1993 Bmw 318i problems

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The third generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model code E36, and was produced by the German automaker BMW from 1990 to 2000. The initial models were of the four-door sedan body style, followed by the coupé, convertible, wagon ("Touring"), and eventually hatchback ("Compact").

The E36 was the first 3 Series to be offered in a hatchback body style. It was also the first 3 Series to be available with a six-speed manual transmission (in the 1996 M3), a five-speed automatic transmission, and a four-cylinder diesel engine. The multi-link rear suspension was also a significant upgrade as compared to the previous generations of the 3 Series. All-wheel drive was not available for the E36, unlike the previous (E30) and successive (E46) generations.

The E36 was named in Car and Driver magazine's 10Best list for every year it was on sale.

Following the introduction of its successor, the E46 3 Series in 1998, the E36 began to be phased out and was eventually replaced in 1999.

1993 Bmw 318i

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Common 1993 Bmw 318i problems

The BMW 318i 1993 is a popular model, but it has some common problems that owners frequently report. Here are some of the most common issues with the BMW 318i 1993:

  • Dashboard Lights: The hazard flashers may begin flashing by themselves and the turn signals may flash at twice the normal speed due to condensation shorting out the circuit board. This issue can be caused by condensation in the dashboard and can be fixed by replacing the affected components.
  • Doors: The central locking system may unlock itself after being locked or lock itself after being unlocked. This issue can be caused by defective actuators or a maladjusted trunk lock and can be fixed by replacing the affected components or adjusting the trunk lock.
  • Starter: The starter may fail because it keeps running after the engine starts and eventually burns out. This issue can be caused by a sticking ignition switch and can be fixed by replacing the lock and switch.
  • Rear Trailing Arm Bushings: The rear trailing arm bushings are known to wear out, which can cause decreased handling and stability of the vehicle. This issue can be fixed by replacing the affected bushings.
  • Broken Rear Coil Springs: Broken rear coil springs are a common issue on the BMW 3 Series, including the E36. While this issue can be inconvenient, the springs are relatively easy to change. This issue can be fixed by replacing the affected springs.

It is essential to address these issues as soon as they are detected to ensure proper performance and prevent further damage to the vehicle. Regular inspections and proper maintenance can help to prevent these issues from occurring in the first place.

1993 Bmw 318i engine

Is the BMW 318i a reliable Car?

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.

How many miles per gallon does a 1993 BMW 318i get?

Based on data from 8 vehicles, 280 fuel-ups and 42,981 miles of driving, the 1993 BMW 318i gets a combined Avg MPG of 27.07 with a 1.32 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 15 outliers (5.08%) removed.

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.

Which is better 318i or 320i?

Both the 318 and the 320, whether in petrol or diesel form, are about as efficient as each other in the real world. However, the extra power of the 320i and 320d models makes lighter work of moving the mid-size saloon and estate, and we think they're the better option for more drivers.

Is the BMW 318i a reliable car?

Key Takeaways. The BMW E46 3 Series, particularly the 318i, was a reliable and affordable choice with good fuel efficiency and maintenance costs. The E46 was a significant improvement in comfort compared to its predecessor, the E36, offering better suspension, increased comfort, and a better balance.

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 BMW 318i fuel efficient?

With a fuel consumption rate of 5.4 liters per 100km, the BMW 318i is a fuel-efficient choice for those seeking a spacious and reliable four-door car.

Is e90 318i 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.

1993 Bmw 318i car problems categorized by type of issue

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

  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Visibility problems
  • Unknown or other problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1993 Bmw 318i vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1993 Bmw 318i complaints

The NHTSA has received 11 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1993 Bmw 318i.

2002-02-11

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2002-01-20
  • VIN: WBABE6319PJ
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: THIS COMMON DEFECT HAS STRUCK MY VEHICLE. THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED, BMW ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM, BUT WON'T RECALL. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
1999-10-29

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-10-20
  • VIN: CAR IN SHOP
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: ALL COOLANT LOST, SUDDENLY & W/O WARNING; COOLANT LOST INTO THE ENVIRONMENT; SUDDEN ENGINE TEMPERATURE RISE REQUIRED DANGEROUS EMERGENCY MANOUVER TO REACH SIDE OF ROAD BEFORE ENGINE DAMAGE; FOLLOWING VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED & DRIVERS BLINDED BY LOST COOLANT
1999-08-27

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-08-27
  • VIN: WBACA5318PF
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WELL KNOWN M42 ENGINE PROFILE GASKET FAILURE ALLOWS COOLANT TO SPILL AND RENDERS VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE WITHOUT WARNING.
1999-03-17

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-06-01
  • VIN: WBACA5319PF
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
  • Summary: ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH REGULATOR. POWER WINDOWS AND SUNROOF STOPPED WORKING SHORTLY AFTER THAT. IS THERE SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE ALTERNATOR TO SHORT OUT.
1998-12-28

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-11-29
  • VIN: WBABE6310PJ
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: VEHICLE HAD BLOWN AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET AT 46,000 MILES.ALSO, IGNITION WAS NOT WORKING. HAD NO WARNING PRIOR TO SEEING STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHUT VEHICLE DOWN & THEN RESTARTED. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STILL CAME BACK ON. *AK
1998-12-09

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-02-17
  • VIN: WBACA5314PF
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK. YH
1998-11-22

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-10-11
  • VIN: WBACA5317PF
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. ALL COOLANT WAS LOST. COMPLETE DAMAGE (WARPED HEAD, ETC) UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. DEALER ESTIMATES $1000 TO REPAIR GASKET. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE (AS I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED). BMW HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. SINCE THESE USUALLY GO BAD AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, BMW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. BMW HAS A REPUTATION FOR QUALITY CARS. IN THIS CASE THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND IT'S COSTING CONSUMERS MANY DOLLARS DUE TO THEIR DESIGN FLAWS. IF BMW WILLN'T VOLUANTARILY ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE THEN NHTSA PLEASE ASSIST US CONSUMERS AND PUT PRESSURE ON THEM TO DO SO.
1998-01-28

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-01-20
  • VIN: FG073821001
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WATER LEAKS OUT OF THE ENGINE GASKET RIGHT ABOVE THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. IT LEAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF AND WILL DRAIN THE RADIATOR DOWN TO THE LEVEL OF THE GASKET.
1998-01-28

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-01-20
  • VIN: FG073821001
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WATER LEAKS OUT OF THE ENGINE GASKET RIGHT ABOVE THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. IT LEAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF AND WILL DRAIN THE RADIATOR DOWN TO THE LEVEL OF THE GASKET.
1998-01-28

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-01-20
  • VIN: FG073821001
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: HEAD GASKET LEAKS RIGHT ABOVE THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. IT LEAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF AND DRAINS THE RADIATOR.
1998-01-27

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-01-20
  • VIN: FG073821001
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: ENGINE GASKET LEAKS WATER WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF AND WILL DRAIN DOWN TO THE LEVEL OF THE GASKET.

1993 Bmw 318i recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1993 Bmw 318i.

1998-08-04
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
  • Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
  • Consequence: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
1997-08-19
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
  • Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1993 Bmw 318i problems:

E36 Common Problems - BMW 3 Series Forum - Bimmer Owners Club
E36 Common Problems - BMW 3 Series Forum - Bimmer Owners Club
https://www.bimmerownersclub.com/forums/topic/5766-e36-common-problems/

Sep 22, 2011 ... Problems include, but not limited to, oil level/pressure warning lamps, camshaft sensor, coolant level/temp sensors, incorrect fuel gauge & ...

Is a BMW 318i E36 a good first car? : r/BMWE36
Is a BMW 318i E36 a good first car? : r/BMWE36
https://www.reddit.com/r/BMWE36/comments/qup7t8/is_a_bmw_318i_e36_a_good_first_car/

Nov 15, 2021 ... I already know how to properly drive without trashing the car so that won't be a problem, my main concern is about the reliability, I've ...

Would you consider the E36 3 Series
Would you consider the E36 3 Series "Reliable"?
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1334519-Would-you-consider-the-E36-3-Series-quot-Reliable-quot

Oct 27, 2009 ... The car has lots of common problems, luckily ... It failed at 90k miles -- I should have known better but that was seven years ago and I was a BMW ...

BMW E36 318i: Troubleshooting Common Problems & Engine Rev ...
BMW E36 318i: Troubleshooting Common Problems & Engine Rev ...
https://www.justanswer.com/bmw/b5mdq-e36-318i-won-t-rev-past-3000rpm-it-s-94.html

Apr 9, 2018 ... I have a E36 318i and it won't rev past 3000rpm. It's a 94. No I just got the car yesterday and I haven't have it check.

list of all common E36 problems
list of all common E36 problems
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?813462-list-of-all-common-E36-problems

Aug 20, 2007 ... 1. rad plastic reservoir cracked. 2. oil filter housing gasket leak. 3. alternator & idler pulleys sounds like marbles rolling around in the can ...

Other years of Bmw 318i

bmw 318i 1994 photo
318i 1994
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bmw 318i 1995 photo
318i 1995
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bmw 318i 1996 photo
318i 1996
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bmw 318i 1997 photo
318i 1997
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bmw 318i 1998 photo
318i 1998
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bmw 318i 2001 photo
318i 2001
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