I never felt "short changed" by the 318is engine, rev happy twin cam and it made for a well balanced car. I had two coupe's like that as company cars and a few years later bought a 328i sport coupe. I personally I thought the 318is was actually a more fun drive, though obviously not ultimately as fast. I'm glad I was able to enjoy them in pre-camera days!
Not long after this BMW decided to make as much as they could out of cheap plastic. Proper engineering and style went out the window. And so did their memorable tagline; "the ultimate driving machine".
So many good points raised here Ed, particularly colour choice and the emphasis on engineering. Now all we have is death by grey and what the infotainment can do that 99% never fully make use of anyway. Well observed that brand is everything now and the qualities that that brand was built on rarely get a mention. I struggle to find technical info on many new cars these days. Great stuff.
Six years ago I bought a Japanese Import, an E36 328i, a basic model, but with the auto box and that six-cylinder block, it was too much of a draw for me not to add her to my collection. It had 8,000 kilometres on her, no history, but it was clear that the mileage was genuine, six years on, this car has been wonderful, she has never missed a beat and I have done around15,000 miles in her, (28,000 km, as I have not converted the speedo), people think its an old banger until I take them for a drive, and then they understand no creaks or squeaks, the interior is still good, and she drives like a dream.
My e36 328i Sport (Avus Blue, Silver leather) is the car I've owned the longest, and I loved it (only an e39 M5 got me out of it!). Agree with you so much, this was the days of classy BMW, and cars need to be made in colour again, not just monochrome (especially when manufacturers offer 5 different shades of silver/grey and no colours). (Also, I love 'gingercators' :) )
Nice video 👍 I have an e36 320i convertible in Boston green, stashed away in the garage for years, maybe it's time to get it out and enjoy it again😎, love these proper BMW's 👍
I appreciate not only your deeply researched knowledge and superbly scripted scrips, your relaxed and informative style brings even a brochure to life through your talking hands!. In the days of this particular model, as you said, they were very desirable but now being two a penny and seen as 'chavy', for me BMWs have lost their once unique appeal - not that I could even afford a wheel now! And being an old codger I find that most cars have become over complicated and have become characterless wind tunnel, Euro look alikes which robs them of much of their individuality. I sure you do not fully agrees as you are much more engineering minded. Whatever, I was delighted to watch this super and professional, brochure review and thank you for the effort you take for us. Rob 🙂
Very good, certainly a high point in so many ways. However you join others in dismissing the four cylinders as lacklustre when in fact they punch well above their weight and are super reliable more so than the sixes. Other than that spot on.
the 5-series in the 80s and the 3-series in the 90s were the sweet spot in the modern era of BMW history and its a period before driving one said that you're a selfish narcissist with little care or attention for other road users.
Absolutely peak BMW - these fit like a glove and drive wonderfully. E39 deserves this accolade too. This gen M3 (evo got better steering and motor) is the perfect balance of size and power in my opinion. I much prefer the E36 to the “iconic” E30, due to the Z axle rear end and much more progressive styling, which still looks fresh today.
Your video bring back some old memories. I had the entry level 318is coupe, kept it for 3 years before moving on to an A4 diesel. Keep up the good work.
BMW was actually close to bankruptcy in the early 1960s. The Neue Klasse (predecessor of the 5 series) and later on the 02 (predecessor of the 3 series) safed their bottom. Those models were developed without big funds and you could see it. The build quality of both were subpar in the first years. I'm wondering why they made it while almost no British manufacturer survived.
I have -98 318is exclusive edition coupe, orient blue with light grey leather. OEM condition, interior and exterior. I've think about to sell but still too low value. I've got also another great E36/7, Z3. Boston green with full beige interior. Greatest Beemers ever.
I feel a pang of jealousy/melancholy/despair watching this. A good part of my falling in love with cars is due to my uncle's then-current E36 325i saloon, and the very special noise that made when pushed in second gear. Unfortunately he sold it just before I could buy it, it was dark red with a grey cloth interior iirc.
Ed. I picked up an enigmatic email from you this morning regarding all your Social Media, and this was the only way I could find to to reply. From your email content it appears that I have strangely but unintentionally upset you. And it would also appear that as I do not subscribe to any of the outlets mentioned, am technophobic and use an old battered laptop, that henceforward I am thus excluded from the many years of pleasure i have given by following your professionally superior motoring posts. I find this disappointingly sad but I wish you continued motoring success in all you do. Rob
I had a brand new 1995 3-Series Coupe and the build quality was dreadful; the drivers window fell off its runners into the door. When I took it to Neep of Colchester they said they’d fixed another 3-Series with the same fault the week before. The glovebox lid constantly rattled and fell open when going over bumps (another common fault). However, I took the plunge again and had a 1998 328i Convertible and, by then, the build quality seemed to have improved and I had very few faults with that car.
Hi Ed Another superb video on an unrivalled era of BM's I for one cherished the brochures sadly these have depleted as have the colour options. The brochures were to be embraced while you awaited delivery of your ultimate driving machine. Thanks again for a great presentation
I went on the press launch in 1995 of the 323i, 328i and 1.9 litre Compact and Coupe. A day or so of caning them around Southern Spain - nearly 30 years ago! BMW were a very serious company and never really put a foot wrong. The E36 is still a good car even after 3 decades. Edit: the M50 gained inlet Vanos in September 1992.
I recently purchased a 318is in Alpine white with a 4 speed automatic gearbox and I love it. Many thanks for this informative and interesting post.
I never felt "short changed" by the 318is engine, rev happy twin cam and it made for a well balanced car. I had two coupe's like that as company cars and a few years later bought a 328i sport coupe. I personally I thought the 318is was actually a more fun drive, though obviously not ultimately as fast. I'm glad I was able to enjoy them in pre-camera days!
Not long after this BMW decided to make as much as they could out of cheap plastic. Proper engineering and style went out the window. And so did their memorable tagline; "the ultimate driving machine".
So many good points raised here Ed, particularly colour choice and the emphasis on engineering. Now all we have is death by grey and what the infotainment can do that 99% never fully make use of anyway. Well observed that brand is everything now and the qualities that that brand was built on rarely get a mention. I struggle to find technical info on many new cars these days. Great stuff.
Six years ago I bought a Japanese Import, an E36 328i, a basic model, but with the auto box and that six-cylinder block, it was too much of a draw for me not to add her to my collection.
It had 8,000 kilometres on her, no history, but it was clear that the mileage was genuine, six years on, this car has been wonderful, she has never missed a beat and I have done around15,000 miles in her, (28,000 km, as I have not converted the speedo), people think its an old banger until I take them for a drive, and then they understand no creaks or squeaks, the interior is still good, and she drives like a dream.
My e36 328i Sport (Avus Blue, Silver leather) is the car I've owned the longest, and I loved it (only an e39 M5 got me out of it!).
Agree with you so much, this was the days of classy BMW, and cars need to be made in colour again, not just monochrome (especially when manufacturers offer 5 different shades of silver/grey and no colours).
(Also, I love 'gingercators' :) )
Nice video 👍 I have an e36 320i convertible in Boston green, stashed away in the garage for years, maybe it's time to get it out and enjoy it again😎, love these proper BMW's 👍
Ace video, nice one Geoff
I appreciate not only your deeply researched knowledge and superbly scripted scrips, your relaxed and informative style brings even a brochure to life through your talking hands!. In the days of this particular model, as you said, they were very desirable but now being two a penny and seen as 'chavy', for me BMWs have lost their once unique appeal - not that I could even afford a wheel now! And being an old codger I find that most cars have become over complicated and have become characterless wind tunnel, Euro look alikes which robs them of much of their individuality. I sure you do not fully agrees as you are much more engineering minded. Whatever, I was delighted to watch this super and professional, brochure review and thank you for the effort you take for us.
Rob
🙂
Very good, certainly a high point in so many ways. However you join others in dismissing the four cylinders as lacklustre when in fact they punch well above their weight and are super reliable more so than the sixes. Other than that spot on.
You must drive an E39 some day
the 5-series in the 80s and the 3-series in the 90s were the sweet spot in the modern era of BMW history and its a period before driving one said that you're a selfish narcissist with little care or attention for other road users.
i'd love an e46 330 coupe because i lusted after them as a youth, but they are almost exclusively driven by bellends now
The 80s and 90s was when cars were at their pinnacle. Since then it all went pear shaped 😅
Absolutely peak BMW - these fit like a glove and drive wonderfully. E39 deserves this accolade too.
This gen M3 (evo got better steering and motor) is the perfect balance of size and power in my opinion. I much prefer the E36 to the “iconic” E30, due to the Z axle rear end and much more progressive styling, which still looks fresh today.
That was definitely the glory days. I had an E46, E46, and E90. The E36 is the one I still look back and love the most
what did you like about the 36 over the 46?
Hard to put in words. The E46 was more refined, but tended more towards luxury at the expense of “tossable sportiness.” The E90 went even further.
Continually getting bigger (as all cars sadly do) was part of that
Had a 328i coupe back in the mid noughties, the auto box killed the performance a bit but what a car. Definitely one I wish I'd kept.
Your video bring back some old memories. I had the entry level 318is coupe, kept it for 3 years before moving on to an A4 diesel. Keep up the good work.
BMW was actually close to bankruptcy in the early 1960s. The Neue Klasse (predecessor of the 5 series) and later on the 02 (predecessor of the 3 series) safed their bottom. Those models were developed without big funds and you could see it. The build quality of both were subpar in the first years.
I'm wondering why they made it while almost no British manufacturer survived.
I have -98 318is exclusive edition coupe, orient blue with light grey leather. OEM condition, interior and exterior. I've think about to sell but still too low value. I've got also another great E36/7, Z3. Boston green with full beige interior. Greatest Beemers ever.
I feel a pang of jealousy/melancholy/despair watching this.
A good part of my falling in love with cars is due to my uncle's then-current E36 325i saloon, and the very special noise that made when pushed in second gear. Unfortunately he sold it just before I could buy it, it was dark red with a grey cloth interior iirc.
Late to the video, but I love the E36 so much. Think I actually prefer it to the E30, although that might be because it's cheaper lol
You aren't wrong about the decline since the 90s.
Ed. I picked up an enigmatic email from you this morning regarding all your Social Media, and this was the only way I could find to to reply. From your email content it appears that I have strangely but unintentionally upset you. And it would also appear that as I do not subscribe to any of the outlets mentioned, am technophobic and use an old battered laptop, that henceforward I am thus excluded from the many years of pleasure i have given by following your professionally superior motoring posts. I find this disappointingly sad but I wish you continued motoring success in all you do.
Rob
I can’t remember seeing an email from you, but I’m not at all upset?
Classic car... Classic presentation.... Classic research.... What else to say but thank you..... Roger... Pembrokeshire
I had a brand new 1995 3-Series Coupe and the build quality was dreadful; the drivers window fell off its runners into the door. When I took it to Neep of Colchester they said they’d fixed another 3-Series with the same fault the week before. The glovebox lid constantly rattled and fell open when going over bumps (another common fault). However, I took the plunge again and had a 1998 328i Convertible and, by then, the build quality seemed to have improved and I had very few faults with that car.
Great watch ED, very enjoyable. Just thinking here, what happened to BMW? They have turned into eyesores......
Hi Ed Another superb video on an unrivalled era of BM's I for one cherished the brochures sadly these have depleted as have the colour options. The brochures were to be embraced while you awaited delivery of your ultimate driving machine. Thanks again for a great presentation
I went on the press launch in 1995 of the 323i, 328i and 1.9 litre Compact and Coupe. A day or so of caning them around Southern Spain - nearly 30 years ago! BMW were a very serious company and never really put a foot wrong. The E36 is still a good car even after 3 decades.
Edit: the M50 gained inlet Vanos in September 1992.