model codes
 

Sorry checked faq's but it didn't care for the format I used I guess..
Anyway I have a good guide for designators after the models numbers on the 2002's Ti Tii
Can someone give me an idea of how to find out the difference between an i , is, ect in the early 3 series?
And which one would you look for to use as an auto x, track day, fun weekend car? What would you think of one of the 318Ti's?Thanks Richard

This should clear things up for ya.

BMW Designation

IMO, a 318ti is pretty much the lowest rung of the e36 ladder. Smallest engine, & crapiest looking body configuration. The only way to make that car any worse would for it to have an automatic trans.

You didn't mention a price range so...

E36 M3 96-99 ($11-20k)
E36 M3 95 ($ a little less)
E36 328 you can get the sport package or upgrade to used OEM M3 suspension and parts later

The M3's have limited slip diffs which you will want eventually if you continue with even casual track time.

I know someone selling a 97 328is w/LSD $7k and a track prep'd 95 325is $8k. He is a local BMWCCA member and the cars are very well maintained. If you are interested PM me and I'll give you the info.

exactly
 

Super; Exactlly what I was looking for, thanks. Now tell us what you really think about the 318ti!!

What I really think. I think it's still a BMW, which is makes it better than your every day, run of the mill Ford/Pontiac/Chevy/ect. I mean, if your just looking for a daily driver, that's got decent handling & some sportiness, ........fine. But if your gonna buy an e36, at least get the frickin 6 cylinder. You arn't gonna find much of a price difference between the 318, & 328, & the one thing that isn't cost effective to upgrade is the engine.

Every time I see a red 318ti, with the ugly non-painted side skirts, & an automatic trans, I just cringe & say to myself ....."why".

I agree about the 318ti.

At an AX last year I met a guy from OK with a 318ti with an E36M3 engine in it. I seemed like a lot of work but it was a light weight fast car.

Talk about your 'one of a kind' rides. Was it all done up with custom mods too, or bone stock with an m3 engine?

He had ripped out the rear end and had to weld in new diff mounts. I'm sure the suspension was modified for auto cross and racing. I think it was full body Silver with no black skirts.

I've always admired the e46 M3 plant, & even as cool as that car looks from inside to out, I still think an e36 has a better body. Kinda always made me wonder if it was possible to drop the 333 horse e46 M3 engine into an e36 chasis.

Now that would be like a modern day duplication of what that dude did to that 318ti, sort of.

Im sure it will happen someday when the cost of a used S54 engine comes down.

Seen this? http://www.vorshlag.com/e36_projectbook/

That's pretty cool. Never woulda thought of puttin a GM engine into a BMW though. Part of me almost feels like thats an abomination, but I guess that engine isn't exactly snot on the bathroom wall.

Looks like you've got both an e36 & e46. Outside of the obvious M difference, which chasis do you like better?

There is a guy in Seattle who first put a S50 in his ti, then an LS1. It a track car with a full cage. I love the rear badge : 357ti.

Keith

357ti because why? Does the LS1 engine have a 5.7 liter? Kinda rolls off the tounge like a 357 magnum too.

LOL, I typed this all in last week before I went out of town and got sidetracked before I sent it.

The E36 is lighter, less refined and you feel more in touch with the road and the car. It is a perfect balance as far as I'm concerned.

The E46 is more comfortable but there is some isolation from the road feel. It feels heavier not just from weight but from either the suspension or the suspension geometry. The A/C sucks in both but the E46 has better A/C.

So I like the E36 better but for the family and driving friends to lunch the E46 is better.

Kinda what I suspected about the e36 vs e46 comparison. The only thing I truly like better (appearance wise) about the e46, is the hood/grill combo. I just think it's so tough the way the hood curves down into the grill, & the grill comes up with the hood.

It's kinda strange that how the e46 3, e39 5, & the Z3 had that configuration, but it wasn't carried forward on any of the new 3s, 5s, 7s, or Zs. It was almost as though BMW tried it, didn't like it, & went back to the look of the generation prior.

I think if the e36 had the e46 hood/grill configuration, it'd be perfection.

The E46 was the last non-Bangle model so maybe he reversed the direction on that.

Yah, what was the deal with the whole Chris Bangle thing? They have all kinds of success with their product lines for decades, then feel the need to radically change design leadership & piss off a whole fraction of loyal customers?

I don't know if it was quite that intentional. I think they just moved him into that position and he took it upon himself to impart his own sense of style. I'm really ambivalent about the whole thing.

Yah, I've got conflicting feelings too. To start, I think they make strides in engineering all the time, but the designs are hit or miss.

When the new 7 series came out, I thought they really screwed up the trunk/tail light configuration, but with the refresh it got this year it looks pretty sharp.

The new 3 is pretty cool imo, & I can't wait to see what's in store for the M3. It's also suppose to have a 400+ hp V8 derived from the M5 V10!

Speaking of the 5, that's their worst goof of any of the new models. The headlights are atrocious, & the tail lights are miserable. Again, it's an engineering marvel, but I just can't get past the body. I saw the new M5 on the road for the first time a couple weeks ago, & even that package couldn't get me past the exterior.