1.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
114,000 miles

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problem #2

Mar 212007

318 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles
Bmw318ti - both driver-side and passenger-side window regulators have had problems. Replaced the passenger-side regulator twice already in the last few years. Fortunately once was within the one-year warranty of when it broke the first time so the expense was just the labor, still expensive. Just this week the driver's side regulator failed. Not a cheap fix, and quite a scare when it actually happened. An unexpected loud crack and the window crashed to the bottom of the door, just a few seconds after the window button was depressed. Would love to hear that there was a recall. This was getting too be very expensive.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

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problem #1

Jul 182006

318 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 144,000 miles
3 series models (E36) and notably the 318ti BMW automobiles have an extremely high failure rate for the window regulators. Its not uncommon to have to repair them annually at a cost of approximately 300 dollars per door. The failure occurs without warning causing the window to jam, or fall inside the door. This is a well known documented problem among the owner community and reactions at dealers is "oh yea happens all the time." I propose this could present an egress issue in event of an emergency.

- Methuen, MA, USA

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