Teh E36 M3 wrote: How are you getting that kind of mileage? Fueleconomy.gov lists them at 19/28 for the whole model run. I could understand a few MPG difference, but do you feed yours unicorn pee?
I have seen 35mpg in my ti.. lowered on High performance summer tyres... 235's all around.
Usually I am in the very low 30s. Have to remember the ti is geared more "aggressively" as it was meant to be a "city car"
Tom_Spangler wrote:Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: They make an excellent platform for an LS swap.I thought they had lighter/weaker rear ends than the 6-cylinder cars. I may be wrong, but if so, something to keep in mind before you decide to feed 350 ft-lbs through it.
The stronger diff/axles can come from several of the more powerful cars and bolt right up but the stock parts will do an ok job if you don't launch it with drag slicks. The rear just needs a little welding to strengthen the subframe mount points and sway bar tabs to handle more serious intentions.
yea the 318 e30/e36 parts get a bad rap for blowing up with 6cyl or greater power, but its a lot in how its treated. obviously its not as strong as the bigger stuff but the bmw garage i worked at we'd built a cammed S52 powered 318is for a driving school instructor and that car had lots of track time on the little parts with no issue.
of course some people find a way to blow up their little diffs with a clapped out 4 cyl.
BoxheadTim wrote: Seems that it's a little easier out here to find an E36 318is than it is to find an E30 318is (no surprise there) or, oddly enough, a 325/328is, at least in my price range. I know the 325/328 would be noticeably faster, but is there any reason a 318is doesn't make a half-decent Miata competitor for HPDE etc? Yeah, I realise it's Miata performance or less for BMW pricing, but it doesn't look like I can find a half-decent Miata with a hardtop for the same money.
In my experience, the biggest problem in tracking a four-cylinder E36 is that track junkies are never content to leave them alone. My friend's 318ti has seen two engine swaps, M3 brake and diff swaps, and a whole new suspension.
With so many E36 options out there all for about the same money, I chose the higher performance model. E36 M3's are trading from $5K these days and modified 325's and 328's can be had for even less. If these are beyond your immediate budget, how long would it take to save up a little more?
think about this a moment. E36 M3's are trading for 5 grand.. and so are Ti's.. what's wrong with that picture?
In reply to Teh E36 M3:
Why yes it does 
Just reporting the numbers verified by my trusty mileage spreadsheet (no SWAG here)
Highest mpg hwy = 42mpg Lowest mpg hwy = 35mpg
Highest mpg city = 30mpg Lowest mpg city = 25mpg
Highest avg = 34mpg Lowest avg = 30mpg
Longest distance per tank = 450miles Shortest distance per tank = 402miles
In my 325is I regularly saw 380-400 miles per tank and around about the same in my M3.
Most people don't believe those numbers . . . meh but then I again, I was one of the few that got 32mpg in my former GTO on the way back from ATL on I-20.
mad_machine wrote: think about this a moment. E36 M3's are trading for 5 grand.. and so are Ti's.. what's wrong with that picture?
The picture is that I bought a mechanically decent, well running 93 325i with a clean title for $500.
He is talking about a 318is not a Ti... the 'is' is not a hatchback so it has the better E36 rear suspension. They should also be practically free by now.
oh, I am aware. Just wanted to "enliven" the picture. the 'is' is pretty cheap now.. I bet mest of them are pretty beat by now though 
I average about 23 mpg in my M3 in a mix of stop-and-go and high speed driving, which comes out to about 350 miles a tank. I have a heavy foot and sticky tires, and drive maybe 5,000 miles a year. The 318ti would make the best option for commuting efficiency, but if that was my primary need I'd start with a Jetta or Golf TDi.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: The picture is that I bought a mechanically decent, well running 93 325i with a clean title for $500.
How do you learn such sorcery?!
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:mad_machine wrote: think about this a moment. E36 M3's are trading for 5 grand.. and so are Ti's.. what's wrong with that picture?The picture is that I bought a mechanically decent, well running 93 325i with a clean title for $500.
Likewise on my 318is. I bought my 318is for $650. Added oil and tires and have been driving for almost two years. Can't beat that!!!
nderwater wrote: I average about 23 mpg in my M3 in a mix of stop-and-go and high speed driving, which comes out to about 350 miles a tank. I have a heavy foot and sticky tires, and drive maybe 5,000 miles a year. The 318ti would make the best option for commuting efficiency, but if that was my primary need I'd start with a Jetta or Golf TDi.Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: The picture is that I bought a mechanically decent, well running 93 325i with a clean title for $500.How do you learn such sorcery?!
Are you a wizard?!?!
There's a '93 325i on CL in the DC area for $900. Allegedly runs fine.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: The picture is that I bought a mechanically decent, well running 93 325i with a clean title for $500.How do you learn such sorcery?!
Are you a wizard?!?!
My powers include the ability to see past the illusion of trash. Behind formidable dents, falling headliners, torn seats and leaky sunroofs (or is it rooves) I can see the race car waiting to be born.
My wife thinks it might be an illusion all its own and has told me to get that POS off the lawn 
I paid $1200 last year for a salvage title 1994 325i Sport. I did drive it home. All the E36 cars I looked at had lots of problems regardless of price.
imirk wrote: Here is what old TG had to say about the 318 in '91 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O91Crr71jY
YAWN. glad they got Clarkson and the current crew. That chap just about made me fall asleep.
^you can say that again.
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