Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 60,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 318i.
The 1993 BMW 318i is a compact executive sedan equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission, with service requirements calling for 5.3 quarts of oil within the 15W-40/10W-40/10W-30 viscosity range meeting API SJ specification, and returns EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. With 11 total owner complaints and 2 recalls during this model year, the 1993 sits below the 1994 peak of 14 complaints but above the 1996 low of 3, placing it in a moderate position within the 1991-2001 complaint history, with Engine & Engine Cooling emerging as the most frequently reported issue category.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 67.3 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3086 lb |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 28 / 22 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 86 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 318i of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 318 318i Sedan 1.8L I-4 | 9.70 sec | 17.30 sec | 113 hp | RWD |
| 1991 | 318 318is Coupe 1.8L I-4 | 8.70 sec | 16.40 sec | 134 hp | RWD |
| 1991 | 318 318is Coupe 1.8L I-4 | 9.70 sec | 17.30 sec | 134 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 318 318ti 3-door Hatchback (Active) 1.8L I-4 | 7.80 sec | 16.10 sec | 138 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 318 318ti 3-door Hatchback (Sport) 1.8L I-4 | 8.40 sec | 16.40 sec | 138 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 318 318i Sedan (Sport) 1.8L I-4 | 8.80 sec | 16.60 sec | 138 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 318 318ti 3-door Hatchback (Sport) 1.8L I-4 | 8.90 sec | 16.60 sec | 138 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 318 318ti 3-door Hatchback (Sport) 1.8L I-4 | 9.20 sec | 17.00 sec | 138 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.3 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.4 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.3 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 60,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1993 318i sits early in a rising complaint arc that peaks at 14 reports for both 1994 and 1995, up from 8 in 1992 and 9 in 1991, before falling sharply to 3 in 1996. Recalls dip to two in 1993 after a high of three in 1992, then hold at two through 1995, while technical service bulletins remain steady at three through 1993 before climbing to six by 1995. Engine and engine cooling accounts for nine of the 11 complaints in 1993, though the data does not specify the root cause. No crash or fire complaints were recorded for the target year. The 1993 model shows moderate complaint volume relative to the generation's peak years but elevated engine-related reports compared to the prior two model years. This is a reasonable year to buy if the engine cooling system has been documented as serviced, but it carries more reported engine complaints than the 1991–1992 models.
All 11 complaints on record, top 3 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 12 14 97 | 1997-08-01 | Electrical System | M42 FAULT CODE 200/333. DME CONTROL UNIT MEMORY CHIP IS FAULTY. *AK |
| 41/03/96 | 1996-11-01 | Structure | WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *TW |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.3 qt of HIGH PERFORMANCE MINERAL OILS: ABOVE 5 degrees F: 15W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, -5 degreesF TO 68 degrees F: 10W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, 5 degreesF TO 50 degrees F: 10W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 32 degrees F:, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.