BMW 318i vs. 320i mpg

Captain Slow IRL

Does anyone have any first hand experience with fuel consumption for these - the petrol engined cars (1996 - 1998 model)

Saloon preferably but touring figures would be appreciated as well.

corkgsxr

I doubt there'd be much difference. 35 town - 40 on run

Mr Benevolent

Negligible difference, I had a 1.8L car and it returned 30 mpg, and that's with a heavy right foot. In comparison I now have a 1.2 auto that returns 35 mpg.

corkgsxr

Confab wrote: »

Negligible difference, I had a 1.8L car and it returned 30 mpg, and that's with a heavy right foot. In comparison I now have a 1.2 auto that returns 35 mpg.

Might as well stick with the 1.8 so

kerten

I had a manual 2000 320i with 2.0 m52 inline 6 engine. my average consumption was around 30-32 mpg without hitting traffic too much.

e36 320i should have same engine with lighter body but I wouldn't expect miracles to be honest.

Isn't e36 318i is 1.8 lt 4 pot engine ? I guess it should have slightly better consumption but inline 6 is very refined and smooth engine if you are into that.

Mr Benevolent

corkgsxr wrote: »

Might as well stick with the 1.8 so

Nope, 2L all the way. 4 vs 6 cylinder.

bazz26

The E36 320i has a 6 cylinder engine compared to the 4 cylinder of the 318i. I would pick the 320i over the 318i with all things being equal.

Wicklowandy

Neithers going to be great, but a nice six hum beats the rough, and when old, a bit soft four banger.

Havent had a six cylinder bmw since an e30 320 many moons ago, and 30 would be the best of it with that.

Good luck in finding either e36 of that age that isnt a naff 'm3 lookalikey' or just scrap.

318is is a better compromise, or if you can find one, a mazda 323f 2.0v6. So smooth and likely to still be together.

Captain Slow IRL

I'm going to be doing a 70 mile round trip, I maxed 40mpg in my 318is on the same commute but need a more door now.

JerCotter7

Wicklowandy wrote: »

Neithers going to be great, but a nice six hum beats the rough, and when old, a bit soft four banger.

Havent had a six cylinder bmw since an e30 320 many moons ago, and 30 would be the best of it with that.

Good luck in finding either e36 of that age that isnt a naff 'm3 lookalikey' or just scrap.

318is is a better compromise, or if you can find one, a mazda 323f 2.0v6. So smooth and likely to still be together.

An e30 six cylinder is completely different to the 320 that the op is looking at. The newer e36 had an M52 which is lighter than the M20 in the e30 and has more power and more torque. They are just an all around better engine. 2 completely different experiences to be honest.

Op the 4 pot would be better with city driving and the 6 pot is better with motorway driving. Not enough of a difference to really go for one over the other. Just drive both and see which you prefer.

Captain Slow IRL

A test drive won't give me any indication of fuel economy; I'd rather the 6 cyl over the 4 cyl but don't want to get an idea of fuel consumption figures off (ex)owners before I go chasing a car down.

Big Nasty

A 4-pot 1.8 is fine in a little light Jap yoke but in the heavier E36 the lack of power will drive you nuts. 320 Coupe is the way to go IMO.