[stupot]

Originally Posted by Ligumo

I had an E30 318i many years ago and I thought it was an excellent car. I also test drove an E90 318d MSport LCI last week, and while it wasn't the fastest thing in the world it was quite acceptable for what I and many other people want - slagging up and down the motorway in comfort, and having something nice to polish at the weekends!

Big difference between i and d though.

[makkan00]

Those who keep moaning about 318i & 320i should be punished with 10 years old KA for at least 1 year

[ddogg35]

It just depends what you want from a car.
I've said it before but ive got my bikes to go fast so having a bigger engine doesn't appeal to me as much, I just want a nice car to get me to work and back.
Like other people have said the chassis is still there and on a twisty road where you can't use all the power you can really thrash it and have some fun.
I do wish it'd get more mpg but if i did less back roads and more motorways it wouldn't be an issue.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by devonkjf

Not the fastest I accept but love it!

Cracking looking car in white. Just need to debadge it and lose that grey stripe.
I'm afraid "performance stripes" wont make it go any quicker.

[Jamese93]

I agree with all here. I've had many 3 series and my mum currently has a 318i end of line which I bought for her cheap as chips. It's a good looking car and fine for what she wants but it's horses for courses isn't it? She drives fast and works it hard and gets relatively poor MPG but she loves the way it handles.

It wouldn't work for me as I like higher power levels (but not a 335 queen like many here) but hey. Who gives? If you like it carry on enjoying it and love the chassis it's in. We don't all need to have the fastest car to get the most enjoyment if you get my meaning :-)))

[dopper99]

The thing that gets me is that I've seen a lot of people that have bought 318i/318d's and even 320's and after a month of ownership asking what performance mods are available....... errrrrrrrrrrrrrr............ if you want more performance why didnt you buy a 3 series with a bigger engine in the first place?

I suppose its down to people's budgets. But in my opinion - if you want more performance, get a slight older, higher power 3 series in the first place.

[dopper99]

I've also read a few write-ups on the internet from non-car enthusiasts that have perhaps a 318 as a company car. They slag them off saying they are "nothing special" and "why do people rave about the 3 series" etc........ and they will "go back to having a Passat" ........blah blah.....

I'm sure its down to the engine not providing an exciting ride. Now put these same doubters in a 6 cylinder and see their opinions change.

[Kerr]

This is Top Gear from 1998.

I still think even 14 years later Jeremy is still right. The review starts off in the 328i then the 318i.

[alzieboy]

Quote = if you want more performance why didnt you buy a 3 series with a bigger engine in the first place

Because It wasnt until i had the car for two months and 2k Miles did I realise I had dropped a BOLLOCK getting a 318d

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by alzieboy

Quote = if you want more performance why didnt you buy a 3 series with a bigger engine in the first place

Because It wasnt until i had the car for two months and 2k Miles did I realise I had dropped a BOLLOCK getting a 318d

Fair enough admitting the point. But did you not think the 318 would be a poor performer?

[MLAM]

There seems to be a wide range of comments, some have driven loan cars from having a 320d+ are naturally gonna find a 318i a bit slow.

However as it shares the same engine as the 320i and from the Lci onwards we are all aware how many issues there have been, I get the distinct feeling some cars are running old original software and lacking the new updates which have been tuned a lot from what I have gathered.

I've driven a N46 E46 318i, while it doesn't have the sound of my 325i it pulled well I thought and sounded alright, I also had 4 people onboard too on this occasion (Adults)

[bigbeemer]

hi what where the issues, new updates etc??

Originally Posted by MLAM

There seems to be a wide range of comments, some have driven loan cars from having a 320d+ are naturally gonna find a 318i a bit slow.

However as it shares the same engine as the 320i and from the Lci onwards we are all aware how many issues there have been, I get the distinct feeling some cars are running old original software and lacking the new updates which have been tuned a lot from what I have gathered.

I've driven a N46 E46 318i, while it doesn't have the sound of my 325i it pulled well I thought and sounded alright, I also had 4 people onboard too on this occasion (Adults)

[bigbeemer]

Any help?

Originally Posted by bigbeemer

hi what where the issues, new updates etc??

[wheelie good]

He cut four holes in the floor and managed to get an extra 40 HP alla Flintstone style

[alzieboy]

Not a great help but:

[bigbeemer]

Oh i forgot about that!

Originally Posted by wheelie good

He cut four holes in the floor and managed to get an extra 40 HP alla Flintstone style

[MLAM]

Haha sorry I haven't replied.

To all of you guys, I actually don't own a 4 Cylinder E90, in fact I have a 325i E46 .

In regards to the updates, this is more documented on the 320i's as they had a lot of issues with the coil packs and injectors, BMW worked on it a lot and rectified low end performance issues.

I actually drove a last of the line 320i E90 and I actually thought it was nippy, sure didn't have the sound of a 6 cylinder but was more than adequate I thought.

EDIT: I see you have a Sport Plus, I can't see there being any updates for it yet but I guess you could go to the dealer and moan while its in the garage and say it don't drive right, they may do a update check for you

[bigbeemer]

Thank you, what is a update?? a upgrade to the engine management software????

Originally Posted by MLAM

Haha sorry I haven't replied.

To all of you guys, I actually don't own a 4 Cylinder E90, in fact I have a 325i E46 .

In regards to the updates, this is more documented on the 320i's as they had a lot of issues with the coil packs and injectors, BMW worked on it a lot and rectified low end performance issues.

I actually drove a last of the line 320i E90 and I actually thought it was nippy, sure didn't have the sound of a 6 cylinder but was more than adequate I thought.

EDIT: I see you have a Sport Plus, I can't see there being any updates for it yet but I guess you could go to the dealer and moan while its in the garage and say it don't drive right, they may do a update check for you

[chedixon]

Originally Posted by ddogg35

It just depends what you want from a car.
I've said it before but ive got my bikes to go fast so having a bigger engine doesn't appeal to me as much, I just want a nice car to get me to work and back.
Like other people have said the chassis is still there and on a twisty road where you can't use all the power you can really thrash it and have some fun.
I do wish it'd get more mpg but if i did less back roads and more motorways it wouldn't be an issue.

+1

[MLAM]

Originally Posted by bigbeemer

Thank you, what is a update?? a upgrade to the engine management software????

Pretty much yes, it's like when Windows releases a update patch to fix issues.

This works in the same vein to a degree, the ECU is one of the various parts which I believe can be updated on the E90.

[bigbeemer]

Thank you, might get the dealer the check for any updates.

Originally Posted by MLAM

Pretty much yes, it's like when Windows releases a update patch to fix issues.

This works in the same vein to a degree, the ECU is one of the various parts which I believe can be updated on the E90.

[Bungle009]

In the new range the 320i is a 2.0 turbo with 180 BHP & strong torque. It will be a much better all rounder then the current 320i