Faults:

Power steering noisy, maybe fluid issue.

Whole exhaust changed, rust holes etc.

The temperature needle goes above middle in heavy traffic, but normalises soon after.

General Comments:

A solid motor. Doesn't handle very well, but is quite nippy, especially with kick-down!

I bought it with genuinely low mileage and it does feel like a late model car. It is extremely reliable, has never let me down.

The Cabin is defitely gloomy, but the bmw red/orange dash light does it for me!

Faults:

One month after purchase, the engine blew. This was replaced with a reconditioned unit which, along with a new clutch, has made the vehicle feel as good as new. Numerous electrical faults have occurred, but these have been easy and cheap to replace on a DIY basis. For example, batteries on the SI board replaced, Electric mirrors now working and back lights for the OBC replaced.

General Comments:

I find the car a pleasure to drive, on either short or long journeys. The seats are comfortable and unlike with previous cars, I am not tired after a long journey.

The handling and steering have been excellent, needing no attention, just basic visual checks.

Good boot space for basic loads, shopping, suitcases etc, but I was very surprised to find that the back seats do not fold down. Even my 1964 Citroen Ami managed that task.

With the new engine and clutch, performance and economy is as it should be. Indeed, many a 'racing rep' have been annoyed at how easily the car can scream past their new cars, leaving me with a big smile on my face.

In fact, despite the expensive engine replacement, this car has been one big pleasure to drive and own.

Faults:

Split in Rubber air intake boot, cost £10.00 from main dealer.

Drivers seat has fair amount of wear, but fitted beaded cover, so can't see or feel it.

Hydraulic headlamp adjuster doesn't work.

Annoying rattle from somewhere in the back, after lots of investigation, it turned out to be slight wear in the tailgate lock, slight adjustment solved it!

General Comments:

I bought this car as it seemed very practical, loads of room in the back when the seats are folded (or removed).

Also a very solid feeling car to drive.

I didn't however, expect the performance, it has phenomenal acceleration, & sticks to the road well, in the dry, in the wet you have to be a bit gentle with your throttle foot, or the back end starts swaying!

Faults:

Original exhaust was on the car. This needed replacing as soon as I bought it. It hadn't lasted too bad though, 116000 miles! These are not cheap from BMW! I plan to replace it with a stainless steel pattern exhaust.

In-car headlight adjuster does not work. Have been told this is very hard to get working again properly. Luckily, there are manual adjusters with which to aim the headlights and doing it like this is an easy job.

The gear knob needed changing as it had somehow snapped. Cheap from main dealer!

General Comments:

I bought the car because it was a 4-door car with a big boot/trunk, but with a large engine and a reputation for being reliable. I have not been dissapointed with the performance of the car or its reliability (yet). It handles well enough considering it has soft suspension, but I would like it to be firmer. The driving position took a lot of getting used to at first as the pedals are quite offset to the right (righthand drive cars). The power steering makes the car very nice to drive, but makes it very very light at high speeds.

Considering its age it has lasted very well, it has virtually no rust to speak off on it. The red paint has started to pale a bit on one side, but I blame this on the fact that the car stood for 7-8 months prior to me purchasing it!

It eats motorways and isn't as thirsty as you would think at 70mph.

I have carried out all the basic servicing myself since I bought the car. I have changed the engine oil/filter, gearbox oil, differential oil, front brake pads, air filter, fuel filter, windscreen wipers and distributor rotor arm myself. All these parts were bought from my local main dealer and were certainly not as dear as I had originally thought!

The 325i needs specific tyres, V-rated radials, shopping around I managed to save £31 per tyre!