1990 BMW 3 Series 318is review from UK and Ireland

Required a tune-up when purchased, but fine thereafter, until recently; Economy has gone from 34-35mpg to 30-31mpg under same (hard) country driving conditions, and despite another recent tune-up, where no faults were discovered. Performance is unaltered in every way, but economy is down... Very frustrating.

Required a new timing chain and sprockets when I bought it - £300 parts alone.

Had a broken rear coil spring when I got it - £140 from BMW for the pair... Had to go to BMW as it's relatively rare and after-market places don't do many parts.

Otherwise, exceptionally reliable.

I had an '85 Audi 80 Sport for 13 years and 250K miles, and could not replace it, it was such a great car; light, quick, economical, stiff, good handling, cheap to run and utterly reliable. Finally though, it started to get rusty and I cast around for a replacement. After a recommendation I looked at a few and bought one of these little BMWs.

Initially, and still even now to be honest, I miss the torque and driveability of my old 1800 Golf GTI engine in the Audi. Conversely, the BMW has great throttle response, especially on heel-and-toe downchanges, and it's a willing engine with reasonable economy (32mpg).

The chassis however, is great - very well balanced in dry and wet assuming you have the right tyres on the car. I put Koni shocks on it with standard springs and ride height, and though the ride is a little jiggly, the handling is really rewarding, so well balanced compared with a front-drive car - even something like a Pug 205.

The brakes were renewed before I bought the car and they are very good as standard - good bias and plenty of stopping power.

The driving position lets the car down a little for me - not a patch on most Audis. I had to make brackets to allow the BMW Sports seats to go further backwards, for my legs, but then am too far from the wheel for my liking (too many years rallying and racing...)

I find the car OK, but not brilliantly comfortable for long distances beyond about 2hrs.

The best bit though, is returning to the car after a while like say a holiday, or having driven something else, especially a more modern car.

It feels so alive, lithe, responsive and informative, with no rubbish like ABS, traction control and other electronics to stop you having fun, that it never fails to impress me.

And despite 155k miles, it still has many more left in it, and looks tidy to boot. A pity that the E30s have a bad reputation as a 'chavs' car, because they got softer and less communicative after that.