Considering a ti in Europe, have EDM-specific questions

[grayson]

So I just moved to Europe, and need a car, and I've decided on an E36 ti. I'm considering either a 316ti or 318ti. Questions I have are:

1) In the US, I drive an E34 535i manual. Coming from this, will the 316ti seem unbearably slow? I already know what I'm in for with the M42/M44.
2) A lot of European-market BMWs seem to come with M cosmetics. I really like the suspenion on the US-market E36 with sport package. If I see a car here with sport seats, a three-spoke steering wheel, etc. is it safe to assume that the car comes with a sport suspension? Is there a way to tell by looking at the wheels like there is in the US? In a similar vein, was there a European equivalent to a Club Sport package?
3) (maybe a stupid question on this board) Is the E46 ti worse/better/comparable to the E36? Did it use a semi trailing arm rear suspension like the E36 318ti? Are the differences between, say, an E46 318ti and an E36 318ti just normal E46->E36 stuff? what I'm getting at here is: is it worth paying a few thousand extra for the E46 ti? I can't afford a 1-series.


Thanks!

-Grayson

[dave45056]

I rented a 316ti in Germany about 8 yrs ago. I thought it cruised on the Autobahn nicely but was unbelievavble slow in acceleration. The M42/M44 in it is much better. I would try to get the 318 version with 16v engine. I think they also made a 8v version for some markets/years.

[grayson]

Yeah, I'm definitely leaning toward the 318ti. The price/fuel economy difference isn't great enough to outdo the fact that, if I get a 316ti, I'll spend most of my time revving the hell out of it while yelling "Hurry up you slow POS!"

Thanks for the tips, my first choice is definitely the M44B19 engine but I'll consider any one that's in good shape and well-maintained. I'll try to avoid the 8V version.

-Grayson

Originally Posted by dave45056

I rented a 316ti in Germany about 8 yrs ago. I thought it cruised on the Autobahn nicely but was unbelievavble slow in acceleration. The M42/M44 in it is much better. I would try to get the 318 version with 16v engine. I think they also made a 8v version for some markets/years.