General Comments:

Bought from auction for UKP 14,000 (an entry level Mondeo / Vectra) and a heck of a car for the money.

Super smooth 204 bhp straight six diesel and six speed 'box give fantastic acceleration (0-60 in just over 7 seconds) and great economy (40-42 mpg) Worth seeking out the 03 on models with the 204 bhp engine over the older 185 bhp ones. Punchier and more refined.

Great handling, but you pay for it with a firm ride. Fun to throw about which is not something you'd normally say about a diesel estate car.

Lovely elegant interior with a very high standard of fit and finish. Seats a little disappointing on longer runs, but I've had far worse.

Car had been serviced 2,000 miles before I bought it, so too early to comment on dealer servicing.

Not the biggest estate, but fine for the dog and the weekly shopping. Rear legroom fine for children, but tight for adults. Suits us just fine at the moment.

As an all-rounder, I don't think a better car exists for the money.

Faults:

No faults.

General Comments:

Great car to drive with superb quality interior and first class driving position.

Engine is very sweet, but lacks torque. Can be made to go pretty hard, but you have to really wring its neck. It really perks up over 5,000 RPM if you do so. That said, the car is not much quicker than my previous IS200 which is a mite irritating when Lexus were continuously panned for the IS being underpowered, and BMW are not for the 320i. It is quicker than the Lexus on paper, but doesn't feel it particularly on the road. Fuel economy plummets if you work it hard too, although it averages 32 mpg day to day.

Great handling and stacks of grip. Steering is a bit light. Superb traction when accelerating hard and a good, if slightly firm ride. Very thoroughly developed drivers car which is far more of a drivers car than the Audi A4 or Mercedes C-class which I test drove thoroughly at the time of purchase.

Dealer service is first class, but you pay for it. It's a great touch to get someone showing you the old parts and explaining why they changed them when you collect the car. The car is returned gleaming every time, and the work asked for is always completed to the letter. Not much to ask you might think, but we also have a (superb) Ford Focus as well, and Ford dealers cannot manage anything like it.

The BMW is wearing its miles well. Nothing squeaks or rattles, and there isn't a hint of wear and tear anywhere. Half an hour with a vacuum cleaner, a duster and some matt Armor All on a Sunday morning brings the interior up like new. Fantastic car overall. Just wish they weren't quite so common. I think I'll go for a 330 next time though - lots more grunt and similar economy.

Faults:

A couple of blown bulbs. Nothing else

General Comments:

Smooth, powerful engine which doesn't sound or feel diesel powered.

Flawlessly reliable and beautifully built and finished.

Brilliant attention to detail.

Iffy (overlight) steering but otherwise a fine handling car.

Attentive (albeit overpriced) dealer servicing.

Poor image with other road users, and now quite a common sight.

Superb all rounder. Recommended.

Faults:

The Clock stopped working at 7,000 miles requiring a replacement CD unit.

Cruise control failed at 9,000 miles due to a faulty clutch sensor. Both items covered under the Warranty.

Hard breaking on bumpy roads can put the car into a weave. I was told this was due to the wide front tyres?!

General Comments:

Performance wise it's unbelievable, 150 BHP with huge torque, fill her up for £45 and you'll get over 600 miles on a long run, approx 500-550 when driving hard. Can't see us buying another Petrol car after this one, what's the point!?

The 3 years/60 K fee servicing deal is a nice extra, but gutted to find out 2 months after buying, it got increased to 5 years / 60k.

V.Good handling and grip due to M-Tech set up and 18" 225/40 Fronts & 255/35 Rears.

The ASC can be a bit dodgy when you're trying to pull away quickly from a junction. The wheels start spinning, the brakes get applied, the revs bog and they guy bearing down on you soils his pants... I tend to turn it off in these situations and let the rears do the work they're supposed to. If you test drive one, try it, you'll see what I mean.

Top quality cabin without a hint a plackiness and well laid out. The Sports seats whilst very supportive & adjustable, can be a bit firm on a long journey.

A great car, but probably not ideal if you've got very young kids and lots of kit.

Faults:

Touch wood, nothing so far. If it does, there is a comprehensive 3 year unlimited mileage warranty as well as 3 yrs free servicing package too.

General Comments:

Combining diesel with an auto gear box? Mad? Uh-uh, far from it.

The car has 150Bhp, huge torque too. Pulls like a tractor on speed! and handles superbly.

Quick positive steering with great feedback, excellent auto box with sport mode and clutch-less manual change for that extra bit of control through the lanes.

Excellent comfort from seats and more room in the back than one would have thought.