BMW 318ci

vectra · 08-06-2011 01:01PM #1

Whats the story with these.?

E46 model

Economy?
Reliability?

Good points
Bad Points?

Any info appreciated

listermint · 08-06-2011 01:13PM

There are vast swades of information in this forum on the 318Ci, Put it into the search field and you will find all you seek.

vectra · 08-06-2011 01:17PM

listermint wrote: »

There are vast swades of information in this forum on the 318Ci, Put it into the search field and you will find all you seek.

Yeah.
Thanks for that, :rolleyes:

Normally when members post a query I will try my best to be as helpful as possible,

I can never understand how members can take so much of their time to type a message to say "Use the Search" when they have absolutely no interest in the thread.

Tallon · 08-06-2011 01:27PM

But you will get your answer if you just use the search!

And he was being helpful, you don't need to roll your eyes at the chap!

08-06-2011 01:27PM

vectra wrote: »

Whats the story with these.?

E46 model

Economy?
Reliability?

Good points
Bad Points?

Any info appreciated

what year you looking at from 1999 - 2005 ??? petrol or diesel ??? msports etc ??

PaulKK · 08-06-2011 01:31PM

I believe the 2.0L 140bhp one is good enough.

The previous 118bhp 1.9L is not great.

08-06-2011 01:40PM

ants09 wrote: »

what year you looking at from 1999 - 2005 ??? petrol or diesel ??? msports etc ??

E46 318ci are all petrol

For what they are they are really overpriced, a 320ci or even a 325ci would be more to tax obviously and maybe to insure depending on the driver but would be cheaper to buy and not much worse on fuel. In saying that the 318Ci is a decent looking car that is quite comfy and they age well.

wersal gummage · 08-06-2011 01:54PM

I've a 2005 one. It's not a fast car, for sure. However its not as bad as people make out, especially considering everyone seems to be driving 1.5 diesels theae days! I do get a little bit sad when I see a 320ci though but honestly the tax and price of petrol is already enough.

Economy is 40mpg on a long run, driving in a very smooth, sensible fashion but keeping up at speed limits (ie 100 or 120kmph) . Around town I get about 27mpg but that is all cold starts, short runs in heavy traffic stuff.

Reliabity for me has been fine but wouldnt have the knowledge to comment more woidely.

Good points - lots of room, including in back seats and boot. car looks great if you get the right one with rigjt wheels and extras etc.

Bad points - no storage space, not evem a cup holder, nowhere for cds, sunglasses etc. [HTML][/HTML]

listermint · 08-06-2011 01:59PM

vectra wrote: »

Yeah.
Thanks for that, :rolleyes:

Normally when members post a query I will try my best to be as helpful as possible,

I can never understand how members can take so much of their time to type a message to say "Use the Search" when they have absolutely no interest in the thread.

Your query comes up every 2 days, They are a very popular motor around these parts, so popular that ive had one.

The search function is designed to give you access to vast swades of historical information, inc pros and cons and even the volume of issues people raise in conjunction to this model. So Im sorry put my post was extremely valid. More so in the fact that it would have armed you with some actual questions on issues with the model rather than generic how reliable are they etc.

So you can shove your rolls eyes.

Also if you want a clean one go to the members section in www.bmw-driver.net There are plenty of extremely well maintained models going for sale by people who loved them dearly.

Im a member there, I have an M3 - i think im clued in enough to answer your questions.

PaulKK · 08-06-2011 02:03PM

wersal gummage wrote: »

Bad points - no storage space, not evem a cup holder, nowhere for cds, sunglasses etc. [HTML][/HTML]

There are cup holders in the rear arm rest.

There is a storage compartment for sunglasses at your right knee.

Your cds should be in the glovebox or boot

wersal gummage · 08-06-2011 02:10PM

PaulKK wrote: »

There are cup holders in the rear arm rest.
There is a storage compartment for sunglasses at your right knee.
Your cds should be in the glovebox or boot

Thanks! Actually knew that, the compartment at knee level is just the perfectly wrong shape for my glasses case, no boot changer and nothing fits in glove box apart drom manual in its folder. Will try drinking a coffee thats in the back seat amd let ypu know how that one works out!!

neilthefunkeone · 08-06-2011 02:16PM

Cup holder problem solved... Next!

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BL92&mospid=47621&btnr=51_3969&hg=51&fg=95

vectra · 08-06-2011 02:21PM

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I have driven several of them, all of them are slow and quite thirsty.

How slow is slow?
Fuel consumption does not look so bad going on below post.

RoverJames wrote: »

E46 318ci are all petrol

For what they are they are really overpriced, a 320ci or even a 325ci would be more to tax obviously and maybe to insure depending on the driver but would be cheaper to buy and not much worse on fuel. In saying that the 318Ci is a decent looking car that is quite comfy and they age well.

Would have to be the 318 as it is for my son, So the slow part would be fine but i am sure it would be faster than the Civic he drives at the moment. ( and safer )

wersal gummage wrote: »

I've a 2005 one. It's not a fast car, for sure. However its not as bad as people make out, especially considering everyone seems to be driving 1.5 diesels theae days! I do get a little bit sad when I see a 320ci though but honestly the tax and price of petrol is already enough.

Economy is 40mpg on a long run, driving in a very smooth, sensible fashion but keeping up at speed limits (ie 100 or 120kmph) . Around town I get about 27mpg but that is all cold starts, short runs in heavy traffic stuff.

Reliabity for me has been fine but wouldnt have the knowledge to comment more woidely.

Good points - lots of room, including in back seats and boot. car looks great if you get the right one with rigjt wheels and extras etc.

Bad points - no storage space, not evem a cup holder, nowhere for cds, sunglasses etc. [HTML][/HTML]

That economy looks spot on. I am actually surprised @ the 40mpg open road return. 27 about town is all the civic gives him anyhow.
Thanks for the reply

listermint wrote: »

Your query comes up every 2 days, They are a very popular motor around these parts, so popular that ive had one.

The search function is designed to give you access to vast swades of historical information, inc pros and cons and even the volume of issues people raise in conjunction to this model. So Im sorry put my post was extremely valid. More so in the fact that it would have armed you with some actual questions on issues with the model rather than generic how reliable are they etc.

So you can shove your rolls eyes.

Also if you want a clean one go to the members section in www.bmw-driver.net There are plenty of extremely well maintained models going for sale by people who loved them dearly.

Im a member there, I have an M3 - i think im clued in enough to answer your questions.

I get annoyed when the first reply that comes along is Use the search function.
I am well aware of a search function thank you very much, I have been using/running forums with 12 years so do know the ins and outs of them

Imagine if everyone used the search function instead of asking?? It would be one boring forum then wouldn't it

Also
An M3 owner.
and as you are well clued up about them.
Would it not have been much simpler to give me an idea as to what you know about them?

08-06-2011 02:28PM

vectra wrote: »

.......

Would have to be the 318 as it is for my son, So the slow part would be fine but i am sure it would be faster than the Civic he drives at the moment. ( and safer )

You might be surprised there, with only a driver in each of them I reckon there wouldn't be much in it at all up to 90mph tbh. Add a couple of passengers and the Civic would be anchored a bit in comparison. The E46 is quite a heavy car.

Chris P. Bacon · 08-06-2011 02:33PM

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I have driven several of them, all of them are slow and quite thirsty.

How slow?,around a track?,on a country road?,in the city?,what is slow these days.

vectra · 08-06-2011 02:45PM

@ Roverjames
&
@ Lightning
I think both your posts will put paid to that plan.

Thanks for the helpful posts.

08-06-2011 02:51PM

......might still be wortwhile having a testdrive in one though

VolvoMan · 08-06-2011 02:55PM

I know it's becoming a bit of a cliche at this stage, but personally I wouldn't bother unless it's at least a 320Ci.

vectra · 08-06-2011 02:55PM

RoverJames wrote: »

......might still be wortwhile having a testdrive in one though

Might be more interested in test driving a 330d when my turn comes round :pac:

listermint · 08-06-2011 02:56PM

vectra wrote: »

@ Roverjames
&
@ Lightning
I think both your posts will put paid to that plan.

Thanks for the helpful posts.

Well sorry but the are 2 opinions. You should broaden your opinion base.

The 320 is a heavy car and economics and insurance dictate that while it wont cost much more on juice, it will cost your son on insurance as its a 6 cylinder.

The 325 fits the same.

How fast is the 318, Reasonably fast is the answer, Are you looking to drag race people off traffic lights ? or have a comfortable stylish reliable and reasonabley economical 4 cylinder?

Your original post was about the above, your ending posts were how fast is the car.

The post Sept 2001 318Ci is a great all rounder. it moves, (its no drag racer) and has 138bhp. It will actively deliver 30MPG, I have quite a heavy foot and the lowest i was getting was 28mpg.

The car never gave me a days trouble. Maintenance on them is extremely easy if you have a minimum amount of mechanical now how and the car looks superb today as it did some years ago. Some would say the E46 looks better than its E90 follow on.

Any BMW driver worth their salt would recommend a 6 cylinder day in an day out. But if insurance and age dictates for your son. This 4 cylinder is hard to beat in various departments.

Thank you.

listermint · 08-06-2011 03:01PM

Oh in addition I never had an issue stonking any civics what so ever.

Even with a boot full of detailing gear.

vectra · 08-06-2011 03:04PM

listermint wrote: »

Well sorry but the are 2 opinions. You should broaden your opinion base.

The 320 is a heavy car and economics and insurance dictate that while it wont cost much more on juice, it will cost your son on insurance as its a 6 cylinder.

The 325 fits the same.

How fast is the 318, Reasonably fast is the answer, Are you looking to drag race people off traffic lights ? or have a comfortable stylish reliable and reasonabley economical 4 cylinder?

Your original post was about the above, your ending posts were how fast is the car.

The post Sept 2001 318Ci is a great all rounder. it moves, (its no drag racer) and has 138bhp. It will actively deliver 30MPG, I have quite a heavy foot and the lowest i was getting was 28mpg.

The car never gave me a days trouble. Maintenance on them is extremely easy if you have a minimum amount of mechanical now how and the car looks superb today as it did some years ago. Some would say the E46 looks better than its E90 follow on.

Any BMW driver worth their salt would recommend a 6 cylinder day in an day out. But if insurance and age dictates for your son. This 4 cylinder is hard to beat in various departments.

Thank you.

Now that's a post I like to see..
Sorry if we got off on the wrong foot.;)

OK
To answer a few of your Q's

When i asked how fast were they i did not mean are they a race machine.
I don't really want anything too fast for him, I also do not want a snail
it will not be used as a drag racer as he is so laid back he just lets the world go by and enjoys his drives.

As for what age car?
I would say '01/'02 so possibly the model you had?

6 cyl 2.0 is out of the question I would imagine as he is only 19 and still a student so will be used as college transport and weekend leisure drives.

Thanks

listermint · 08-06-2011 03:06PM

vectra wrote: »

Now that's a post I like to see..
Sorry if we got off on the wrong foot.;)

OK
To answer a few of your Q's

When i asked how fast were they i did not mean are they a race machine.
I don't really want anything too fast for him, I also do not want a snail
it will not be used as a drag racer as he is so laid back he just lets the world go by and enjoys his drives.

As for what age car?
I would say '01/'02 so possibly the model you had?

6 cyl 2.0 is out of the question I would imagine as he is only 19 and still a student so will be used as college transport and weekend leisure drives.

Thanks

It has to be post Sept '01 to get the 4 Cylinder economic 138bhp M42 engine. Pre Sept '01 had the 1.9 engine delivering 109bhp, it was sluggish at best and delivered a poor experience for the size of car.

I loved mine, sold it recently to a friend and he loves it just as equally. I make sure he has it washed when he visits.

an excuse my candor earlier, its stuffy in here today and the humidity aint helping

Sheeps · 08-06-2011 03:09PM

i love my 320ci

listermint · 08-06-2011 03:59PM

Sheeps wrote: »

i love my 320ci

And i love it too, as long as you keep it clean

wersal gummage · 08-06-2011 04:05PM

vectra wrote: »

6 cyl 2.0 is out of the question I would imagine as he is only 19 and still a student so will be used as college transport and weekend leisure drives.
Thanks

The 320 is the 6 cyl, its 2.2

The 318 is 4 cyl 2.0

vectra · 08-06-2011 04:13PM

wersal gummage wrote: »

The 320 is the 6 cyl, its 2.2

The 318 is 4 cyl 2.0

Slip of the finger.
I did mean to put down 6cyl 320

Sorry
you are correct.

Wolverine_1999 · 09-06-2011 08:19AM

The 320ci is a 2.2L which is the 2nd smallest of the 6 cylinders. I have a 2L 6 Cylinder in my own Z3 which I would prefer over the 1.9 4 cylinder of my 318ci any day.

If you are going for an E46, I would highly recommend the 6 cylinder as opposed to the 4 cylinder just for the nice purr off of the exhaust and the smoothness of the engine alone. Over time, the engines are pretty much indestructible with a regular service history.

Other problems with the E46?

- My heater/blower resistor went, €30 fix DIY
- My driver's side door brake went, €35 fix DIY
- My driver's side Electric Window Actuator went, €25 fix DIY
- Rear shock mounts and shocks, €100 fix

Mr Benevolent · 09-06-2011 08:33AM

Has anyone mentioned rear subframe cracking? They're known for it. Anyway, don't you have a vRS? Why would you swap it for a crappy (in terms of performance) 318Ci? Like Lightning says, a Focus would be a better bet in terms of handling and reliability.

vectra · 09-06-2011 08:48AM

Confab wrote: »

Has anyone mentioned rear subframe cracking? They're known for it. Anyway, don't you have a vRS? Why would you swap it for a crappy (in terms of performance) 318Ci? Like Lightning says, a Focus would be a better bet in terms of handling and reliability.

I have a vRS but it is not for me, This would be for my son.
As I said already, when my turn comes i may be looking at a 330D or similar

Incidently, I had forgotten about the subframe issue,
Was this sorted at some point?

Mr Benevolent · 09-06-2011 08:58AM

vectra wrote: »

I have a vRS but it is not for me, This would be for my son.
As I said already, when my turn comes i may be looking at a 330D or similar

Incidently, I had forgotten about the subframe issue,
Was this sorted at some point?

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/3-series-e46-1998/?section=bad

According to the net it was never solved. Apparently the issue isn't the subframe, it's the boltholes connecting the subframe to the floorpan. Generally the symptoms are loose handling and clonks from the rear.

BMW 318ci

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