Faults:

Passenger ball joint has started to clunk.

I still have a vacuum leak.

Warped front disc's.

Rear suspension trailing arm bushes.

Seized thermostat.

Leaking fuel tank.

General Comments:

This is a lovely car to drive, with excellent handling and a decent amount of poke from the silky smooth 2.0L straight 6 engine. You can even put a £1 coin on the engine whilst it's running and it hardly moves... how cool is that!

My fuel economy started off terribly, but the reason for this is because some previous nit-wit owner had fitted a 14v truck battery to it... replacement to a proper one quickly restored 35+ mpg.

Fold down rear seats also make it very practical too.

The driver side carpet is a tad ripped due to someone driving it in high heels by the looks of things, but otherwise the interior is very hardy.

Otherwise I'd say the reliability is very, very average. I've had other cars this age and had fewer problems, especially with such low mileage.

I'd probably go for a diesel next time for the increased fuel economy (this thing really can drink it if you push it too much) and the extra motorway torque.

Faults:

Rear suspension bushes replaced.

ABS sensor failed.

Cracked exhaust manifold.

New front wings due to corrosion.

General Comments:

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.

Faults:

Overall this has been a very reliable car. I drive it hard once up to full temperature and love that 6-cylinder engine :-)

A trait of the early e36's is water pump failure. BMW fitted water pumps with plastic impellers. Over time these break and your car overheats. If you are very unlucky then all the bits of plastic will be sent round the cooling system causing blockages. Also if you don't notice you may overheat and do serious terminal head damage. Read 1000ukp+ to repair.

Why am I saying this? I learnt the hard way! Luckily though all I needed was a new pump. I knew of this fault when I bought the car, but didn't replace the pump as a precaution. If you have a pre 95 with the M50/M52 engine then please change that pump! Its 27ukp from eurocarparts and is very easy to fit. Less than an hours work for an average home mechanic.

I also had a rear wheel bearing done.

The car just flew through its MOT and I was very happy and suprised.

General Comments:

This is the E36 version (91-98)

My cars first owner (chartered accountant) had it for 9 years. The first 3 of those were as his company car and then he bought it from the Lease Company. It's a fantastic spec and has over 5k worth of options. Sunroof, climate, air con, computer, cruise control, auto gearbox, extended wiring loom (???), spoiler. You get the picture! Total cost was 28k, nearly the same as the current 325i!

Second owner had it for 2 years and also looked after it very well.

I bought it in February this year. Even though it is now 10 years old I can say it still drives very well. Rear suspension may need some work soon, but there is nothing of major expense. I've added late e36 coupe alloys, white 'm3 style' light kit, parking sensors, sports interior from a 98 328i sport and my private plate. It looks just like a 98 car now. Tasteful mods I think and nothing overboard or non BMW.

The coupe handles so much better than the saloon as it has the full MTEC suspension. My old e36 318i was a bit like jelly in comparison, but still a nice car all the same.

These cars are currently crashing price wise. Grab a nice one now before the boyracers ruin them and it will last you for years. Much better than a 12 month old boring corsa or fiesta!

To be honest parts and servicing are also very reasonable. I get mine 'oil' serviced at a main dealer and do all the other bits and pieces myself. Last service including full valet and courtesy (e46 316I) car came to 70 quid! The dealer I use is Preston Hall in Stockton.

Go on, buy that BMW you have always wanted :-)

Faults:

Ride is terrible. Major recall in 1997 due to steering rack fault (fixed free of charged). Center heating unit broke, passenger rear door faulty.

General Comments:

BMW's are prone to criminal damage due to image. Dealer has been very good but repairs are expensive.

Faults:

Manual sunroof stuck after it came off it's rails. Tappets are currently rattling.

General Comments:

Performance of 1.6 engine is poor at town speeds, but >50mph and its cool. But hey, it's my first car and it looks fantastic!