Thinking about a bmw 325 vs 318

[PhilK]

Hello everyone,
Through looking back into the previous posts I see that most people have recommended the 325 over the 318. And while i'm looking for a 325 (325i actually), I've come to start considering getting the 318i if I came across one at a good price. I have heard many of you recommend the manual since the auto is sluggish (from what i've heard on message boards).

The situation is this, I sort of need a car soon, and while I don't tend to drive my cars real fast, I do like them to be able to accelerate decently fast (so I don't get shown up by any old ladies at the red lights would an auto 318 be fast enough for what i'm looking to do with it? I don't have any particular 318i in mind, however, I wanted to ask just so that I could possibly open my horizons a little more.

Thanks for the help

 

[Bimmerlife]

It doesn't mean that you can't find a 325i with a manual transmission. The 318i is a four cylinder engine. The 325i is a 6 cylinder engine. And its very powerful and smoth.

The 325i is a absolute beast in the class.

 

[jszar]

i love my 325i. for a 4200 lbs. car...with me in it...0-60 in 7.4. let me know if you can find another car with a 2.5L v6engine that can do that. i dont think you'll find any. the auto isnt bad y any means. i love it. i think mine can use a few adjusments, but nothing major for a car with 100k+ on it. go for the 325...you wont be disappointed.

 

[PhilK]

Yeah i'm not worried about the 325i auto not being fast enough (I'm sure it'd be plenty fast and more haha), just curious about the 318i being fast enough actually. I drive a Mercedes 190e inline 6 now, and it's pretty decent and i'm pretty sure the 325i would faster than that.

Kind of one of those things, I would jump on a 325i, but just wondering about whether the 318i auto would be decent enough to consider.

Thanks for the input guys!!

 

[Big Daddy]

I have a 91 318is and I love the car. Sure she does not compare to my M roadster, or the 750iL for that matter, but she is not slouch either. I have to admit that the 318 is not stock. A 318 is a good car, but do not get an automatic with any four cylinder. Everything else equal get the 325, but I would not rule out the 318 either. My thoughts....

 

[StuartJoyce]

I think a 95 Bmw m3 with a euro spec engine, or just go with the light weight M3, In my town old ladies haul some a*, not to sure about yours.

 

[bmwperson]

Why even bother, get a Z8... or a porsche 911 turbo... but seriously How much are you looking to spend on the car? I bought a 92 325i stick after having a 94 325i auto.... what a difference, I love the manual tranny, I had a hard lesson "how to drive a stick" when I went to pick up the car... but after 2-3 days it was alright. anyway I also had a chance to test drive a manual 318 and man for some reason that thing was sloowwwwww..... I cant imagine how slow an auto would be.

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Tom