By BOYSST
on 22nd Apr 2008
BOYSST's Ratings| Year Manufactured | 2005 |
|---|
| Length of ownership | 2 years |
|---|
| Doors | 2 |
|---|
| Performance | 7/10  |
|---|
| Practicality | 7/10 |
|---|
| Reliability | 9/10 |
|---|
| Value for money | 7/10 |
|---|
| Overall value | 8/10 |
|---|
 BOYSST's recommendation |
Good Points
Build quality second to none. Three-year warranty as standard, with typical excellent after sales from BMW, where nothing is too much bother, the car is always returned washed and valeted regardless. Fully adjustable electric front seats with memory function give the perfect driving position with controls ergonomically designed. Easy to operate electric roof although you need to be stationary to operate (new models allow operation up to 25 mph). Its spacious, definitely not a two plus two, but a genuine four-adult seater. The usual BMW refinements abound; self adjusting non-reflective rear view mirror, cruise control and reversing side mirrors. Driven gently it will turn out 40 mpg combined, but around town this drops to 22 mpg.
Bad Points
Heavier than the saloon, this inevitably has an impact upon performance. The 318Ci is a 2 litre that will take you to 60 over 8 seconds, but you do have to push it to the red line at 6000 rpm. Wind with the top down at 50 mph is a real problem if youre in the back, so much so that it will literally take your breath away! My kids refuse to sit in the back with top down. Convertibles can be prone to roll without the roof to stiffen them, but theres no roll with the BMW, indeed the M Sports package includes lowered and stiffened suspension which means the handling is comparable with the saloon. Its expensive for what you get, the new 320CI M Sports retails at over 36k.
General Comments
The BMW 318 although a 2 litre is still underpowered, go for a larger engine size, or try the diesel which is more powerful and pulls better lower down the revs. The cruise control is easy to use, takes the strain off the driver and can increase the fuel consumption up to by 5%. BMW servicing can be expensive, although dealer prices drop for cars over four years old. Insurance can also be costly, most models fall are at least group 15, however the 318 is cheapest at group 13, and with an M Sports package and no badge on the back youll never be able to tell the difference between a 318 and more expensive models. If you want a quality four-seater convertible then this is the car for you, but if you only need two seats and want performance then look further afield.
