Faults:

New cam lifters and followers at 110,000 miles as the engine is very "clattery" at certain revs.

Water pump disintegrated at speed on the A14, but no engine damage. 145,000 miles on the original pump.

Central locking niggles - many parts replaced.

Sunroof handle broken.

General Comments:

Superb to drive, handling magnificent, power and grace.

Little room in the back.

Parts and servicing a constant expense.

Faults:

Air inlet manifold gasket leak.

New rear discs and pads.

Most rubber hosing in the engine compartment renewed.

New fuel injection relay (old part number unreliable).

Worn parts replaced in the rear suspension.

General Comments:

Beautiful engine note, worth the money!

Road holding fine in the dry, dangerous in the wet. Respect the car in the wet.

Good firm seats, very little interior wear for a 12 year old car.

Good dash layout. Simple, and well built.

25 to 31 mpg range, typical 300 miles per £40 tank of petrol.

I use an independent BMW mechanic and save £

Faults:

Nothing at all has gone wrong. I had it serviced, when it was due, and little things were recommended, ie. replace rear silencer box, a couple of new suspension bushes, it could do with a new rocker gasket, the main thing was a new cambelt. Still, that was only a recommendation.

General Comments:

The car is excellent. Keep it clean and get good comments on it every week. If it needs new parts, non BMW are a LOT cheaper.

Faults:

Whining differential (replaced).

Wooden brakes (changed to Ferodo).

Leaking wash bottle (used silicon).

General Comments:

My old 323i used to take off from 4000 revs, this one takes off from 2000.

Very comfortable long distance high speed cruiser with room for the slightly larger essentials.

Faults:

Drainage bung behind the driver's seat in the floor needed replacing.

Super wide Carlos-fandango alloy wheels needed cleaning.

Slight oil leak from the front of the engine - suspected cam seal.

General Comments:

Enjoyable car to drive.

Slightly thirsty.

Faults:

Clutch.

Water pump.

Windscreen washers.

Headlamp washers.

General Comments:

A smashing car to drive and reasonable petrol consumption for the engine size.

Seats not very comfortable, but who cares!

Faults:

I warped and cracked the front discs three times in 20,000 miles. BMW badges in front wheel centres charred from heat. Rear damper mounts wore out. Nothing else.

General Comments:

For a car to be driven this hard and show such reliability is a compliment to BMW engineering. Braking system was uprated to 325i spec, OE vented discs/discs, to stop fading due to abuse. With the standard brakes, these cars have a 1.1G deceleration potential, stopping easily from 100 mph in 100 yards. With the uprated brakes it could do this far more times before fading. In the wet this car gripped like a leech, just get good tires. I recommend Goodyear Eagle NCT2 205/55 R15 for great wet/dry grip and very progressive at the limit.

Economical/reliable/great handling/low running costs.

Faults:

Every now and then the starter motor refuses to turn, and when it does it makes a crunching noise. Passenger electric window switch keeps failing, and the wipers often stick.

General Comments:

Good strong engine, goes on forever. Very comfy on long journeys. At 90,000 miles the car has no squeaks or rattles and is very smooth.

Faults:

Console lights on heater buttons have gone out, due to wires coming loose.

General Comments:

Great performance, spec and reliablity for a car of this age. Servicing prices can be expensive.

Faults:

One interior panel warped a little.

General Comments:

Best car I ever owned, I miss it. Wonderful handling. Suspension too stiff for long distances but great for the country. Slightly noisy but great fun.