2002 BMW 3 Series 318i Executive review from Australia and New Zealand

Nothing really at all, but this car was a BMW Approved Used vehicle.

Small rattles were coming from the rear windows, but would disappear if the windows were very slightly down (apparently a common E46 problem).

It is the only thing that spoils the overall quietness and poise of the car.

I changed the original Continental tyres (way too noisy!) for a set of new Michelin Pilot Premacy tyres, which are extremely quiet and don't give off much road noise.

I've just traded this car back to the BMW dealer after 6 months of ownership, and bought myself a 2006 model 3-series; but this was not due to any problem with the car at all, it's just that we had an opportunity to upgrade the car now, rather than a few more years down the track.

I have to say that my six months with this car were totally faultless, and my wife now misses it because it is slightly smaller than the 2006 version, and is a bit easier to manoeuvre.

I did like the fact that BMW's service intervals are generally long and dependant upon the particular usage of the car. Mine wasn't due for a service until November, because we drove it fairly sedately. I'm sure that the cost of the service would have been interesting though.