1995 Bmw 318 problems

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The BMW 3 Series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 Series and has been produced in seven generations.

The first generation of the 3 Series was only available as a 2-door saloon; the model range expanded to include a 4-door saloon, 2-door convertible, 2-door coupé, 5-door estate, 5-door liftback ("Gran Turismo") and 3-door hatchback body styles. Since 2013, the coupé and convertible models have been marketed as the 4 Series, styles no longer included in the 3 Series.

The 3 Series is BMW's best-selling model, accounting for around 30% of the BMW brand's annual total car sales, and has won numerous awards throughout its history.

The M version of the 3 series, M3, debuted with the E30 M3 in 1986.

1995 Bmw 318

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Common 1995 Bmw 318 problems

The BMW 318 1995, also known as the E36, is a popular car model known for its performance and luxury. However, like any other car, it has its fair share of common problems that owners have reported over the years. Here are some of the most common problems with the BMW 318 1995, based on complaints from owners:

  • Valve Cover Gasket Leaks: The valve cover gasket is another common problem area in the BMW 318 1995. The gasket can leak, causing a smell, but it doesn't lose much oil. It's a relatively easy repair, but it's something to look out for.
  • Suspension Issues: The original suspension in the BMW 318 1995 is likely to be worn out by 100,000 miles. While it may still drive okay for a commuter, it won't handle like a BMW. Replacements aren't tough, but they can be time-consuming and costly for a "factory fresh" feeling. Look for tire wear issues and shake the wheels to check for sloppiness.
  • Manual Transmission Issues: The manual transmission in the BMW 318 1995 is generally durable, but the synchros may be getting tired with high miles. Fresh fluid will help, and clutches are pretty solid. However, the BMW automatic transmission has a reputation for having a lifespan of around 100,000 miles.
  • Battery Problems: The BMW 318 1995 can have battery problems, especially if an external device is plugged into the car, sapping its energy. The positive battery cable connector and the matching fuse box terminal can corrode or degrade over time, causing the car to lose electrical power, resulting in a stall or an inoperable vehicle.
  • Dashboard Warning Lights: The dashboard warning lights in the BMW 318 1995 can be confusing. Red warning lights indicate that something is wrong and needs to be fixed right away, while blue and green symbols indicate that BMW features or technologies are now active. Orange and yellow warning lights are non-critical warnings that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
  • Rear Wheel Arch Rust: The BMW 318 1995 can suffer from rust, particularly in the rear wheel arches. Check for cracks and tears where the subframes join into the unibody at either end of the main floor pan. Look for weld cracks in the unibody around the front shock towers, high and low.

In summary, the BMW 318 1995 is a great car, but like any other car, it has its common problems. Regular maintenance and servicing can help prevent many of these issues, and it's essential to address any problems as soon as they arise to prevent more significant issues down the line.

1995 Bmw 318 engine

Is the BMW 318 reliable?

They tend to cause problems only after 180,000 miles. But other than that, the 318i didn't have major issues. It was just a stubborn engine that could last longer than its inline-six-powered siblings that are available for less than $15,000 on auction sites.

How good is BMW 318?

It really is a very good car. However, there are 3 things which are disappointing: 1) retraction of wing mirrors is not electronic 2) there are no sensors at the front even though there are at the rear. 3) there is no spare wheel at all.

What does 318 mean on BMW?

The 20 and 18 parts of the names refer to the engines under the bonnet, and they're available in petrol (318i/320i) and diesel (318d/320d) formats. The petrol models use different size engines – a 136hp 1.5-litre unit for the 318i, and a more powerful 184hp 2.0-litre engine for the 320i.

Is BMW 318i underpowered?

It's underpowered. No two ways about it. You cannot drive it and not wish for a more power and it only gets 30mpg.

Is A BMW 318 A Good car?

It really is a very good car. However, there are 3 things which are disappointing: 1) retraction of wing mirrors is not electronic 2) there are no sensors at the front even though there are at the rear. 3) there is no spare wheel at all.

What is the fuel consumption of BMW 318?

On the Cars Guide website, BMW claims that this engine gives 5.4l/100km with combined cycle of in-road and highway driving.

How reliable is an E36 318i?

Is the BMW 318i a good & reliable car? So long as it is serviced on time and looked after well, the BMW 318i can be a great, reliable and enjoyable mode of transport. Although it is no tar-burning supercar the 318i has been known for 30 years as a well-made, pleasant way to get around town.

Is BMW 318i underpowered?

It's underpowered. No two ways about it. You cannot drive it and not wish for a more power and it only gets 30mpg.

1995 Bmw 318 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw 318 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Air bags problems
  • Power train problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Equipment problems
  • Exterior lighting problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1995 Bmw 318 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1995 Bmw 318 complaints

The NHTSA has received 24 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1995 Bmw 318.

2003-08-18

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-08-18
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: TAIL LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. CAUSE OF FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK
2003-01-08

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-05-24
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 4USCC8322SL
  • Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS IN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON TIME.THE CONSUMER STATES HER HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL THEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AT 30MPH DURING IMPACT. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
2002-06-30

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2002-05-01
  • VIN: 4USCC7324SL
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: THE VEHICLE BEGAN BLOWING FUSES CAUSING MANY OF THE SYSTEMS TO QUITE FUNCTIONING. WE REPLACE WITH FUSES THE SAME SIZE AS IT ASK FOR AND IT STARTED MELTING FUSES CAUSING FUEL PUMP TO QUIT WORKING ADQUATELY. *AK
2002-05-09

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2002-05-04
  • VIN: WBACA632XSF
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SHIFTS AROUND WHILE DRIVING, MAKING DRIVER LOSE PEDAL, AND STEERING CONTROL.*AK *MJ
1999-10-05

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
1999-09-30

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND REMAINS ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
1999-06-25

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-04-01
  • VIN: WBACG5324SA
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATE AND SPEED OF FAILURE. MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOWER SPEED. IT WOULD ALSO POP OUT OF GEAR ON THE ROAD. BMW REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ON WARRANTY, AND SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'VE JUST HEARD FROM ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE 318TI WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON BMW'S PART BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLE DANGER OF HAVING YOUR TRANSMISSION GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. *AK
1997-12-03

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-08-05
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: WBABE5320SJ
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: AIR BAG: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN A CAR AHEAD STOPPED. RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. BMW INVESTIGATOR SAID AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OFF. *AK DRIVER'S HEAD SMASHED HIS HEAD INTO THE WINDSHIELD DURING THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
1997-02-11

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-08-15
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: WBABK532XSE
  • Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: DURING A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT, AT 30 MPH. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS, WERE INOPERATIVE. *AK
1996-12-02

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: THE TIRES ARE AFTER MARKET TIRE S( BRIDGESTONE BOIZZOAK) THERE IS A RUBBER DUST ON THE CAR FROM THE TIRE . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
1996-10-31

STEERING,AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-10-30
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: WBABE632155
  • Components: STEERING,AIR BAGS
  • Summary: WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH. *AK THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
1996-10-29

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. *AK
1996-08-30

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-08-20
  • VIN: WBACG5322SA
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: CLUTCH/PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE.
1996-08-29

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: WABCG6326SA
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILS CAUSING HESITATION/JERKING.
1996-08-29

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: WABCG6326SA
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: MANIFOLD NOISY.
1996-08-29

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: WABCG6326SA
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: AIR CONDITIONER FAILED.
1996-08-29

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: WABCG6326SA
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: EXPANSION VALVE FAILED.
1996-08-29

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: WABCG6326SA
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: PART TO HEADLIGHT LOOSE.
1996-08-29

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: WABCG6326SA
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: STEERING FAILED.
1996-08-05

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-06-26
  • VIN: 4USCC832XSL
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. *AK
1996-07-11

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-06-14
  • VIN: WBACC6324SA
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: JACK FAILURE, VEHICLE ON JACK DUE TO A STRONG WIND, JACK FLEW OVER, ONLY BUILT ON 3' DESIGN. *AK
1996-07-01

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-06-26
  • VIN: 4USCC832XSL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
1996-06-12

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-05-11
  • Number Of Injuries: 2
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: WBACG6329SA
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN REAR-END COLISSION AND WAS PASSED HEAD ON INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
1995-10-10

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-09-15
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: 4USCC7328SL
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, FIRE CAME FROM EXHAUST AND BURNED BUMPER. TT
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1995 Bmw 318 problems:

318 common problems to look out for.
318 common problems to look out for.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1765736-318-common-problems-to-look-out-for

Dec 31, 2011 ... i say buy it...you'll love it! 1995 318ti Active what a nice e36. i've never seen compact which would be so angry.

Inspecting a 1995 BMW 318i | FinalGear.com Forums
Inspecting a 1995 BMW 318i | FinalGear.com Forums
https://forums.finalgear.com/threads/inspecting-a-1995-bmw-318i.45179/

Problem is, the impeller is prone to cracking and shattering after some time, leaving you stranded on the side of the road. There are ...

just bought a 1995 318Ti, Problems to look out for? - 318ti.org forum
just bought a 1995 318Ti, Problems to look out for? - 318ti.org forum
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=36417

Jun 10, 2012 ... Overheating due to failed cooling system components is the number one killer of these engines. While you're replacing the cooling system, you ...

E36 318is problem areas?| Grassroots Motorsports forum |
E36 318is problem areas?| Grassroots Motorsports forum |
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/e36-318is-problem-areas/37766/page1/

E36 318is problem areas? · 1) Cooling system: if it's got 100k on it, the water pump, radiator, and expansion tank should have been replaced ...

How reliable is a 1996 BMW 318ti? What are some common ...
How reliable is a 1996 BMW 318ti? What are some common ...
https://www.quora.com/How-reliable-is-a-1996-BMW-318ti-What-are-some-common-problems-with-the-car

Sep 4, 2015 ... Cooling System Failures: BMWs are notorious for cooling system issues, including water pump failure, leaking coolant hoses, and radiator ...

Other years of Bmw 318

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318 1996
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318 1997
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318 1998
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318 2001
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318 1984
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318 1985
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