[bigbeemer]

Why do people on here give the 318i a hard time? i come from a 520d msport 177bhp, i agree it is not as torquey but must say the 318i drives well and has quiet a nice mid engine tone. why so many people down on it?

[rich1068]

Because though some may deny it there can be a feeling on here that if you haven't got at least a six then it's not a proper BMW. It doesn't rear it's head very often but it's there.

And I've had a 318i loan car a few times and thought it was very nice indeed.

[dufctubs]

Cause they are jealous of fuel and insurance costs !!!

[ss134]

Where have you seen people on the forum giving the 318i a hard time?
Most members here are not derogatory towards other peoples cars - as long as a BMW

[magic77]

I have to say having driven a 318i and a 320i I would never get one. While they might sound ok and return resonable mpg there is just not enough power. Minimum a 320D for me

[ctch22]

because theres just not enough power!! (though yours seems like it might be a lci so probably has a few morr horses than the pre facelift)

and my 318i does around 20-24 mpg town driving which i find appalling.

One thing i do love though is just how quiet the engine is...

[A_P]

Personally, and this is a purely subjective opinion (actually not sure an opinion can ever be anything other than subjective anyway Ho, Hum).

The 318i, is purely there for emmisions regs, as you may well know, each manufacturer has to demonstrate that there cars fall into a recognised CO2 threshold across the board. In order to offset the larger V8's and V10's of yesteryear.

Currently, the way the industry as a whole is going, the 318i coupled with efficient dynamics and a possible hybrid drivetrain in the future makes it a great proposition not just for entry level customers but wallet and environment concious ones too.

I cannot comment on the SE, but having driven the M Sport version, whilst I agree that it lacks torque and out and out thrills. Its main appeal from a driver enjoyment standpoint would have to be its excellent chassis. If revs are maintained in the above 4.5k power band, I found the drive to be pleasantly rewarding, as the car itself manages to carry nice momentum through corners. And that is exactly what it needs. MOMENTUM.

Ultimately the chassis far exceeds the cars available power, and like I mentioned earlier, I prefer this in car.... Subjectively of course.

[kaiser]

I have a 318i E91 M-Sport (lci) which I love, I agree it lack a bit of punch but I love that about it, I have to work it in some situations and I think it shines. I would say buying the auto was maybe a bit of a misguided choice but I am happy as punch with mine. My only complaint is the economy which I suspect I could sort out with a remap but I cannot be bothered with that.

A friend of mine works for BMW and he reckons (having had almost every car in the BMW range) that the 318i is good engine and far exceeds the 320i, he said if he was buying his own car and he had to get a smaller petrol engine he would choose the 318i.

[stupot]

I don’t think people not rating 318i’s is anything personal, being objective they are just too underpowered.

My wife’s E92 320d MSport Auto was a great car. I have mentioned in other threads, probably a better all round car than the M3 given current road congestion and petrol prices. It always felt plenty quick enough and returned around 40mpg, which was a great balance.

My Dad's 318i SE however is a different story. It's underpowered. No two ways about it. You cannot drive it and not wish for a more power and it only gets 30mpg.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by ctch22

my 318i does around 20-24 mpg town driving

Surely that cannot be right, my modded 335i gets about 24mpg around town...if it is right than really what is the point of buying a 318i when it's no more economical than a 3L twinturbo which is outputting ~150bhp more

[A_P]

Originally Posted by kaiser

I have a 318i E91 M-Sport (lci) which I love, I agree it lack a bit of punch but I love that about it, I have to work it in some situations and I think it shines. I would say buying the auto was maybe a bit of a misguided choice but I am happy as punch with mine. My only complaint is the economy which I suspect I could sort out with a remap but I cannot be bothered with that.

A friend of mine works for BMW and he reckons (having had almost every car in the BMW range) that the 318i is good engine and far exceeds the 320i, he said if he was buying his own car and he had to get a smaller petrol engine he would choose the 318i.

why? Why would he have the exact engine you have. After having almost every car in the BMW range?

[bigbeemer]

Why so much low mpg? i am averaging about 40mpg around town and combined.

Originally Posted by stupot

I don’t think people not rating 318i’s is anything personal, being objective they are just too underpowered.

My wife’s E92 320d MSport Auto was a great car. I have mentioned in other threads, probably a better all round car than the M3 given current road congestion and petrol prices. It always felt plenty quick enough and returned around 40mpg, which was a great balance.

My Dad's 318i SE however is a different story. It's underpowered. No two ways about it. You cannot drive it and not wish for a more power and it only gets 30mpg.

[zltm089]

I haven't seen any posts where member put down a 318 or 320....

But i do like horses...so if i had to choose between a 318 "fully loaded" with bluetooth or special leather, fridge etc.... v/s a poor man spec 335....I'd go for the 335... ;-)

[stupot]

Originally Posted by bigbeemer

Why so much low mpg? i am averaging about 40mpg around town and combined.

I can’t really explain fuel economy as it’s so specific to car/driver/type of roads/level of congestion. That’s what is says on the dash, so it’s actually probably a bit less. I would put the low consumption down to it having to work so hard due to low power/torque high weight.

I just feel 318i is not a great balance between power and economy, in a way neither is the M3, its almost too extreme for normal day to day driving.

I’m thinking now that 320d/330d are probably the sweet spot in the range. That doesn’t make all the other models wrong, as there are reasons to choose any of them, just probably not for me.

[Boz335i]

I was once given a 116i as a loan car, and they are seriously underpowered.

When I got home I looked under the bonnet, and I can confirm that I found 2 hamsters on hamster wheels, although one of them looked as if it didn't have very long to live and the other looked a little underfed

[dopper99]

Not only are they too slow to be any kind of fun, looking at the other thread they are poorly spec'd. Didn't realise not all models don't have auto lights and auto wipers.
For 6 cylinder engine models, seems like there more to the spec than just the engine.

[HighlandPete]

From my perspective, the limited view of smaller engines, has always been that way. Simply put, there are better and more powerful BMWs out there in the range.

I come from the era when even a 1.8i was fitted to 5-series cars, so compared to the bigger engines, they were left seriously wanting.

As has been mentioned, often the specification is also limited, but does allow users entry into the BMW ranges. Not everyone wants outright performance, so for some, a modest 318i is the perfect BMW to own and drive.

As for economy, often the smaller engines, (particularly in urban driving) are very similar to the big engine examples, always been that way, if everything else is similar.

HighlandPete

[alzieboy]

From a previous thread

Why on earth did i settle on a 318d, okay its a lovely car sapphire metallic black, with cream leather , a lot of nice extras, only delivery mileage when i bought it in Feb 2012, but hell, you have to cane it to get any sort of pleasure out of it. The wife and myself both had to go back to London, but coming back at different times so we took both cars (hers Golf GTTDI) i said you go in front I will follow, well when we hit the M11 thats when she just took off and i had to give it some to stay up with her. Anyways silly rant over now checking out remapp sites, also looking around for something a lot more exciting than a 318D Exclusive E90 LCI (2011)

[wheelie good]

I would never have a go at anyone for buying a 318, but for me I would rather buy a cheaper make of car but bigger engine/better equipped, dare I say something like a Scoda or Seat

[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!

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by wheelie good

I would never have a go at anyone for buying a 318, but for me I would rather buy a cheaper make of car but bigger engine/better equipped, dare I say something like a Scoda or Seat

plus one on the bigger engine or faster...

Something like a Type R or RX8 or GTI....

[devonkjf]

Not the fastest I accept but love it!