Browse over 9,000 car reviews

BMW 318i 2002 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2002 BMW 318i? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2002 BMW 318i issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2002 BMW 318i in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Will a '02 BMW 318i have low maintence costs?

My best advice to you is to not buy an old used BMW; they will only soak up whatever money you might have saved up. An ageing BMW with high mileage is a money pit; it will cost plenty to service and keep on the road, whether you use a dealer, which I would not recommend, or an independent mechanic. Buy a well-respected Japanese brand, such as a Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Lancer, or Mazda 3.

2002 BMW 318i good for highway travel?

As a trade-in a 2002/3 318i would be worth $3000-$5000, if it was sold privately it would be worth $5000-$7000, so the cars you're looking at are in the right price range, and the mileage is about average. The 2.0-litre motor is perfectly fine for highway travel; it will happily cruise on the speed limit and have some left over for comfortable overtaking when needed.

Which small car to buy

LIKE you, I prefer rear-wheel-drive cars for the way they drive and feel on the road. I'm also in favour of buying used BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes because you get to drive a better car than you might otherwise be able to afford, but they can be expensive to service and repair. For that reason I am loathe to recommend them. But I also agree that some of the cars coming from Japan look good, and I particularly like the new Lancer. I wouldn't be concerned about front-wheel drive at all, there's nothing wrong with the way they drive, handle, steer or brake.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
Have a new question for the CarsGuide team?
More than 9,000 questions asked and answered.