BMW E30 318is..good car?

[WARL0CK]

Hi I am new to this site and would like some advice on the BMW E30 318is
I will be turning 17 soon and i have some cash saved for a car. Whilst looking at various cars on the internet, the E30 318is has always caught my eye.

After getting a quote i found that can reasonably easily insure this car for little more than 1000 GBP a year. Though I have read favourable reviews in general, I want to know if this is a good car to have as my first. I appreciate that its a 20something year old car and understand the level of maintainence that comes with it.

any thoughts appreciated

[Romrog318is]

ive had 318is's for like 2 maybe 3 years now and LOVE them mine now rolled over 206,XXX miles and still runs strong!

even though im taking out the M42 they are VERY good running cars and will always last much longer than most people think!
jus some advice with this motor always check temp gauge water level and oil!!

[Chalino]

Best vehicle ever.

[Romrog318is]

Best vehicle ever.

+1

[WARL0CK]

how good is it on fuel?

[4banger]

mine are verry good on fuel considering the mods that ive done. my semi stock 4door with a chip gets on avearage 30-33mpg on the motorway. id say 25ish around town.

[Romrog318is]

my gas mileage isnt bad about the same as his^^ maybe a little less considering the way i drive and what mine has done lol

[DesktopDave]

It's a good car to learn on too.  Everything is easy to get at, there are plenty of parts cars around, the motor was made for a while, etc.  It's a car that's easy to maintain and easy on the wallet.

Don't jump all over the first one you see.  Take your time & get a good one.  Rust in the a-pillar is common around here, as is rust in the frame under the doors.  Avoid those cars unless they're a giveaway.

The usual e30 problems all apply, plus M42 stuff like vac leaks, ICV & CPS but they're cheap to fix.  Fuel pump, plastic water pump, cam drive system are spendy.  Overheating is the biggest problem...it'll crack the head very quickly among other issues are the problems you might run into.

You have another option...you should check out the diesel versions too.  Not as much fun, but likely cheaper to run.

[WARL0CK]

I might be wrong here but i didn't think they made a diesel version with an engine smaller than 2000cc. The only problem with that is due to my age insurance companies won't give me a quote on anything above 1799cc

[dude8383]

I might be wrong here but i didn't think they made a diesel version with an engine smaller than 2000cc. The only problem with that is due to my age insurance companies won't give me a quote on anything above 1799cc

I wish the laws were similar here. Wouldn't have as many douche bags driving around.

The only diesel I remember is the 324d/td

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1511&mospid=47279&btnr=11_0019&hg=11&fg=05

[arcter]

It's a very good car, I love mine. But it is almost 20 years old so expect to do some maintenance here and there as you would with any old German car. It's a ton of fun though, and it handles great.

[Romrog318is]

ive never heard of insurance not giving you a quote because of engine size?!?! i think it goes more on how much it is to repair and how much power it has (from what ive encountered/read) so i may be wrong

[DesktopDave]

I wish the laws were similar here. Wouldn't have as many douche bags driving around.

The only diesel I remember is the 324d/td

I wish we had tougher standards too.  Nobody should be driving if they can't change a tire, or can't see.  My pet peeve is the ones that can't afford insurance.  We have to pay to protect ourselves from them and they're all but immune from prosecution. :mad:

You're right about the 324td/tds.  I wasn't being clear enough.  I was thinking of the e36 series diesels...318tds?

Alternatively, you could look for the lowly e30 316i or maybe even an e21 1.6 & 1.8.  They're all fine cars, just not as perky as an M42.

[Romrog318is]

I wish we had tougher standards too.  Nobody should be driving if they can't change a tire, or can't see.  My pet peeve is the ones that can't afford insurance.  We have to pay to protect ourselves from them and they're all but immune from prosecution. :mad:

You're right about the 324td/tds.  I wasn't being clear enough.  I was thinking of the e36 series diesels...318tds?

Alternatively, you could look for the lowly e30 316i or maybe even an e21 1.6 & 1.8.  They're all fine cars, just not as perky as an M42.

if your worried about insurance get a 320is lol


and yea i hate how i have to pay SOO much for car insurance when im pretty sure i can drive better than half the ppl out there, i mean yea everyone who knows how to drive will do stupid but its the matter that i can keep control of my vehical unlike a lot of ppl...
ive spun out on ice on a main 4 lane road (2 on each side) and i managed to keep from hitting the cars beside me and put he in the soft snow on my side!
they should do a cone test for drivers for insurance costs like an auto X

[4banger]

12yrs accident(involving another driver. ive hit a couple deer lol) and traffic violation free. insurance on my DD is $28.79 a month. however insurance on my work truck is over $150 a month.