1996 BMW 3 Series Review

Miracle of miracles is there indeed a BMW for under $20,000?

Yes, and it's a sweet, well-equipped machine, I found during a recent test of the new $19,900, 318ti coupe. The next most costly BMW is the $24,975 318i sedan.

The 318ti is the first under-$20,000 BMW since the 1991 318i sedan, which had a $19,900 base price that lasted just one year before topping the $20,000 mark. The new model also is the first BMW hatchback sold in America.

The 318ti is meant to give BMW a foot in the door in the coveted young-motorist market. It will be profitable for the automaker because, in sharing many parts with other 3-Series BMWs, it is relatively cheap to build.

One obvious cost-cutting move is rear windows that push out, instead of roll down. But standard equipment includes dual air bags, anti-lock brakes, power steering, rear-window washer and wiper, power front windows, air conditioning, center console and even heated windshield washer jets.

For $22,300, you can buy the car with the Active option package, which contains items such as a power sunroof, remote keyless entry, leather trim and alloy wheels. You also can get it for the same amount with the Sports option package, which contains items such as a firmer sport suspension, fog lights, sport front seats and larger tires on alloy wheels.

BMW hasn't lowered quality standards for the 318ti, which has the same 106.3-inch wheelbase as other 3-Series BMWs and is identical to the sedan models from the front bumper to the windshield pillars. After that point, the new car is different. It has two side doors that are longer than those of the 3-Series two-door coupe and is 8.8 inches shorter than that model, which has a regular trunk. The simpler, lighter rear suspension consumes less space.

The 318ti has its own interior design, with a different instrument panel. The car comfortably seats four tall adults and has a big, easily loaded cargo area, which can be enlarged by flipping the rear seatbacks forward.

The only noteworthy interior design goof is a headlight on-off control awkwardly located behind the steering wheel. Both front and rear seats are very comfortable.

The 318ti has direct, precise power steering and a supple ride from its all-independent suspension. Handling and braking are excellent. The new model has rear-wheel drive to give it better balance than a front-drive auto. A small, rear-drive 1995 car is unusual for the U.S. market.

The major rub with the 318ti--at least for those who dislike shifting gears--is that one must work the standard, somewhat notchy five-speed manual transmission a lot to get good performance from its 138-horsepower four-cylinder, 16-valve engine. You'd better be in the right gear when a good burst of power is needed.

The high-revving, dual-overhead-camshaft, butter-smooth engine is a good one. But the 318ti is rather heavy for the motor, at 2,734 pounds with a manual transmission and 2,822 pounds with the optional, $975 automatic.

The four-speed automatic 318ti model is noticeably slower and not as much fun to drive. The 318ti, which calls for premium fuel, delivers an EPA-estimated 22 m.p.g. in the city and 32 on highways with the manual and 21 and 29 with the automatic.

BMW says a slightly larger, 1.9-liter four-cylinder, with the same 138-horsepower rating but more torque for much-needed, extra low-end punch, will power 1996 models. The engine probably still will emit a low drone at highway speeds that makes one wish the car had an overdrive sixth gear.

BMW clearly is aiming the 318ti at a young, safety-conscious audience by providing air bags and anti-lock brakes. It stresses that the 318ti's ``staunch'' body structure is engineered to deal with rigors of an offset frontal crash, besides less-demanding full-barrier front and rear crashes. The car also meets the tougher 1997 federal side-impact tests.

The 318ti gets its name partly from the fact that it's a 3-Series BMW powered by a 1.8-liter engine. The ``ti'' designation--first used by BMW on its 1964 1800ti sporty, high-performance sedan--stands for touring internationale and relates closely to the Gran Turismo (Grand Touring), or GT, tradition of combining performance with practicality.

The 318ti does just that, besides reminding one of the revered, sporty 1968-76 BMW 2002 model, which put BMW on the map in this country.