318ti or E36 m3? Long Post...

[lkwd318ti]

So...
I'm saving up for another car as I think I'm done with my current car...

Basically, I'm looking for another ti if possible, but it's so hard to find a good one that I want.
My other option would be to look for an E36 M3, probably the 4 door just because it's harder to find one...
What would you guys choose and why?

Here's my thoughts on this...

-Why I would get another 318ti-
-I love it, it's unique and you don't see that many people driving them. When you see someone with it, they usually give good vibes.
-Sport package makes it better because of the cool interior scheme with the 2 tone seats, etc.
-The reaction people get when you open the hatch.
-California roof is pretty cool and it's also a rare and unique option. People who have it here say "People ask me if it's custom and ask who did it"...stuff like that.
-Next, insurance rates are low for this car because it was BMW's entry model.
-It's a BMW.
-I don't want to leave this forum.
-I'm usually the only one with a ti at meets, if not, there would be one more, 2 at most...
-When you have a really nice ti, people like it, even people who say "I'm usually not a fan of the ti, but damn!"


-Reasons why I wouldnt get another 318ti-
-Slow acceleration.
-I already have one.
-Some people hate how it looks (but then again, there are people like that for everything).
-I'm usually the only one with a ti at meets, if not, there would be one more, 2 at most...
-There isn't that much 318 love in general, love for the ti is harder to find too.
-Aftermarket support isn't really the greatest...
-Generally overpriced especially here in CA.
-So hard to find a good one...and usually that good one is the overpriced one (as high as an M.)

-Why I would get an ///M3-
-It's the legendary M3!
-Fast acceleration and great cornering. (Best Handling Car of it's time according to Car & Driver)
-Head Turner, WHOA M3!
-Great aftermarket support.
-Great looking car!
-It's a BMW.
-Estoril Blue, Dakar Yellow, Technoviolet, Daytona Violet, etc

-Why I wouldn't get the ///M3-
-I see alot more M3s and 318tis. (That's just me though.)
-Head turner, even turns cop's heads, sometimes their lights and sirens too...
-I hear stories where everybody wants to race you just because they see "M3"
-Not the same as the Euro M3 with 321HP...The US M3 has a stroked M52 (or something like that)
-Same body as the regular E36s, doesn't really stand out as much as a ti.
-Insurance rates are high.
-I would have to keep saving up till next year .

Please tell me what you guys think and WHY.

-Randy

[316i compact]

Go for the M3. It isn't even comparable with the ti. And then start saving money to supercharge or turbocharge it
Why :
1) powerfull car
2) it has a wonderfull straight 6
3) it doesn't require mods to improve it in any aspect (it has good brakes,good suspension,factory LSD,enough power,very good looking,and nice interior)
4) it carries the magic ///M badge
5)potential for huge power
6)head turner
7)you will spend a lot of money to build a nice ti which will cost more than the M3 in the end! (correct me if i am mistaken)
8)more sophisticated rear axle than our tis

i cant think more at the moment
by the way your car is really beautifull

[angel318ti]

I just bought the M3 like 3 months ago and if I have to sell the ti to get another M3 I would.

[mischief]

not me love my ti that's you i own 3
i driven all kinds of bmw i used to work for a shop and the bmw dealer was next door
a stock Ti isn't that much fun but after some modifications there a blast to drive

and why do you want to sell your ti why not add a supercharger or turbo

[m3outtanowhere]

Do u want a car that is more controllable at ITS high speeds, better gas milage, and unique? The ti allows a person with mediocre skill the ability to drive like a Pro-Cup Racer. The m3 weens out the bad drivers with brute force. ie. if you take a 70 degree apex in the ti at 65 mph in third gear...well u know!!! In the m3...well a little throttle will definately show you what torque/throttle response means, can we assume sideways is bad? (to the ti drifters out there).

In short, coming from a person who has owned both cars...you can own a ti with ease and comfort - but if ur not EXTREMELY careful a m3 will own you.

[robcarync]

i said m3...just because you already have a ti...why not get something different?

plus i have always wanted an m3...

[316i compact]

Originally Posted by m3outtanowhere

Do u want a car that is more controllable at ITS high speeds, better gas milage, and unique? The ti allows a person with mediocre skill the ability to drive like a Pro-Cup Racer. The m3 weens out the bad drivers with brute force. ie. if you take a 70 degree apex in the ti at 65 mph in third gear...well u know!!! In the m3...well a little throttle will definately show you what torque/throttle response means, can we assume sideways is bad? (to the ti drifters out there).

In short, coming from a person who has owned both cars...you can own a ti with ease and comfort - but if ur not EXTREMELY careful a m3 will own you.

With all the respect about your opinion , i somehow, not totally,disagree. You can't compare a 140 hp car with a 240 hp one. If the ti had the same horsepower as an M3 it would be far more difficult to drive it fast, close to its limits, due to the old technology E30 based rear axle. A 318iS for example is easiest to drive fast from a 318ti cause of it's more predictable rear axle. Comparing these two cars , the rear axle of the ti in most of the cases has less traction/grip. This is my opinion.

[lkwd318ti]

Originally Posted by mischief

why do you want to sell your ti why not add a supercharger or turbo

I'm actually not going to sell this ti.
I'm going to give it to my brother when he gets his license, so I'm looking for another car.
Then if its the ti I'll get, I'll supercharge/turbo it...

-Randy

[TORJTHM]

personaly i would go for the ti again just due to the fact that i always have been the kind of person to do things that other people dont want to ... and i hate having the same thing as evry one else ... hints one of the reasons i love my ti... plus here in ornge county there are m3 every were you look ... i have 5 that live right next to me ... its really anoying ...

[robcarync]

well if you are going to end up giving him the TI, then id get another TI....the only reason i would get an m3 is if you were keeping your first ti

[mischief]

Originally Posted by 316i compact

the old technology E30 based rear axle. A 318iS for example is easiest to drive fast from a 318ti cause of it's more predictable rear axle. Comparing these two cars , the rear axle of the ti in most of the cases has less traction/grip. This is my opinion.

E30,318ti and Z3 have independent rear suspension
and e36 ,e46 and ect have the multilink rear suspension
how much better is the multilink
and did you know that the corvettes have a leaf spring type suspension in the rear

[lkwd318ti]

Originally Posted by TORJTHM

personaly i would go for the ti again just due to the fact that i always have been the kind of person to do things that other people dont want to ... and i hate having the same thing as evry one else ... hints one of the reasons i love my ti... plus here in ornge county there are m3 every were you look ... i have 5 that live right next to me ... its really anoying ...

That's a big reason why I like the ti also...
I would take it over a 328is.
For every lets say 50 or so regular E36 bodies, I only see 1 or 2 tis.
At Bimmerfest I only counted around 10 318tis...

...yeah about the OC, I go to UCI sometimes and there's a bunch of M3 around the area haha...

-Randy

[SDKmann]

You do realize that you are asking an impossible question, right? In the BMW world the ///M3 and the ti are completely different cars. But if I had to choose between a 4 door ///M3 and a ti I would pick the ti. If you do a swap or put a S/C in the ti you can make it fast and different. If you buy a 4 door ///M3 your no different then the people who bought it just because its was the most expensive 3 series luxury sedan. In a ti you will stand out from the crowd.

[m3outtanowhere]

Originally Posted by 316i compact

With all the respect about your opinion , i somehow, not totally,disagree. You can't compare a 140 hp car with a 240 hp one. If the ti had the same horsepower as an M3 it would be far more difficult to drive it fast, close to its limits, due to the old technology E30 based rear axle. A 318iS for example is easiest to drive fast from a 318ti cause of it's more predictable rear axle. Comparing these two cars , the rear axle of the ti in most of the cases has less traction/grip. This is my opinion.

I am pretty sure i said that same thing?

Ti's suspension/brakes/power/shorter wheelbase = slow/with ease
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7X-v309V9Y

M3's suspension/brakes/power/longer wheelbase = fast/ needs more effort
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4tWeHKYdRg

these are both the cars i drive man! i may either be biased...or actually have tangible knowledge on the subject.

[lkwd318ti]

Originally Posted by SDKmann

You do realize that you are asking an impossible question, right? In the BMW world the ///M3 and the ti are completely different cars. But if I had to choose between a 4 door ///M3 and a ti I would pick the ti. If you do a swap or put a S/C in the ti you can make it fast and different. If you buy a 4 door ///M3 your no different then the people who bought it just because its was the most expensive 3 series luxury sedan. In a ti you will stand out from the crowd.

I think it's a possible question. I asked it haha
But seriously, I know that if I were to post this on Bimmerforums it would be like...M3-100, 318ti-5.
But I know that here, there are people who opted to get a 318ti rather than an M3.
There are also people here that want an M3 and would trade in their ti for the M3 in a heartbeat.
To me, this car just kinda fell into my lap. After owning it for a while, I've liked it so much that I would take it over any other E36. The only other one I would take would be an M3.
If possible I would like to get both lol!

-Randy