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BMW 318ti Cargo Space

The 1999 BMW 318ti has 15 cu ft of cargo space behind the rear seats: room for 2 checked suitcases or 7 carry-ons.

EPA interior volume · 15 cu ft cargo · 87 cu ft cabin · measured 1999 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

Among 71 sedans and coupes with a similar-sized cabin, the average is 16.5 cu ft, so the 318ti sits below it.

What actually fits in a 318ti

It has stayed at about 15 cu ft in every model year we hold, 1995 to 1999.

FIG.01·BMW 318ti — what fits in the trunk
What you are loadingHow many fitEach item
Checked suitcases227 × 21 × 14″ — 4.6 cu ft
Carry-on cases722 × 14 × 9″ — 1.6 cu ft
Grocery bags12about 1 cu ft each
Golf bags2full set, about 5 cu ft
Folded strollerFitsabout 6 cu ft
ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA cargo volume

Cabin or cargo — where the space went

FIG.02·BMW 318ti — cabin versus cargo
SpaceVolumeShare of total
Passenger cabin87 cu ft85.3%
Cargo area15 cu ft14.7%
Total interior102 cu ft100%
ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA interior volume

Against cars with a similar cabin

FIG.03·BMW 318ti against similar cars
MeasureThis car71 sedans and coupes with a similar cabinDifference
Cargo volume15 cu ft16.5 cu ft-1.5 cu ft
In checked suitcases22+0
ROWS 2·SOURCE ForCar, computed across cars of similar cabin size

Cars with the same room

Against its closest rivals: the Ford Probe has 19 cu ft, the Kia Sephia 14 cu ft and the Daewoo LANOS 12 cu ft, next to 15 cu ft for the 318ti.

FIG.04·BMW 318ti — cars with the same cargo room
CarLoad volumevs BMW 318tiChecked suitcasesMeasured
Mazda MX-315 cu ft0 cu ft21996
Mazda 32316 cu ft+1 cu ft21995
Hyundai Excel14 cu ft-1 cu ft21994
Mitsubishi Precis14 cu ft-1 cu ft21994
Kia Sephia14 cu ft-1 cu ft22001
Toyota Celica17 cu ft+2 cu ft22005
ROWS 6·SOURCE EPA interior volume + ForCar
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Everything on the BMW 318ti
Recalls3 campaignsFuel economy24 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems12 complaintsCheck a VINAgainst this exact buildDimensionsSize, weight, generationsWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1981–2000

Frequently asked questions

How much cargo space does the BMW 318ti have?

15 cu ft behind the rear seats in the 1999 model, with 87 cu ft of passenger space. The average for 71 sedans and coupes with a similar cabin is 16.5 cu ft.

Does the 318ti have more cargo space than the Ford Probe?

No: 15 cu ft against 19 cu ft for the 1997 Ford Probe, about 4 cu ft less.

Has the 318ti's cargo area got bigger over the years?

Not much overall: 15 cu ft in 1995 and 15 cu ft in 1999, within 2 cu ft in every year we hold.

Which cars have the same cargo room as the 318ti?

The closest by volume in the same body family are the Mazda MX-3 (15 cu ft), Mazda 323 (16 cu ft) and Hyundai Excel (14 cu ft), against 15 cu ft for the 318ti.

Cargo and passenger volumes from EPA interior-volume records, measured 1999 for the BMW 318ti, seats up. Luggage capacity computed by ForCar at 80% usable volume against airline-standard case sizes (how we count). Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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