Re: differences between 325i and 318i, besides 2 c (archive)

I had the same choice to make a month ago. For me it was the 318 I could easily afford or the 325 which I had to push. But I've been driving a 4 cyc car for 6 years now. And though it can be a lot of fun driving a 6 cyc car is sooooo much more fun. It's a big difference in fun factor. Also if you're someone like me who doesn't want to have to make as many mods as I did on my old 4 cyc car. I spend half the value of my car just to make it run a little faster. Now if you're decideing to buy a used 318 or 325 to make the 318 close to as fast as the 325 you're spending more then the price difference. Also if you looking between the 325 and 328 my friends dad is a BMW mechanic and has been for the past 15 years in fact they have 4 of their own. Anyways he says the 325 is a better reliable engine then the 328. I bought the 325is. Now I can't drive my old car it's just not the same any more. Even though my old are is fixed up and my BMW is stock the fun factor is just not there any more with my old car. Hope that helps and good luck

: I just started looking at E36s. So far, I've driven a 97 318ic, a 95 325i, and a 96 328i. All were 5 speeds. As expected, the 328i had the best acceleration. The 318 did not excite me much. But then again, I don't need a rocket ship to carry me to and from work everyday, just something with a little fun factor. I'm about to take a look at a 94 318ic with 41K miles offered at $17K. Seems like a good price if really in the condition described to me.

: My question is, besides the engine, is there any significant difference between a 318 and 325? I don't care so much about interior stuff like leather, computer, etc.. More concerned with things like suspension, brakes, body construction, etc.?

: Also, can anything be done to make the 318 quicker off the line? Chip? Intake ala ECIS?

: One final question. When did the profile gasket problem in the 318 get resolved? Would a 94 suffer from this potential problem?

: Thankyou very much to all you gurus out there.

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