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Are you having problems with the engine of your BMW 318i? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest BMW 318i engine issues & faults. We have answered all of the most frequently asked questions relating to problems with the BMW 318i engine.
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BMW's F30-series 318i is claimed to average 5.4-litres of fuel consumed per-100km, measured on a combined cycle of city and highway driving. This is quite efficient for a large four-door car.
The official combined cycle fuel economy of BMW's 318i is 5.4L/100km.
If you've checked the battery and that's ok, check the starter to make sure there's no problem with that, and then pressure check for a blown head gasket. It's not unknown for a head gasket to blow on the 318 and you can get an hydraulic lock in a cylinder that will make it difficult to start if that cylinder is the one that's on compression when you go to start it. It doesn't always show up on the temperature gauge as overheating, but it is sometimes evident with white smoke from the tailpipe when the engine is cold.
It's unlikely to be the battery, as you've proved when the fully charged one didn't fix the problem. BMWs of that model had problems with the ignition switch and I would suspect that that's your problem. Next time it happens rapidly turn the switch on and off several times and see if you get any response. If you do it's the switch that is your problem.
The BMW service intervals are set by engine time and indicated on the dash when you first turn the ignition on. If you choose not to follow that changing the engine oil and filter every 10,000 km would be fine; the transmission oil is normally drained at every Level 2 inspection and service, and that generally equates to around 80,000 km.