Faults:

The usual things have gone wrong for a car of its age and Ks.

I have replaced the water pump, accessories belt, power steering belt, cooling fan clutch hub, thermostat, radiator cap, replaced leaking RH front strut, and had the discs machined.

In the future will need to replace a seal under the oil pump, which are known to perish and leak oil, and it's in a difficult spot to access, but that's cars for you.

General Comments:

I don't know where to start, as the car really is that good for its age. I will start by saying that it is the best steering car I have ever driven, and I have driven quite a few other more modern cars (although not modern BMWs or the like). It feels solid and direct, and you can for example comfortably take your eyes off the road for a few seconds while changing the radio station, and know that the car will stay smack bang in the middle of the road; there is no wandering.

The auto gear box is smooth and fast changing, although there is a slight feel of wear or slack when dropping from 5th to 4th, but nothing that would cause any concern, and it also has a very 'smart' computer running the gear changing, which almost seems to think for you.

The ride is flawless, and incredibly smooth and quiet, with no vibration at all; just the deep smooth note of the 6 cylinder engine.

The handling is fantastic at low or high speeds, with a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution over the front and rear wheels, and independent rear suspension, and it's forgiving and feels very safe. It has no body roll and seems to take so easily anything I care to throw at it.

It's not overly fast, but more than makes up for it in economy and driving quality.

The electrics are the way they were when new, the seats are extremely comfortable, and the car has back up systems for certain components if they happen to fail i.e. gearbox control unit, sunroof, petrol flap and more.

When the water pump failed, I was stranded in the middle of nowhere and overheated the car more than I should have. It survived with flying colors, and I know for a fact most cars would have ceased, yet to this day it runs like a new engine.

The only negatives I can think of are there is no adjustment of the timing of the intermittent windscreen wipers, and I found the heating system slightly confusing (and actually still do), but it does have dual climate control.

Built to withstand the rigours of Nurburgring raceway, it's overall a fantastic old car.

Faults:

Not a single thing has gone wrong with this car since I have owned it. Have not had to take it in for anything.

General Comments:

German engineering at its finest! I'd like to see Toyota make a car half this good.

Performance wise this car is excellent; good acceleration, and can pass others with ease.

The handling on this car is like a dream, handles like it's on rails.

Pretty good gas mileage for a 93, and the technology in this car is quite impressive, once again considering the year; power doors and locks, power sunroof and seats, thermometer, dash monitors the fluid levels and will tell you if a light has gone out or something (hasn't happened to me though), and other similar things.

Overall, a great car, and I will only buy BMW from now on!

Faults:

Radio chip was short circuiting.

At 152000 kms the radiator had to be replaced.

Blue smoke is coming from the exhaust.

The driver electric window arm snapped, and the passenger electric window motor stopped working. The dealer wanted R3000 for the arm, and R1870 for the motor.

General Comments:

This is a lovely car to drive, with loads of style, and a beautiful shape.

The sports seats are a bit too low, and can be hard at times.

It is very heavy on fuel and servicing, and parts prices are unreal.

The car is very, very low, and scrapes on the smallest of bumps.

You have to watch your speed in this car because you can be doing 90, and it feels like 60. It's extremely nimble and grips the road well.

Being a rear wheel drive it is a bit skittish in the wet.

I absolutely loved this car, and was very sad to sell it, but I didn't have a choice as it was expensive to run.