Average MPG for the 318ti?

[Kennection]

Hey, first post here haha. I'm getting this car in a week. Parents bought it for me as a first car and gift. It's a 1996 Black 318ti, and its an auto. Everything about it is completely basic. It's only got about 40k miles on it, very clean and such.

My question is, what do most 318ti's get as far as MPG goes? I know a few of my relatives are chewing me out on how much gas my car is going to be eating up. And I just wanted to see who is right here.

Thanks.

[mgbman69]

You should expect about 24mpg in town and about 32 on the HWY. Remember to use 89 or better octane though.

[Xenocide]

a little less than 24 in town since its an auto.

This car is great on gas, don't let them bother you.

[CirrusSR22]

When my ti was an automatic I would see about 23-24 mpg at worst in the city, but more normally about 26-27 mpg city. Highway cruising with a couple stops is around 32 mpg. A long, non-stop freeway cruise at 60-65mph will get you 33-35mpg, if not more. I touched 38mpg once, and into the 37mpg range a number of times.

My car is now a manual and the numbers are noticeably better.

[Xenocide]

When my car went manual, mileage DROPPED, mainly because I beat the crap out of it

[mgbman69]

Originally Posted by Xenocide

When my car went manual, mileage DROPPED, mainly because I beat the crap out of it

Umm, we also added two cylinders when your car went to manual. Oh and you did beat the living sh*t out of out.

[Kennection]

Alright thank you for the answers. Cause that's one of the biggest things that they're trying to call me out on. A 17 year old kid is driving too "nice" a car, and that he'll waste all his money on gas. Blah blah, this puts me at a little more comfort, knowing that the car gets some nice MPG.

[tiFreak]

I'll tell you right now before your family starts picking on your for this, the ti is also very reliable and not that expensive to maintain

[mgbman69]

For me, the Ti has been cheaper on gas and maintenance* cost then my Miata.

The cost of parts is actually cheaper then my CRX was.

*the cost of a dealer and shop can be quite high for BMW cars. The Ti is very simple and has a ton of web support on this very site making learning how to do your own work a breeze.

Don't let these folks give you a hard time. Be smart, be frugal and you'll get great service out of the Ti for not much money.

Keep the mechanicals stock though. Modifications, while fun can cause you to loose some of the low cost pluses of these little cars!

[gimp]

I've been logging MPG since the first of the year. I'm averaging 28.43mpg at this point, and that includes racing, etc.

[2ndBimmer]

I drive mostly freeway which going between 90+ in the mornings and a parkinglot in the afternoon. I normally get ~28 mpg.

And if the authorities are watching, thats 90+ in kph

[Times]

My family went a lil' crazy when I told them I bought a small BMW, but it's NOT a sports car, it only has 4-cylinders and it IS an auto.

I've noticed it consumes a little bit more than my previous beater, a Ford Escort...and I think that's due to sheer weight.

Roughly 33+ mpg/ Most my miles are highway: +60mph

2nd Bimmer, you also drive a standard...don't you...with some nice mods...which do help with mileage...:P

[2ndBimmer]

Originally Posted by Times

2nd Bimmer, you also drive a standard...don't you...with some nice mods...which do help with mileage...:P

It is a manual. I noticed 1 to 2 mpg drop after the DASC.

[familytruckster]

Good to know. I plan on using my ti as my replacement daily driver. I'm coming from a protege5, which gets 28-35mpg. I've also noticed the BMW parts are cheaper than the mazda stuff!

[Mopho]

Originally Posted by Kennection

Alright thank you for the answers. Cause that's one of the biggest things that they're trying to call me out on. A 17 year old kid is driving too "nice" a car, and that he'll waste all his money on gas. Blah blah, this puts me at a little more comfort, knowing that the car gets some nice MPG.

One thing, Ken.
ANY vehicle will be unreliable, get lousy gas mileage, wear out brakes and tires, fry transmissions, and generally will not be reliable if you abuse it.

I have had many many cars, including my first '96 White ti (last year) and a few E-30's that I never had problems with. I have gotten phone calls from the buyers of some of these cars saying the engine blew up, transmission went out, etc.
I know as a mechanic/body & fender journeyman, that if I had been driving these cars they would not have broken.
So what I am saying is if you drive your car with some integrity, pretending it will break if you constantly are racing around and speeding from point A to point B every day, your ti will become the most unreliable car you have ever owned.

Oh, that's right, this is your first car?
Good luck, and happy motoring.
Be safe.
And remember, speed kills.