Windows and sunroof relay failed.
Battery.
Hydraulic tappets needed replacing.
New door seal.
Uses excess oil (1 ltr per 1000 miles).
Clutch judders.
Reliability was very poor. As well as the above I also had to call out the AA four times in a matter of 9 months.
The car drives well and the gearbox shifts nicely, although does judder occasionly.
Performance is rather sluggish, yet with consumption of 40mpg Urban / 58mpg Motorway, you don't tend to mind.
Admittidley it was high miler, but it did have FSH, my old '84 Mercedes 230 Estate may have had the odd rust spot and only returned 22mpg Urban, but it was better in many areas, had covered 217000miles and was totally dependable.
Interior quality is disappointing with various rattles and the glove box lid doesn't seem to fit. Seat fabric seems to wear poorly although it is pale-blue. Load area is not great, my old Mercedes 230TE could carry much more bulkier items.
The Body seems well put together if not a little tinny. Paint however had a lovely deep gloss.
I agree with your comments there, see my 318Touring comments below. However here's some solutions to make you feel better.
Seat wear -> swap the bottom seat between driver's & passenger's, it'll take you less than 0.5hr + 8 seat clips at a few cents each.
Glovebox -> go to bimmerforums. com to fins a quick fix, there're several there.
Battery -> mine died and the AA man reckoned it was at the right age to die.
My clutch also judders when it's cold.
Watch out for the A/C expansion valve, it's an expensive repair.
I reckon this bimmer drives better than a '96 E230 station wagon. Test drove one, and the bimmer feels much better for spirited driving. The Merc feels too slow and its suspension is too soft, note my bimmer has std suspension.
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