1996 BMW 318ti Review

My thoughts on the 1996 BMW 318ti with the 1.9L 4 cylinder engine and 5 speed manual transmission:
From first glance, I didn’t like the 318ti. It looked like the product of an unfortunate accident involving a E36 bmw and a brick wall. But once I stepped behind the wheel, my opinions changed.
I would consider the Mazda Miata an automotive masterpiece. It’s a small, peppy car that gives you all it’s got. The 318ti felt the same way. The 1.9L engine gives you all it’s got, all the time. You can push it’s limits within your city limits. You don’t need thousands of dollar’s worth of dyno equipment and airplane runway to figure out how fast it will go. You can max out the engine between stop lights, and that’s a lot of fun.
The purpose of the 318ti was to be an entry level BMW. Similar to today’s 1 series, the 318ti was meant to be a gateway drug into the BMW addiction. That being said, BMW had to save their money somewhere. The interior lacks features from the higher trim levels, which leaves useless panels to remind you of what could have been. While this didn’t make or break the car, I was well aware that I was in a cheap bang-for-your-buck car.
Overall I really enjoyed the 318ti. It shares traits of the Miata, while offering the experience of a BMW. I would happily drive a 318ti, just as long as I never have to look at the back of it.

[@danielchampion2982]

Honestly I love the looks of these. They ride really well too. ALSO so many people do the inline 6 swap and make them sleepers

[@Jayslickwilly]

After college I might swap it, the engine bay is the same as a 328i so it wouldn't be too bad.

[@LanOsb133]

I own 5 of these. They are truly the best BMW that has ever been produced. Working on a 500+hp build right now on one of them

[@jordansalvador316]

@@LanOsb133 definitely let me know how that turns out with instructions lol

[@rico_budz5537]

Jacek Kulak did you finish that build?

[@Leonidae]

In Europe you could get these with I6 from factory.

[@guerotech]

I have a '95 318ti, and I love this car. I have had it for 10 years and I keep in the garage when I'm not driving it.

[@NotHelioz]

Actually a excellent review, honest and relatable. Keep doing this man!

[@Boz1211111]

im sure we drove totaly different cars in our life because 318ti has one of stiffer clutch pedals, and 1.9 liter is not considered small engine at all but thats all probably because you are from america i asume and im from europe...

[@matejsommer72]

exactly, the clutch is pretty heavy, but I like it

[@BxB_Swizz]

Boz 2011 1.9 is tiny over here in the US of A

[@rebeccaharris2273]

I own one and I love this car 🤩 so much fun to drive, I love how it looks. I only drive it in the summer ☀️

[@lKingRichardl]

It's an economy car with a longitudinally mounted engine, rear wheel drive, and the name BMW on it. If you can get over OR embrace the awkward looking back half of the car, it's really a great "baby bimmer." Next time show us more of the car and less of you (not trying to be rude).

[@ason9741]

Great comment. He barely fits in the car 🚗

[@j.w.7461]

Still loving my 318Ti. Mine has M Spec suspension. Piece of history that's fun to drive.

[@pussygalore5947]

Just bought my second ti - a 1998 with Active Package ( Cruise/alarm/Leather/HK Stereo upgrade/Sunroof) 5 speed manual in the rare Morea Green (Teal) which will be upgraded over time to M Sport specs ( 16" wheels, M3 front air dam, thicker side moldings, heavy duty shocks and fog lights)....though it is fantastic as it is. Beauty is in the eye of beholder, and this design is much nicer than the sedan. Mileage is 23/32 too!

[@AndersonZiller]

Watched this video a few weeks ago and it helped me choosing my new ride. Bought a 318ti manual gear with a few engine and suspension mods, pre owner was getting it ready to install a turbo but I'm not going ahead with it, I'll keep it as it is, and it's already tons of fun.

[@mikebentley1944]

I love the pin holding the headliner up, so 90s BMW.

[@PrinceYanelbg]

Funny enough, i am one of those guys that LOVE the rear end. I find it quite sexy. The rear end makes the "compact" name suit the car quite fine IMHO.

[@xXCigarXx]

I think it looks great and drops like 400 pounds.

[@BimmerDude]

Great video man! Your in your element here keep it up. Subscribed.

[@briansprojects]

Thanks a ton for this video! I've been looking for reviews and resources on these little cars and your video was great 👍

[@jackclark5220]

VW has a 1.9 TDI

[@joeymolnar8450]

dope video man! still hoping we can get you out here one day to do some reviews!

[@ShootingCars]

How close are you to big rapids?

[@joeymolnar8450]

+Shooting Cars 3 and a half hours!

[@LukesVintageRC]

The Molly Ringwold bit had me 😆

[@delias17]

I can't tell if he's 12 or 24... besides that, great review! Subscribed :)

[@eclipsetoys6551]

I bought mine new in 98 with the M package, it is still in mind condition and has been through a full cosmetic and mechanical restoration over the years and a few mods, just a couple. I still have it because it is incredibly useful, Hatchback, RWD, 50/50 weight, and can haul a dresser if you want. looks cool and the handles like its on rails, are they underpowered? yea but keeps you out of trouble. All that and mine is going up in value. That being said I may be buried in this car

[@eatsleepdie8808]

Alright I'm looking for a new car to get since my old hand-me-down Saturn from my mom is on its last legs (and it's tax time soon so mom wants to get new cars). Found one of these for 975 about 2 hours from where I live, and tbh I'm absolutely sold on it. Love the look, my mom would like the decent mileage (i'm in highschool) but I really love that it's 5spd and rwd in such a small package. Question i'm asking, do you think it's worth it to get it? Thanks!

[@scottbreukel5518]

Cool review man! dig the style.

[@danyzuhj]

I'm happy with my e36 323ti compact 2.5l of happiness

[@MrSvetrkravata]

Does it still run? How’s the fuel consumption?

[@danyzuhj]

​@@MrSvetrkravata it still runs to this day has 107k Kms ! I get 14.2 L/100 Km.

[@MrSvetrkravata]

@@danyzuhj any mods? The official info says 6.9/100 extra urban

[@irsnowman5529]

Great review man I own a 96 318ti and your right a nice little economy car. I get tons of compliments and offers for mine but I love it. Unfortunately I'll be getting rid of mine fairly soon, just need something a little bigger.

[@JD-ph1dz]

great review man

[@mrcross78]

Love the video. I own a 95 BMW 318ti

[@E_tiBEAMERBOY]

Ant Cross same

[@kieranmccarthy2798]

just got one, sitting untouched in a field for over 3 yrs !!! stuck a battery in it , fired right up,.

[@brandonherrera7271]

Does the 318ti have lsd diff?

[@JC-vo5wz]

Brandon Herrera no

[@pussygalore5947]

I love these cars - had one and regretted selling it. A couple corrections: The blank slots shown on the console are NOT for rear windows - they are for the heated seat option. The rear seat actually has MORE rear room than a standard 3 Series e36 because the seat is extra deep and the roofline doesn't slope. The utility the hatch affords is excellent and the ratio of the wheelbase to shorten length makes it a joy to drive. Make sure you get a manual though - the 1.8/1.9 are hair dryer engines but very economical and throaty sounding. Problems occur with the door panels. The clips are NUMBERED and are left and right sides. They also are no longer made. The front windows are enormous and have a tendency to break the plastic guides. These are rare with US production in 1999. Get one while you can.

[@carrichcashpoor]

The dead switches were filled by optional seat heaters and stability control on higher models. I have a Ti with the california top (sliding canvas sunroof) in the Chicago metro if you'd ever like to see it

[@E_tiBEAMERBOY]

Matthew Schwartz I'm near the Chicagoland area

[@BxB_Swizz]

Considering buying one, definitely helped with my opinion!

[@matejsommer72]

you are so lucky to have 318ti as a base model :D In Europe we got 316i with 75kw and 318i with just below 90kw. The 318ti is not as cheap as it is in america (or it just seems to me that way). The same goes for E30 with M42B18 as a base model.

[@defooraap]

The 318Ti offered in Europe (both M42 & M44) have 103 Kw (140 hp). If you want a regular e36 you can get the 318is (Sold as 318i (instead of the M40/M43 engined models) in United States and South Africa). As far as pricing goes, you can get a decent 318Ti for about 1.5-2k euros, or if you don't mind 300k+ km on the odometer you can get one for

[@therealmrcapmrcap4612]

I live in europe and I have a bmw 318 ti 140hp 😉 love it

[@pussygalore5947]

Base price was about $20,000US....Active Package with leather, cruise, sunroof, computer was $24,000US; M Sport package added 16" alloys, larger sway bars, lower springs, M3 front bumper, leather/cloth seats and sunroof for $27,000US; about the same as the California canvas topped model. Imported to the US for the 1995 thru 1999 model years.

[@CasiodorusRex]

I've had two of these cars and loved them.

[@ballaswave]

this is a very good review

[@CasiodorusRex]

These cars reminded me of the VW Corrado.

[@ultan04]

Damn, you’re driving around my hometown. This kinda scared the shit outta me

[@anaruneilson3319]

So I've got the 2001 Mspec model and it looks exactly like this but silver. I thought something isnt right because its a 2001 and looks exactly like a 1996.

[@captinJerk]

Well, the compact is not more plasticky then any other e36. The window switches are the same as in the most expensive e36 M3 and the blanks next to them are not for the rear windows but for the heated seats. The model you were driving was just very basic. There is no bmw base model. Everything is on custom order. I used to own a 318ti back in 2001. It had leather sport seats, a leather steering wheel, cruise control and many, many other options that made it way more expensive than lets say many e36 sedans at that time. However it is targeted to be more cost efficient but mostly due to its rear suspension that is derived from the e30. And yeah, i think the rear end is one of bmw best designs and certainly the sexiest e36 form factor. But thats just taste :)

[@thecargeek7090]

these cars are beautiful man

[@DankBoyy00]

Can't tell if you're going for a Regular Cars feel or a Doug DeMuro

[@Pnakpanom]

I love the looks of these.

[@xan_carman4216]

always thought these looked a bit funny

[@nuts2deep693]

Im about to buy a 318ti manual but it has the 2 separate head lights is there a difference between them and what you have? Or is it just different head lights?

[@douglaslane6184]

This guy is funny, and I respect that XD

[@740andrew]

neat little car...needs a bit of a spoiler on the back, that would help I think.. " more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow"

[@nz9636]

nice review

[@brianlefevre7699]

What color is this???

[@bendy1808]

my ignition wore out i had to drill the steering lock look on online for instructions and put new ignition key be careful to drill out locking wish bone a metal part that looks like dog bone or could lock steering in that is after market in the dash drill hole and wire connect to starter

[@matejsommer72]

good catch on those window switches. Mine are cracked because they are so thin.

[@pussygalore5947]

$10 bucks on ebay. 1 minute fix.

[@joeychitwood6004]

I remember as a kid when BMW was "cheap"! 1985 The 3 series was around 16k.

[@foxy126pl6]

1.9 tdi or 1.9 jtd?

[@MandusahRamirez]

Early 90’s Ford Escort Had A 1.9 Liter Also

[@tinman2699]

If the shocks on that hatch are as good as the ones on mine it'll lift you off the ground as it's going up but I gotta get the thing to stop chewing up axels

[@KurruptedDataYouT]

The reason I always loved the 318ti is because it reminds me of the Ford Crossworth Escort 😂

[@beemerlife7130]

You should review the M package 318ti that will be a good review u reviewing the base model to think about that to

[@jimidemian]

For a 4 line are a beautifull sound!

[@manitobenson140]

Honestly I'll trade my 01 325xi for a 318ti

[@AcenOner-mz3jv]

Im looking for one of them , i want one

[@danielmoger7308]

I'm actually about to buy one of these lol

[@gavincockerham122]

I love my 318ti

[@vonaroz4354]

I love 318ti not common I’ll keep my 96

[@socksonfeet8125]

Stock its ugly, this is a car that NEEDS a widebody kit, theres a couple on youtube, they look sick.

[@defooraap]

What's the button above the left electric window button on the center console for?

[@defooraap]

Nevermind.. Later in the video you explain it's for the central locking system.

[@pussygalore5947]

Electric door, gas and hatch central locking

[@aymanreddah3137]

Worst car review I've ever seen in my entire life, showing us the switches and that the key can lock/unlock from the trunk.. not even how much leg room is in the back! And you totally ruined it when you consider a 1.9L engine (saying that it's a small one).. ford fiesta/focus for 31000$ get a life 😂😂😂

[@Justusracers]

I had a 1996 bmw 318ti once.

[@yuriypodgorniak2728]

It's actually 1.8 l engine 1.9 was next year

[@undergroundmusicreviews9852]

All you did was steal Doug’s and Redlines lettering and you watched motor weeks review and tweaked a couple of words. Not really authentic or genuine.

[@1cedoutcastles]

i hate using my blinker😡

[@CalinEnduro]

Probably best cheap fun

[@Shoniforce]

can i turbo this engine? :O

[@Leonidae]

Anything can be turbocharged if you know what you're doing and can afford it.

[@cristiansainz6386]

I have a 318 ti turbo

[@4tkcu]

thanks next time please open the trunk etc.

[@jacobharris5892]

My ti has the heated seats

[@Liam-B]

Would love to have one. On the topic of price though; It may have been $20,000 when the Civic of the time was a $13,000 car. Comparing a 1990's base model to a 2017 base model is apples and oranges. Inflation adjustment doesn't change that.

[@joaovitorrubini2282]

Its the same wheelbase, so the same leg room

[@joaovitorrubini2282]

And the blank switches in the center would be for the heated seats if it had it

[@joaovitorrubini2282]

Also, this car is a blast on the backroads, it has an amazing handling

[@matejsommer72]

oh yeah, I let my friend drive my 318ti and I was surprised what it can do. It's gonna take me some time to get on his level but at that moment I was so happy I bought the car.

[@pussygalore5947]

There is more legroom because the seat cushion is deeper and further back.

[@baileyferguson1999]

Lol should here mine lol

[@cadyfatcat]

you look wrong, you don't look right