1991 318is vs 1997 z3 1.9

[Ray_73Turkis_OH]

I will be using this as a daily driver that will include lots of highway miles.

I would like to hear your thoughts on these.

Here are two examples of what I am looking at. Models stay the same, but specific examples can change.

5 speed mandatory.

1991 318is 140,000 mi well maintained and in nice original shape ~$2500.

1997 z3 1.9 80,000 mi original and nice. ~$9,000.

I tend to own cars for a very long time and would look at these like my 1973 2002 where I would drive it and repair/rebuild/restore as I go along.

I like the looks of both.

z3 with top up has to be quieter than my 2002 (correct?)

z3 is much newer so should have fewer immediate repair needs.

Do golf clubs fit in a z3 trunk?

Kfunk, I am an XL size so I fit in the z3 better than a miata.

Regards,

[Jim_75Sahara]

I have never driven either one, but I am more interested in having a '91 318is myself. I am sure that I would like it a lot. The E30 design is classic BMW to me; more so than the Z3. Just an opinion.

[JackF]

A friend of mine has the 1.9 Z3 and loves it. Very economical, but he puts it up every winter. To me, I'd go with the E30. YOu live in Ohio so the benefit of the convertible is short lived, while the bad part of the convertible lasts a long time. That being the poor sight lines with the top up. Driving as many miles as you do, vision and daylighting in the car are primary safety issues to me at least.

If the body is good on the is, then you can do the suspension, bushings and brakes, drive it for a year and search out a donor motor and you are good to go. But, I'd try to grab the Z3 too, so you don't get bored with one car;)

[dubois]

we had a 97 Z3 that we sold 5 years ago, for what I think it was 13k, and only 32k miles. Car was perfect. I would check the pricing on this one (Kelly BB, Craigs list,etc) The car was a blast, the 1.9 was the right engine for that car, easy to drive, economical. Problem was, with the top up, it lacked visibility and it felt cramped. Even in CA, there were not enough "perfect days"for aconvertible. I said it brfore, there are two kinds of people in this world: people that love convertibles, and the rest of us, that think we would.

Go for the 318i!

[beast02er]

All I know is that the 318is cars are GREAT! Great low down torque, great powerband, amazing cars!

My brother has one, and i'm jealous of him, its a nice car!

Bryan

red73