Faults:

Noisy timing chain.

Broken engine mount.

General Comments:

Well specced model, but not as good as my series I 1984 2500 GTI (steel bumpers), 290mm metric wheels manual model, which retired after 340,000 miles. The most comfortable sports car one could own back then.

Both models are seriously quick, but the manual edges ahead. Comfort/ride over pot holed roads, is unprecedented over other cars I own, including latest model 2005 luxury model/makes.

Only problem is with the law, as it really does not get moving properly until over 70 mph, which is illegal in this country.

Faults:

The Hydraulics airlocked recently leaving me with no suspension, brakes or steering. It was parked at the time!

This was due to recent work by a 'specialist' who has left the car in terrible condition.

Handbrake mechanism seized, (the same specialist should have cured this!).

General Comments:

The car is fun to drive with no effort needed really.

The ride is sublime, isolating you from all bust the worst of the roads.

The self leveling suspension makes heavy loads no proble, it leaves you with the same control and suspension movement.

The drivers seat was weak and has been replaced with one from another model which is stronger.

The car can drive at high speed with 4 children, luggage and 3 bicycles on it for hour after hour in total comfort, the downside.. poor fuel economy.

Faults:

Nothing you can blame the car itself for....

Now 133,000 miles - 30k in a year on a nine year old car with a reputation for trouble? Never had to use the RAC once.

Have had some large bills, but for things like corroded hydraulic pipes, blown head gasket (due to failure of Ford dealer to torque head properly), suspension arm bearings. Far more reliable than the reputation suggests.

General Comments:

Fantastic car - I run it privately in preference to new BMW-class company cars. It's not a car for the faint-hearted, and needs to be run with the help of a mechanic who knows what they're doing - forget dealers!

Find a good one, and you're laughing. So cheap for what they are.

Mechanicals are bomb-proof. 300,000 miles is not unknown.