Faults:

Had to replace front u-joint due to contact with a piece of road debris. This was a major undertaking at a cost of about $1,200.

Nothing else has gone wrong.

General Comments:

I use this car as my daily commuter (100 km return, city and highway) and it handles this task superbly. Great performance, reasonable economy and very comfortable. Because of my commute, I purchased an automatic, but next time will go back to a 5 speed. I expect to keep this car for another couple of years and don't expect any major problems. I still have recommended maintenance carried out on time by a dealer; it's expensive, but well worth it.

Faults:

Rear brake discs, pads, and handbrake drums and pads needed replacing when serviced, not cheap at the main dealer, but a superb job done. When you have got 1.5tons travelling at 100mph+ and you put your foot on the brakes you need them to be spot on!!!

Suffers badly from stone chips this is made worst by the fact my car is metallic diamond black.

General Comments:

Extremely impressed, I knew they good, but not this good!!!

Fast car, not that quick from a standing start, but on a dual carriage way or motorway awesome!!! Floor it 80 and it just kicks down and the speedo rockets round effortlessly 110mph+!!!

Easily beats boy racers in GTi's and rep's in their V6 Mondeos or Vectra's.

Fine sporty handling for such a big heavy car, but the tail can come round, not a problem in the dry, but a bit of a heart stopper in the wet!!!

I love it!!!

Faults:

Rear offside Pitman arm replaced.

Anti-roll bar links replaced.

Fuel lines corroded.

Rear differential seal leaking.

Clutch bearing disintegrated at 91,000, ball bearings floating about in housing caused more damage.

Some rust on suspension parts and bodywork.

Wobble at ~60 MPH, worse on braking. Cause unknown, but various explanations range from wheels out of shape to thrust arm bushings worn.

Service, MOT & repair costs in last six months have been ~

General Comments:

Car drives very well apart from the 60mph wobble. Takes corners well although the back end will step out if pushed too hard

Acceleration is excellent compared to a Primera 1.6 and can easily cope with a full boot and 5 occupants.

This one has most of the toys (sunroof, trip computer, front fog lamps etc) so it is quite comfortable.

Steering wheel seems a little large if you have long legs, but is great to use once you're in the driving seat.

Boot is surprisingly small (Primera's is larger)

Rear legroom is not great if front seats tilted or slid back.

Seats are nice and firm and drivers seat is easily adjustable.

Faults:

Most of the issues with the car have been routine wear and tear. BMW'S require routine maintenance; and in the process many "faults" will be discovered by the dealer.

At approximately 85,000 miles I did have a coolant system problem that resulted in oil somehow leaking into the coolant system.

At 120,000 miles the neck on the radiator cracked, necessitating a new radiator being installed (approx. $1,000).

For some reason the car does seem to idle high, creating a noticeable vibration when stopped. It is not the fastest car off the mark, but at freeway speeds it truly shines.

General Comments:

This car has completely held up to the high standard you would expect from a BMW. At 130,000 miles, this car is remains incredibly tight and dependable. As my main vehicle to commute to and from work (approx. 1 hour each way), the car is very comfortable and enjoyable to drive.

Faults:

Only major problem was the differential joint bearings, very expensive to repair (£470).

Rear brake light tends to blow regularly.

General Comments:

Besides the problem with the differential joint and a fairly high fuel consumption, this car is amazingly good value. A well maintained Beemer will give you many more years service than comparably newer models from other manufacturers. Avoid dealer servicing, repairs.

Faults:

Nothing yet!

General Comments:

After 20yr's of BMW's, this is the best one so far. The twin-cam, 24valve engine (m50) is far better than the older engine:-- much more power + more economical. SUPERB!