2001 BMW 3 Series 320d review from UK and Ireland

Brake problems, mainly overheating, and too much fade.

Security system faults.

Has overheated in the summer.

A few minor electrical and engine management faults (fixed under warranty)

Nice driving position, logically laid out controls and good fuel consumption are a bonus.

Very torquey as you would expect, however its no performance machine.

I am a rep and do a lot of miles, but this car is no quicker than your average Jap 2.0 saloon, it has loads of mid range pull, but runs out of steam through the gears and does not possess the seamless almost relentless urge of other higher revving cars I have driven.

It has been pretty reliable, and of course I'm not paying the bills, but if it was my money I wouldn't buy one. I think this is partly due its image which is increasingly low rent and down market coupled with some of the other manufacturers coming out with great cars.

My company have solely German vehicles, but I believe that is to change due to the advent of more competitively priced and modern stuff on the market.