2012 BMW 3 Series 318i Coupe Sport Plus 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Stunning
Faults:
Small oil leak.
Air con re gas.
Brake grind, just needed new pads.
Wheel wobble, balanced wheels plus checked alignment, sorted now.
General Comments:
I have never enjoyed a car soo much as I have in the last few years with this 3 series coupe.
Stunning to look at and drive. My car is black with 19 inch wheels.
Interior oozes quality. After nearly 13 years this car is as good as new inside and out! Very comfortable and visibility is good.
The car is amazing to drive. Handling is perfect. Clutch and gearbox are smooth. The 318 has a 2.0 petrol engine. It strikes a fine balance between power and economy. You want all out performance? Get the M3. You want good mpg? Get a diesel. Otherwise, this 2.0 petrol engine will satisfy most drivers who just want to cruise and have the occasional bit of fun on a twisty country road.
Be aware these are expensive cars to fix if anything major goes wrong, BMW are expensive. But luckily I bought a genuinely looked after car from a reputable used dealer. Do your research and buy carefully, these cars are over a decade old now.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 8th February, 2025
7th Jul 2020, 13:32
They are nice cars, but the reason people stay away from them is as you mentioned, very expensive when they do go wrong, even if you use a cheaper garage rather than a main dealer. Not everyone has a mechanic in the family unfortunately.
Myself I live in the UK and ran a BMW 3 series years ago, great car, but had a local specialist BMW guy check it out for me. Was no more or less reliable than any other car I had, but was still quite expensive when it did go wrong.