1986 BMW 3 Series 320i review from UK and Ireland

Alternator regulator packed in.

This caused the battery to overcharge, overheat, and melt spectacularly.

Rotten boot lid under the rear spoiler allowed water to seep into the boot.

Differential clunked on slow gear changes.

Gear linkage failed - just £17 for a BMW main - dealer part.

Wheel bearing at 120,000 miles.

Had a bit of an appetite for brake pads.

The body was far from pristine.

Seats wear and get torn easily.

Interesting performer. Throttle response from the bottom of the rev range was awful - I don't know if it's a general characteristic of the car, or maybe I just got a dodgy one.

I managed 130mph once, and it felt like she'd pull more than that given more road.

There are few things that sound as sweet as that straight six motor screaming up to the red-line - it's totally addictive.

Sideways motoring was not a problem. Dip the clutch and floor it and you're on the next ship to Planet Opposite Lock :D.

The power steering is probably the best weighted and most responsive I have used to date - nothing like the super light assisted steering found in many of today's cars.