With this information forever stored on our mental hard drive, we consoled ourselves with the knowledge that at least the 318ti looked better. Tooling up Highway 1 to Oxnard we noticed for the first time that the premium stereo in the 318ti is outstanding. Even playing cassette tapes, the sound that issued from the speakers was better than most home stereos. We also experienced the ease with which the driver has access to everything in the car. Highway driving was smooth and uneventful, untroubled by wind or disturbing squeaks.
Back road driving pleasure ranks with other, more expensive, European cars.
After switching drivers in Santa Paula, I got the opportunity to conquer the Dennison Grade that descends into Ojai. The scenery on this stretch of California road showed me what the state must have looked like before the entire country moved there and decided to build split-levels on every available piece of land. I must confess, however, that the autumn trees and fertile valleys were the least of my pleasures that day. The dulcet tones emitted by the 318ti's exhaust system and melodic pitch of the 1.8-liter engine in every downshift truly captured my heart. The car performed like a cat chased by a dog, wheeling around corners on its sturdy suspension, tires gripping the pavement like they had claws, the steering res ponding intuitively to every movement of my hands.