[dxb335d]

I had a 318 once, I gave that a hard time!!!

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by wheelie good

I would never have a go at anyone for buying a 318, but for me I would rather buy a cheaper make of car but bigger engine/better equipped, dare I say something like a Scoda or Seat

Exactly. That's why I bought a white peugeot bipper van for weekday use. Group 2 insurance, 50mpg when thrashed mercilessly, 22500 mile services, Bluetooth, aircon, usb, leccy Windows etc.

8 grand brand new, the only way you'd find me in a oily 4 pot clatter wagon for sure.

[rich1068]

There's a lot to be said for that approach.

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by dopper99

The thing that gets me is that I've seen a lot of people that have bought 318i/318d's and even 320's and after a month of ownership asking what performance mods are available....... errrrrrrrrrrrrrr............ if you want more performance why didnt you buy a 3 series with a bigger engine in the first place?

I suppose its down to people's budgets. But in my opinion - if you want more performance, get a slight older, higher power 3 series in the first place.

I've had an m3 and 535d and looked for performance boosts on those. I remapped the 535d so it's not slack of power that makes me want to map, it's seeking a 'change' basically. Also better driving characteristics.

I've had fast BMW's for the last 5 years and all have been 6 pots and only 1 D. I like to drive my cars hard and you can imagine with fast cars that I nearly lost my licence and rarely found a place where I could push the cars as I would be doing silly speeds in no time.

My remapped 320d is pushed hard all the time and I finally feel I an getting my money's worth! With good mpg to boot.

The bottom line I guess is that if like me you're at a point where you don't feel the need for big power, why not get a smaller engine?

I personally wouldn't get a 4 pot petrol as the 6 pot petrol is smooth as silk, but as for diesels they naturally lack refinement and engine note in any guise (IMHO from my 535d) so even though the 4 pot is even less refined, It doesn't make a huge difference to me.

[alzieboy]

The OP was posting regarding 318 i/d , I cant see how a remapped 320d can fall into the same category

[louiss(sco)]

hi im just new to this but i have a 318i se and i thnk its great im 20yo and cant get insured on the bigger engines its fast enough and looks great as long as it makes you feel good thats the main thing if it wasnt for the 318 i wouldnt be able to get a 3series

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by louiss(sco)

hi im just new to this but i have a 318i se and i thnk its great im 20yo and cant get insured on the bigger engines its fast enough and looks great as long as it makes you feel good thats the main thing if it wasnt for the 318 i wouldnt be able to get a 3series

I had a 318i at your age. It was a lovely car!!

[Cyprio]

Originally Posted by louiss(sco)

hi im just new to this but i have a 318i se and i thnk its great im 20yo and cant get insured on the bigger engines its fast enough and looks great as long as it makes you feel good thats the main thing if it wasnt for the 318 i wouldnt be able to get a 3series

An open and honest judgement, imo the best post on this thread thus far.
Good on you mate.

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by kaiser

I have a 318i E91 M-Sport (lci) which I love, I agree it lack a bit of punch but I love that about it, I have to work it in some situations and I think it shines. I would say buying the auto was maybe a bit of a misguided choice but I am happy as punch with mine. My only complaint is the economy which I suspect I could sort out with a remap but I cannot be bothered with that.

A friend of mine works for BMW and he reckons (having had almost every car in the BMW range) that the 318i is good engine and far exceeds the 320i, he said if he was buying his own car and he had to get a smaller petrol engine he would choose the 318i.

WHy does the 318 exceed 320i exactly? I'm curious at this statement.

reading about the two models, sorry to dug up an old thread..

[raf555]

Originally Posted by louiss(sco)

hi im just new to this but i have a 318i se and i thnk its great im 20yo and cant get insured on the bigger engines its fast enough and looks great as long as it makes you feel good thats the main thing if it wasnt for the 318 i wouldnt be able to get a 3series

+1 on the best comment so far

[Subzero2003]

Originally Posted by BicepBicep

WHy does the 318 exceed 320i exactly? I'm curious at this statement.

reading about the two models, sorry to dug up an old thread..

Strange, as if you are comparing two LCI models, i believe they both use the same N43 engine, it's just the 320i has a higher output (170bhp vs 140bhp).

Anyone who says that a modern x18i/d is better than an x20i/d is kidding themselves. There are absolutely no advantages to getting an x18 model over an x20. Fuel consumption is the same, running costs are the same, tax is the same and insurance will be as near as makes no difference.

The word pointless comes to mind. I suspect it was there to fill a gap to cater to a certain type of BMW owner.

[dopper99]

Isnt the x18 cheaper to buy both new and second hand though? Good if that is all you can afford.

[Subzero2003]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Isnt the x18 cheaper to buy both new and second hand though? Good if that is all you can afford.

I think there was about a £1000 difference when they were brand new (if you're fortunate enough to be able to spend ~£25000 on a brand new BMW, £1000 extra isn't really much difference.

In the used market the x18 and x20 are no different on the whole as there is such little difference in prices. You can normally easily find a x20 for the same price as an x18 on the used market.

[mob17]

When i first passed my test i got a E36 316i. Absolutely loved it with all my heart. Then after a while i bought an E36 318i, then an E90 320D. Then finally i got a E92 335D. So for me it's been a pathway to higher power, which i placed more importance over than anything else.

The smaller petrol engines serve a certain market. For me it was perfect to enter the BMW range whilst in my teens. So i will always respect them.

[dazza88]

I had a 318i for 3 years and was plenty happy enough with the power it had..... Until I test drove my 330d. That's not to say I wouldn't have another one though.

[Tallest]

Aren't all people knocking on 318i and 320i etc for low power kinda missing the point? It seems like the disappointment comes from people who wanted bigger engine but settled for 320i. They still want this car to blow their socks off like a 335i does but always find it lacking. From this angle, sure, I'd hate it too.

But I (early 30s, family, kid) who in past owned 320d, 325i E90s can make a good case for 320i. Here it is: compare it as used with manual gearbox and very stock versus bit newer everyday city driving family mid sized sedan (like a Mazda 6 or Passat etc). WHen looking at it used, you'll realize that unlike 320d you won't have to deal with the following 2-3k EUR fixes: Turbo, DPF, Swirlf Flap, Injectors. Unlike 325i-335i you won't have to worry about high fuel bills or HPFP turbo failures. If you drive only in city the 320i offers you just the following: great chassis, reliability, low.-ish running costs, and quality interior versus other everyday fleet cars.

I find the stock 3 series with not many options for some reason endearing. it's most honest, it's simple and it is still great to drive. A new 3 series now costs in full spec like 50k EUR. WHAT? for that car?

I am done at this stage of my life buying cars on lease and would rather have something that costs as little as possible and would rather invest the money into things that don't depreciate and lose value so fast as a car. So as my attitude changed to cars, the 320i in 80% of situations is all the car you need. Used it's a good value because fan-boys think it's not a proper BMW for some reason. With speed limit at 50kmh-60kmh in city, and 90-110kmh on highway where I live - I mean what's the use of big engine? To overtake 10 cars in succession? That's fking dangerous (and I've done that in mainly in 320d and bit in 325i before I wised up a bit). Let me tell you, smaller engined car probably makes you a safer driver as you will really think better about overtaking etc. And that's alright.

[Rob318]

Originally Posted by BicepBicep

Aren't all people knocking on 318i and 320i etc for low power kinda missing the point? It seems like the disappointment comes from people who wanted bigger engine but settled for 320i. They still want this car to blow their socks off like a 335i does but always find it lacking. From this angle, sure, I'd hate it too.

But I (early 30s, family, kid) who in past owned 320d, 325i E90s can make a good case for 320i. Here it is: compare it as used with manual gearbox and very stock versus bit newer everyday city driving family mid sized sedan (like a Mazda 6 or Passat etc). WHen looking at it used, you'll realize that unlike 320d you won't have to deal with the following 2-3k EUR fixes: Turbo, DPF, Swirlf Flap, Injectors. Unlike 325i-335i you won't have to worry about high fuel bills or HPFP turbo failures. If you drive only in city the 320i offers you just the following: great chassis, reliability, low.-ish running costs, and quality interior versus other everyday fleet cars.

I find the stock 3 series with not many options for some reason endearing. it's most honest, it's simple and it is still great to drive. A new 3 series now costs in full spec like 50k EUR. WHAT? for that car?

I am done at this stage of my life buying cars on lease and would rather have something that costs as little as possible and would rather invest the money into things that don't depreciate and lose value so fast as a car. So as my attitude changed to cars, the 320i in 80% of situations is all the car you need. Used it's a good value because fan-boys think it's not a proper BMW for some reason. With speed limit at 50kmh-60kmh in city, and 90-110kmh on highway where I live - I mean what's the use of big engine? To overtake 10 cars in succession? That's fking dangerous (and I've done that in mainly in 320d and bit in 325i before I wised up a bit). Let me tell you, smaller engined car probably makes you a safer driver as you will really think better about overtaking etc. And that's alright.

Well said.

I also take issue with the comments along the line that you'd only buy a 318i cause it's the entry level model and cheapest. Basically saying that I only didn't buy something bigger cause I wouldn't be able to afford it.

I bought mine new, in sport plus guise so with the exception of engine, it's probably better specked than a lot of the bigger models out there. A new 335 would have cost a lot more.

I have to say that also I see a lot of the bigger models purchased and flaunted on here are a few years old. So being condescending on those with the smaller models ' cause we couldn't afford to run with the big boys' is out of order, whether it is meant intentionally or not.

And I know some won't see the financial sense of buying a new car (or will at least hide behind that as a reason for buying a used one as the bigger models cost a LOT more new. For me, a brand new car is a wonderful thing.

[mob17]

Bicep: The use of a big engine is to put a smile on your face everytime you go out to drive it. Just because we have speed limits, doesn't mean you can't enjoy the car, and i don't mean by ignoring the limit. Just get to it faster having a lot more fun. For me, putting my foot down is a brilliant thing and is the number one reason i got a 335D.

People obviously have different needs, which is normal.

[savgeax]

I got the wife a E46 soft top 318i. Could not believe how much power was missing.

Dont get me wrong, a nice car....but the engine was poor.

Got given a 118i by BMW whilst mine was in the garage. Great car, loads of power. Would consider one of those again.

[Sparky68]

I had a e30 318i back in the 80s. That was a fantastic little car and had loads of go compared to what was also available at the time from Audi,Merc,Ford etc etc.

The new engine develops a hell of a lot more power than my old 318i but, it is also pulling a lot more kerb weight around. Would still prefer a 318i oer a Ford or Vauxhall 1.8 !

[A_P]

Originally Posted by Rob318

Well said.

I also take issue with the comments along the line that you'd only buy a 318i cause it's the entry level model and cheapest. Basically saying that I only didn't buy something bigger cause I wouldn't be able to afford it.

I bought mine new, in sport plus guise so with the exception of engine, it's probably better specked than a lot of the bigger models out there. A new 335 would have cost a lot more.

I have to say that also I see a lot of the bigger models purchased and flaunted on here are a few years old. So being condescending on those with the smaller models ' cause we couldn't afford to run with the big boys' is out of order, whether it is meant intentionally or not.

And I know some won't see the financial sense of buying a new car (or will at least hide behind that as a reason for buying a used one as the bigger models cost a LOT more new. For me, a brand new car is a wonderful thing.

I don't think that happens at all. I personally havn't seen any comments on this forum which would suggest such a thing. Almost seems to like you got a chip on your shoulder mate.

Just enjoy what you have eat, sleep, drive, live.

[E92MP]

I have seen lots of condescending remarks to owners with a ""4 pot "" on this forum.

Bottom line here seems to be a straight six is a minimum requirement to be in the ""club""

Just my observation.