The Detroit News's view

We couldn’t help but think about the cast of the hit TV show Friends when we drove the 1996 baby BMW. OK, so it’s technically called the 318ti hatchback. And we’ll bet if Friends wasn’t set in New York – where people take the subway to work – at least one of them would put down their 20 grand (25, if equipped like our test car) on this affordable German two-door.

After all, they have the best hair. Why shouldn’t they have a great car to go along with the look?

She: This is the ultimate in instant gratification. You’ve got a newly minted graduate degree and an entry-level job, but it doesn’t matter. There’s an affordable BMW out there for you. In the old days, you had to have a fat savings account and some tenure on the job before you could ever even consider a fine German sportscar.

He: Or be an entry-level attorney. But you’re getting way ahead of me. You don’t have to be 25 years old – or on a limited budget – to enjoy the 318ti. Remember what Satchel Paige once said, “Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

She: Is that why you’re walking around with that David Schwimmer haircut?

He: I actually wish I had a David Schwimmer body, especially in this car. In keeping with its youthful image, the 318ti’s front seats appear to have been designed for narrower hips and slimmer thighs. But despite the wide center console, there seems to be enough room even for longer legs. And the optional sport package includes such interior touches as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and sport bucket seats with leather-and-cloth upholstery.

She: The baby BMW really reflects the thoroughbred tradition of its more expensive relatives in the European sport sedan class. Its got a twin-cam, 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine that makes a rather modest 138 horsepower, but it feels more powerful than the number would suggest. I’m old enough to be developing frugality and I was impressed with the 27 miles per gallon we got in our informal testing.

He: As long as you don’t start saving dryer lint or string.

She: Or gum wrappers.

He: I like the fact that the 318ti is priced like a Honda, but still drives like a BMW. Even without the nearly $5,000 worth of options on our test car, the basic vehicle is pretty nice. You get gas-pressurized shocks for a smooth ride, and front-and-rear stabilizer bars help keep the car buttoned to the pavement in fast corners. Variable-assist power steering is another nice feature that dials in more boost when you’re parking, but requires more steering effort on the driver’s part at higher speeds.

She: I think it’s got a real cute look, with a traditional BMW front end and a stubby tail. I was surprised, though, at the little squeaks and rattles we sometimes heard from the back and instrument panel. My other gripe was that the bucket seats seemed unusually complicated with a row of manual levers sandwiched along the side to control different functions l ike the rake of the seat cushion and recline of the seat back. It would seem simpler and more convenient to just offer power switches.

He: You can see other places where BMW cut corners to keep the price down. For instance, you get power front windows, with BMW’s great one-touch automatic up/down feature. But the rear windows are the cheaper, swing-out type. I don’t expect that will be much of a problem because I think mostly young singles are going to be buying this car.

She: I’m impressed with the attention to safety in the hatchback. You get everything from seat-belt pretensioners to standard antilock brakes and dual air bags. The side-impact protection also meets 1997 standards. In addition, there seems to be almost family-style cargo room in the back, but loading some items may prove to be a bit awkward. I know you couldn’t fit your bass guitar into the trunk until we dropped one side of the split folding rear bench seat.

He: I suppose those young Friends types woul ather know if you could fit a sailboard or a pair of skis back there. And I suppose the guys will want to know if the 318ti will get ’em a date with Courtney Cox.

She: I think that kind of talk went out with the Edsel. But don’t keep us in suspense.

He: Sorry, I’m clueless.

Anita’s rating: world class

Paul’s rating: above average

What we liked: Status at bargain prices; great powertrain combination; good safety features; sports-car handling.

What we didn’t like: Seats for buns-of-steel only; seat controls too complicated; a few chirps and squeaks on our test car; rear compartment a bit tight.

1996 BMW 318ti

Type: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, five-passenger sport hatchback.

rice: Base, $19,900; as tested, $25,200 (includes $570 destination charge).

What’s new for ’96: All-new model introduced in mid-1995.

Standard equipment: Variable-assist power steering, four-wheel power disc brakes, dual power heated mirrors, power windows with one-touch automatic up/down, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with cassette, power door locks.

Safety features: Antilock brakes, dual air bags, side-impact door beams, seat-belt pretensioners.

Options on test vehicle: Premium audio system ($550), limited-slip differential ($580), electric sunroof ($1,200). Sports package, including sports suspension, alloy wheels with all-season radial tires, leather steering wheel and shift knob, sports seats with cloth-leather upholstery and fog lamps ($2,400).

EPA fuel economy: 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway.

Engine: 1.8-liter I-4; 138-hp at 6,000 rpm; 129 lb-ft torque at 4500 rpm.

Transmission: Five-speed manual.

Competitors: Saab 900, Volkswagen GTI, Nissan 240SX, Honda Prelude, Acura Integra, Toyota Camry, Mazda MX6, Eagle Talon, Ford Probe GT.

Specifications: Wheelbase, 106.3 inches; overall length, 165.7 inches; curb weight, 2,734 pounds; legroom, 41.1 inches front, 32.6 inches rear; headroom, 38.1 inches front, 37.2 inches rear; shoulder room, 54 inches front, 53.1 inches rear.

12-month insurance cost: $1,140

Where built: Munich, Germany

AAA Michigan rates based on an average family of four from the Livonia area whose primary driver is aged 40 with no tickets who drives 3-10 miles each way to work. Rates reflect multicar discount and, where appropriate, discounts for air bags and seat belts.