318Ti vs 260Z....

This morning I saw that a dealer near me has now got a '98 318Ti with 128K miles on it for sale. The same dealer has a SMALL bumper 260Z with 100K "advertised" miles on it (tho, unlike the BMW, the Z is a 3 speed auto vs the 318s 5 speed manual).

Since both are hatchbacks, it got me to thinking about the possible pros and cons of just these 2 in comparison.

I know the Z is as tough as a train, tho I don't know about the auto gearbox....and that's it, so far.

where is the Z? how much for the Z?

I have a five speed manual trans in my basement and 2 driveshafts in my attic. I do not have a peddle box though......

You might be able to swap those transmissions out.

The 260Z was first imported in 1974, the first year of mandated "big bumpers". If the car has the smaller 240-style bumpers, they are almost certainly retro-fitted. Z's aren't nearly as tough as tou think; rust was/is/will be an issue.

The BMW would seem a much better choice for a lot of reasons - imho, of course!

oldsaw wrote: The 260Z was first imported in 1974, the first year of mandated "big bumpers". If the car has the smaller 240-style bumpers, they are almost certainly retro-fitted. Z's aren't nearly as tough as tou think; rust was/is/will be an issue.

I thought the first 1/2 of the year had the smaller bumpers and the second half had the giant 800# bumpers.

Sometimes you see a 1974-1/2 260Z advertised.

I got a 240Z front bumper in the basement too...BRE airdam.....hatch glass........

I have always loved the Z car, but was never been lucky enough to find the right one at the right time.

I think of those two cars, I would pick the 318.

I test drove an auto 240Z and it was kinda depressing. Go with the 318ti.

oldsaw wrote: The 260Z was first imported in 1974, the first year of mandated "big bumpers". If the car has the smaller 240-style bumpers, they are almost certainly retro-fitted. Z's aren't nearly as tough as tou think; rust was/is/will be an issue. The BMW would seem a much better choice for a lot of reasons - imho, of course!

The 260Z has the distinction of having both sets of bumpers. They changed mid-year to the next year's 280 battering rams. The early cars have the smaller 240-ish bumpers, and more of them survive it seems than the other version. Not sure of the production numbers of each.

I'm partial to Z's of course, but never underestimate the amount of maintenance required to keep a car that old as a daily driver. It can be done, but the BMW will ultimately be easier to keep, get better mpg, and is just as quick.

Swapping the auto for a 5-speed is relatively easy though...I wouldn't let an automatic version stand in the way. Also, most autos tend to be in better shape than their manual counterparts.

The BMW would be a better car to "live with." The Z would be a better car to "play with." Of course, that playing means that it needs constant attention even after the big work of a trans swap is done. The Z really would not be a good DD if that is your intention.

The intention would be as a DD, unless I was able to find a "play truck".....which I also consider from time to time.

I think if I bought the Z and decided to do an auto to manual swap, I'd go all the way to a 280's 5 speed. I once owned a 280 with a 4 speed (a nice car, but rusty) and the 4 speed is not as economical, obviously, as the 5 speed.

My concern with the 318Ti would be the highish miles on a 4 cylinder car, but as has been suggested on other threads involving this car...I can always swap the 4 for a 6.

That's not high mileage for the BMW. If this is your DD, I can't imagine thinking that a car built in the mid '70's is going to be better in any aspect (other than nostalgia) than a car built in the late '90's.

In reply to docwyte:

Ditto this, that is less than halfway gone for the BMW.

In reply to Brett_Murphy:

Maybe for the engine, but BMW electrics and auxilaries aren't exactly known for their longevity.

On the 318 there are even kits/instructions on putting in an LS1
My 145k mile e30 thinks that this 128k car does not have too many miles. You just need to see how much has not been taken care of and budget for that.

Plenty of information on this board for dealing with that age & miles on a BMW E36 like that 318Ti. If you are looking for something semi-appliance that isn't terribly boring and decent on fuel then the 318Ti wins.

I wish I could get over how these cars are styled because on paper they sound pretty great; rear wheel drive, lots of chassis variants to pick parts from for upgrades, a nice big hatch to throw things through & etc. Instead, well, it all came out a little nub arse...

I have found 2 different 318Tis on CL today, both at dealerships. The one near me, they are asking $5K, which Edmunds says may be high (I'm not clear/sure of the options). BTW, this one is double black. Another one I found is about the same mileage but silver, with auto, and the dealership is asking a few hundred more.

I'm going to go look at the black one.

I wasn't sure about the longevity of the car, but you folks lead me to believe I need not worry. Thanks.

The 260. It has panache. Something that the 318Ti doesn't. Sure, it'll rust, die on you for no reason, create hassles every time you start it, but think of it like a woman... a little maintenance and you're all set. I'd rather show up with Lucy Liu than common Olga from Stuttgart. It's a little dangerous and a little sexy all at the same time.

Do you want to be the world's most interesting person (at least in your office) or do you want to be another guy in a 90's BMW?

Z car hands down.

And this is coming from someone who is a big BMW fan as well. Ugh, I so regret getting a car payment and not daily driving an old car.

Please!..... an auto tragic vs. a 5 speed end of discussion 318 FTW

Teh E36 M3 wrote: 260. It has panache. Something that the 318Ti doesn't. Sure, it'll rust, die on you for no reason, create hassles every time you start it, but think of it like a woman... a little maintenance and you're all set. I'd rather show up with Lucy Liu than common Olga from Stuttgart. It's a little dangerous and a little sexy all at the same time. Do you want to be the world's most interesting person (at least in your office) or do you want to be another guy in a 90's BMW?

furthermore, the z isn't even THAT bad. very well said.

I haven't a clue why someone would say the Z wouldn't be a good daily driver and needs constant fiddling?

belteshazzar wrote:

Teh E36 M3 wrote: 260. It has panache. Something that the 318Ti doesn't. Sure, it'll rust, die on you for no reason, create hassles every time you start it, but think of it like a woman... a little maintenance and you're all set. I'd rather show up with Lucy Liu than common Olga from Stuttgart. It's a little dangerous and a little sexy all at the same time. Do you want to be the world's most interesting person (at least in your office) or do you want to be another guy in a 90's BMW?

furthermore, the z isn't even THAT bad. very well said.

Agreed, I think I overshot the mark. No Z anywhere can give him the pain and heartache that my MG gives me. Not a one.

Make sure the Z-car doesn't have a rusty frame.

if the Z is non-trusty and you live in an area where it is not likely to get exposed to salt and the like.. go for the Z.

As for the Ti.. I love mine and it has been a complete joy for the past 50,000 miles.

While BMW electronics are not well known for their longevity.. there is not a lot of them in the Ti. It is a fairly simple car. If it is a 96+ it has the M44 engine which also has the distinction of being the only BMW without a mechanical fan... so that is less issues to worry about.

For a BMW, the Ti is a fairly robust little car.. and I happen to like it's cute little nub of a tail

I would think that, when doing a rebuild of the cooling system (which may have been done by a previous owner so this may not apply), it would be very tempting to swap out the mechanical fan for an electric setup.

carguy123 wrote: I haven't a clue why someone would say the Z wouldn't be a good daily driver and needs constant fiddling?

My reasoning for the suggestion of constant fiddling on the Z vs 318 has mostly to do with the fact that the Z is a 36 yr old car. The 318 is a mere 12 yrs old or 3 times newer.

I stand by my answer that the Z would be more fun and the 318 would be a better appliance. Of course, all of these statements are generalities and really hold no merit without assessing the conditions of the vehicles.