Considering Getting A Bimmer 318 Next

[Hale]

Hey guys, I've been considering buying a '95ish 318 next spring when I get done with Basic Training and AIT for the Army. I've been trying to come up with a list of cars I would like to buy, but most of them are either above my budget, or they are too old and would be a hassle maintaining (MKIII Supra Turbo, 97+ Wrangler, 944.

I would like to set the budget around $5,000, and that seems to be the asking price for them in my area. The only 2 things I'm really looking for in it are manual tranmission and hard top. Gas milage is a concern and from what I found, EPA says 21/29 for 318s. How far away is that from people's acutal milage?

Are there are sites or FAQs that gives specific 318 information for buying and what I should be looking for while shopping? Also could anybody point me to a site that explains the lettering after the model numbers?

Thanks for any help,
Daniel

[Justin318is]

i own a 1993 318is and about the gas milage i went around 400 miles on one tank of gas last week when i went on vaction. so gas milage is great, but if your looking for a car that has power and pickup dont get a 318 because off the line and just pick up it is a very slow car.

[4evrwyntr]

Justin learns fast.
Yes, actually all 3-series bimmers have pretty good mileage (e36) to my knowledge - my m3 can go 350 on a tank... But I can and will confirm that 400 miles per tank.
Be careful. It is still a fun car, despite the apparent lack of power, and you may become addicted to BMW, and then desire more power. You'll find that a lot of people end up seling their 318 "entry level" 3-series for a more powerful one, rather than forking over the money and modding the hell out of the 318 (mostly because it's cheaper to just sell and buy).

[allill]

gas mileage is great. i can't stress that enough. but if you want a car that will get up when you get on the gas, get something stronger than a 318. i have owned my 318ic manual since new in 94 and have always had to deal with it's lack of juice. in the city, if i keep the rpms up, it's fine. on the highway it really sucks. but the gas mileage is great. sf to la on a tank of gas, not bad at all. the e36 cars still look good to me, not too outdated. the 318 is a great car that is easy to keep up, just gotta live with the lack of hp.

[catalyst.]

Get an e36 325. i average 25.6 MPG, and on the highway with the cruise at 75 mph, it will average around 30 MPG.

All this with a 0-60 of 6.5-7 seconds.

I may be wrong but i remember reading that the 318 has a 0-60 of upwards of 14 seconds.

[allill]

Originally posted by catalyst.@Jul 15 2005, 08:27 PM
Get an e36 325. i average 25.6 MPG, and on the highway with the cruise at 75 mph, it will average around 30 MPG.

All this with a 0-60 of 6.5-7 seconds.

I may be wrong but i remember reading that the 318 has a 0-60 of upwards of 14 seconds.

[snapback]362692[/snapback]

14 seconds? feels like a minute and 14 seconds downhill! ghead

[Hale]

Well okay, I have driven low horsepower cars before. My first car was a '95 Ford Aspire, and that P.O.S. made 63hp at the crank

I am wanting a stylish, and sporty car, that gets good gas milage. And as much I love Toyotas (which yes I am a toyota-addict), they didn't make a sporty car like that during the mid 90s..and thats about as old as I'm willing to go.

I will be going to college when I get back from BCT/AIT and it's about 50 miles roundtrip....and thats a pretty fair mix between highway and city.

Anyway I'm tired and little out of it, but if anybody else has anything to add please by means go ahead and suggest to me now....I do have 9 months before I will buy one anywoot.

[NESS]

I get 15.9mpg in my 95 325 and I dont usually stomp on the gas so Im guessing I have a bad 02 sensor or something.

[Rich328]

I've got a 318iS coupe, and its alot quicker than 0-60 in 14 seconds, having said that it is chipped and does have a stainless steel exhaust on it, plus an upgraded air-filter.

I really don't think its much slower than my 328i convertible.

I've had 135mph out of it on the highway - with me and 4 passengers in it too.

[Storamin]

While the 318 isn't a screamer, I believe 0-60 is about the 8 second range.
I disagree with the person who said that driving on the highway with it was a problem. When I had mine a downshift into third on the highway meant some good passing. The 318 had pretty nice pickup at high speeds for such a small 4 banger.
I originally bought a 318 and when mine got rearended and totalled there was no way I was gonna buy another 318. FWIW, the 325 is a very nice upgrade if you can stomach the price.

[Justin318is]

yea i think mine from 0 to 60 is probably 12 seconds but i cant complain about the gas milage since gas is getting expensive just last week for half a tank of gas it was 17 bucks for 87 octane.

Rich328 what kind of chip did you put in and can i see some pics of that sick looking convert

[Delmarco]

Daniel,
I'm selling my 318i next spring...hopefully...
by then it should have like 160,000 or less on the odometer...
and as everyone here knows I really TAKE CARE of my car...
I'll let it go for $4,100. I paid $5,900 for it last june.
stay in touch,
or PM me

check the car out at my site:

www.geocities.com/ojohnsonf/redcar

and

www.geocities.com/ojohnsonf/CalypsoRed

[Live_the_Curves]

one more thing about the 318i, the 1.9 L engine is built SOLID, I have literally pound the crap out of my engine for the last 100,000 km, and it still runs and revs great.

[thekid]

Originally posted by catalyst.@Jul 15 2005, 10:27 PM
Get an e36 325. i average 25.6 MPG, and on the highway with the cruise at 75 mph, it will average around 30 MPG.

All this with a 0-60 of 6.5-7 seconds.

I may be wrong but i remember reading that the 318 has a 0-60 of upwards of 14 seconds.

[snapback]362692[/snapback]

That is the most ignorant comment I have ever read. You think 59hp makes that big of a difference? Please think about something before you post it. People are going to take it forgranted that you know what you are talking about. And you obviously don't.
Just think about one thing before you post something like that: Does what I am about to write even make sence? In that particular case. No.

But yes the 0-60 time is approx 9-9.5 seconds with a manual depending on how good you are at shifting. I have read people claiming as little as 8.8.

As far as gas mileage I go approx 290 miles on 1/2 of a tank of gas. Jackson MS to Little Rock AR all on highway, not interstate. But that is at higher than highway speeds... think fast on interstate...

Also...*cough* 15 mpg at 115mph with the pedal floored *cough*...excuse me bad allergies.

[drz]

Gas mileage on the 318 is better than you mentioned earlier. In your situation, I would go with it. The roar and power of the i-6 is addictive. I haven't had my car for a year yet and am already thinking of getting a 330. I'll probably be selling my car for about $4500 or $5000, but it will have about 190k on the odometer.