BMW 318Ci or 320d

Feyy

Browsing around for a second hand car and have these two eye'd atm.
I'm looking at the model years 2000, 2001 or 2002.

Can't afford newer :pac:

Advice, opinions, driving experience of either wanted,

Cheers!

bazz26

For the 318ci go for the late 2001 model which has the 2.0 litre 143bhp engine as opposed to the earlier model which had a poor 1.9 litre engine.

If going for the 320d then get the pre facelifted 2001 or earlier model with the 136bhp engine. The later model 320d suffered from turbo failure.

Both models received improved steering and suspension in mid 2001 afaik.

Better off test driving both types as a petrol coupe (318ci) is alot different to a diesel saloon (320d).

You should also sign up to one of the BMW owner's forums for advice

LoveDucati2

Get yourself the diesel.

£6k Sterling will get you a lovely 04 model.

Holsten

Plus VRT of around 3500-4000.

Feyy

bazz26 wrote: »

For the 318ci go for the late 2001 model which has the 2.0 litre 143bhp engine as opposed to the earlier model which had a poor 1.9 litre engine.

If going for the 320d then get the pre facelifted 2001 or earlier model with the 136bhp engine. The later model 320d suffered from turbo failure.

Both models received improved steering and suspension in mid 2001 afaik.

Better off test driving both types as a petrol coupe (318ci) is alot different to a diesel saloon (320d).

You should also sign up to one of the BMW owner's forums for advice

Very helpful thanks!

I'll investigate further

znv6i3h7kqf9ys

Feyy wrote: »

Browsing around for a second hand car and have these two eye'd atm.
I'm looking at the model years 2000, 2001 or 2002.

Can't afford newer :pac:

Advice, opinions, driving experience of either wanted,

Cheers!

Deffo the Diesel but make sure the turbo has been done if it has more than 70k miles.
I've had a few BMW's (4 petrol & 1 diesel.) Would never go back to petrol after the 320d. Pleanty of power and really good economy. A tank will give you 550 miles on average. I had to get the turbo done on mine........ cost €2000 (ouch) but it's still a great car. Most of the stuff coming out of UK will need the turbo done so have a look on the Irish sites first as you might get a bargain. Anything 02 and above for about 9k with the turbo done is a good deal.

omega man

Paityn Straight File wrote: »

Deffo the Diesel but make sure the turbo has been done if it has more than 70k miles.
I've had a few BMW's (4 petrol & 1 diesel.) Would never go back to petrol after the 320d. Pleanty of power and really good economy. A tank will give you 550 miles on average. I had to get the turbo done on mine........ cost €2000 (ouch) but it's still a great car. Most of the stuff coming out of UK will need the turbo done so have a look on the Irish sites first as you might get a bargain. Anything 02 and above for about 9k with the turbo done is a good deal.

320D has enough power for day to day driving but certainly nothing remotely exciting. I used to average 40mpg at best on my old one so again not great. If you dont do big miles i would suggest you try and stretch to a 320I perhaps. In saying that i would still opt for the 320D over the 318I. You wont learn much until you get out and drive a few yourself.

HJL

omega man wrote: »

320D has enough power for day to day driving but certainly nothing remotely exciting. I used to average 40mpg at best on my old one so again not great. If you dont do big miles i would suggest you try and stretch to a 320I perhaps. In saying that i would still opt for the 320D over the 318I. You wont learn much until you get out and drive a few yourself.

According to the computer i struggle to get above 40 mpg as well [320d 136bhp], dont have it long though and havent done a proper pen and paper test yet.

znv6i3h7kqf9ys

Mine is a 2002 facelift model with 150Bhp. I do mainly motorway miles and 55MPG is average doing 120kph all the way. If I switch on cruise control and leave it at 100kph it's
over 63MPG. It uses nothing. I had a 320i before and that did about 1/2 of that. My other car is an E36 M3 and I can't bear to look at what that is drinking. Good fun though. It will pass anything except a petrol station.

BlackWizard

I've a VAG TDi 130bhp and I struggle to get 40MPG too. But if I'm driving on the motorway I can achieve what the manufacturer says.

I think petrol engines seem to be alot more economical in the city. I also drive a 1.8L petrol Nissan and it's ALOT more economical around the city than the diesel.

Feyy

Thanks for all the opinions guys, seems the 320d gets the most votes.

It also seems to be cheaper to get than the 318Ci.

znv6i3h7kqf9ys

Feyy wrote: »

Thanks for all the opinions guys, seems the 320d gets the most votes.

It also seems to be cheaper to get than the 318Ci.

I'll sell you mine if you want.

Bulmers

HJL wrote: »

According to the computer i struggle to get above 40 mpg as well [320d 136bhp], dont have it long though and havent done a proper pen and paper test yet.

same as me, i cant get above 40mpg constantly..does drop down on the long journeys but general driving, wont get above 40mpg..7.2l/100km

that said, i only have to fill it every two weeks, costs about 55-60 to fill so not bad, roughly 1000kms on a tank..decent power aswell, for me anyway

heard the 318ci's eat juice as under powered car, just what i heard, prob wrong

znv6i3h7kqf9ys

Yeah the BMW 4 cylinder petrol engines are sh1t. I've had a few. The only reason people buy them is for the badge. It's not a proper BMW if it is petrol and has anything less than a straight 6. Diesels are brilliant though.

VolvoMan

It's a feckin' no brainer. Either get a 320i with a proper straight six or plump for the 320d.

richiepoorman

Yeah its got to be the diesel, they not the biggest selling 3 series in the UK for nothing!!

Mickeym530

Paityn Straight File wrote: »

Yeah the BMW 4 cylinder petrol engines are sh1t. I've had a few. The only reason people buy them is for the badge. It's not a proper BMW if it is petrol and has anything less than a straight 6. Diesels are brilliant though.

would ya stop talking tru ur arse! i worked with bmw and saw alot more problems on6 cyl than 4,there is now major issue with the 318 4 cylinders.gud engine gud car..

if i was you id go for the 318ci coupe..class car..iv had a few have one now,imola red,full m-pack,2 year test id consider selling!!!

Seth Brundle

Mickeym530 wrote: »

would ya stop talking tru ur arse! i worked with bmw and saw alot more problems on6 cyl than 4,there is now major issue with the 318 4 cylinders.gud engine gud car..

Like what?

razorblunt

Im selling mine as well if you're interested, 2001 318 saloon.

Moving abroad in a few months so looking to offload it. Not sure if I'm allowed link so PM me if you want more details.

HJL

Bulmers wrote: »

same as me, i cant get above 40mpg constantly..does drop down on the long journeys but general driving, wont get above 40mpg..7.2l/100km

that said, i only have to fill it every two weeks, costs about 55-60 to fill so not bad, roughly 1000kms on a tank..decent power aswell, for me anyway

heard the 318ci's eat juice as under powered car, just what i heard, prob wrong

I got 44.1 MPG this week, so its getting better, snow last week didnt help. put €40 in yesterday [fri 30th] and put €40 in mon 19th so that seems normal enough as my last car i usually put €25 a week in. Diesel is cheaper now though. Your right about the power, im sure its nothing compared to an M3 but its all id need anyway.

Do they need to be taken to main dealers often to get read by their computers? I usually take my car to an indy garage and was wondering with there lack of computer would it affect anything, or do they take it to someone with the equipment.

Seth Brundle

HJL wrote: »

Do they need to be taken to main dealers often to get read by their computers? I usually take my car to an indy garage and was wondering with there lack of computer would it affect anything, or do they take it to someone with the equipment.

Any modern car will only need to have the error codes read if something is acting up and it is believed that and error code would possibly identify the cause.
Personally I would avoid using main dealers as (in my experience) they may not have the same level of passion in their work as many [insert manufacturer here] specialists.

HJL

kbannon wrote: »

Any modern car will only need to have the error codes read if something is acting up and it is believed that and error code would possibly identify the cause.
Personally I would avoid using main dealers as (in my experience) they may not have the same level of passion in their work as many [insert manufacturer here] specialists.

Thats reassuring, its just the BMW forum that i have been on seem to answer ever question with 'get the codes read' which would be id assume €50 at least just for a print out or error codes.

Seth Brundle

It generally works out cheaper to have the problem identified rather than replacing several parts without knowing what is wrong!

HJL

kbannon wrote: »

It generally works out cheaper to have the problem identified rather than replacing several parts without knowing what is wrong!

This is true, especially when there are so many sensors in these things. My last car was a much more simple machine-it didnt even have a cigarette lighter/power socket! LOL