Pure driving pleasure starts with the e30 beamer. Although only a 1.8 L, 4, this piece of bavarian ingenuity will embarrass a lot off other so-called 'fast fours'. But where the 'is' really performs is in the cornering, high speed cornering to be precise. The perfect weight distribution, centered footprint, double slip diff and classic bmw steering rack makes light work of ridiculously sharp, mountain corners at 80km/h plus. Whereas most american and jap performance cars are strictly road cars, the e30 design (1984-1991) was originally made (and very successfully used) for the track ('88 M3) and then converted for use as a road car later. It is easy to tell the lineage when pulling around a double decline hairpin at 70km/h. Overall the 318is also has some major technical advantages both under the hood and in the rest of the car, including such things as sports suspension, mid-range torque peaks, a seriously swanky shift down to such detail as hydralically adjustable headlights (in the cockpit). The low rev pull in 2nd and 3rd is amazing and takes a little getting used to around town, but is essential for the 1:15 gradient climbs up to the high places we call MOUNTAINS!!. At first, the high rev:high torque ratio of the car had me acting very lightly on both the clutch and the throttle, but as you get used to the car you realize that this is normal with a red line @ 6,500, a virtualy impossible target unless you are actually trying to wait for your muffins to bake whilst reading the ower's manual. Excellent fast clutch -traction and non-wheel spin takeoffs can be achieved at as little as 2,500!
However, with any car there are going to be some drawbacks associated. These include a medium pull capacity (doesnt quite perform at tops with 4 people and full fuel), unresponsive steering at low speeds(<10km/h), it is hard to keep below about 110km/h in 5th and below about 70km/h in 4th and the clutch is fairly heavy. In reading this you must realise that the '318is' is NOT a family sedan and is NOT a car for the light footed granies out there. It is a car for those who apreciate the excellence that BMW has to offer, those that are proficient in driving and like to be rewarded with a truly honest and impressive sports saloon. In general, you don't drive this car, it lets you play.
