Faults:

Oil leak, radiator leak, cam sensor, ABS, airbag warning light illuminated (among other warning lights!) in my last year of ownership.

General Comments:

Fantastic 1990s BMW. I love their cars from this era.

I bought this compact in 2009 when it was already 10 years old and had it for another 6 years. A few expensive repairs aside, it was a good to own car.

Black in color, looked the part with original BMW alloy wheels.

Inside a bit dull and grey, but it was all very functional and comfortable. SE model a bit basic, but it had all the electrics a 1990s car would have. Materials had a quality solid feel.

Reasonably economical with enough power, despite being automatic and the lowest engine in the range. Nice to drive.

Had to scrap it in 2015 due to failing an MOT test and needing too much repairs to justify on an older car. But I do miss the car now and would love another, but they are getting rare to find.

Faults:

One of the locking nuts seized on a wheel, and a rear spring was broken on a pothole; neither really to do with the quality of the car.

Other than this, no problems.

General Comments:

Leather needs looking after; I suspect it might wear quickly.

Hood benefits from frequent water and U.V. proofing.

I miss an outside temp display.

Nicely specced with leather, digital climate / air con.

Suspect it's not as solid as an E36 coupe, but it's not bad at all for a convertible.

Exudes old school charm; still prefer the style over the later 3 series.

Boot is a bit on the small side. I like the lid mounted toolbox, spare wheel well storage tray, etc.

Interior did take a bit of getting used to, as it's all black with a black headliner, but I quite like it now.

A few nice thoughtful touches, like the torch in the glove box, and the ICE speed dependent volume control.

Handles well, auto box took a bit of getting used to, but it's five speed, probably old hat now though.

Bodywork lasting very well, no rust problems at all.

Faults:

Nothing major, until the steptronic gearbox failed when trying to reverse in heavy snow.

This will cost more to fix than the car is now worth! (as of Dec 2010, the value is around the £2000 mark tops)

General Comments:

Heavy on the juice at around 22mpg in town. 104000 miles on the clock, but this car still drives tight, and is seriously quick. This model, 328i SE, is top spec, all leather, with all the gadgets you would want.

I have owned this car for 6 years, and it's without doubt miles ahead of any car I have owned, but this incident in the snow has made me think twice about rear wheel drive, especially with the bad winter weather we now seem to be having every year.

Really can't fault BMW for the build quality of their cars, but rear wheel drive automatics really are useless in the snow!

Faults:

The only thing I now have is a clutch judder in heavy traffic, and I had to replace a ball joint at 95,000. All the major parts including the exhaust and cat are original.

General Comments:

A superb car, always reliable and comfortable to drive. The comments comparing it a Subaru are ridiculous, that car is just a cheap horrid car with a big engine, the interior is appalling as well, and it reminds me of a cheap minicab.

As for the BMW being a soulless car? Are those who stated this being serious? The Japanese cars are just copies of every other car on the road.