Choices, choices - United Bimmer Community

**BeautifulMachineWOW!** · 11-19-2005, 02:01 PM

G'day all

Shane from Australia here. First off, I would like to say hello and congratulate you all on such a friendly community here at 'United Bimmer.' Good to see the mateship.

Now, here comes my question: I currently have a Ford XD ( DO NOT buy Fords ... as the acronym over here goes - Fix Or Repair Daily! ) and am going to purchase a BMW. I've always liked Bimmers but never had a good enough paying job to get one. That's changed and I've been looking at getting one of the following:

http://tinyurl.com/77nf5

or

http://tinyurl.com/dje56

Are the 318i's a good choice? Any help would be appreciated. If y'all are bored enough, you could even click the following link and advise on what BMW models are good from the list shown:

http://tinyurl.com/bwt7a

Thanks again and can't wait to get a real car

BMW

Shane-o

craig · 11-19-2005, 02:18 PM

it all depends on what you want, if you want speed and excelleration(SP?) then dont get a 318, but if you want a nice, reliable, good on gas car that has the goodness of teh BMW handling, then go for a 318

**komodo** · 11-19-2005, 02:26 PM

First of all, welcome to United Bimmer.

Either that you selected are great cars and you'll be happy with. After you own and drive a BMW, the feeling of the car grows on you and you'll soon have german blood running through your veins forever.

As for which to select, it really depends on what you look for in a car. For example, 318i's or 316i's are great cars, however they have the smallest engines of any e36 bmw (the body style from 1992 to 1998). Quite honestly, they're slow cars. If you're looking to save on gas money, and still experience the feeling of a bmw, for the passion of the car itself, they're a great choice, and they're also the chosen car of many other members of this forum. However if you have a yearning for speed, the 325i and up have inline 6 cylinder engines (granted the 316 has a 6 cylinder, but it has a lower displacement so it's still slow), so it's a big step up in speed. You still won't be competing with any porsches or m3's without serious modding obviously, but the flexability of that engine also allows lots of room for expansion and modding, depending if you're planning on going that route or not. M3 is obviously the best of both worlds, having the fastest speed of the e36, and still all the luxuries of any other e36 bmw, however you'll pay for it with much higher prices and insurance rates.

My suggestion is to drive a 318i and drive a 325i or 328i, and see which you like the feeling of more. It comes down to your personal preferences, and once you're driving the car that's right for you, you'll know it.

Good luck on your hunt, and congratulations for your choice to join the BMW world. Also stick around these forums, as you'll meet some great people and learn everything that you want to know about your car. If you're not in a car mood, check out our United Lounge, where members talk about whatever else is on their mind, not car related.

**komodo** · 11-19-2005, 02:26 PM

(also I'm moving this thread to the e36 forum for better exposure)

**BeautifulMachineWOW!** · 11-19-2005, 02:30 PM

G'day and thanks Shpuz

Speed and acceleration (spelled it right, just for you) would definitely be nice. Fuel consumption, although nice, is not really an issue (my current car goes through fuel like I go through coffee, heheh)

What about the other link at the bottom of my post. Had a look at that by chance?

Shane-o =]

**BeautifulMachineWOW!** · 11-19-2005, 02:52 PM

G'day Komodo

Greetings and thankyou kindly for the welcome.

Will be test driving the cars probably next week so I'll be close to making up my mind then. Can't wait!

The German blood is already running through my veins! BMW's sind bereits meines Gottes!!

Shane-o

p.s. - thanks for moving the thread!

**bmw4life** · 11-19-2005, 06:47 PM

If I were you then I would get a manual... I wish I would of. Since fuel ecomony isn't a problem then you should look for a 323, 325, or 328. You might also want to check out a 5 series if you don't mind there big size.

**Spieluhr** · 11-19-2005, 09:30 PM

318's are REALLY popular at that place, and the prices are REALLY high.

My recommendation is hte M3 obviosly, but if you don't wanna go that far then the 328 or 325 are SWEET cars.

**komodo** · 11-19-2005, 09:50 PM

^^ Also remember that's in AUD, not USD. I'm not sure the conversion rate, but I know 1 AUD is less than 1 USD.

**xsperf** · 11-19-2005, 11:45 PM

i dont know what the exchange rate is, but im sure that is still way too much because over here you can get yourself a very nice 318 for 5,000USD. also, i see that there are 323's and 325's and even 525's for that same price, go with those!

**tomctx** · 11-20-2005, 02:25 AM

Just for kicks, the Australian dollar is equal to 73 cents USD.

**komodo** · 11-20-2005, 03:04 AM

A 318i there is still going for $16k USD.

It might be more expensive over there than in the US, but that's crazy. You could probably pay to import a US one and save money. heh

**cainchapman** · 11-20-2005, 03:05 AM

European cars are a lot more expensive in Australia than nearly anywhere else, as they have a luxury car tax on anything imported over about $50,000. So their BMW's have a great residual value.

**///M Power** · 11-20-2005, 05:53 AM

Yea a new e46 320i would cost about $50K USD in Aussie land.

**BeautifulMachineWOW!** · 11-20-2005, 06:39 AM

G'day all

Thanks for all your opinions

Yeah, most things are dearer over here in Australia

Never thought about importing. But if I did, I'd have to get the steering changed to the right-hand side which'll cost even more money. They charge like a wounded bull for everything over here. Greedy buggers.

Will definitely be looking for a manual as I like to feel I am actually driving my car.

I'll be looking at the 325's and up (actually, probably the 328's) as it seems like a better option (and I love Spieluhr and Komodo's cars!

)

I'm like a silly schoolkid in love waiting to test drive these babies!

Shane-o =]