How reliable is the BMW 318?

[scottmandue]

Yes, I know, here we go again... Problem is wife want good gas mileage... I want a car that is not painfully boring... and we are on a tight budget ($5000)...

Perusing the Internet I see the 318... four banger, pretty good mileage? BMW so must be tossable?

And what do the letters after the model number mean? 318i, 318iC, 318iS, 318Ti?

Thanks again

[sc_rufctr]

My brother had one for over ten years. He bought it second hand with about 40,000kms. 318i The i stand for fuel injected.

Most of that time it was trouble free but he doesn't DIY so any servicing, repairs etc he had to pay for. But only simple stuff really.
He was always complaining about the service cost but when he told me how much he was paying it was on par with any modern car.
The interior held up well but the seats wore in the usual places. (Cloth not leather)

About 6 months before he sold it the radiator failed. I replaced it for him with an after market one. I can't remember how much it cost but it was pretty straight forward.

The rear wheel bearings were noisy towards the end but he didn't bother doing anything about it.

All in all a good car. But my VR6 Golf drives better IMHO. His was a 1994 auto.

EDIT: When he sold it, it had done about 180,000kms.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

And what do the letters after the model number mean?

318i? = Sedan, four door
318iC? = Convertible
318iS? = Coupe, Sport
318Ti? = Ugly little two door hatchback

[Deschodt]

Like most BMWs of that era, if you invest $500 preemptively on the cooling system, you should be OK. It's not all that quick... The only "plus" I'd give it is that it's RWD.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Yes, I know, here we go again... Problem is wife want good gas mileage... I want a car that is not painfully boring... and we are on a tight budget ($5000)...

Perusing the Internet I see the 318... four banger, pretty good mileage? BMW so must be tossable?

And what do the letters after the model number mean? 318i, 318iC, 318iS, 318Ti?

Thanks again

i is 4 door sedan, iS is 2 door coupe, iC is convertible and Ti is hatchback.

They are solid cars, the cooling system has some issues, i.e. water pump and thermostat. But they are pretty simple, reliable cars.

In the real world, though, not sure how much better the mileage is over the 6 cylinder versions. As used cars, the purchase prices are probably around the same these days, with the 6s being way more common and easier to find.

[GG Allin]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

318i The i stand for fuel injected.

I think at a certain point BMW just liked the way it sounded. Which ones aren't fuel injected?

[McLovin]

I've had many 4 and 6 cylinder BMWs.

If you're getting an automatic, I'd stick with the 6s.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Like most BMWs of that era, if you invest $500 preemptively on the cooling system, you should be OK. It's not all that quick... The only "plus" I'd give it is that it's RWD.

Guess I need to google radiator, hoses, and water pump prices on a 318.

Is this car DIY friendly (particularly the waterpump )

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by McLovin

I've had many 4 and 6 cylinder BMWs.

If you're getting an automatic, I'd stick with the 6s.

Is the auto a big problem? I have no problem driving a stick but in my price range I can't be too picky.

At what is the smallest 6 they made? This would be my commuter so gas mileage is #1 concern.

[Sarc]

The E30 318is is a much better car in my opinion than the E36 318is. Looks a lot better too. I’ve had my 91’ for nearly 10 years and 100K miles, with it serving as a daily driver for probably 6 years total out of that time. Closing in on 210K miles, still gets 32 mpg. Fun car to drive, super tossable. Excellent visibility. Not the fastest thing out there, but if driven in an anticipatory mode, it’s great tool for weaving your way through congested traffic.

Aside from normal maintenance, I’ve had to:

-Replace the brakes once
-Replace the oil pan seal
-New belts
-Replace some vacuum hoses and the ICV
-New fuel pump (done in 10 minutes, outdoors in 10 degree weather)

Aside from the hoses, I find it extremely easy to maintain/work on.

It’s been the most trouble free car I’ve owned (Having owned several older and newer Japanese and German stuff). Finding a good one will be a tall order, but at least you’re in the right part of the country.

Not mine, but similar:

[daepp]

Contrary to the earlier post, I think the 318Ti is a great little car. Esp. if you can get the California Edition with the rag top. I've heard rumors that, while it is a 4, it is close to an M of that era. Can anyone verify that?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Sarc

The E30 318is is a much better car in my opinion than the E36 318is. Looks a lot better too.

Pardon my ignorance but what is the difference in a E30 and E36 (I presume year of manufacture?).

[Scott Douglas]

I drove an '85 325e as a commuter for a lot of years. They have tractor motor like low end torque so it worked well on the freeway commute.
They do have a genetic flaw in the head casting that when it breaks, oil mixes with the cooling system. That being said, it still was a great car with uber comfortable seats.
I think the smallest 6 is 2.3L but could be wrong. The 325e has a 2.7L if I remember correctly, it's been a while. I'd go with a stick again if I were you.

[BReif61]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Pardon my ignorance but what is the difference in a E30 and E36 (I presume year of manufacture?).

Different generation of the same model (think 993 and 996)

E30's have the pronounced greenhouses and circular headlights.

E36's have a more "robust" look and rectangular headlights.

[GG Allin]

Originally Posted by Sarc

The E30 318is is a much better car in my opinion than the E36 318is.[/IMG]

Add to that, E30 coupes are very easy cars to sell.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Sarc

The E30 318is is a much better car in my opinion than the E36 318is. Looks a lot better too. I’ve had my 91’ for nearly 10 years and 100K miles, with it serving as a daily driver for probably 6 years total out of that time. Closing in on 210K miles, still gets 32 mpg. Fun car to drive, super tossable. Excellent visibility. Not the fastest thing out there, but if driven in an anticipatory mode, it’s great tool for weaving your way through congested traffic.

Aside from normal maintenance, I’ve had to:

-Replace the brakes once
-Replace the oil pan seal
-New belts
-Replace some vacuum hoses and the ICV
-New fuel pump (done in 10 minutes, outdoors in 10 degree weather)

Aside from the hoses, I find it extremely easy to maintain/work on.

It’s been the most trouble free car I’ve owned (Having owned several older and newer Japanese and German stuff). Finding a good one will be a tall order, but at least you’re in the right part of the country.

Not mine, but similar

This. My E36 318ti was a steaming pile of crap. The worst of the already poor E36 interiors, it reeked of cost cutting. Remember that this was BMW's budget model. Buzzy 4-cylinder in place of a smooth straight 6, which I could live with if the interior didn't resonate with it. Everything made of cheap plastic. You couldn't pay me to own another. The E30 was designed when BMW still cared about quality, despite being older it's a much better car.

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Is the auto a big problem? I have no problem driving a stick but in my price range I can't be too picky.

At what is the smallest 6 they made? This would be my commuter so gas mileage is #1 concern.

Generally speaking every BMW automatic of that era is a ticking bomb. The smallest E36 six cylinder is the 325i, which will give you upper 20s on the highway.

What happened to the Miata? Of everything you have asked about, it is really the only good car of the bunch. Reliable, fun to drive, good MPG.

[911 Rod]

I had an 1995 318is for a few trouble free years and really enjoyed it. There are a couple of updates to the motor in 1996 so it is preferred.
The rest of the car is all BMW so expect the usual stuff like cooling system and electrical demons.
Great gas mileage although premium fuel. I found it to be a spunky car with great handling .... until I bought an M3.
BTW Don't buy an auto as this thing needs to rev.

[RANDY P]

my ex had a 93 318IS with a 5 speed.

I actually liked the car, bugs and all. Yes, the interior falls apart, yes, it's buzzy but when coupled with a 5 speed it's fun to drive. Between that and the 6cyl 325 E30 Auto I used to own it was much more "tossable"

Any of the 325 Autos feel sluggish. E30 or E36.

I'd be into another one for a cheap commuter.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

I had an 1995 318is for a few trouble free years and really enjoyed it. There are a couple of updates to the motor in 1996 so it is preferred.
The rest of the car is all BMW so expect the usual stuff like cooling system and electrical demons.
Great gas mileage although premium fuel. I found it to be a spunky car with great handling .... until I bought an M3.
BTW Don't buy an auto as this thing needs to rev.

xactly.

1st gear is annoying in traffic too. But you learn to live with it. Gearing feels low.

[LakeCleElum]

You ever consider a Miata or VW Beetle?