pchris@inuxc.UUCP (08/23/83)
The August, 1983 isuue of the BMW Roundel contains a good article comparing the new 318i with its predecessor, the 320i. There is a definite improvement in handling, acceleration, air conditioning, front end shimmy(all gone!), instrumentation layout(my comment). When I had my Ungo Box installed in my 318i, the mechanic (not dealer) remarked that BMW had improved all of the "faults" of the 320i, especially under- neath. Here is a brief version of a very comprehensive table comparing window sticker prices of the two cars, plus a few of the more common options: 320i 318i Base car $13,290 $16430 320i with Luxus pkg 1,685 ---- Radio and antenna ---- 505 Fog lights ---- Std. Air Conditioning ---- Std. Alloy wheels 500 Std. 318i better tires (Goodyear NCT) 200 Std. Driver's foot rest 60 Std. Power steering 445 Std. Manual(!!) sunroof 555 520 Dealer prep, freight 395 395 Subtotal $17130 $17850 Actually, I think I like the 320i's front end appearance better than the 318i's. But I like the 318i's wedge profile better. So there you have it - only a 4.3% increase in price from one model year to the next. But the car is an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, change from it's well-publisized predecessor. Phil Fair, AT&T CP