- This 1991 BMW 318i retains its original 1.8-liter engine and manual transmission.
- Interior is surprisingly well-preserved with minor wear except a cracked dashboard.
- Mechanical issues include a ticking engine, oil leak, and suspension needing service.
Finding a clean, affordable entry point into classic European motoring isn’t easy these days, but this 1991 BMW 318i makes a solid case for itself. With 150,900 miles (around 242,000 km) under its belt, it’s no garage queen, so don’t expect perfection, yet it presents surprisingly well for its age.
Currently available through Cars & Bids, the classic 3-Series retains its original 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that delivered 134 hp (136 PS) and 127 lb-ft when it was new. While the uprated M42 engine is more commonly associated with the sportier 318is, it was also fitted to North American 318i models from 1990 to 1992 instead of the 111 hp (113 PS) M40 found in the European version.
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This engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission that drives the rear wheels. Sure, it’s not that powerful when compared to a modern 3-Series, but overall the car is much lighter and, thanks to the stick shift, should also be plenty of fun to drive.
Paintwork Shows Its Age
At a first glance, the Brilliant Red paint looks to be in great condition. Look closer, though, and you’ll notice there are several scratches, areas where the paint has started to chip away, and sections where rust is visible beneath the paint. Additionally, some lower body panels have been repaired and only been sprayed with primer, so the next owner would be wise to budget in to get them redone.
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The interior of the Bimmer is in a better state than the exterior. Except for a crack on the dashboard, it looks to have aged very gracefully. The upholstery on the seats shows few signs of wear, and most of the plastics on the dashboard and transmission tunnel also appear to have been well-maintained.
According to the listing, the seller has added projector headlights, a short shifter, a Pioneer head unit, and cornering lights. On the downside, the air conditioning system doesn’t work, there’s a slight oil leak from the engine, the front suspension needs servicing, and the valve lifters are reportedly causing the engine to make a ticking noise.
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All things considered, any buyer should be ready to spend some cash to bring this 318i fully up to tip-top condition. Still, for those willing to take on the project, this could be a rewarding way into one of BMW’s most famed models and, in the end, even when factoring the repairs required, could be a bargain. Still interested? You can check out the full listing over on Cars & Bids here.
