Jack of all trades. Currently (nights) Tesco. Married, 6 children. Coach gymnastics and athletics. ...
Jack of all trades. Currently (nights) Tesco. Married, 6 children. Coach gymnastics and athletics. Interests almost anything. Originally from Liverpool but now living in the sunny Southwest. Degree Recreation, Masters Transport, PGCE in Adult Education.
Member since:01.10.2004
Reviews:8
Members who trust:1
My wife bought this vehicle when she had to commute up and down to Newcastle every week. She covered at least 1000 miles per week. They are great cars to drive but have to be serviced regularly and correctly. Unfortunately, the car is now in the garage awaiting a replacement engine. It is a 1995 N reg 318i (1796 cc). It was only purchased because it was black and she had always wanted a black BMW. At the time I thought she should have bought the nice diesel version but that was dark green and a bit of a no starter. The colour not the car.
The acceleration and the performance are second to none. The breaking is excellent but be careful not to over do it. The main concern to new users is the fact it is rear wheel drive so they can be a little hard to handle at first. The local mechanic recommended putting a bag of sand in the boot to stabilise it and the extra ballast helped.
The fuel consumptionfor such a performance vehicle is excellent and at normal motorway speeds it must give 30+ mpg. From Plymouth to Newcastle and tootling around Newcastle was a tank of fuel!!
BMW's being performance cars need to be driven with precision. I told this to my wife and didn't realise how true it was until she let me have a go. The steering is excellent but more like a racing car than most standard cars.
These baby's are more for a couple or a smaller family. The front seats are comfortable and spacious but the rear area is more limited. The boot too is spacious.
I cannot reinforce the importance of servicing. The cylinder head gasket went once and was rebuilt with the head crack tested. Then it went again and a whole new head is now required. I've been told by many that the straight 8 1.8 version is the most susceptible to this kind of problem especially high mileage ones. It was bought at 146k on the clock the first problems were at 178000 then again at 196000. The poor thing took a lot of stick so probably had enough. Until then the only other problem was the water pump needed replacing and quite a few tyres were used.
Parts for BMW's and main dealer servicing repairs aren't cheap but there are a number of specialist independent garages around the country plus quite a few breakers specialising in BM parts. E-bay is quite a good source for things but is a little hit and miss.
All in all I would highly recommend the 3 series but have again through experience been told the 323 is probably the best version especially for the mid 1990 vehicles.
I noticed on what vehicles report that BMW's were not the most reliable new car but that could well relate to the over enthusiasm of the users rather than the cars themselves.
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Automatic, 6 Speed Manual - 2993 cc - Max Speed: 155 mph - 245 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: M Sport, Sport, SE
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 137 mph - 150, 170 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: ES, SE, Sport, M Sport
BMW 1 Series - Hatchback - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Automatic, 6 Speed Manual - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 127 mph - 122 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: M Sport, Sport, SE, ES
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 140, 143 mph - 163, 177 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: ES, SE, Sport, M Sport
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Advantages: Power, economy, style, reliability, boot size and access. Disadvantages: Slightly difficult to handle in the wet, slightly cramped in the rear seats.
the_kidda 08.08.2000 ·
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Review of BMW 318i
Advantages: Power, economy, style, reliability, boot size and access. Disadvantages: Slightly difficult to handle in the wet, slightly cramped in the rear seats.
the_kidda 08.08.2000 ·
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Review of BMW 318i
Advantages: Amazing control/handling of car and begs to be upgraded (is well worth it) Disadvantages: Need to upgrade a lot of different things, so have money saved/ready
YEODIE 02.10.2007 (10.10.2007)
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Review of BMW318is Coupé
Nov 29th, 2007
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