fuel economy

[midexus]

Yes, you guessed right; i am new.

I am about to get a 1996 318 manual transmission bimmer, but friends are discouraging me claiming fuel economy and expensive parts,
Is it that bad?
I have the option of a 1995 honda accord and the 1996 toyota camry V6 engine.

I love the 3 series, but is it worth the risk for a car i intend to use every for city ride.
(i am not crazy about power)

Please help a brother!!!

[sivartk]

I don't have a BMW yet, but the 318 should be a 4-cylinder engine and should get good FE. Okay, compared to a Honda Civic Hybrid, maybe not.

What is more crucial to look at is what gas mileage are you getting now? Are you okay with the current mileage? How many miles do you drive a year?

I did a calculation and found out that even at $3.00 a gallon (currently about $2.20 here now), that I would still pay more for my insurance in a year than I would for gas! ($600 gas vs $800 insurance) My current vehicle averages about 25 MPG mixed driving. So, to me, anything that has mixed at least where I am now (which will probably be all 3-series I'm looking at) is good for me.

So FE is a relative question and not a "raw" number as your friends tend to suggest. Although a V6 Accord will probably only get you about 4-5 more MPG on the Highway than a V6 BMW.

[johnf]

For what it's worth, this man's 318is has averaged 8.6 l / 100 km (27.3 mph) since new.

[frost_dxb]

Yes, you guessed right; i am new.

I am about to get a 1996 318 manual transmission bimmer, but friends are discouraging me claiming fuel economy and expensive parts,
Is it that bad?
I have the option of a 1995 honda accord and the 1996 toyota camry V6 engine.

I love the 3 series, but is it worth the risk for a car i intend to use every for city ride.
(i am not crazy about power)

Please help a brother!!!


I previously own an M6 & 325i and fuel consumption didn’t bother me at all now I have a ‘95 318i and I would never take a second look on any Honda. Once you are driving a BMW there’s no comparison (even an old one) and you will be stock on that logo for life. I don’t care about my fuel consumption since 318i is very good on FE.

[midexus]

I got a '92 318i with 117,000 miles,
Though the engine seemed well maintained.

What do you think? I'm I in bad shape?

[motor_werke]

I have a 92 325, with 179,700 miles on the clock. This is a great car, and even with high mileage, only needs minor maintenance from time to time. If it is well maintained, 117 isnt all that bad at all. I would recommend changing oil twice as often as recommended, wait till you'r down 2 green lights, change the oil, and then again when all green' are gone.

[davesafc]

ive just bought a 328i sport but its had a lpg conversion so i get a hell of alot of miles for my money!
and do u get the car serviced when the green lights go out or when they are all lit up?
i did get a manual with it but cant be bothered to look it up

[j-red]

My manual 328i just got me 30mpg on a 500 mile highway trip. The 318 is sure to do at least a little better.

[motor_werke]

davesafc, lpg conversion? What is that? Only thing I could think of is LP Gas. When talking about the green lights and service, it all depeneds. Normaly, when all greens go out its time for an oil change. Sometimes it will be for inspection I or inspection II. I change my oil when 2 green lights go out, and again when the last green light goes out. You get service when the lights go out. Once all the greens are out, you either take it in for the oil change and they'll reset the light, of if you are like me and do your own work, you buy a light reset device.

FYI, for gas mileage on my 325, I get 21/22 in the city, and about 26/27 on the highway.

[midexus]

Thanks guys,

But can explain explain how to top the water in the raditor for a BM, i hear it's different from other cars.

[davesafc]

it is lp gas motor werke, gets called auotogas too.

[Gene Poole]

Yes, you guessed right; i am new.

I am about to get a 1996 318 manual transmission bimmer, but friends are discouraging me claiming fuel economy and expensive parts,
Is it that bad?
I have the option of a 1995 honda accord and the 1996 toyota camry V6 engine.

I love the 3 series, but is it worth the risk for a car i intend to use every for city ride.
(i am not crazy about power)

Please help a brother!!!

Back in October of 2005 I bought my first BMW (1995 318iC Auto). It's a daily driver to and from work and I get about 28 mpg (which is good considering that I drive fast, and traffic usually sucks in places).

There is no comparison to a honda or toyota--even if they got 10-15 mpg better.

Mine had 126000 miles when I got it and needed some front-end work. I pretty much replaced everything (struts, tie-rods, control-arms/bushings) and, by doing the labor myself, got it all for about $600. It is as tight as a new car now and handles like a dream. I'd have the suspension checked out if I were you.

Other than the suspension, most parts have been cosmetic and parts seem to be pretty reasonable. I don't know what labor goes for (I do all mine myself) but it seems as easy or easier to work on than a jap car.

[motor_werke]

I can vouch for BMW's being much easier to work on compared to Japanese and American cars. Things tend to be placed well, and of good quality. Trying to find anything on my GF's Nissan Sentra is a nightmare, not to mention her car is only 3 years old and many of the bolts and metal parts in her engine bay have begun to rust.