1984 BMW 3 Series 318i 4 cylinder
Summary:
A short-lived vehicle
Faults:
Alternator.
Radiator.
Brakes.
Battery.
Driver's seat is very worn out.
Computer system.
AC and CC went out.
General Comments:
This car has just died and I am looking for a new car. It has 140K on it now and should have lasted much longer.
I've had so many problems with this car.
It completely lacks power and has ever since I got it. I'm struggling to make it up hills on the freeway. It is embarrassing.
I think this must have been the worst model BMW made because I expected it to last a long time with few problems.
The cost to fix it isn't so bad, it is the number of times you need to fix it that is so bad and really empties your wallet.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 17th August, 2002
31st Aug 2014, 05:47
Agreed on every account! Mine is an automatic with close to 350K miles, and I wouldn't sell it for the world!
13th Sep 2002, 01:54
I first suspected that you had an automatic by the 'gutless' comments, but it's suprising you've experienced this with a manual. Having said that it is quite a heavy car. I just sold my '85 318i after 5 years of bliss. I'm struggling to think of the biggest problem I had with it - there simply weren't any. It was no fireball, but then being designed for German autobahns you could certainly reach a respectable speed in comfort and safety. It was also supremely reliable, very practical, and impressed the pants off chicks (yes literally)!! Good thing most of them don't realise a 318i is nearer the bottom of the 3-Series food chain...