Faults:

Cracked headlight from a stone chip.

Needed an extra key.

Neither are a fault of the car itself.

General Comments:

Have owned the car for a year now and nothing has gone wrong. Have serviced the car fairly regularly myself (twice a year/every 10000km).

For a 12 year old car it is amazing! Leather in great condition (no cracks what-so-ever). Fantastic smooth engine and great handling.

Excellent balance between performance and fuel economy in my opinion. On the high way she will sit on 7L/100km and around the city usually around 10L/100km.

I love the manual transmission in the car as it has a short gear stick and is very smooth. Very pleasant car to drive.

Only downfall so far for me has been slightly small legroom in the rear for adults for long distances, but that’s what the 5 series BMW is for I suppose!

Also a large stone chip cracked one of my headlights, which I would assume would have happened to most cars.

Major downfall relates to the dealer prices; $300 for a replacement key (not including remote function). $600 for a key with remote function. I tried avoiding the dealer, but the security is far too tight a top locksmith couldn’t even do it!

OVERALL: Fantastic car that I would easily buy without a doubt. Just do the usual used car checkups before purchasing a specific one!

Faults:

Nothing major, minor bits consistent with general wear and tear, nothing that could leave you stranded on the side of the road.

General Comments:

This is my 3rd BMW. My previous vehicles.. Fiat 500, Mini Cooper s, Triumph Dolomite Sprint, TR7, Rover P6, Honda Civic, Toyota Corona, Saab 900 Turbo, Mercedes 280SE, Then my first bimmer, an e30 1990 318i. I still have it with 250k on the clock, its hard to fault, reliable, safe and economical. The chassis is what makes you come back. I then found a 1991 E30 318is. Anyone who is critical of an E30 318is has no idea what they are talking about or is driving something mistreated.

The E36 318is is more refined, but has lost the boy racer feel of the E30. The E36 is a beautiful car with clean lines and excellent build quality. It has ample space for 4 adults and their weekend luggage. The digital dual zone climate control is too fiddly, but all the other instruments are effective. The driving position is excellent. The doors could be heavy for a light person, but shut with a satisfying thud. Safety is much more than airbags, take off the door skins of a BMW and you will find crossmembers that don’t appear in your new Toyota. The economical and lively 1.9 4cyl lacks the acceleration to go with the looks.

For the purchase price, these cars put almost everything else to the sword. Don't go near a BMW without a complete service history, these cars are designed to be serviced by the book. Also, stay away from your BMW dealer after purchase; they are at best – incompetent. Find a specialist who has been around a long time.

Faults:

The old battery expired after 2and1/2 years (normal).

General Comments:

A very fine all round motor car. No wonder I see so many on the roads. BMW's just go and go.

Reliability is great, power is good, fuel economy is very good, comfort is fine, highway control is outstanding, cruises fabulous, panel layout is so sensible, classic design, handles superbly. Outlay cost was surprisingly good. I am so convinced that the Germans are the best car makers in the world - by a very long way.

This is my first BMW and will definitely not be my last. I previously owned French motor cars for over twenty years (Renaults and Citroens). Never again.

I recommend to anyone else who gets seduced by the Frog trap to take one last serious look at BMW's.