mr2peak wrote: I test drove an auto 240Z and it was kinda depressing. Go with the 318ti.
Back when the Z car first came out with the autobox, my very aged grand father actually wanted one and test drove it. Up till then he had always bought big plain 4 door Fords, because he was a rural mail carrier.
Dood what kind of dumb question is this!? Z + trans swap FTMFW!!! 
Went and looked real good at both cars. The 318 does NOT have cruise, or apparently any options except alloy wheels, and I want cruise....but the drive and price are decent. The 260Z? Well, it looks like it was really a late 260 that was "modded" to be an early 260. The bumpers don't quite look right where they attach to the body. There is space/a gap at the ends (front and rear), where it looks like some kind of spacer needs to go. Having already owned a 280, I'm leaning towards the 318...if I buy this particular example. Darn, wish it had cruise.
There are after market cruise options.
Interestingly, most Scion xB's do not have cruise and various items are added at the dealership.
I also find it odd that none of the 318ti's or e30's had tilt wheel.
I drive a '95 318ti at 144k miles and I have to say that it feels solid as anything, but there are just enough gremlins to give the car plenty of character.
For example my car has some kind of seat belt sensor that failed, so the airbag light goes on for 5 minutes then goes out, each and every time you start the car. Also, about once every 2 months the ignition key spins around and and around in the cylinder before it catches and starts the car.
I also have to award bonus points for when it wouldn't start for 10 minutes after I took it to a coin operated spray and wash place, and ended up spending an extra $2 to use the giant dryer wand with aimed in the general direction of the ECU with the hood opened.
So don't assume you'll be in a colorless world of automotive appliance-dom with the Bimmer.
Having looked at this 318 in person and beforehand on the 'net, it's obvious that Ti s have had some cost cutting done to them. This car sort of reminds me of my old DX Civic hatchback that also had a lot of blanked off spaces/slots "scattered" around the interior. YET, BMW did offer them with leather upholstery, and power windows.
Close examination of the available options leads me to believe this car has the optional Sport Package....which unfortunately, NEARLY completely negates the option of cruise control. It has factory fogs, barely detectable side "skirts" and what may or may not be (they are quite subtle) "sport bumpers", along with a leather wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and leather sides to the seats. If this dealership won't budge on the price, I've found a nice '03 325i....tho it's slightly more than double the price. (It least is has decent miles for it's age.)
ti with m50 swap FTW
Y'know, with some time and a LSx....
The 260 is cooler. But the Ti isn't so bad in that respect and would be much easier to live with. (Disclaimer: I used to own -- and really liked -- a '97 318ti and a '91 318is.)
If the Ti has been well maintained (are there any records available?) it should last just about forever.
Also, where do you live? If your area sees salt on the road, the 260 will rust before your eyes if DD it year round.
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