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I'm thinking about buying a ti. Ask all your questions about the possible purchase of a ti. Keep in mind, we are biased.

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Old 07-21-2005, 03:52 AM   #1
not2fast
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Default Will I be happy with a 318ti?

I'm looking for a new daily drive can add a little fun to my commute. I'm new to BMW's having only autoxed a E36 M3 and driven 2 E30's. (A 87 325is and 91 318is. )

I really liked the E30 318is. It was fun car, but not fast enough to be my summer car and I had a better daily driver at the time. So how does a 318ti compare to the 318is? From what I remember about the 318is is that it was quick for in traffic driving and city stuff, but lacked power as a highspeed cruiser which is fine. So is that what I can expect with a 318ti?


What do you have to do to get 150hp at the crank? What will it cost to do it?
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Old 07-22-2005, 12:00 AM   #2
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I have had my ti for almost 2 years and I am totally satisfied with it. if any thing happened to my ti, I would absolutely buy another one again. It is fast in the city and handle like a cham. Not to mention that it is quite simple and inexpensive to maintain. Highly recommend.
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Old 07-22-2005, 12:45 AM   #3
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This is going to be a very biased group.
I wrecked my 1998 ti and bought a 1996 ti afterwards.

I bought my98 brand new because of the price. It handled so well and I really enjoyed driving it on the test drives. I had to have another.
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Old 07-22-2005, 01:16 AM   #4
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150 easy with DINAN engine mods. M44 estimated with 160ish

modding is close to a d16 or B18b, not a huge aftermarket, forced induction is your best bet.
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Old 07-22-2005, 03:24 AM   #5
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So what are the pros and cons of owning one?
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My M3 eater is a turbocharged mid-engine Toyota
http://eyeseephoto.com/events/200406...ross%20038.jpg
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Old 07-22-2005, 03:47 AM   #6
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4 cyl m44 or m42 vs a m50 in the aftermarkets availible.
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Old 07-22-2005, 10:17 AM   #7
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So what are your pro and cons?

I was thinking something like:

Pros:
Versatility, Reliable, Good MPG, Handling

Cons:
Wish it had more power?
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My M3 eater is a turbocharged mid-engine Toyota
http://eyeseephoto.com/events/200406...ross%20038.jpg
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Old 07-22-2005, 12:50 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by not2fast
So what are your pro and cons?

I was thinking something like:

Pros:
Versatility, Reliable, Good MPG, Handling

Cons:
Wish it had more power?
sounds about right there are still a good number of mods (suspension, brakes, etc) that you can do for the ole' ti. it's kinda the odd duck as it has e36 front suspension and more of the e30 rear. the z3 is about in the same boat. that means you have to be a little more diligent when you get suspension compenents that you make sure it'll work for the ti.

because of the hatch, i've certainly been able to haul stuff in it that i would not have been able to in a regular e36 sedan/coupe. mine has been quite reliable over the 9 years i've owned it (DO keep up with routine maintenance!). i've upgraded pieces as they've failed and it's probably even more fun to drive now that it was when new!
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1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
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Old 07-23-2005, 12:24 AM   #9
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BTW: The cars on my list are:
1. E36 318ti
p: hb, handles good, looks
c: hard to find, might lack a little hp (wish they built a 325ti)
2. E36 325i Sedan
p: 4-doors, little more power, BMW
c: 318ti looks better and is smaller
3. Acura GSR Sedan
p: Motor, transmission, reliablity, handling, fwd
c: Already had one, theft magnet, hard to find not beat, fwd
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http://eyeseephoto.com/events/200406...ross%20038.jpg
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Old 07-23-2005, 12:28 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by not2fast
3. Acura GSR Sedan
p: Motor, transmission, reliablity, handling, fwd
c: Already had one, theft magnet, hard to find not beat, fwd
yeah, i was going to say, when is FWD a pro?
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1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel
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Old 07-23-2005, 01:47 AM   #11
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One word. SNOW (damn MN winters)
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Looking for a 318ti.

My M3 eater is a turbocharged mid-engine Toyota
http://eyeseephoto.com/events/200406...ross%20038.jpg
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Old 07-23-2005, 02:24 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by not2fast
One word. SNOW (damn MN winters)
i've lived in WI all my life (up to this point) and i've been driving RWD cars through the last 14 or 15 winters with almost no problems whatsoever (9 of those in the ti). The traction control on the ti is damn effective. other people recommended putting extra weight in the back and i tried it, but found it too negatively affected the feel of the car so i never even bothered with that. personally, i don't want a FWD car even in the snow (but maybe i'm a crazy whacko ).
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1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel
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Old 07-23-2005, 12:50 PM   #13
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Is traction control standard? That makes a big difference. The MR2 doesn't like even rain. I do have the 4Motion Passat to fall back on if I have heavy snow.
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My M3 eater is a turbocharged mid-engine Toyota
http://eyeseephoto.com/events/200406...ross%20038.jpg
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Old 07-23-2005, 02:22 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by not2fast
Is traction control standard? That makes a big difference. The MR2 doesn't like even rain. I do have the 4Motion Passat to fall back on if I have heavy snow.
i believe 96 is when it became standard (possibly mid-year?).

i drove fieros (yeah, stop laughing ) through snow for many years, albeit not turbo'd ones with anywhere near the HP you most likely have in your MR2, lol.

if you're used to driving the MR2, you shouldn't have too much trouble adjusting to the RWD ti (imho).

i recently added a LSD to my ti, we'll see what affect that has in snow (although Denver isn't going to be anywhere near as bad and i now basically work from home in Denver 3 weeks a month).
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1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel
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Old 09-12-2005, 06:17 AM   #15
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Well I drove my first 318ti.

It was a junker. http://www.carsoup.com/used/detail....hicleID=2354973

I left thinking I'm not sure if I want one. I'm leaning towards my other choices now. The motor just didn't have enough power for the e36 like it did in e30 I drove. Maybe it was because I drove to see it in the MR2. Either way the car was junk and worth about $2500 tops.
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My M3 eater is a turbocharged mid-engine Toyota
http://eyeseephoto.com/events/200406...ross%20038.jpg
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