Faults:

I bought a bad example (problems surfaced much later), so this is not representative of all BMW 320ci's:

The BAD:

2nd gear synchro would occasionally go (once every 1000kms or so), which would embarrassingly see me crunch my gears (for two months I had started to think that perhaps I lost my ability to drive a manual until I got myself another car).

The clutch has this RIDICULOUS "Clutch Delay Valve" made for people who are so smooth at using a clutch to smooth out the engagement. This, however, has the opposite effect if you are a smooth clutch engager. Fortunately, it is something you can remove and this improves things greatly.

My engine was burning 5L of oil a month or every 2500kms. Rings were on their way out - but the car did not blow any visible smoke...

Main pulley bearing was on its way out (not unreasonable for 175000kms).

Plastic radiator side tanks were leaking (can't expect too much for a radiator of this age).

Leather seats would wear fairly easily on the drivers door side.

Coupe doors are damn heavy when parked up a hill - it should have some stronger intermediate stoppers to help it prop open for a car of this class.

Handling was not as good as what I would have expected - steering is somewhat unresponsive, and the car did not feel as flat as I would have expected from a BMW (perhaps my shocks were on their way out).

General Comments:

Beautiful car. Very nicely put together. Beautiful interior. Nice range of colours in the range. Excellent materials, excellent design. Good thickness metal in the bodywork.

Engine (although only a 2.3L six) has a beautiful note - so smooth and deep.

Fuel economy was 7.5L/100km for intra/inter-suburban driving. Perhaps the fact that my particular car was an oil burner may have helped.

I would buy a better example in future if the opportunity presents itself.

Faults:

I have replaced two light bulbs.

General Comments:

This car is a real ultimate driving machine.

Its 136 horsepower engine is magnificent.

It really does handle like it's on rails.

Performance is not earth shattering from the word go, but once you get moving most cars are usually in the way.

Built quality is second to none.

Manual transmission is absolute joy and very user friendly.

After 152200 km it drives like brand new car.

This car will last forever with proper maintenance.

With combination of city and motorway driving, I get about 900 km out of the tank of diesel.

When I take everything into consideration, this really is the ultimate driving machine.

Faults:

The sunroof failed on the first day I owned the vehicle. The car had to be given back for 1 day for repair.

The spare keys were the wrong keys for the vehicle. It took the dealer 6 weeks to order a new set.

The left passenger automatic window failed. The right driver's window failed about 8 months later.

The air conditioning fan would turn on automatically causing the battery to fail. The dealer replaced the fan.

The battery was also replaced.

The engine fan would not stop once the car turned off causing the battery to fail. The dealer replaced the fan.

The dealer found a failed shock absorber which required replacing.

General Comments:

The dealer was supportive. Each repair however required me to wait for a booking for approximately 4-6 weeks.

Faults:

Vehicle rolls and pitches at highway and freeway speeds.

Rattles in the front driver's side door.

Rear head rests come off in your hand when trying to adjust them.

The external side trim on the driver's side came loose and had to be refitted.

Cruise control button replaced twice.

Automatic transmission required adjustment.

All tyres and rims had to be replaced so as to try and obtain better road handling, these efforts were unsuccessful.

General Comments:

A real lemon.

I would NEVER consider the future purchase of a BMW vehicle.