BMW 316 or 318

Irishrossoblu

Gonna ask a silly question. What are the major differences between BMW E46 316 and 318? Both 1.9 petrol engines. What else is there? Am considering 01 cars.

Thanks

EPM

Just a slight power difference is about all you'll notice. Better to buy a 320d and get some useful go rather than paying the running costs of a 1.9 and getting the performance of a 1.6

Irishrossoblu

EPM wrote: »

Just a slight power difference is about all you'll notice. Better to buy a 320d and get some useful go rather than paying the running costs of a 1.9 and getting the performance of a 1.6

Thanks for your advice. Is it general consensus that anything under a 320 is not good? There is an awful lot of 316/318 on the road. Seems strange if most think that they are underpowered, and not really worth buying. I wouldnt pay more that 5k for a 316/318, so they seem ok value.

EPM

The Post-2001 318i is a 2.0 - decent engine. It's just the older 1.9's (especially the 316) are underpowered. I dont have a problem really if it was a 1.6 but you get lumped with 1.9 running costs but nothing in return.

Plus at the age you're buying, the price difference might not be huge in going for a 320d and you'll have good economy and power. The Pre-2001 320d is 136bhp

Irishrossoblu

EPM wrote: »

The Post-2001 318i is a 2.0 - decent engine. It's just the older 1.9's (especially the 316) are underpowered. I dont have a problem really if it was a 1.6 but you get lumped with 1.9 running costs but nothing in return.

Plus at the age you're buying, the price difference might not be huge in going for a 320d and you'll have good economy and power. The Pre-2001 320d is 136bhp

Ok. I am loking at one and its 2001, but i dont know if it is a 316 pre or post engine change. If the 318 & 316 both have a 1.9 engine, is there a significant difference in power? And is it only in speed?

Saab Ed

Or buy a Mondeo. Better to drive , more space, cheaper, stronger and you dont end up with everybody saying you look like a Pri*k . Big petrol and TD Beemers are lovely to drive but small 4's are awful......... One very expensive badge coming up sir :P

Saab Ed

Saab Ed wrote: »

Or buy a Mondeo. Better to drive , more space, cheaper, stronger and you dont end up with everybody saying you look like a Pri*k . Big petrol and TD Beemers are lovely to drive but small 4's are awful......... One very expensive badge coming up sir :P

Come on a boring mondeo. I will admit a 318 is lacking in power but there alright for a step up from smaller cars(I have a 318ci) But a mondeo a better drive? I think not, stronger? I think not and as a place to be you cannot compare a nicely spec'd 3 series inside with a mondeo or how much better a 3 series looks(especially the coupe).

Saab Ed

Anahi Puny Wing wrote: »

Come on a boring mondeo. I will admit a 318 is lacking in power(I have a 318ci) But a better drive I think not, stronger I think not and as a place to be you cannot compare a nicely spec'd 3 series inside with a mondeo or how much better a 3 series looks.

Before I start this I just want to say that I have no connections with Ford. Every time I get out of a Mondeo it baffles me why people spend thousands more on A4's and 3 series and the likes. I know I can start a long lasting debate here with this next opinion but yep, a like for like Mondeo licks a 3 series everytime. With a smaller engine its miles ahead of a 3 series to drive and the touch of the materials inside wont be a patch on a BM that for sure but then again it costs a pitence by comparison. Bigger inside , bullit proof and with a high spec every gadjet you could want for. I know where my money would go. You gotta drive a Mondeo and you'll agree.

MarkN

A Mondeo isn't RWD for starters so a BMW will be a nicer car to drive but at 316/318 level it's not going to be a priority.

Irishrossoblu wrote: »

There is an awful lot of 316/318 on the road. Seems strange if most think that they are underpowered, and not really worth buying.

The number of them on the road doesn't mean they're good. It means Irish people are more into having a badge and don't care that they're driving an underpowered poverty spec car.

Irishrossoblu

The number of them on the road doesn't mean they're good. It means Irish people are more into having a badge and don't care that they're driving an underpowered poverty spec car.[/quote]
Ok. I am just trying to figure out whether it is a good car and worth the money (5k ish). I have never really noticed whether a car is under powered when driving to be honest, and so am wondering if I would notice the difference between a 316 and 318. I really like the BMW 3 series and have done since I was a kid. I am not really in it for the image it has aquired in Ireland in the last 7 years. I have looked at all other possibilities and cant find any other car I like. It is just confusing me the fact that in the E46 pre 2002 they both had the same engine. I would normally probably go for a 318, but I may have the possibility of getting a good deal on a 316 which has great milage and has a full history and would allow me to avoid the Naas/Longmile crowd and their clocked BMW's.

Saab Ed

No point having a rear wheel drive car if you dont know why you have a rear wheel drive car or in most owners case they dont even know it is rear wheel drive. Dont buy into the hype.

MarkN

Saab Ed wrote: »

No point having a rear wheel drive car if you dont know why you have a rear wheel drive car or in most owners case they dont even know it is rear wheel drive. Dont buy into the hype.

I thank all the owners you describe - they provide BMW with the money to build cars like the one I own

Salesmen in BMW have told me before that many, many times they have to explain that the car is RWD and things like slippy roads need to be taken into consideration.

OP - if power etc isn't your biggest priority and you like the car you mention then go for it.

listermint

Saab Ed wrote: »

Before I start this I just want to say that I have no connections with Ford. Every time I get out of a Mondeo it baffles me why people spend thousands more on A4's and 3 series and the likes. I know I can start a long lasting debate here with this next opinion but yep, a like for like Mondeo licks a 3 series everytime. With a smaller engine its miles ahead of a 3 series to drive and the touch of the materials inside wont be a patch on a BM that for sure but then again it costs a pitence by comparison. Bigger inside , bullit proof and with a high spec every gadjet you could want for. I know where my money would go. You gotta drive a Mondeo and you'll agree.

I own an E46 Sept 01 model 2.0 L. I have to say i am a fan of Ford's Driven many focus variants including the beloved ST. However i have to comment that the comfort of the seats in the new mondeo is dire. Really disappointed me, i've driven 3 of them. Mate works in Ford dealers. I would pick a focus over it anyday.

Any back on topic.

OP if you like the car buy it! Cost is obviously an issue. so if you can stretch it get the post sept '01 318. It has a much better power to weight ratio and wont disappoint you and has very decent fuel economy im getting 38-40mpg from mine. Again you will always have the likely lads saying anything under 320 is a waste of time. Thats their opinion and frankly if i had the cash currently i would move up but i dont and im delighted with what ive got. Trust your own opinions.

Best of luck!:cool:

Fishtits

I think the key point here is that you get a good one. I drive a 318i, (E36) have driven it for the last 10 years, (bought it 2 yr old) its been so good that I've held on to it, I used to be a religious two years move it on type.

Late 30's in MPG, not a rattle, v decent roadholding/handling mix, scrubs up well for the weddings etc., genuine parts (there haven't been that many) are reasonable. Its worth sod all now but why would I take a risk in changing it?

All this rubbish about two litre and over being a genuine BMW etc is all tosh. I tip along at speed limits or less.

I get my kicks from stage rallying, in a totally different car, for everyday transport the BM has been brilliant, solid engineering, good ergonomics (except for the clock)

Get a good one, and look after it. At this stage I wouldn't consider anything else as a replacement.

fishtits. (boring old git...;))

Ferris

Irishrossoblu wrote: »

Ok. I am loking at one and its 2001, but i dont know if it is a 316 pre or post engine change. If the 318 & 316 both have a 1.9 engine, is there a significant difference in power? And is it only in speed?

If the indicators turn up at rather than down it is the facelifed version and these have the 2L 16v engine with ~150hp. This is the best 4cyl petrol engine in the e46 as its the most powerful and economical.

A 6cyl 2.2 (320i) or 2.5 (325i) would be a far nicer car to drive, probably not a lot more expesive to run bar the road tax.

Irishrossoblu

Thanks for all the tips so far.

Ferris, the good car i am potentially looking at is a 316 SE, 01 plate. I presume that this car will tip along quite well also. In a perfect world I would get a 318i, but this 316 is ticking all the boxes in terms of spec and used car quality. Its the power that i am ignorant of.

Thanks again.

EPM

If the power doesn't bother you and you are happy with it then it's a fine car in every other respect. SE will have a nice few extras too. IIRC the 316i is 105 brake and I remember the WhatCar? test when it came out gave it a very good write up

Idbatterim

OP Irishrossoblu how much you have to spend?

Irishrossoblu

Idbatterim wrote: »

OP Irishrossoblu how much you have to spend?

5-6k. I dont think a car of 01/02 is worth much more than this, cos of age/milage.

veetwin

Irishrossoblu wrote: »

5-6k. I dont think a car of 01/02 is worth much more than this, cos of age/milage.

OP do yourself a big favour and stretch the budget to a 02 318i. I had one for years and loved it. Mate has a 01 316i and they are completely different. The 318 is so much better, smoother and more powerful, even the mate agrees. OK its no rocket but it has all you need. The 316 is rough and underpowered. I mourn the day I traded in the 318 for a sensible diesel!