2000 BMW 3 Series 318i SE from UK and Ireland - Comments

Engine seized after just 3,000 miles. Gearbox gave up after 10,000 miles.

Bits of trim fall off every time I go down a moderately rough road.

Warning lights flash randomly.

Dealer hasn't wanted to know about my problems, they are a major BMW group in the country and their behavior is a disgrace. Fortunately the car is under warranty otherwise I would be seriously out of pocket.

I bought a BMW believing I was buying a well engineered car. But the reality is that their reputation is pumped up out of all proportion. Everybody believes that BMW build some of the finest handling cars in the world but they don't - they wallow through the corners and don't even have a cosseting ride to make up for it. This is the last time I get sucked in by the hype surrounding BMW - mines going as soon as I can afford to replace it with another Volvo, because although they don't have the 'right-on' image they are by far superior in comfort, build quality, performance, and dealer service.

You must have just gotten a messed up model because BMW's are awesome cars. Everyone I know, including me, that owns a BMW has immediately fallen in love with it. I don't know why you think they don't handle good. Maybe you're used to front wheel drive cars. BMW's have virtually perfect 50/50 weight distribution to the front and rear tires which makes for excellent handling. Maybe test drive a different model, like a 325i, they really kick ass.

Funny situation here. I had a 318i SE myself and I didn't "fall in love with it". In fact, I believe that with the same price you can purchase a better car. BMW are great cars, but you'll spend too much money to have one. I changed to SAAB and let me tell you that I am 100% satisfied!

I don't see that BMW 318's are machines to 'Fall In Love With' either. My 318 is a neuter rattle-free transport. Nothing to hate; nothing to love. Just, well, transport. Maybe if I had a 330 or an M3 I might love it, but certainly with the 318 there is much to admire, nothing to love.

I can't wait to change mine.

In my experience BMW dealers and warranties are very nice until you really need them. When problems arise they don't want to know.

To the person who originally posted the review.

Your talking rubbish.

Are you sure you are not an envious wanaby BMW owner? These car do not go down the road with bits of trim falling off and wallow around corners.

Sure maybe a badly maintained 10 year old car would but not a new one!!

It just don't happen my friend.

I have owned a number of five series BMW's in the past, and most recently a new shape 525tds auto. I am about to change into a new shape three, I have driven the car, looked at it, umed and arred for a bit, but you know there is nothing to compare to the overall BMW THING.

I have test driven virtually every mark of car, and I do mean virtually every one, including Saab, which was built very well, but very noisy on the road, Volvo which was very, well, Volvo, Even Jaguar cannot offer a real contender. The closest rival is the new Merc C or E Class, but they do not give you that sporty feel..

Nope sorry, it has to be the Beamer, especially the new ones, they are just fantastic, and the 318i SE that I am going into has an engine which is almost as smooth as the straight six.

Fantastic!!!

My dad had a 318iSE built in 96. Despite him totally ignoring the service indicator, the car gave many fast m-way miles without trouble, was comfortable and had excellent build quality. The original reviewer is a wannabe owner.

Interesting to read all the above comments. I suppose cars are a very personal thing and it comes down to individual taste. What's heaven for one person might be hell for someone else.

However one thing I do know is that the pace of change and competition in the car industry is such that the likes of BMW and Merceds can no longer trade on their past reputations or their THING alone. For example as someone who has owned an E36 320, an Audi A4 T Sport, an Audi Coupe 2.6E, a Volvo C70 coupe, a Saab 900 covertible, a Golf convertible, an Alfa 156 2.0 TS and a Seat Leon Cupra in the last 10 years (please.. I'm not trying to show off here), most of you will be shocked to hear that I consider the Leon Cupra to be the best all-rounder amongst these cars. Such is the pace of change... a car under £15K now can genuinely challenge prestige cars costing twice as much!

I agree...

I've owned a '91 520i and a '92 316i. The 520 was sold on after 3 months due to a number of faults which totally frustrated me and now, 18 months down the line with my 316, I'm looking to change to another Audi. The 316 has an incurable stutter when driving from cold and a hugely annoying clutch judder (despite a new clutch). Admittedly things don't fall off it and it does handle very well (except in the snow, when you just have to put it in the garage)

BMW is incapable of customer service. I am embarrassed I got a BMW. The fit and finish on my 2000 328Ci is terribly cheap. I know the rest of the car is built just as poorly. Yes, it is just as bad in The States. Audi, Lexus, or Volvo will be my next choice.

Lemon Service, Mediocre Car.

I see that the original review have provoked a lot of strong opinions! I have a 318is Coupe for 7 years until I sold it. It was great to drive - the gearbox, clutch, throttle and transmission all 'gelled' perfectly. However, it definitely needs more power - anything less than 150bhp is a waste of time. I can understand the comments about the 318 saloon being a humdrum car. I have to say that the build quality on my car was disappointing - lots of minor things when wrong with it and the BMW dealers charged a FORTUNE to fix them.

To the poster who says that BMW can't trade on its past image - I understand your point but I disagree. I think that BMW trades ONLY on its image to sell its 4 cylinder cars. For thousands of pounds less, Mondeo's, Passats, even Citroens are much better cars in every dynamic way and are catching up even in build quality. BMW could put a propeller badge on an ugly mish-mash of ill-matched old spare parts and it would sell as a 'prestige' car (witness the compact - a horrid, incapable car and a cynical exercise in image-only marketing).

Honestly I'd take a Skoda Octavia before I considered another E46 4cyl.

OK, it's simple really!! 318 in any form is simply an entry level BM, it is slow, boring, looks cheapish and generally is a mediocre car on any level. OK, it's got the badge and yes it's probably better than any of the other boring 4 cylinders cars on offer, but, it's STILL mediocre.

If you want to really experience a good car - buy on of their lovely 6 cylinder models. They're smooth, responsive, refined and a lot more fun, which at the end of the day, is what it's about. If you're buying a car for the badge you're a fool!! And if you can't afford a 6 cylinder, buy an Audi 1.8T and chip it.

I had a 3 Series for a while, not bad, not good. The head gasket went and the service lights thought it was a mobile disco! I now have a Citroen. Now you can laugh all you like, but the car has NEVER gone wrong in 2 years and has a fantastic ride, and it's a lot quicker than my old 2 litre BM. So from now on I'm saying forget the image and driving Citroens.

Buyers Beware? Agree indeed!

My 2000 328 fully loaded coupe was the worst car I ever owned. Being a single college girl, I need something that I can just hop into after study'n until midnight at school, and rush on home to be back for an early morning exam. Three times I had to call a tow truck within 9 months. The enigne is loud and noisey. After 11 months, I had it and went to the Mercedes dealer.Let's just say I love my CLK!~

-Monika.