bit rare in the entire St. Louis area.  If I see more than 2 e30's in a month it is rare.


In the first few months after I got it, I nearly caused 2 accidents from people gawking at it. No joke.

I do not claim it to be the best 318, but it is rare to see a nice looking example, especially an IS in the area and apparently these people knew it.

Needless to say getting parts, is a nightmare. Junkyards hang up at the letter "B" and the dealers (all owned by one guy) do not keep e30 parts in stock other than e36 compatible parts. Basically everything I need is shipped in. I did find one 325 at a yard, it was gutted from one end to the other.
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: m42 fan on April 01, 2006, 11:55:04 PM
All owned by one guy...  You're talking about Lou Fouz (sp?) aren't you?  Ha, I used to live in Illinois before I joined the Navy, closer to St. Louis than Chicago, so I always came down for Cardinals games and such.  Great city, btw.
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: M42boy on April 04, 2006, 12:05:37 AM
That is pretty rare in the grand scheme of things (in a sea of mass produced American and Japanese cars).  But still seems high compared to some of the numbers I'm used to with the ur-S model Audis.  I had a 1995 Audi S6 Avant, of which only about 450 were ever imported to the US.  

Of those, only a handful were the rare and desirable "Europa Blue"...  And, let's just say, there's one less of those.

My old car:
http://forums.audiworld.com/s4s6/msgs/91661.phtml
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: Choking Hazard on April 04, 2006, 11:15:32 PM
Quote from: M42boy
My old car:
http://forums.audiworld.com/s4s6/msgs/91661.phtml


Oh that was nice.  I'm sorry it met with uncooperative physics.:(
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: 2002maniac on April 05, 2006, 12:39:18 AM
Quote from: M42boy
...  And, let's just say, there's one less of those.


That was a nice car.  I hope you feel like shit.
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: sheepdog on April 05, 2006, 07:42:43 PM
Quote from: m42 fan
All owned by one guy...  You're talking about Lou Fouz (sp?) aren't you?  Ha, I used to live in Illinois before I joined the Navy, closer to St. Louis than Chicago, so I always came down for Cardinals games and such.  Great city, btw.

Would not be surprised if Lou owns them. I think it is spelled fusz or something, screwing spelling regardless.

I actually live a bit west of St. louis (60 miles?), moved here from Southern California.
So much better way of life.

Navy huh? Ex A.F. myself.
What do you do?
Title: Production # of 318is in U.S.?
Post by: jens on April 06, 2006, 12:39:34 PM
E30 318is is verry rear in Iceland. That is about it:

Red 10/90 R.I.P, swap to E30
white 1/90
Dark grey 1/90
Red 4/90 swap to  E30 / Gunni GStuning
Black 12/90 my uncle ( us )
Red 11/90 with 325i engine
Silver 2/91 / jens ( us )