BMW 318 reviews

The E90 BMW 318i is the base 3 series model, featuring the BMW 2L engine in its mildest form of tune - It is still a responsive unit but needs to be revved enthusiastically to get near the claimed 0-60 time of 9 secs - Where this car comes into its own is in its ride/handling compromise, I have the SE model which has the softer suspension set up and is all the better for it - The ride is superb, wonderfully compliant yet never wallowy, with better seats, comfort would be world class - The seats are a disappointment, they look comfy in leather but in reality are thin, flat and lacking in support, they are also unduly firm, passengers in the back get a better deal however - The headlining feature is the cars handling - The car is easy to set up for corners, obeying any adjustments to the accurate steering without drama or any unexpected nasty surprises - There is a little roll but this allows the car to sit up on its haunches while you aim for the apex, giving a fluid sure footed feel - Unlike BMW's of old, at the limit adjustments are easy to make, the back end stepping obediently back into line if you need to make a correction - In terms of model selection, Id pick the SE over the Sport every time, it feels part of you while retaining that glorious ride - The 318i doesnt have the best reputation for reliability, my advice would be to use good quality fuel and find a good BMW engineering works, normally a fraction of the price of the main dealer and populated with real engineers who really know their stuff - Servicing on the 318i is very reasonable and running costs similarly modest, mpg works out between 32- 39 mpg in real terms, which is not bad for 2L saloon - The 3 series BMW is a rewarding car to own and drive, the 318i is a low cost entry model underpinned by BMW's engineering pedigree, do your research, chose carefully and you could enjoy owning a premium product at a bargain price.

Early days yet as I only bought the car on the 8th and only just got it taxed and insured. Many dinks in the bodywork but it is clean and my only concern is the engine which the MOT states has minor blue smoke on accelleration but being petrol is not as bad as a diesel. Paid £800 and paid more than that to get it on the road.

Car is good. Drive well.

I haven't much to complain about at all. It really is a very good car. However, there are 3 things which are disappointing: 1) retraction of wing mirrors is not electronic 2) there are no sensors at the front even though there are at the rear. 3) there is no spare wheel at all. I have run flat tires which concerned me somewhat, particularly when driving to Italy. As you will see from the above star ratings, I consider it to be a very good car indeed.

I've had BMW's for over 20 years now, both bought nearly new (Managers cars, 5000 miles). The 1st was a Saloon which I sold at 10 years old after I bought the Estate. They are a bit more expensive than say Ford or Vauxhall (I've had several of both) but exude quality. They just don't go wrong. This one is still on the original exhaust and battery as was the previous one. It's very much a drivers car (I have the M Sport version), very comfortable although wife finds the ride too firm for her liking. I've though about getting a newer one but why spend the money when this one does all I need, still looks like new and is a pleasure to own. Plus I'd get far less for it than it's worth to me.

Great car, reliable, comfortable, reasonably economical to run….. but take to a local garage for services, BMW service is over priced and doesn't appear to have any added value

everthing in the car is first class

This really is my favourite car. I gave running costs only 3stars and it is not economical on fuel but maintenance and repairs are very cheap. Service intervals long and very little has cost anything above standard servicing. Even the battery in these cars last far longer than in any other car I have owned as do most parts. A dream to drive and fun to use with many standard extras

Very reliable, economical old man's car. Fast enough to drive safely and overtake when necessary.

Although an older vehicle, I am very attached to it because of the comfortable and spacious interior as well as ease of handling. Some repairs have been necessary and BMW parts are expensive, but in general a very reliable car.

During its first five years/90,000 miles of life, this car has been exceptionally reliable and dependable. Beyond routine replacement of tyres and brake pads, nothing has failed in that time apart from 1 headlight bulb. It performs, steers and stops very well. It is more reliable than previous cars I have had - Audi, Saab. It is very efficient but to me lacks 'personality' - in this respect I preferred the Saabs (95 and 93) that I drove previously and am less fond of the BMW, for all its virtues. However, overall the BMW is undeniably the best car I have had. Its fuel consumption is also the best of any car I have had but way short of the manufacturer's claimed mpg. I get 45 mpg, not the claimed 62.

Beautiful car very comfortable quiet and a real pleasure to drive

Seems to be a nice vehicle but only done a couple of hundred miles so far.Very comfortable but had a little difficulty getting the driving position correct,still not sure if Ive achieved the optimum.Drives very nicely,quiet and reasonable ride but will be able to update this review when I have done more miles and become more used to the car.

Stylish exterior appearance but let down by overcomplicated interior. The keyless start has not worked on several occasions requiring everything to be offloaded from the boot so that the battery can be disconnected and the key fob recognition systems reset. I wouldn't recommend this car.

Very satisfied with the car that I have owned for 12 years.

Happy with the comfort reliability and running costs although I dont do very high mileage.... less than 5k mls per year. Only 66,000 miles on clock since registration in 2000

Bought 2nd hand a few years ago, my car has now done nearly 200,000 miles and yet still runs perfectly. With a few trips to the garage, it has remained reliable and enjoyable to drive. A triumph of German engineering.

I own a BMW 318, bought new from a local BMW dealer and maintained by BMW for most of its life. During the life of this car I have owned other cars so the mileage was really low until I lent it to my son in law, it is still low at 80K and it drives like a new car. MOT's pass each year just checking the lights. I get about 30 MPG from the car and I am sure if I drove it a little more carefully I would get better mileage. The problem with the world is that I am encouraged to scrap this car because of its age and get a new one to reduce my carbon output. I think that if did that not only would I be mad but so would the rest of the world. the amount of carbon used to produce a new car against the carbon emitted does not compare. This car is a great little motor car that is really easy to drive and a pleasure to own.

Bought the car for £1,000 fifteen months ago with 100,000 miles on the clock.One or two lights on the dashboard weren't working and the bodywork was a bit scratched, but the interior was in quite tidy condition. I immediately had the oil changed as the car had no service history and.The log book showed about eight previous owners. I have made several three-hundred-mile motorway trips without any problem and found the car to be very comfortable to drive, and have had no bad feedback from the three passengers who accompanied me. Overall fuel comsumption is in the region of thirty mpg,the oil level has remained at the half way mark on the dipstick since it was changed.Coolant level needs topping-up every thousand miles or so, but only by a small amount. I recently had to change the ATF and filters as she would lock out of first and second gears whilst descending steep hills if I used the brakes. This was quite expenive at £180. However this shouldn't need doing again for 60,000miles. I also had to replace a rear suspension bush in order to pass the MOT. All in all it,s a good comfy car that has a very safe feel to it. Good value for the money I paid, and would certainly buy another, but preferably with service history.

A car that I have got used to. I feel that it is a good quality car that suits what I want at this stage in my life. Good for the occasional long journey.