Faults:

I have had three faults on this car since I purchased it in 2004.

The first fault was the windscreen washers that stopped operating virtually simultaneously. Cost to replace £22.00 each.

The second fault was a squeaking noise from the engine belts when the car was stationery, but still in drive. This was the tension pulley that was squeaking and this had to be replaced. I found this fault myself after the main dealers had tried everything to resolve it.

The last fault was a small leak on the power steering. This was easily rectified and simply needed a new clip on one end of the hose.

General Comments:

This car is an absolute dream to drive and responds without question to everything asked of it. I have recently test driven a new S class Mercedes and the new Lexus LS 460 and neither car betters this model for comfort and performance.

It is powerful and yet quiet and glides like an intercity train on rails on the motorway. Traveling long distances in this car is a joy because when you reach your destination, it feels like you have not travelled at all.

This car also grips the road like glue and although big, handles like a sports car if asked.

Faults:

Windscreen washer pump failed.

Some of the interior lights have failed.

Some digits fail to light up on the instrument panel.

Brake lights and tail lights are constantly in need of fiddling with to keep them all working.

Knob on switch for drivers seat adjustment broke - works fine without it!

Plastic handle for releasing handbrake broke off - replacement from BMW was surprisingly cheap.

General Comments:

I bought the car for a tenth of the price paid by it's first owner.

It's a fantastic car even just to sit in. It is as luxurious as I will ever need and it's much nicer to look at than the new one.

The boot is cavernous, even for this class of car.

It's smooth, comfortable and very fast on the motorway, but the acceleration from a standstill is nothing sensational - the 2.8 engine simply doesn't have enough horses for rocketing away from traffic lights.

When I bought it I was wondering how expensive it would be to run. I've been getting about 24mpg, mostly in urban use. I once achieved 28 mpg on a long trip.

Tyres (if you buy Pirellis) are about £400 a set.

A set of front discs and pads cost about £85 pounds (not from BMW).

I find that the wheels need balanced every 3 months or so. Other than an oil change that's all I've had to do so far.

It's been incredibly reliable, especially considering the high mileage on the car.