Faults:

Only fault so far has been a leak round the wind-screen, caused by a badly fitted replacement (not by BMW). Otherwise it's been perfect.

General Comments:

Very smooth engine, effortless motorway cruising, acceptable fuel consumption - 32mpg on a steady run.

Model without a sun-roof, has excellent headroom. Rear headroom not so good, but passengers can walk if they feel that strongly about it!

Seats are firm but very comfortable on long trips.

Faults:

Nothing at all apart from one rear spring which was apparently damaged and cost £30 to repair at the BMW centre.

However, I have spent since then loads on it buying the new light clusters (clear white ones) and alloys for it.

There is some slight rattle on bumpy roads but this is due to the 17 inch alloys and low profile tyres ;-)

General Comments:

Overall an excellent car that could do with more power, however the new 316i's have 1.9 litre engines in them so maybe they are slightly quicker......

Faults:

ABS went off line, independent dealer fixed by cleaning a sensor, but cost £150.

General Comments:

Excellent reliability, cheap to service using independent mechanics, although insurance expensive. It is a little thirsty at 27MPG.

Avoid main dealers like the plague - they rip you off by replacing parts that do not need replacing! Build quality excellent, interior excellent quality - everything colour coded, very comfortable, comes with air conditioning.

Excellent image with the coupe, I am often told how nice it looks.

Faults:

Brakes were squealing for most of the time I owned the car. The dealer couldn't rectify this problem at all.

One or two dashboard rattles the dealer did manage to rectify.

At the time I sold the car it didn't feel like a car that had covered 11,000 miles but like one that had covered 4-5 times the mileage. I don't know why the transmission felt like that but it certainly didn't feel as tight as it should have.

General Comments:

With front fogs, full body colour and alloys, a very stylish car (for 1996!).

Generally a 'nice' car at the time I owned it but I was disappointed at the transmission's sloppy feel after just 11,000 miles. Aside from a Golf Convertible, probably the worst car I've owned. Believe it or not, the 1.4ieS Fiat Tipo I owned before this car was much more fun to drive and at least its transmission didn't feel sloppy at 20,000 MILES !

Faults:

Problem with the central locking.

New radiator.

General Comments:

Fabulous car, wonderful to drive, very fast, very expensive. Who needs an M3?

Faults:

Headlight bulb went (but you only replace the bulb, not the entire unit).

General Comments:

Not a huge amount of room in back. Driving position amazing, dashboard layout brilliant. Could use a bit more poke but best car I have ever owned.