Faults:

Failed to start (one occasion).

Front bushes worn (general wear and tear).

General Comments:

Equipment in the car is to a very high level; electric heated seats, climate control, auto anti dazzle mirror, rear park sensors, multi function steering wheel, cruise control, electric roof etc.

Not much room for those unfortunate enough to be in the rear of the car, but if they are in the rear I guess they are not as important as those in the front (I'm joking).

The back end is very light when pushed; it's stepped out on me a couple of times in the wet.

Ride is fairly comfortable, as best 18 inch wheels with low profile tyres, can be.

The car is relatively fast, but it's never going to set the world on fire; it's a heavy convertible with an auto gearbox.

Fuel consumption is averaging 26.7 MPG (not that I am counting).

Obviously best when the roof is down, turns into a different car when the sun is out. In the dry it handles extremely well and has a sure-footedness that is difficult to find in a lot of other cars. The car still looks good and is always commented on about how nice it is. Orient blue metallic with black leather and blue hood; a nice combination to my mind.

In general, the car is well built, has a good level of equipment, good standard ICE, smooth gearbox, relatively quick, nice tone to the engine, slightly thirsty, but be careful in the wet, the difference in performance from dry to wet is almost staggering.

Faults:

So far everything has been fine, but I have one major niggle that nobody can get to the bottom of, even 2 BMW specialists.

There is a loose wobbly feel from the steering when driving very slowly, under 25mph and going over cobbles, small hard bumps in the road. It's almost as though something is loose on the steering column. It's not the bushes or steering coupling; had both replaced. It also does it when you simply sit in the car, engine can be on or off, and move the steering a little to the left and right - you feel this loose sensation then too. There is no wheel wobble on the motorway, so not balancing or tracking- this is a completely different feeling- my problem is really bad on cobbled streets. It is really bugging me, can anyone help please??

A fair amount of road noise for a German car, rattly centre armrest, squeaky brakes, but this is probably because it has non genuine BMW pads fitted. When the sunroof is open, the wind deflector makes a right racket; it's so noisy unlike most other cars with these deflectors fitted.

General Comments:

Ace handling, road holding, steering poise is great, feels very well built. Hated the original MV wheels, so fitted other BMW wheels; this also greatly improved the tram lining and twitchy feel that was ever apparent, especially on the inside lane of the M25 or M6 where the lorries go and leave grooves, it was bordering on dangerous!

Sat nav/TV great, engine sounds lovely, but can be a bit boomy at times with that M sport standard exhaust.

I overall love the car and am impressed with the great fuel economy, but will it be as reliable as a Japanese car? I hope so, but this steering wobble is really annoying me...

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This is a seriously capable car.

It's quick, comfortable, well made and surprisingly economical.

I've recently bought my car - at <£6,000 I think it's great value.

I enjoy it in so many different ways - the understated looks, the feel of the high quality materials, the glorious sound of the engine, and the way it handles.

I'm getting 30 mpg on my daily commute - 15 miles each way on A roads. My best is 33 mpg from a full tank when I used half the tank for a long motorway trip.