The diesel-powered 1997 BMW 318 TDS was a member of the third-generation 1991 to 1998 BMW 3 Series. The 3 Series originally began production in 1975. BMW identified the 318s produced during this period with the in-house designation of E36. BMW positioned the 3 Series as the entry-level BMW under the mid-range 5 Series and the high-end 6 and 7 Series models. The automaker elevated the 3 Series to the mid-range level when BMW launched the 1 Series in 2004.
Body Styles
The 318 TDS model had a 1994 to 1998 production run and came as a two-door coupe, convertible, four-door sedan, also called a salon, three-door hatchback and the five-door touring wagon. All models could seat five adults.
Under the Hood
The "3" in the model designation identified the BMW as a 3 Series and the "18" denoted the engine displacement in liters, although the in-line four-cylinder engine actually displaced 1.7 liters. "TDS" stands for intercooled turbodiesel. The water-cooled engine featured two valves per cylinder and a 3.15-inch bore and 3.26-inch stroke. As a turbocharged diesel engine, the compression was high at 22-to-1 to generate 90 horsepower and 140 foot-pounds of torque. A standard high-pressure diesel fuel-injection system delivered the fuel to the engine. A standard five-speed manual transmission or optional automatic matched the engine.
Size
The 318 TDS featured a 106.3-inch wheelbase. Its front tread width measured 55.4 inches and the rear tread was 55.9 inches. It stood 54.8 inches from the pavement to the roofline. The body measured 174.5 inches long and was 66.8 inches wide. The weight distribution with the front-mounted engine was near ideal at 51/49. The curbside weight rating was 2,850 lbs. The fuel tank held 17.17 gallons and the cargo area in the trunk was 10.6 cubic feet. BMW mounted 185/65R15 tires on 15-inch wheels with the frame clearing the ground by 4.3 inches. The interior provided 38.1 inches of front headroom and 37.3 inches of rear headroom. Front legroom measured 41.1 inches and rear legroom was 34 inches. Shoulder room in the front seats measured 53.5 inches. In the rear, the shoulder room was slightly less at 53.3 inches.
Chassis
The front suspension consisted of an independent wishbone system while the rear was also independent with helical springs. Cremaillere Action Plus Inc. produced the steering system. The 318 TDS stopped on all-wheel disc brakes with the front discs vented. It also featured an anti-lock braking system, or ABS.
Performance
The 1997 BMW 318 TDS hit 0 to 60 mph in 13.7 seconds. Its top speed was 113 mph. It earned an average of 27 mpg. The touring wagon, produced from 1994 to 1998, had a top speed of 111 mph with the same gas mileage.
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