2200-Mile 1998 BMW 318ti: Today’s BA T Gem

A beginner-friendly BMW from the late 1990s equipped with the appropriate features.
This 3-series The variant was more compact and lightweight compared to its coupe and sedan counterparts.
This unit features exceptionally low miles, with its Bring a Trailer online sale concluding on July 17.

The most affordable BMW models available right now, such as the 2-Series or the X1, come with MSRP prices that typically stay near the $40,000 range. However, keep in mind that when accounting for inflation, this amount would be similar to what you’d spend on the smallest BMW in 1998—the hatchback edition of the 3-Series. Back then, just like today, you weren’t getting many additional features without paying extra, yet you still received an authentic BMW driving feel at a more budget-friendly cost.

This 1998 BMW 318ti comes with all the desired features and boasts exceptionally low kilometers driven. It's available for purchase on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver is part of Hearst Autos. It comes equipped with the M Sport package and a five-speed manual transmission, giving it a more aggressive appearance along with a firmer suspension for enhanced driving dynamics. At only 2,200 miles driven, this vehicle could offer a better deal compared to a newly discounted BMW.

The concept of a hatchback version of the 3-Series felt somewhat unusual to American buyers when the vehicle first launched, yet it wasn’t seen that way in Europe. Known as the 3-Series Compact, it had origins dating back to the 2002tii Touring, merging the usefulness of a hatchback with the agile driving characteristics and powerful four-cylinder engine that attracted numerous enthusiasts of German engineering.

Significantly less than eight inches taller than the 3-Series hatchback, the U.S.-spec 318ti Had a distinct rear suspension compared to the regular vehicle, exclusive door designs, and a separate instrument panel layout. To reduce costs, BMW opted to remove certain amenities (such as a flashlight in the glove compartment and a temporary spare tire rather than a full-sized one). However, if your focus was on purchasing the 3-series wagon for its mechanical excellence rather than comfort, the essential quality remained evident beneath the surface.

First of all, the 318ti weighed approximately 130 pounds less than the coupé and saloon models, which made it faster when braking and accelerating. It also had a slightly livelier handling character, possibly more likely to induce oversteer compared to its larger counterparts. Sounds ideal.

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 "Motoren," that output might seem unimpressive, but this is a BMW four-cylinder from a time when you had to wring the engine's neck to get the best experience. No lazy turbocharged torque and upshifting early, the 318ti wants you to mash that throttle.

This instance remained in long-term storage and was processed prior to sold at an auction on Bring a Trailer several years ago . In addition to the firmer suspension, the M Sport package includes fog lights and several stylish exterior enhancements; other available features consist of a sunroof and heated front seats. Overall, it remains in nearly brand new state, both internally and externally.

During that time, we favored the Acura GS-R over this budget-friendly BMW because of its high-revving four-cylinder engine. However, when considering the appealing, rounded back design and rear-wheel drive configuration of this 318ti, it becomes clear why someone might have opted for the BMW instead.

If the present discounted deals at BMW aren't appealing to you, consider this standout option from earlier times. The 318ti may not have had as many features as its larger sedan or coupe counterparts, but it remained an authentic BMW.

The sale concludes on July 17th.

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