Sleeper N55 Twin Turbo: 1995 BMW 318ti
The E36 generation 318ti was an odd little hatchback from BMW that combined the E30 generation rear semi-trailing arm suspension with a 1.8 liter non-turbo 4-banger. It was fun to drive and economical — like a sport compact car should be, but today’s version has taken an interesting turn. It has a twin turbo N55 inline-6 from an E90 BMW 335i, which is unfortunately mated to an automatic transmission, but otherwise this looks like the correct way to double (or triple with a chip and some tuning) the horsepower of the original vehicle. Find this 1995 BMW 318ti offered for $6,500 in Phoenix, AZ via craigslist.
From the seller:
1995 bmw 318ti
condition: good
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: fwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 191123
paint color: green
size: sub-compact
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: hatchback
Custom 1995 bmw 318ti 335i N55 swap twin power turbo 6 cylinder with 35k miles, Automatic, I DID NOT DO THE SWAP. grey Vader leather seats, Power windows/locks, M3 wheels, bumper and mirrors, all the gauges work, clean title. This is a running and driving project car- Does not have A/C, suspension seem to be original, paint is faded. Text or call if I don’t answer please leave a message. $6500
See a better way to surprise them at the stop light? tips@dailyturismo.com
Oof, this one has already vanished. I’ve always loved the 318ti — maybe my childhood love of the 911 has programmed me to love all things slopey-butted. Porsche 911, Jaguar XKE, BMW Z3 coupe, BMW 850csi, Audi TT, Alfa GTV6, ’66 Dodge Charger, Audi A7 Sportback, the list goes on and on and on and . . . .
FYI, n55 is a twin scroll (single turbo) the prior engine n54 is a twin turbo.
Whoops. You are correct, these later N55 only have one turbo to fail instead of two. Cuts maintenance in half, probably.