Faults:

Exhaust rusted to pieces.

Sticking air valve.

Corroded brake lines.

Track rod ends wore out.

Dials failed.

Things starting to rattle.

Four sensors (brake light, coolant, washer fluid, brake pads) warning of non-existent problems.

Fuel line leaking.

General Comments:

This car had a full BMW service history from one owner when I bought it, and I hoped for some trouble free motoring. I was very wrong. The last service came in at £500, and that wasn't a BMW dealer.

Very unpleasant car to own; I was led to believe these were fun to drive, but it lacks any spirit unless you really thrash it. The power doesn't come in till about 4000rpm, and even then it isn't that great.

Although the car is quiet to drive, the suspension is harsh and doesn't seem to deliver stable handling either; it all feels rather jumpy when taking a corner ambitiously. I'm sure this could be sorted with uprated suspension, but considering the firmness of the ride, I expected better from the stock shocks.

By far the worst thing about the car however, is the truly diabolical fuel economy. When I first got the car, I thought there was a fuel leak; that's how bad it is. It could be expected in a fast or heavy car, but this car isn't fast or heavy; I simply don't know what it's doing with it all. I don't drive fast, but this car will happily empty its tank in just a few hours of gently driving, and it will take £50 in the tank.

It's got to the point now that I dread driving this car, and I don't know why I've kept it as long as I have. It's going up for sale now and I'll be glad to be rid of it.

On the plus side, it's given me plenty of problems, but has never left me stranded. It always starts and never stops.

Faults:

Alternator regulator packed in.

This caused the battery to overcharge, overheat, and melt spectacularly.

Rotten boot lid under the rear spoiler allowed water to seep into the boot.

Differential clunked on slow gear changes.

Gear linkage failed - just £17 for a BMW main - dealer part.

Wheel bearing at 120,000 miles.

Had a bit of an appetite for brake pads.

The body was far from pristine.

Seats wear and get torn easily.

General Comments:

Interesting performer. Throttle response from the bottom of the rev range was awful - I don't know if it's a general characteristic of the car, or maybe I just got a dodgy one.

I managed 130mph once, and it felt like she'd pull more than that given more road.

There are few things that sound as sweet as that straight six motor screaming up to the red-line - it's totally addictive.

Sideways motoring was not a problem. Dip the clutch and floor it and you're on the next ship to Planet Opposite Lock :D.

The power steering is probably the best weighted and most responsive I have used to date - nothing like the super light assisted steering found in many of today's cars.

Faults:

New exhaust system @ 210,000.

Coolant light stayed on all the time.

General Comments:

Bloody good car.

Picked her up at 4 years old with 14,000 on the clock for just £4500, from some old boy who couldn't drive anymore.

Totally luxury car, full leather, full electrics, ABS, PAS, on board computer, you name it she had it.

Great car until I wrapped her around the backside of a Fiesta with a tow bar, insurance write off!