1990 BMW 3 Series 318iS review from Australia and New Zealand
"Just make sure it has been looked after and it will look after you (And your family)"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
- The engine chain and guides needed replacement after 150k and a 12year life on Mobil1. Stunned the professionals who felt embarrassed at such an indiscretion. Many opinions later and it was determined to be unlucky chain linkages came its way.
- Off side electric window lifter not binding due to lack of use.
- Plastic Radiator tank minor leak.
General comments?
This is simply a great car. I still have my trusty ol'e 1990 318i sedan but found a beautiful diamond schwartz 318iS that needed me. The performance of the M42 engine makes the iS the car to have from this era. Simply put its solid, well built, reliable beyond the dreams of a Toyota and revs like few others. My old shopping basket has 250k on the clock (Most of it mine) and drives like new. I was scared of europeans prior to owning the first one, but BMW can sign me on as a regular at their leisure.
The dealers however can just stay the hell away from me. A dealer who's name begins with "A" and ends in "O" rotated my directional Toyo's after an oil service and let me drive out. I drove staight back and complained. They denied it and they told me it must be the $600 wheel bearings. I drove to the the local tyre center and they put them back the right way round and I drove of at a cost of $10.
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model Year | 1990 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 8/10 |
| Comfort marks | 6/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 1/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 140000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 180000 kilometres |
| Previous car | BMW 3 Series |
| Date of Entry | 8th December, 2004 |