Faults:

Water pump imploded shortly after I bought the car. With it I replaced the radiator and the thermostat as closer inspection revealed they were also on their way.

Replaced the front crankshaft seal and the tappet cover gasket to stop an oil leak -- both were relatively minor repairs.

General Comments:

I love the way the car looks. I love the way it handles. I love the way it sounds. It's quite an amazing car, considering it's a 4 door saloon and it's now 10 years old.

Somebody once said that the real measure of how good a car is is whether you could live with it for the rest of your life. I could definitely keep my 320i forever, and I'll be happy with it.

The car generously rewards sporty driving -- maybe that's why so many people drive them hard! It's a pleasure to work the manual gearbox, listen to the free revving engine and feel the build up of G-forces in a corner. It returns between 20 and 30 mpg depending on your driving, it's totally in your control.

Even though it's 10 years old, I love looking at it and after having it for a year I always look forward to driving it. I never thought BMW's were worth it however now I see why so many people like them. The only thing I would recommend to prospective buyers is to test drive a 325i if they want more straight line speed, if they can afford the extra cost (mainly in insurance premiums, fuel is more or less the same).

Faults:

Water was getting into the electrics through a crack in the seal at the bottom of the windscreen. - A bit of silicone sealant and clearing the drainage channels fixed it.

General Comments:

Great car, it can still cut it against modern machinery (don't believe all this turbo diesel torque malarkey). Effortless performance and lasts like Stone Henge. It's a comfortable cruiser and a motorway mauler. Oh how we laugh at the Backward Baseball Cap Brigade! You won't meet much else day to day that will challenge you (well you might, but it'll be a short lesson for them).

Be warned it'll eat soft sport tires and is very partial to a drop of unleaded if you decide to go head butting the horizon.

The exhaust note and sound of the straight six will send a shiver down your spine in tunnels and multi-storey car parks. Chassis is still fresh and the driving experience is solid. I drove an IS200 sport recently and couldn't wait to get back behind the blue and white propeller. It has been called a poor mans M3 and it gives you a taste for less than half the price, it's the only way to fly!

Faults:

Nothing Major, just general wear and tear.

General Comments:

This car is fantastic, looks and handles superb.

Sorry to disappoint the would be detractors of fuel economy, but this car performs better mpg than my previous car, A Rover 220GTi and is a tad more 'sophisticated'

The car is almost 10 years old and still drives like a dream.

Only drawback is that everything you want for the car is expensive, but if you are worried about that, take the bus!

Faults:

Radiator Blew a hole in it.

Brake Disc's and Pads.

General Servicing and Maintenance.

General Comments:

For a 1.8 this car is immense. The engine is very torque happy at high revs and will pull right up in to the red. With 140 BHP the weight of the car isn't really noticible apart from the solid feeling.

Handling is excellent although I have 18" wheels and sports suspension fitted.

The car is always admired even though its seen as "old" I always get approached in the street with people saying they like it. It does have a full M3 Kit, M3 Interior and big wheels, but the standard car itself is a stunner.