BMW 318Ci Cabrio (E46)

BMW 3 series 2003 2.0 petrol description

Cabrio BMW 318Ci Cabrio has been produced from March, 2003 to March, 2007. It has four-cylinder petrol engine with displacement of 2.0 litres, which produces power of 143 horsepower on 6000 rpm and torque 200 Nm (Newton metres) on 3750 revolutions per minute.

This 4-cylinder 16-valve engine camshaft is driven by chain (What is an engine chain and belt? ). Engine has fuel injection system without turbocharger. The engine meets the Euro 3 emissions standard. Average engine life expectancy (mileage before serious repairs are needed) is from 240 000 to 410 000 kilometres. Remember that engine life depends on regular maintenance and the quality of the materials used (oils, fuels, etc.).
More engine specs 
This BMW 3 series 2.0 engine oil type is 5W-30 and oil capacity is 4.25 litres.

BMW 318Ci Cabrio has classical rear wheel drive (RWD) and manual gearbox with 5 gears.
BMW 318Ci Cabrio accelerates to speed 100 kilometres per hour in 10 seconds. The maximum speed of this car is 206 km/h.

The fuel consumption of this BMW 318Ci Cabrio in combined mode (combining urban and highway driving) is 7.8 litres per 100km (12.8 km/l), fuel consumption in city - 11 l/100km, highway fuel economy - 6.1 l/100km. Fuel tank capacity is 63 litres or 16.64 gallons, which gives a mileage up to 800 kilometers without refueling in urban cycle and even up to 1020 kilometers on highway.
According to user reviews, this BMW real everyday fuel consumption is 8.3 litres per 100 km, which is 6% more than the manufacturer's stated. More - Real BMW 3 series fuel consumption.

BMW 3 series safety

During safety testing BMW 3 series has obtained 5 stars from five, which means very high safety level.
Adults (driver and passenger) safety of BMW 3 series is evaluated with five stars, children safety - with four stars, and for pedestrian protection BMW 3 series got one star.

With the same engine there is also BMW 3 series version with automatic gearbox (BMW 318Ci Cabrio AT) available, which is more sluggish, reaching 100 km/h 1.3 seconds later (in 11.3 seconds), moreover, it is less economic with manufacturer's fuel consumption is higher by 0.6 litres per 100 km or 8 % - 8.4 litres per 100 km, whereas users reported real fuel consumption is higher by 1.3 litres per 100 km or 16 % - 9.6 litres per 100 km.
BMW 3 series 2003

BMW 318Ci Cabrio technical data

Model: BMW 318Ci Cabrio
Body style: Cabrio
Production period: 2003. March ... 2007. March 
Engine: 1995 cm3 Petrol, 4 cylinders CO2 emissions: 190 g/km
Power: 143 HP ON 6000 RPM Torque: 200 NM ON 3750 RPM
Gearbox: Manual gearbox (5 gears) Drive type: Rear wheel drive (RWD)
Maximum speed: 206 km/h Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 10.0 seconds
Fuel consumption (l/100km): 7.8 (combined) 11.0 (urban) 6.1 (highway)
Real fuel consumption: 8.3 l/100km (28.3 MPG) by user reviews from various sources
Fuel tank capacity: 63 litres (16.6 gallons)
Car dimensions: 4.49m (length) 1.76m (width) 1.37m (height)
Turning diameter: 10 meters
Trunk capacity: 260 litres
Trunk max capacity: 300 litres (with rear seats folded down)
Gross weight: 1925 kg

BMW 318Ci Cabrio engine N42B20

Engine reliability:

Overall, this engine can last around 240,000 to 410,000 km if properly maintained, using the correct quality oil and fuel, and carrying out regular checks and maintenance.
The engine has hydraulic valve tappets (lifters), which provide quieter operation and do not require periodic adjustment, but are more complex in design and can cause serious engine damage in the event of failure.
Engine displacement 1995 cm3
Number of cylinders 4
Bore (cylinder diameter) 84 mm
Stroke length (piston move) 90 mm
Compression ratio 10 : 1
Camshaft drive Timing chain

Chain motors are considered more reliable, chain replacement usually is required less often than a timing belt, but they are often louder and vibrate more.

Fuel system Injection
BMW 318Ci Cabrio oil type 5W-30
Oil capacity 4.25 litres (4.5 quarts)
Coolant capacity 7.5 litres (7.9 quarts)
Power 143 HP ON 6000 RPM
Torque 200 NM ON 3750 RPM
Start of production (year) 2001
Duration of production 6 years

Often in the first years of production, engines tend to have various constructive problems, so it is recommended to choose a car with this engine from 2004 onwards.

All BMW 3 series cabrio [2003 - 2007] modifications

Modification Engine Power Consumption Gearbox
BMW 318Ci Cabrio

Most fuel efficient petrol version

2.0 Petrol 143 HP 7.8 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 318Ci Cabrio 2.0 Petrol 143 HP 8.4 l/100km Automatic (5)
BMW 320Cd Cabrio Oct 2004 — Sep 2005

Most fuel efficient diesel version by real consumption

2.0 Diesel 150 HP 6.3 l/100km Manual (6)
BMW 320Cd Cabrio Oct 2004 — Sep 2005 2.0 Diesel 150 HP 6.3 l/100km Automatic (5)
BMW 320Ci Cabrio 2.2 Petrol 170 HP 9.4 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 320Ci Cabrio 2.2 Petrol 170 HP 9.8 l/100km Automatic (5)
BMW 325Ci Cabrio 2.5 Petrol 192 HP 9.6 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 325Ci Cabrio 2.5 Petrol 192 HP 9.9 l/100km Automatic (5)
BMW 330Ci Cabrio

Most dynamic version - 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds

3.0 Petrol 231 HP 9.6 l/100km Manual (6)
BMW 330Ci Cabrio

Most powerfull petrol version (231 HP)

3.0 Petrol 231 HP 10.0 l/100km Automatic (5)
BMW 3 series 2003 reviews
Alfa Romeo Audi BMW Chevrolet Chrysler Citroen Dacia Dodge Fiat Ford Honda Hyundai Infiniti Isuzu Jaguar Jeep Kia Lada (VAZ) Land Rover Lexus Mazda Mercedes Mini Mitsubishi Moskvich Nissan Opel Peugeot Porsche Renault Rover SAAB Seat Skoda Smart Subaru Suzuki Toyota Volkswagen Volvo
Contact us: info@auto-abc.lv