BMW 318ti, Yes or No?

Cool cars. I've always like the E36 BMW's looks. But the 318 is painfully slow. Like 0-60 in the high teens, I don't know the exact number. Nonetheless, they are fairly reliable if treated right can run for a long time. If it's clean, go for it. If you don't love it, sell it again. Ugh, I would rather have any Bimmer over a Lincoln any day. Go for the bimmer.

 

I've driven a few over the years and they are very agile and great fun to drive around town (though a bit under-powered). A family friend has owned one for about 10 years with very few problems, so the reliability is there, too. However, if your wife is used to an SUV, and wants another SUV, it might be best to bite the bullet and get an SUV.

 

Nah, spring for an old E30 M3. Better yet, have her test some of the mini SUVs, such as CR-V, RAV4, etc.

 

The 318ti actually has the same wheelbase as the 328i but as you can see has the shortened read deck. The hatchback with split fold-down rear seats is very versatile and useful. I agree that they are slightly underpowered but using the transmission judiciously can give you fair respectability. But then, this car was not built to be an M3 fighter. It was built to be the under 20K BMW when prices started escalating. It originally sold for $18,995 with manual trans, steel wheels with wheelcovers and cloth interior. Adding the options would bring up about $2,500 more.

There are many performance mods available for a few bucks if you want to pick it up a little. Chips can be had for very little. The original engine was considered square, meaning the engine produced 148 hp and produced 148 lbs ft of torque. The Hartge mod engine produces 180hp.

Original 0-60 was approximately 8.7 seconds manual/ 9.8 automatic.......

1. Base model
2. Upgrade model
3. Hartge engine mods.

At around 100,000 km, the price should be roughly $5k to $7K dollars if the car is really in good shape.
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Had one. All i can say, avoid automatic. Overall very satisfied, if you live in a city and crawl for a parking spot this is just perfect (i live in Europe, parking spots are not big). I stepped down from E38/Jag to this on daily use.

 

I've driven many BMW's, 1.8's through to the M versions. The 1998 Metallic M-spec 318ti I did not like at all, it just lacks a general bond with the car in my opinion, quite dull and senseless.

 

Hate the looks of them, but the E36 M3 motor does fit easily..

 

I drove one of the supercharged Z3's about a year after they came out when I was with Moritz BMW in Arlington, Tx. I had sold the car originally and the owner brought it in after he had completed the mods. It really made the car have a lot more character and personality. It might be fun in the Ti.

 

I've driven a 95 318is (not 'ti') automatic on several occasions, and its acceleration is comparable to a early/mid 90s 2.2L Accord... it left plenty to be desired.

 

Compared to the lack of fun of a non-turbo car, yes........Compared to an M3, not close.........

 

You could drop a new motor in it like this chap

http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=1995330ti

 

I bought a new 318ti when stationed in Europe and LOVED it - reliable, EXTREMELY usable, perfect sized car for Europe, comfortable.
For a daily practical car it's unbeatable - brought back to the States and drove the wheels off of it; wish we had never sold ours. Just terrific.
EXTREMELY usable and practical.