Need Advice to get either a 318i or 320i

[jagdev]

Hi guys,I am new to this club..i am planning to get a e46. but i am not so sure which to get.its either 318i,320i?..malaysian spec, japan spec,uk spec?....either the the new facelift... and even with which engine, the old engine or the new engine?..i heard the old engine is more cost effective in terms of maintenace and less problem..whats the different between the new engine and the old one?Please help me with this questions....really appreciate it.my budget is max rm60k.Thanks for the help guys... good day..

 

[bmw7833]

If u ask, they will ask u to buy 328i.

 

[cythomas83]

get 320i...
u will get frustrated when u try to overtaking in a 318i...torque power of it is not so good...just like my car...but mine one is 4cylinder engine la...

 

[tweiboon]

if you want more abit power and less maintenace then you should buy 325 with M52TU or M54 engine. Both are 6 cylinders and both use on e39 too. i heard that 318 always have engine problem.

 

[aidilj]

tweiboon, I'm a little offended when you say 318 always have engine problem. As a 318 user it is reliable for me and the engine doesnt always have problem. You just hear more of it because most people here drives 318 anyway..

difference in the engine of 318 prefacelift and facelift are as below

Engine Displacement Power Torque Redline Year
M43TUB19 1.9 L (1895 cc/115 in³) 87 kW (118 hp) @ 5500 180 N·m (133 ft·lbf) @ 3900 6200 1998

Engine Displacement Power Torque Redline Year
N42B20 2.0 L (1995 cc/121 in³) 105 kW (143 hp) @ 6000 200 N·m (147 ft·lbf) @ 3750 6500 2001

But with 60k, dont think you can get N42

 

[ay39]

Aiya tweiboon, u just own a BMW for less than a year and you THINK you are well verse with all the models and their engines after having going thru some reading materials. U are so wrong, the people who visit this forum are all SIFUS of the highest standards having own, driven, and modify whatever ways they can on their UDM. And they also have very very good technical knowledge of UDM, some are just silent visitors to this forum. I notice one thing, despite the facts that you can now clone keys, you don't seems to be able to made friends..................

 

[jagdev]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the advice.. Just to check is the maintenance of a N42 engine more expensive than a M43? and if the power difference is really significant. thanks good day

 

[ay39]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the advice.. Just to check is the maintenance of a N42 engine more expensive than a M43? and if the power difference is really significant. thanks good day

143hp vs 118hp, I am sure you can tell the difference........cheers

 

[aidilj]

143hp vs 118hp, I am sure you can tell the difference........cheers

And with higher torque at lower RPM, N42 would be easier to drive (less effort) than M43. Please introduce yourself at newbies section jagdev

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?30-Newbies

 

[aidilj]

But please also consider 328 :1:

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?42204-E46-328i-at-RM50k

 

[jagdev]

Ok.. but i find it hard to get a 320i for sale round year 2000..

 

[xcrave]

But please also consider 328 :1:

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?42204-E46-328i-at-RM50k

Racun Mode = ON


I would say take the 320i if its a 6 cylinder... if you enjoy rounder finish to your car then this is external consideration... If just outlook you can choose latest version...

For me Actually i owned a 318i before (well kinda company car not 100% mine) when i was in KL for about 2 years this is based on 2 year 318i and MY own 320i which i own almost a year now... so im still quite new to BMW as well just IMHO:

318i or 318is are 4 cylinder engines and are well underpowered by any UDM standards, approx 140BHP and 180 NM of torque...
This is a very reliable car and DIY super friendly (i learned a lot from this car and fell in Love with UDM when i met her )
although reliable, they aren't very exciting to drive... This i found out when i try to overtake as well as when moving from stationary position (missionary is never a problem ). it is just personal preference in the end since the comparison is little to none...

get the 318i if you want a reliable family/personal car which save more fuel in the long run as well as maintainance cost. BTW the difference of about 70KG if im not mistaken will make the difference with oldeer 320i with 4 cyl engine... if compare 2 4 potter... i'll go for 318i any time of the day hands down no need to think again...

The 320i or 320ci is in another dimension Beast where the 6 Cylinder is smooth like butter (if you maintained it well) ... with approx 150BHP with 220 NM of Torque......
(The extra torque makes all the difference really)
If you like speed and power as well as crazy stuff like Need for speed under longkang and gila2 drift tokio kedai buku style its not the 320i are built off for... PERIOD...
But mind you with some "adjusting of the limiter" if you get the older 6 potter say the E36 with Tracktion off = crazy mode... make Big Apple or Dunkin Donut oso possible

Here is what i just known and the most exciting bit

The newer 320i has the same engine as the 323 and the 325!!!!!!!! YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, RIGHT?? YES, if you get the ECU, Exhaust + manifold, and Oxygen sensors from a 325 and put it on your 320, you have just boosted the BHP to 175 and the torque to around the 260 mark. Now dont say i didnt Racun you enough...

In the end my advice is get the 328i

 

[Alex5522]

Ok.. but i find it hard to get a 320i for sale round year 2000..

Brader u are looking for 4 or 6 cylinders 320i year 2000 and don't mind to tell what's your budget ?

 

[xcrave]

Brader u are looking for 4 or 6 cylinders 320i year 2000 and don't mind to tell what's your budget ?

Regardless of his budget a 6l 99-2001 would cost around 70++K nowadays.. anything below that should go to scan and mechanic check must have problem or Super high mileage or more than 2 hands

Good luck bro

 

[tweiboon]

Aiya tweiboon, u just own a BMW for less than a year and you THINK you are well verse with all the models and their engines after having going thru some reading materials. U are so wrong, the people who visit this forum are all SIFUS of the highest standards having own, driven, and modify whatever ways they can on their UDM. And they also have very very good technical knowledge of UDM, some are just silent visitors to this forum. I notice one thing, despite the facts that you can now clone keys, you don't seems to be able to made friends..................

Why i will said buy the 325 is because recommended by 1 of the workshop boss which repairing BMW and also mercedez. He recommend 325 is because the road tax, maintenace and petrol. And i am owning BMW car more than 1 year. e39 is my second BMW car. I used to have a 318. This workshop which i always went to. And this workshop is call BM World in Desa Tun Razak. So do you think what you saying is acceptable or what i am saying is acceptable ? I think you are the one who dont want to make friends.

 

[ichi82]

in the end it is up to you to decide..i bought N42 n still loving it..once i got tired wit it i can pass it to my wifey and buy another bimmer.it is not that N42 bad..like what bro aidij said..there are a lot of N42 owner on the road. just do your research and find a good UDM. mine was not properly maintained by prev owner so paying the price now.. its not the car..its the prev owner that made the car bad. now my N42 is recovering but as a UDM owner tiny prob also want to repair thats why spent a lot of money repairing sometime unnecessary fixes..always want it to be perfect.speed wise on highway N42 can tekan 200++km/h..fuel saving summore..going back to my kampong in perak just less than RM40 one way and still have some left to ronda2 before refueling..that is with heavy foot no less than 150km/h..less than my gen 2 fuel consumption...reliability..if you take good care of her she will return the favor..if not than touch wood and buy a new one hehe.just my 2cent as N42 owner.

 

[ichi82]

Racun Mode = ON


I would say take the 320i if its a 6 cylinder... if you enjoy rounder finish to your car then this is external consideration... If just outlook you can choose latest version...

For me Actually i owned a 318i before (well kinda company car not 100% mine) when i was in KL for about 2 years this is based on 2 year 318i and MY own 320i which i own almost a year now... so im still quite new to BMW as well just IMHO:

318i or 318is are 4 cylinder engines and are well underpowered by any UDM standards, approx 140BHP and 180 NM of torque...
This is a very reliable car and DIY super friendly (i learned a lot from this car and fell in Love with UDM when i met her )
although reliable, they aren't very exciting to drive... This i found out when i try to overtake as well as when moving from stationary position (missionary is never a problem ). it is just personal preference in the end since the comparison is little to none...

get the 318i if you want a reliable family/personal car which save more fuel in the long run as well as maintainance cost. BTW the difference of about 70KG if im not mistaken will make the difference with oldeer 320i with 4 cyl engine... if compare 2 4 potter... i'll go for 318i any time of the day hands down no need to think again...

The 320i or 320ci is in another dimension Beast where the 6 Cylinder is smooth like butter (if you maintained it well) ... with approx 150BHP with 220 NM of Torque......
(The extra torque makes all the difference really)
If you like speed and power as well as crazy stuff like Need for speed under longkang and gila2 drift tokio kedai buku style its not the 320i are built off for... PERIOD...
But mind you with some "adjusting of the limiter" if you get the older 6 potter say the E36 with Tracktion off = crazy mode... make Big Apple or Dunkin Donut oso possible

Here is what i just known and the most exciting bit

The newer 320i has the same engine as the 323 and the 325!!!!!!!! YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, RIGHT?? YES, if you get the ECU, Exhaust + manifold, and Oxygen sensors from a 325 and put it on your 320, you have just boosted the BHP to 175 and the torque to around the 260 mark. Now dont say i didnt Racun you enough...

In the end my advice is get the 328i

aiyo..straight to 330ci le bro..

 

[xcrave]

aiyo..straight to 330ci le bro..

Hahahah alang2 racun...

Got to 320d this one is super winner 4 potter M3 with specs to cry for...

Heavy foot or not Diesel is cheaper... go check the specs in the BMW website... cons... expansive for a 320 but in turn you get the ///M POWER!!! Huhu

330ci is alang2 still why not 335xi TWIN TURBO! wahahhaha...

But this is not the the issue... the question was Either 320i or 318i so please refrain from talking about my dream 335xi 7 speed automatic manual or M3 GTR wakakaka

 

[ay39]

Why i will said buy the 325 is because recommended by 1 of the workshop boss which repairing BMW and also mercedez. He recommend 325 is because the road tax, maintenace and petrol. And i am owning BMW car more than 1 year. e39 is my second BMW car. I used to have a 318. This workshop which i always went to. And this workshop is call BM World in Desa Tun Razak. So do you think what you saying is acceptable or what i am saying is acceptable ? I think you are the one who dont want to make friends.

Friend, friend, friend, I want to made friend, come to TT this Friday yah at Borneo Rainforest, Sunway ok... I introduce all my BMW friends to you, if you don't turn up, it's shows that you don't want to made friends, not me. BTW, I pay for all your food and drinks that night, fair enough??

 

[Gerald 5]

sound advise are suppose to be given, not the emotional one just because you are driving 1. refer to this thread.. straight forward+ avoid a N42 if you can. Just ask any BMW workshop or "real" friend who is driving or were driving 1.
http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?41706-WTA-engine-upgrade-for-e46-318i-N42/page2