MotorWeek | Retro Review: '90 BMW E30 318iS

[@famicomnintendo]

The wheel design is timeless.

[@Gentleman...Driver]

I am racing an E30 318iS on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Strange to see one of those in factory new condition. Greetings from Dortmund, Germany. ;)

[@TheTechCguy]

These days, the E30 is now considered a classic. That older gen 2002 he showcased, in the beginning, now antique.

[@syrgrad91]

That video makes me miss my '91 318i convertible. I averaged 27MPG pretty consistently, and that was with a 4.21 rear diff versus the 318is' 4.10 gearing. Best improvement I made to my car was replacing the dual-mass stock flywheel with a single-mass unit from the M20 powered 325i. Another option (maybe it was a dealer installed option) was fog lights which I retrofitted to my car.

[@patrickmichaellangan576]

The song playing on the radio during the audio segment is Midnight Oil's 1988 hit "Beds Are Burning".

[@nunyabizness8226]

Patrick Langan you're a genius

[@whoohaaXL]

60-0 in 100 feet was KILLER in that time. Still is now actually....New Corvettes with Carbon Ceramic brakes only do ~92 feet or so.

[@thimble288]

+whoohaaXL That's amazing considering how heavy the Corvette is.

[@Jojo21453]

Eric Leippe But the corvette has bigger tires-> more traction. I think the e30 would ve braked in an even shorter distance with modern tires. The corvette also has soft and grippy sport/performance tires. 92 however is an impressive result.

[@freedom24v86]

Johannes Vossgrag now imagine giving it moderen ceramic brakes and grippy big tires and moderen brake boosters 😂😂😂 60-0 in 50 ft shoukd i say?

[@rodmunch69]

That's what you get when you don't have all those pesky government safety requirements - although I've always wondered how many people would avoid accidents if they had cars that were more responsive because they weren't 4500-pounds, not to mention your 6000-pound SUVs. But you are correct, 100ft is pretty amazing stopping power - and if you put modern UHP summer tires on this, you'd probably get another 10ft or so - which, again, is just related to the light weight.

[@SP84Fanatic]

This really was the successor to the beloved 2002 and earned its nickname as the "Junior M3."

[@MetikalMan]

They really should have named this 320is. It’s a 1.9L 4 cylinder. It deserves the higher badge number it’s sooo good. That braking performance is insane. I think the E39 M5 does 60-0 in 95ft.

[@UrbanSophistic]

Crazy that this model was only available with a manual -- and today almost every BMW can only be had with an automatic.

[@Jojo21453]

Troy Lilly Because americans don't buy manuals.

[@PresidentCamacho2024]

a real driver prefers a manual though,..

[@dmer-zy3rb]

a real driver just gets what he wants and doesent care what others think about it.

[@chesswizard31]

Sportier but more likely because it was a budget model.

[@tommeiner9983]

@@chesswizard31 You could get an automatic even in a 316i.

[@willzer808]

Christ I God damn love car reviews of last millennium's vehicles

[@TimSlee1]

2:22 The M40 318i from the same year is just half a second slower to 60mph and has a very similar quarter-mile time

[@threeer02]

Glorious that it came with ONLY a manual! I've been looking off and on for a three to five year old used BMW, and it seems like 99% are now all automatic. Sad...

[@pagodacloud2241]

E30 is historic car forever on the road ❤

[@RagingBad]

This is one gorgeous little car

[@getdealtwithquick]

My favorite model in the series, the M40/42 was a fantastic motor. Only one with 4 valves per cylinder in the E30s, made it rev-happy, comparably powerful & more economical than any other motor for the chassis, M20s all rev'd like molasses. I managed to get 41mpgs once - with 2 people and luggage (we were trying)! The M40/42 also didn't suffer from the dreaded oil starvation that caused many of these cars' cam-shafts to wear out resulting in annoying diesel-like motor sounds and poor performance. These can easily go 200k+ miles.

[@thimble288]

+getdealtwithquick mine is at 206k, but it's hurting for a rebuild. Head gasket is failing.

[@getdealtwithquick]

+Eric Leippe I believe these actually still came with paper gaskets from the factory. Not sure in which climate you live but to me the fact that it lasted so long really speaks to the engine design (cooling, block & head heat cycling and expansion).

[@logant724]

+getdealtwithquick I had the top end and timing chain/guides done on my 318is at 300,000 miles. The car is now at 370,000 miles now on the stock engine!!

[@thimble288]

logant724 I just replaced the head at 208k (it had been cracked since before I owned it). The timing chain was OK, and the tensioner is the updated style so I left most of the timing parts alone. The timing had been set incorrectly before, and now it cruises much easier on the freeway and the fuel economy is as it should be. Good times!

[@benjaminbridges9350]

M40 was the early 4cyl motor and it really lacked power! M42/M44 are the later model 4cyl and were much better. They were technically devolved for the E36 cars, but BMW stuck them in the later E30s to roll off the line. I have a 1992 318i convertible with 256,000 and still going strong!

[@bvedant]

The G42 230i captures most of what this E30 318 gave us back in the day.

[@koneking2569]

Just bought one, pick it up tomorrow :)

[@mx5hong]

Wow, those acid washed jeans :o

[@erikhertzer8434]

mx5hong ...complete with mulleted owner

[@barryervin8536]

Back when 0-60 in 9.7 seconds was fast, and people didn't obsess over "hard touch surfaces".

[@rodmunch69]

In 1990, 9.7 seconds wasn't fast - a Corvette, a Iroc-Z, a Mustang GT, they'd all be sub-6 by this time. I've owned three BMW's so I'm not bashing BMW in general, but this was a very very base model version, and while I'm certain it was fun to throw around in corners, a 10sec 0-60 wasn't slow at the time, but it also wasn't fast.

[@barryervin8536]

@@rodmunch69 True. But 318i owners thought their cars were fast. And 325e and 528e owners thought their cars were rocket ships. Because of those BMW emblems, you know? I know this because I spent 15 years having to listen to deluded BMW fan boys babbling about their magical Bimmers while working at the dealership.

[@rodmunch69]

@@barryervin8536 well as the three time owner of a BMW, and someone who has owned Corvettes, a Camaro, a Mustang, a 400HP GTO, etc, the reason the BMW is 'magical' is because they're so well balanced, they do exactly what you want, go exactly where you want, it's a very different experience than a fast American car, which I'm not bashing, I still own a Corvette. But with BMW, they are so precise, you can really drive like an a-hole in them because they always just do what you want, never a surprise - the cars literally level you up a couple of levels in terms of driving ability. It's why someone, if they've only ever driven stuff like BMWs will not like American sports cars because they're a lot more lose and will punish you if you're not a good driver, but the BMW, even a woman could drive one well.

[@TimSlee1]

@@rodmunch69 I wish people in Australia treated it like a base model, a 318is will set you back 24k here while the actual base model 318 is 10k less than that. I hate my country.

[@KingCast65]

Guys.... where are your E28 tests??? I had a 533i and still have a 535is. I know you love the E34 535i but the E28 is still a great car and stays together better than the newer car.

[@adammarkowitz7944]

Different time on Planet Earth. These cars were slow by today's standards, but had beautiful styling, little jewels, they were. Does any modern BMW have beautiful styling?

[@losangelos]

so funny how they rant about the "confusing ventilation system" in each E30 video...maybe E30s should have come with an instructional WW2 cartoon on VHS.

[@leenevin8451]

is the 2002 just a second hand bmw at this time. mad

[@georgetown8986]

A guy should have bought a red one brand new for $21k and kept it in the garage and drove it for enjoyment. It was reasonably priced even back in 1991.

[@landyachtfan79]

WOAH.........um........guys, WTH is up with the audio on this one?!!!!

[@thimble288]

+landyachtfan79 Must be piped through a stock BMW tapedeck!

[@koneking2569]

He sounds like he is yelling but talking like Samuel L Jackson.

[@bigsur175]

Now I want to go drive my E30!!!! Yeah

[@2F4R4W4Y]

wutt??? 60-0 100ft insane!!!

[@Zickcermacity]

The audio on this otherwise fine upload is clipped to Hechunbach. What protocol was used for transfer?

[@mro9466]

No Alpina E30 review ? :p

[@drgonzo1963]

The poor man's M3 !

[@Mycarisslow]

That would be 325is or eurospec 320is

[@matty_o]

Poor man’s M3 was an accord or prelude.

[@laurenthart9132]

318iS was called poor man m3 or baby m3

[@driver707]

@@laurenthart9132 Yes but now the market says the babies are the 320is

[@laurenthart9132]

@@driver707 yes they where always the real babys with their little S14 but back in the 80s the 318iS was the poor man or baby M3

[@williamgson4055]

I'm about to pick up one of these next week :D

[@georgemorley1029]

Been a week...how do you like it?

[@williamgson4055]

George Morley It's pretty great actually. A very fun car to drive on twisty roads.

[@georgemorley1029]

William Gson They're famous for that. Popular for B roads in the UK.

[@williamgson4055]

George Morley Oh yeah I can see that. I had it up in 150km/h while driving to school today on a large main road as I was overtaking some ass in a Hyundai but it felt kinda sketchy then. It feels more at home on small roads though. It actually looks exactly like the one in the start of the video, but with a grey cloth interior instead of the tan one. Same Brilliantrot and the same 14" BBS wheels.

[@georgemorley1029]

William Gson I had an e36 316i compact for my first car and it used to dart around above 95mph on the motorway, because it was light over the rear axle and had a short-ish wheelbase. Older BMWs were lighter in general than newer models, even ones that had a full wheelbase. Plus according to this website (www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/BMW/1508/BMW-E30-3-Series-318is-(US).html) the E30 coupe wheelbase is even less than the e36 compact i had! 257 versus 270. So I think you can expect it to be a little twitchy at high speeds on motorways/highways.

[@alexmail123]

The begin start engine video sound is from a Harley :)

[@sheld44]

About to pick up an 88' 320i tomorrow, completely stock

[@POVShotgun]

+Sheldon Paugh That doesn't exist for 1988. There is 320is with the S14 but that's only in Europe. They were there in the early 80s like 84' and such.

[@POVShotgun]

Sheldon Paugh my bad. It seems I still got to learn. Must be the tax regulations that allowed it to still be sold. m20b20 sounds just as bad of an idea as rb20det lol

[@sheld44]

***** Wrong, the 320i was manufactured from 1982-1991 in Europe, search it up :)

[@Solaar_Punk]

320's sound nice and rev well, if long gearing. Perfectly respectable but very unpopular given the power to economy ratio, ie they guzzle fuel like the 325, maybe not a problem if you live in a country where fuel is cheap.

[@KingCast65]

Mullet factor is real.

[@VcArena]

with the heat, i kinda wish the short shorts come back in style lol.

[@8584zender]

I do believe those might be acid-wash jeans in the background of some of those interior shots. Those they can keep.

[@dchawk81]

That Black Dude Tennis Stig.

[@erickhernandez4668]

Awesome car!

[@CathMartin-wn4gq]

Was this the first year they offered the 318 "is" version?

[@SparrowNoblePoland]

The iS was once a great rally car.

[@jareknowak8712]

This car was way faster than 9.7 to 60. Aprox 9 sec 0-100kmh.

[@davecom3]

Euro mags got into the mid 8 sec range on long term tests which makes me think this was a brand new engine. Also mid summer testingand low octane fuel cant help either.

[@Termiic]

Did any one notice that the radio had INFRARED touch controls for the volume??? In early nineties?!?!

[@driver707]

@@davecom3 You can achieve high high 8s with 7,2k rpm when you do 0-100 in 2º

[@rodmunch69]

No, it wasn't way faster. This is a legit 0-60 test, press the pedal and go, not BS 3ft rollout and rolling starts, not revving the engine like a mongoloid, this is how people actually drive.

[@danp859]

Would be informative to publish date review was first shown on TV.

[@jareknowak8712]

100% yes!

[@lookomsky7981]

Hackerman hacking them seats @ 4:40

[@tomaszapata4458]

Slap some nice rims on these. Ultimate car

[@MrTacoma]

they come with BBS

[@rodmunch69]

You don't change the rims you welfare trash.

[@jeffperez7425]

NUMBER PRODUCED: 3,873 1991 BMW 318is 4-cyl. 1796cc/134hp FI Coupes produced

[@Ozworks]

❤️✅

[@whoohaaXL]

Peugeot 405 MI-16 review, please!

[@9890jsp]

Motor week is based in Baltimore MD, USA. Peugeot's aren't sold here. They never tested one.

[@austinmini1275]

9890jsp Peugeots were most definitely sold in the States at the time the 405 Mi 16 was in production and that model was sold in the US and Canada.

[@whoohaaXL]

9890jsp ^^ What he said ^^

[@whoohaaXL]

+austinmini1275 Don't you just love when people shoot their mouths off and have no clue what they're talking about? He sounded so firm about it too, lol. *Peugeots aren't sold here*....*They never tested one*. Not like looking it up to confirm your comment takes seconds or anything....And the fact that they mentioned as an alternative it at the end of this review is just more fail on his part.

[@barryervin8536]

I know Peugeots were sold in the USA because I was a technician at a BMW-Peugeot dealership. I remember the day we were notified by Peugeot N.A. that they were going away. Everyone at the dealership danced and celebrated. Horrible cars.

[@michaelhilber8284]

Those IS seats are great.

[@erichenry1472]

9.5 0-60???

[@PTAldridge]

Manual only.......the good old days!

[@mcqueenfanman]

Who came here for a 2002 test?

[@cbh148]

@7:37 Bet that guy in the background speaks softly. . .

[@kevinmacgregor4506]

my dudes recorded the audio on a webcam

[@jameswalsh6131]

And now all cars have imitation leather seats...well except the super high end cars. I'd still love one of these beemers for sure..awesome car.

[@AndyE30]

He called my M10.... anemic. Fuck me.

[@TimSlee1]

It may be anemic but it'll last forever unless you swap it out for something more fun.

[@theKevronHarris]

I cannot stand the high trunk liftover! Once I try to attach a Clemson tiger tail on the back, its position will be awkward.

[@nalong55]

RIP headphone users

[@patrickmichael3384]

Sorry Motorweek. Bad sound!

[@dmer-zy3rb]

jesus christ, the audio is horrible in this video! i feel like i am in a youtube poop or something.

[@MandusahRamirez]

Bmw got more comfortable each Generation smh

[@squidproquo2241]

I had a '84 318i, what a junk that car was. Even the dealers did not want to touch it.

[@EdgarsLS]

*SOUND QUALITY*

[@catjudo1]

BMW used to build great cars, as this E30 318 so clearly demonstrates. Today's models are not only less reliable but they're ugly as sin too. It's as if BMW hired some moonlighting Toyota engineers and stylists to design the last ten years or so. The pig nosed atrocities are horrible, the ultimate conclusion to Chris Bangle's designs. Wouldn't touch a new one, but I like that little one here.

[@TheBrowncoat2112]

Worst audio quality on one of these “retro reviews” I think I’ve heard to date.

[@bmw128racer]

Terrible audio.

[@sharedknowledge6640]

Never mind any number of 1990 cars from Japan costing far less could out run this overpriced example of poor German engineering on any road or track and be far more reliable and far cheaper to own while doing it. BMW in their best years did some things well but always at a huge price premium and they still had their ass kicked around even their own Nuremberg Ring by much less expensive cars. That was true in 1990 and is even more true today. Superior German engineering is a myth much like those who still believe the earth is flat.

[@rodmunch69]

LOL! OK kiddo you keep telling everyone how great that Camry is, and why its not boring, it's amazing.