1992 BMW 3 Series 318is coupe review from UK and Ireland

Rear suspension bushes replaced.

ABS sensor failed.

Cracked exhaust manifold.

New front wings due to corrosion.

I bought this car from a BMW dealer when it was 6 years old. Unfortunately, one of the mud flaps fell off a week after I took delivery to reveal some corrosion on the wing. Both wings were replaced even though the car was 2 months outside its corrosion warranty. My first six months were not to good. A failed ABS sensor and a failed rear suspension bush required a further three visits to rectify. The next two years were trouble free (the cracked exhaust manifold was fixed during a service) and since I sold the car to my father a year ago, its been fine.

The BMW coupe is an excellent compromise between performance and comfort. The cabin has excellent ergonomics with only a slightly offset driving position to spoil the otherwise excellent design.

Performance of the 140bhp engine is adequate... if you can afford it get either the 2.5 or 3 litre version.

Handling is excellent. In the dry, the handling is neutral, with a hint of understeer when pushing on. With only 140bhp and 245 section tyres, oversteer is very difficult to provoke. In the wet, more care is required as the car will oversteer if provoked, but the warning signals are their to be read...

The car is now 10 years old and could pass for a car half that age given the way it looks and performs. BMW's are expensive to maintain, but last very weel when they are.

BMW customer service is second to none and the warranty is excellent. Well worth purchasing as parts and labour are very expensive.