Faults:

Crankshaft position sensor progressively failed giving about 15mins journey time with 45min rest periods! Temperature-related fault. New one diagnosed and replaced for £180 by independent car electrical specialist.

Car wanders badly on its 235/45/17 rubber. New front wishbones have improved it, but not enough. Front bushes were MOT-failures, but entire wishbones only cost £130 for the pair including new bolts. Interestingly my local GM parts supplier said they don't fit new bolts in their workshop - I was going from a Haynes Carlton/Senator manual because GM won't supply an official manual.

Nearside front locking motor went lazy and a new micro-switch solved that for £1.90!.

Air-con appears to go cold after about an hour's use - will have to check sensors. Small loss of engine coolant MAY be in heater matrix as we steam up while parked overnight if it's cold.

Engine coolant level sensor says it's low when it isn't. Appears to be integral with header-tank so will live with it or disconnect.

General Comments:

Lovely car to drive if I can get the wandering sorted.

Comfortable.

Excellent sound system, but I have to turn the bass down.

Pulls better than the Senator (3.0 12v CDi) did. Lovely muted growl.

Paintwork (Ural Mountain) looks fantastic, but does chip and mark easily.

Rear indicators (white lenses) not very visible.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Superb performance estate, see's off the boy racers in absolute comfort and ease. The estates load lugging almost truck like, have carried 4ft x 6ft slated bed pool table, just had to take the legs off to get it in.

Faults:

AA pre sale Inspection revealed a steering pull to the left. Still there slightly - influenced by road camber -even after 4 wheel laser alignment.

Differential oil seal leaked - £90 to fix.

Lots of problems with the air bag warning light coming on - which deactivates the airbags! I think the problem was the wiring loom was too tight up to the steering wheel air bag. I think I know more about the air bag system than the main dealer now! Fixed under warranty.

Front brake pad wear sensor wiring can make changing the brake pads a pain. Not a good design.

Diesel fuel filter difficult to get at.

Faulty relay caused engine not to turn off - even with the key out.

Some minor hot re-start problems.

Main dealer not very impressive.

General Comments:

The BMW sourced 6 cylinder diesel is lovely. Not a lot of power - 130 bhp - but very smooth. Quite adequate and it returns 36-39 mpg and can still apparently do 120 mph.

Generally built like a (nice) tank and very comfortable and easy to drive, although the steering could be a bit more positive.