Faults:

I've had absolutely no problems with this car.

General Comments:

I've owned this car just over a year now and I couldn't be happier with it.

My wife and I are retired, love to travel and have put over 30,000 miles on it in the year we have owned it.

The seats are exquisitely comfortable, and with the memory function it's easy to get it back just right after someone else has driven it.

The cargo space in the back has been just right for all of our luggage and gear.

It has never gotten less than 23 mpg anywhere we have driven it.

Despite being a little taller, it handles just like one would expect a BMW to handle.

Unlike SUV's I've driven, you never get the feeling that it's going to tip over or get away from you.

The engine is powerful, silky smooth and quiet.

It will easily creep into 100mph territory if you don't pay attention or keep it on cruise control.

The gears are well paced on the manual transmission, and it shifts smoothly into every gear.

It has the finest leather I have ever seen in a car. It has real character and grain to it, is butter soft, and covers the entire seat not just the tops.

The interior fit and finish is beautiful with quality evident in every area.

Faults:

Cup holder in dash stuck.

Rear ash tray popped out.

Fuel sending unit went bad.

Replaced two tires after "bumping" curbs.

General Comments:

1. It's a small SUV. Lots of headroom, but the rear seats are cramped and the "trunk" area behind the seats is fairly small. Rear seats will fold down to expand area, but you have to remove the headrests if your seat setting is for a tall guy like me.

2. The leather seats are incredibly uncomfortable. Didn't think about it when I bought it, but after 3 years it's one of the disappointments. It's hard and "pebbly" and on the door arm rests actually uncomfortable. Very Teutonic comfort wise. The newer models have gone to regular leather.

3. This car can move and handle. There's no doubt about it. A hundred miles an hour up a long stretch on the turnpike without a hiccup. I use the manual shift option around town because in auto or sport options the car drags.

4. The 'no maintenance' option is really nice. You don't pay anything for standard maintenance, including oil changes, brakes, wipers, etc. I actually won't hit the 50,000 mile mark in the four years of the warranty. I expect regular service after the warranty is very expensive.

5. Well-made car. Odd problem with the instrument panel fuel gauge, but no other hiccups. Radio controls are confusing. Setting the clock is a major deal.

6. Very expensive for what you get. I've done my new BMW and SUV thing and will probably drop down to a used Acura 3.5RL, which I think for the price is the hands-down winner in this class. (The 3.5 RL, not the newer spaceship RL.