first time buyer!

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   hi!
I am looking at buying a E30, now i was thinking bout a 320, straight 6 etc! but i have been advised against this, as i am only 20, 325's are out of the question, so would a 318 be better? Also what do they go like? i have loads of other questions, but wont bore you yet!!

Any help would be great! 

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danny Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2	Topic: first time buyer! Posted: 28-September-2003 at 22:14
	hi! I am looking at buying a E30, now i was thinking bout a 320, straight 6 etc! but i have been advised against this, as i am only 20, 325's are out of the question, so would a 318 be better? Also what do they go like? i have loads of other questions, but wont bore you yet!! Any help would be great!

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kbannon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508	Posted: 28-September-2003 at 22:39
	If you had been thinking of a straight 6 then I would recommend the 325i. However, as you are only 20 & I'm sure insurance, etc. are against you then the best 4 pot (lower than 2 litre) is the 318iS. This car comes with 136 horses and is a best buy car (with the added bonus of becoming rarer so value will hold strongly). The 318iS is a sports car compared to a standard saloon in the 318i (the 'iS' came with a different engine [M42] compared to the M10 / M40 [pre 87 / post 87] in the 318i. The 318iS also was more likely to have an LSD and had discs all round whereas most 318i cars had rear drums. The car was originally designed to take on the likes of the VW Golf GTi. See Brendan Purcell's site for more info on this. Killian ps don't be shy in asking loads of questions - thats what we're here for
	Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual

jolf Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19-August-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 36	Posted: 29-September-2003 at 00:30
	I started off with my 316i, it's not the quickest car in the world, but was really good in teaching about rear wheel drive, specially with winter coming up, depends on what you have driven before, i think if you have only had front wheel drive cars, it's not worth getting anything too powerful, i got a 320i now and she scares me every now and then, usually in the wet!

blueboy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 36	Posted: 29-September-2003 at 11:04
	I've got a 318i, she's not the quickest out of the blocks but mid to top end acceleration is good, I have never had any problems getting passed anyone, and if insurance is a problem (it was for me !) the premium's aren't too bad !

andystone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I yeovil - pit of the world! Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 137	Posted: 30-September-2003 at 16:01
	318is is the daddy!
	vrrroom vrrroommmm! chug chug vrrroom vrrroommm! If we aren't supposed to eat animals, why are they made of meat?

Eamo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 13-May-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 3450	Posted: 30-September-2003 at 18:27
	I agree with andystone 318is the way to go - huge diffence between the standard 318 and 320

Sohlman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Coupe Chairman Joined: 19-August-2003 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 1259	Posted: 30-September-2003 at 19:38
	In My opinion there are three e30's that stand out from the rest. either a 318is, a 325i sport or the M3. Insurance wise the 318is is the best bet and performance is better than a 320i. If you feel these are two steep then i would recomend a late model 316 or 318 lux on a H plate. These came fully loaded although usually only on the tourings models. But really a 318is is a great car and if well looked after will go on forever as all BMW's will.

paul325i Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 23-January-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 666	Posted: 01-October-2003 at 01:17
	Hello mate, i'm only 21 and the insurance on a 325i isn't really that bad, if you go for a normal 2 door its quite a bit less than a sport would be and you lose nothing in performance really except a little acceleration and the LSD. If you can find a good example then you'll be much happier, but if its to much to insure the 318is is defo the best second option. 318is will handle better as its lighter and better balanced than the 325i but the 325 is faster in a straight line, much faster Edited by paul325i
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danny Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2	Posted: 01-October-2003 at 20:00
	cool! cheers for your help so far chaps!! i did not think i would find a E30 318is but just been looking in the for sale sector here and theres loads!! so i am hoping be xmas i will be fully German car'd up!!

macp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02-October-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5	Posted: 02-October-2003 at 20:40
	I used to have a E30 318iS and it was a superb car.It would easily do over 100mph and still commute and cruise with ease.Superb little car if you can try and get one like I did that has been loved with history like I did.