{"id":863,"date":"2025-07-13T09:19:03","date_gmt":"2025-07-13T09:19:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/?p=863"},"modified":"2025-07-13T09:19:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-13T09:19:03","slug":"2200-mile-1998-bmw-318ti-is-todays-bring-a-trailer-find","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/?p=863","title":{"rendered":"2200-Mile 1998 BMW 318ti Is Today&#8217;s Bring a Trailer Find"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"col-body mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-[[fullbleed-start_body-start]_auto_[body-end_fullbleed-end]]\">\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\"><strong>Here&#8217;s an entry-level BMW from the late 1990s with the right options.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-[[fullbleed-start_body-start]_auto_[body-end_fullbleed-end]]\">\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\"><strong>This\u00a0<a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.caranddriver.com\/bmw\/3-series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:3-series;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"37\" data-v9y=\"1\">3-series<\/a>\u00a0variant was smaller and lighter than its coupe and sedan siblings.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-[[fullbleed-start_body-start]_auto_[body-end_fullbleed-end]]\">\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\"><strong>This one has incredibly low mileage, and its Bring a Trailer online auction goes until July 17.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The least expensive BMWs you can get today, the 2-series or the X1, have MSRPs that hover around the $40,ooo mark. Don&#8217;t complain too much, though, as, adjusted for inflation, that&#8217;s what you&#8217;d pay for the littlest Bimmer on the lot in 1998, the hatchback version of the 3-series. Then as now, you didn&#8217;t get a lot of extras unless you were willing to pay, but you did get a true BMW driving experience at a cut-rate price.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">This 1998 BMW 318ti has the right boxes ticked and incredibly low mileage.\u00a0<a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/bringatrailer.com\/listing\/1998-bmw-318ti-14\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:It's up for sale on Bring a Trailer;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"38\" data-v9y=\"1\">It&#8217;s up for sale on Bring a Trailer<\/a>\u00a0(which, like\u00a0<em>Car and Driver<\/em>, is part of Hearst Autos). It has the M Sport package and the five-speed manual, so you get a sportier look and stiffened suspension to go with your heel-and-toe shifting. With just 2200 miles on the odometer, it might be an even better buy than a new bargain BMW.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"rounded-lg\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/0FQ9LX4tnG1F4AXbQlriYA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/car_and_driver_581\/a2bfd818d5e5878ea6d0e3d260583b27\" alt=\"side view of green coupe parked near red roof building with grassy field behind.\" width=\"960\" height=\"641\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><button class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\" data-rapid_p=\"7\" data-v9y=\"1\"><\/button><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-[0.875rem]\/[1.25rem] mt-1  line-clamp-2 pr-2.5\">\n<div><span class=\"photo-credit\">Bring a Trailer<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The idea of a hatchback 3-series seemed a little weird to U.S. shoppers when this car debuted, but not to the European market. The 3-series Compact, as it was known, could trace its roots back to the 2002tii Touring, combining hatchback practicality with that nimble handling and four-cylinder punch that made so many fans of Bavarian-style motoring.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">More than eight inches shorter than the 3-series sedan, the\u00a0<a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.caranddriver.com\/reviews\/a45441923\/1995-bmw-318ti-archive-test\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:U.S.-spec 318ti;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"39\" data-v9y=\"1\">U.S.-spec 318ti<\/a>\u00a0got a different rear suspension than the standard car, its own unique doors, and its own dashboard styling. To keep the price down, BMW nickel-and-dimed some of the features out (no flashlight in the glovebox, a compact spare tire instead of a full-size one). But if you were buying the 3-series hatchback for the engineering, not the luxury, the good stuff was still right there under the skin.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"rounded-lg\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/Ot4xI6dl6zD7gSVz07U0fw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/car_and_driver_581\/8476099352350ce43796e2a8ba14fed3\" alt=\"rear three quarter view of green coupe parked on asphalt with trees in background.\" width=\"960\" height=\"641\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><button class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\" data-rapid_p=\"9\" data-v9y=\"1\"><\/button><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-[0.875rem]\/[1.25rem] mt-1  line-clamp-2 pr-2.5\">\n<div><span class=\"photo-credit\">Bring a Trailer<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">For one thing, the 318ti was about 130 pounds lighter than the coupe and sedan versions, making it quicker in both stopping and acceleration. It was also a bit more eager to dance, perhaps a little more prone to oversteer than its bigger cousins. Sounds perfect.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The 1.9-liter M44 inline four-cylinder engine fitted to this example made 138 horsepower when new, with 133 pound-feet of torque. For a company whose middle name is literally &#8220;Motoren,&#8221; that output might seem unimpressive, but this is a BMW four-cylinder from a time when you had to wring the engine&#8217;s neck to get the best experience. No lazy turbocharged torque and upshifting early, the 318ti wants you to mash that throttle.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"rounded-lg\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/uPfInXEBQ4dihTRHrGukew--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/car_and_driver_581\/4e3c75e62b8fbe1c15945ad45c6fe5e1\" alt=\"top view of engine bay showing silver valve cover, black intake components, and surrounding parts.\" width=\"960\" height=\"641\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><button class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\" data-rapid_p=\"10\" data-v9y=\"1\"><\/button><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-[0.875rem]\/[1.25rem] mt-1  line-clamp-2 pr-2.5\">\n<div><span class=\"photo-credit\">Bring a Trailer<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">This example spent time in long-term storage and was sorted out before\u00a0<a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/bringatrailer.com\/listing\/1998-bmw-318-16\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:being auctioned on Bring a Trailer a few years back;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"40\" data-v9y=\"1\">being auctioned on Bring a Trailer a few years back<\/a>. Besides the stiffer suspension, the M Sport package added fog lights and some handsome body upgrades, and other options include a sunroof and heated front seats. It&#8217;s basically in like-new condition, inside and out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">In-period, we gave the nod to the Acura GS-R over this entry-level BMW for the former&#8217;s rev-happy four-cylinder engine. But looking at this 318ti&#8217;s happy, ducktail looks and rear-wheel-drive layout, it&#8217;s not hard to see why a buyer would have chosen the Bimmer instead.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"rounded-lg\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/bfrLsEDy4AKE7Spwj5r2.w--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/car_and_driver_581\/2a76337782914d8dde0ab316c2018338\" alt=\"interior front view of coupe showing gray cloth seats, manual transmission, and black dashboard.\" width=\"960\" height=\"641\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><button class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\" data-rapid_p=\"12\" data-v9y=\"1\"><\/button><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-[0.875rem]\/[1.25rem] mt-1  line-clamp-2 pr-2.5\">\n<div><span class=\"photo-credit\">Bring a Trailer<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">If the current cut-price options at BMW don&#8217;t stir your soul, then here&#8217;s a choice pick from the past that just might do the trick. The 318ti might have offered fewer goodies than its bigger sedan or coupe brothers, but it was still a true BMW.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 leading-7 text-[18px] md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The auction ends July 17<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here&#8217;s an entry-level BMW from the late 1990s with the right options. This\u00a03-series\u00a0variant was smaller and lighter than<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":864,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-autos","category-life-autos"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=863"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":865,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/863\/revisions\/865"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}