318i Life expectancy

[RogerUK]

I have a 1998 318iSE Touring with 11000 miles and as new condition. I mainly use an old Volvo 940GLE Estate for normal work and to transport the dogs. I know the Volvo will be good for at least 200000 miles and 20+ years but can anyone tell me if I can expect the same from my BMW. Both cars are maintained meticulously and driven gently.
Many thanks in anticipation of reply. I am just new in here!
Kind regards
Roger

[328isRob]

I know several people with 92-93 318's and have 170k+ miles on them on the original engine and transmission with no problems.

[clockworksmurf]

bmw's are made to last...my 87 325is has over 200K and it still kicks ass, i drive it hard to! just make sure u change the oil every 3k miles and u should be good to go:smoker2:

[Technodrome]

My Cousin has BMW 318is 1992 and it was reading 156,000 Miles when I visited him last time. No problems at all.

My other cousin had 325 86' it runs forever!!!!!

No worry, every BMW is durable and last forever....

[bugfighter]

If you had to buy a used, old BMW, chances are you can't go wrong, but there are a few years to watch for. I have this guide on buying a used car and they give low marks to the 3 series in the early 90's, compared to other cars in its class, but other years check out pretty good.

[bmwe30cr]

I have a friend that own a 1989 320i touring and it is in perfect condition. Those cars are forever.....

[Bean Bandit]

If you don't kill the engine rev to the redline when the engine is still cold you can do your 200k miles with it no prob. In general for that generation - listen to your car it will tell you when it sick, serious.:bandit:

[bmwe30cr]

See the picture in my signature. that is my 1990 BMW 325 with 180000 kilometers, and runs like it was new. I brougth it from Holland last year. I went trough an emission control last week and from the maximum CO limit that is 4.5% in Costa Rica this car got 0.01%.

[jprhodes]

should you change the oil more frequently than the "next service" indicator on the dash? how often?

[bmwe30cr]

I change the oil every 5000KM this is aprox. every 3000 miles.... Also I change spark plugs every 2 months, I use split fire triple platinums. Is also a good idea to replace the original air filter with a high perfomance K&N filter, you will save money and the performance will improve a lot.

[328isRob]

You change the spart plugs every 2 months? I change the oil about every 4-5 months... usually when it tells me too. Spark plugs should last 50,000 miles not 2 months.

[bmwe30cr]

Yes I changed them every two months I like to keep my little baby nice and well maintained. On my 2001 Toyota Rav4 I don't usually changed them so often....

[meandmy3]

I have seen some early 90's go 500000 kms. These are properly maintained examples though. All cars break, some more often then others.

[csieminski]

1986 528e, 275,000 miles (443,000 km), few problems, runs great