Minor idle problems with cold engine, should be easy to fix by cleaning the idle control valve.
Very nice and comfortable interior where everything is at correct place. Even the back seats are usable even though it's a 2-door coupe.
This is a good-looking coupe and the body design does not seem old for a 10 year old car.
Excellent handling, fun to drive on a curvy road.
The higher output (than the normal 318i) "IS" engine (140 hp) gives the car quite good performance even though you have to use high rpm to achieve it.
The engine is also quite economical as it consumes only 6-7 L/100km on a highway. In city the consumption is around 10L/100km. Not bad for a 1300 kg car.
The bmw 318is coupe is a great looking car, but I've had a few problems with mine such as a snapped steering rack which was very expensive to replace also uses a lot of petrol I usually get 50 mile on £10 its quite a noisy engine and I also have a few rattles here and there.
I dissagree with the statement about having to use high rpm to get the power down on the 318IS. if you are talking about the 1995 and later version with improved torque 133 lb/ft, it should pull smoothly and strongly from 2000rpm where the dualresonance intake system should give it a brilliant torque curve! driving between 2000rpm and 3000rpm under normal driving has enough toque in any gear to pick up smoothly. but if you want very strong response and pull from the engine, then keep the revs above 3000rpm, it'll fly!
The 318IS engine is not noisy, it's smooth, and fuel consumption is brilliant, I drove my brother 318IS 1996 1895cc (1.9 litres, 140 bhp 133 lb/ft) I could easily do 75 miles on a tenner £10. Only way it could have bad fuel consumption is if theirs something wrong with the car. I couldnt believe how smooth it is, 5th gear pulled smoothly from 40mph, no hesitation! this is from a 1.9 litre 4 cylinder car! slot it into 2nd and it'll rocket past! I drive a 320I SE, I just missed the insane top end punch of my straight six engine, and of course the noise of the six, it's fantastic, so good I sometimes downshift just to hear the noise when it goes above 4000 rpm, just for the fun of it, fuel consumption is scarry when you use the power, I get 50 miles from about £10, but the worst I've got was 30 miles from £10 but that's my fault I constantly kept the revs above 3000 rpm!
My name is Diego del Pozo, I´m From Argentina, I have a 1994 318 is and I love it! It really consumes as a smaller car.. I´m amazed when I drive from Buenos Aires to Mar del Plata (almost 500 km) and it burns only half a tank! Very powerful, but I think it´s true.. She loves to work in high revolutions, 3000 and above suits perfect for sportive driving.. I got 210 Km / h (as I saw) Perfect car! and well designed car!
My friends were getting major work done on their 92 318i at the BMW dealership and got a 2006 325i as a loaner. I drove the loaner yesterday and, honestly, I would take their 318i over it, even with its high mileage.
The new BMW felt very very heavy and not as nimble as the 318i, and many of the controls were awkwardly placed.
Too bad, as I will probably never buy a 3 series again and I have had four.
318i is one of the best BMWs they ever made.
I have a 94 318 IS coupe navy blue with grey interior. I have had many problems with the car recently, the main being that something keeps draining the battery and consequently dies every morning without fail!!! When working I do agree with past posts and comments that the car does require high revving which can be a bit annoying at times, but it's a great drive never the less...
Mine was a 94 318is coupe it s a lovely car to handle and very sure footed the engine ain't half bad either good fuel consumption despite me having the rev needle nearly always above 4k rpm to keep it on the boil the only gripe I have with the engine is the rev limiter is set too low (6750),
i replaced the clutch which ain't the easiest to remove plus the starter motor is a nitemare to change, but would recommend the car to anyone.
Hey, i have a 1994 318is and man let me tell you. I have never had a problem it has 14500 miles on it and still runs great, and don't burn a lot of fuel. I drive this car about 115 miles a day to work. I mean this I have never touch this car mechically at all. I do put a bottle of marvel mysteried oil in it every oil change. any question fill free to call me at 904-647-9099.
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