Faults:

Coolant level sensor failed at 98,000 which resulted in the car beeping whenever I turned it on. 15 pounds in bits and ten minutes under the bonnet fixed it.

Brake pads wore out at 100,000 miles.

General Comments:

This is the only car I've driven which can deliver both gentle, smooth Sunday afternoon driving and still let you drive like a boy racer when your mood changes.

The handling is better than the Peugeot 306 I used to own which is surprising since it weighs three times as much. Although you feel a little isolated from the road sometimes.

It eats up motorways and I have found myself going for four hours without a break before now.

Servicing was expensive to start with, but since finding an independent specialist is probably the same as any other car.

The interior is very well laid out and made to a very high standard. Not a rattle or squeak from anywhere, which is better than a lot of brand new cars. The only downside is the number of ways you can adjust the drivers seat, which means it can take a while to get comfortable.

Try and get an SE, then you get lots of goodies on board like leather seats, on board computer and alloy wheels.

Faults:

Viscous Coupling (at 56K)

Water Pump (at 70K)

Clutch Slave Cylinder (at 70K)

Brake Pipes & Track Rod Ends (67K)

SLIGHT rust (bubbling just below petrol tank, & front corner n/s/f/door) - To be remedied, although note that this car is cherished and garaged.

General Comments:

Beautiful Car, both in looks and running

Slightly underpowered at low speeds, as regards acceleration, although it's an awesome motorway car (constant 125mph without complaint, and it feels like 70!)

For a big 2.0 engine, this car returns between 26 and 35 mpg (29 is the usual "urban" return) therefore I consider it economical.

Not very expensive to run or service, parts no dearer (and sometimes cheaper) than most makes.

This car is 12 years old, and I've owned it for 6 (I bought it from the one previous private owner) - I can't see it not lasting another 12...

Faults:

Water-pump, radiator, and thermostat re replaced every 30,000 miles at £250 a time. I live with very hard water apparently!!

New shock-absorbers, coil springs and brake disc's every 25,000 miles. cost £800 a time.

General Comments:

Having gone from a small 3-series 323i BMW 2-door saloon to a 5-series automatic BMW tourer it took a while to adjust to the loss of power.

I spend £1000's on replacing parts that wear out, but I have the car screaming and crying non-stop.

If ever you wanted a very comfy shed on wheels with a surge of extras and some power then you'll love this car.

I still get 45 miles-Per-Gallon at over 100,000 miles on my engine now so need I say more?

Faults:

Head gasket blew (may have cracked head - still in garage)

Driver's door central locking motor not working.

Check control 'licence plate light' warning keeps coming on (somebody PLEASE tell me how to get rid of it)

Under heavy acceleration, engine seems to flat-spot a few times through the rev band (3, 3.5, 4k revs)

Engine vibrates at 2.5k revs for some reason?

Bit of valve-train ticking on cold start-up.

Cam-chain/vanos-chain chatter above 4k revs.

General Comments:

Overall a quality car for the money.

Supposed to be the most reliable BMW ever built - can't see it myself.

Note from 'zorst system sounds mint.

Drives very nicely.

Not impressed by coarse sounding engine and poor reliability (BMW reckon M50 engine is prone to cracking head)

When changing coolant PLEASE PLEASE only use BMW coolant. Spend few more pennies now - save lots of pounds later.