BMW Problems

The B4820 two-litre four-cylinder engine in BMW's current F20-generation 120i uses a timing chain.

The current F20-series BMW 120i is rated on a combined cycle as using 5.9-litres of unleaded fuel per-100km. While it isn't as good as other small hatchbacks in the class it would still be considered good fuel consumption, especially given most large family cars would consume 10-12-litres per-100km.

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. Older second-hand models should have a professional inspection before purchase to make sure they have been serviced regularly and not driven without car, as this can affect the car's long-term reliability.

BMW offered two 3 Series wagons in 2007, the 320i and the 323i. The list price for the 320i wagon was $65,800; the 323I wagon was $71,500.

BMW has claimed the F20-series 120i hatch will top-out at 230km/h.

BMW's 3-series has traditionally been a rear-wheel-drive model in Australia, however the current 320Ds come in both RWD but also all-wheel-drive as the 320D xDrive model.

BMW's 120i hatchback can reach 100km/h from a standstill in a handy 7.1 seconds.

So long as you service it on the dot, change the oil at least every 10,000km or six-months, and drive it with mechanical sympathy the BMW 320D should be a reliable, comfortable, and safe daily driver.

Trade it in on an M3. Realistically, modifying your 318i is a legal minefield and doesn't really make sense given BMW produce higher-performance models in the 3-series line-up, starting with the 328i and going all the way to the ridiculously fast M3.

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.