Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1984 318i.
The 1984 BMW 318i requires 4.2 quarts of oil in viscosities from 10W-50 to 20W-50 rated API SL, a specification reflecting the era's preference for heavier grades. Its owner-complaint tally stands at five, with Engine & Engine Cooling the top category, against a backdrop of zero factory recalls. That figure sits beneath the 1991–2001 model-year range of three to fourteen annual complaints — though the 1984 model precedes that tracking period, so its reliability narrative rests on this limited early sample.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 318 318i Coupe 1.8L I-4 | 11.60 sec | 18.30 sec | 101 hp | RWD |
| 1982 | 318 318i Coupe 1.8L I-4 | 10.50 sec | 17.50 sec | 101 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 |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.2 qt of 20W-50 / 15W-50 / 10W-50 API SL 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 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 20W-50 · API · 15W-50 · 10W-50 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.2 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1984 BMW 318i recorded five total complaints, with the majority occurring in Engine & Engine Cooling (3), followed by one report each for Power Train, Vehicle Speed Control and Service Brakes, Hydraulic. There were zero reported crash or fire complaints for this specific year. In comparison to the provided federal records from 1991 to 2001, where complaints peaked at 14 in 1994 and 1995, the 1984 model shows a lower volume of issues. While the data does not provide records for the years immediately preceding or following 1984, the target year's complaint count is lower than most of the subsequent years listed. Based on this data, this is a good year to buy.
All 5 complaints on record, top 3 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 1 of 1 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. |
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.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.2 qt of 14 degrees F TO 122 degrees F: 20W-50 API SL OR GREATER, -4 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 15W-50 API SL, -22 degrees F TO 68 degrees F: 10W-50 API SL OR GREATER, -40 degrees F TO 23 degrees F: 5W-30 API SL OR GREATER, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.