Faults:

Within a month of receiving it (it's a Japanese import), the air conditioning unit failed - common fault apparently on cars coming from Japan. Replaced under warranty, which was fortunate as it required an entire dashboard removal at enormous cost.

Trip computer didn't work when got it, switch broken, small cost of change at BMW garage ($50 or so).

Tiptronic box occasionally showed a warning light on the dash. BMW did something with it attached to a computer, and it stopped. The box itself always performed fine.

General Comments:

The extortionate cost of European cars in NZ means that a 325i "Highline" from 2002 is a flash vehicle, despite being almost 10 years old. For the equivalent cost, you'd be looking at a 4 year old 335i in the UK.

Saloon car, Highline odd Japanese spec, similar to UK/NZ "SE", but has bigger 7 spoke alloys, electric seats, heated seats, Tiptronic, 10 speaker stereo, wood trim, leather and ski bag. Possibly some additional extras from the original dealer. No cruise control, parking sensors or multi-function wheel though.

The car is very smooth to drive, not especially economical, but acceptable. Quick when pushed (unsure if this is the 192bhp version in Europe, or the 184bhp version from the US), and very comfortable and well specified. I test drove a 2009 Holden Commodore SV6, and a new Subaru Legacy Estate, and the BMW still feels tighter and better put together. Great handling too, and still looks good.

Recommend people to find a similar one. The only thing I would add is a 330i offers a lot more performance for little more to buy second hand (and the same economy); or the 320i offers only slightly lower performance, and tends to be a fair bit cheaper... I'd also probably prefer no wood (looks tacky) and cloth seats (oddly feel classier on BMW, not sure why, maybe it's just me...)

Faults:

Replaced or attended to under warranty:

Fuel pump pressure intermittently weak.

Turbo unit.

HVAC fan condenser.

Ongoing issues:

Tow ball interferes with parking sensors.

Intermittent rattle coming from driver's door area - can anyone out there help? It's been to the dealers a few times with no cure yet, and is the only issue that spoils this car

General Comments:

This is an almost perfect set of wheels for those who like driving coupled to an element of practicality.

While the 3 Touring is not the roomiest of estate cars, it gets the job done well enough, so long as you're not always moving house or doing furniture delivery as a living. For me, it has proven ideal transporting parts for an old car I am doing up as well, as lugging business signage around. The tailgate provides better access to the available load area than the rather narrow conventional boot opening on the four door and coupe models.

The previous owner specified it with almost every option - power moonroof, M sport kit (bringing with it 17" alloys and lowered suspension, sports seats, leather M steering wheel with audio and cruise control remotes), heated leather front seats, TV, climate control, rear park sensors and tow package, so it lacks only power seats, which I can readily do without.

The ride is a little compromised with the firmer M sports suspension and low profile 17" rubber, but it corners beautifully.

There have been a few problems, but these were resolved under the extended BMW warranty cover, which has now just run out. I am now on a wing and a prayer and undecided as to whether to continue enjoying the 330d or look around for something new/newer.

The biggest problem is what to eventually replace it with.

The current E91 3 Touring is a non-starter for me as it has challenging styling, and an ugly dash and interior to my eyes, so let's not go there.

BMW, you did a disservice by making the E46 too bloody good and dropped the baton with its replacement. Hopefully, the next generation 3 will pick up where the E46 left off.