1984 BMW 3 Series 318i review from North America

What hasn't gone wrong?

Speedometer hasn't worked since I purchased the car, and I don't have the days required to re-trace the wiring.

The dashboard lights are flaky, and sometimes go out.

Factory stereo didn't work since I purchased the car.

Seats are badly worn, but are comfortable.

The trunk power lock is broken, and sometimes it takes me several minutes to work the key in the lock to open it (so I keep it unlocked)

The gas tank leaks.

Brake lines corroded and blew.

I've replaced the fuel injectors.

The electric fan at the front stopped working, and now the car overheats regularly. (I use the heater to relieve the engine heat, but that's pretty nasty in the summer months)

I replaced the thermostat.

I've gone through two idle control valves, and I need another one.

The car runs rough.

I'm pretty disappointed with this car. I thought that when I purchased it I was going to get a really reliable car for driving back and forth to work, but the only thing reliable about it is that it always runs like crap.

If I sell it now, I might just get away before the whole thing blows up.

The handling is great.

In winter or slippery conditions, this car isn't all that swell. I find that the rear wheel drive easily spins out, but that could be a factor of me having the engine revving high because of the idle control valve.

Parts are extremely expensive. The idle control valve is something that is only a four inch long cylinder, and they want $600 for it at the dealership. (no parts suppliers have it)

If I'd had a parts car to go with it, I would've been better off.

Maybe this could be someone else's parts car.