USED BMW 3 Series Compact (98 - 07)

My car

My wife and I feel the 316ti is one of the best cars to ever come out of the BMW stables! This is our second 316ti SE model BMW car. We owned one in Australia when we lived there for a couple of years and have just recently bought our second one here in Cambridgeshire. For a small car it has a lovely confident ride which is firm but also very comfortable. Turning sharply into corners feels very very safe. In our opinion the "looks" of this particular hatchback model makes it the prettiest, best looking BMW ever made! The front lights and shape of the car to us is better than all previous models and also better on the eye than all current BMW motor cars. Inside, is very roomy for a small car, however the rear leg room is a bit tight, but certainly generous enough for 2 door car. The interior is very nice. We have the charcoal colour, and buying the SE model meant we got all the optional fruit, bar a sunroof. It has a 6 stacker CD player which I believe ALL cars should have as a matter of safety and technology. The seats are very comfy on long trips, and our daughter's child seat fits nicely in the back. Fuel economy is great, with the car easily getting 45 mpg on the open road. We loved this car enough to buy a second one, and I myself have owned many cars and several BMW's and I have not enjoyed driving any car more than the BMW 316ti. Plus it very reliable, well built, you can feel the quality when you close the doors. The best looking, reliable, used BMW money can buy!

My car

I've owned a 2002 BMW Compact 320d SE for the past four years and mainly it's been a good car. Mine has 150bhp and according to the on board computer, is returning 48.7mpg on what is town driving during the week and motorway driving every weekend. The drive is excellent on the motorway, very smooth and very responsive if you need to overtake. However, it can be a bit of bumpy ride in town, but you do come to forgive it.

Like I say, mpg is pretty good and I don't feel like I'm always spending money on diesel, a full tank can last more than a fortnight sometimes. Road tax is cheap but tyres, brakes etc are expensive. Cabin is well equipped but little space in back if you had a family. I have though had one major problem with this - about a year ago the turbo blew (at 100,000miles) while I was driving. Luckily it did not cause any other damage in the engine but cost me £900 to fix at a specialist local garage. I've later learned that this era of 3-series BMW's have a problems with their turbos and it seems I was lucky to get to 100,000miles with mine with reports of others going at 40 or 40k. In hindsight, the turbo had an audible 'whistle' ever since I bought it, I'd thought nothing of it but apparently that is a sign of the turbo going. So if you are buying a turbo version, listen for the 'whistle' and watch for blue smoke - both signs of turbo failure.

Overall, I enjoy this car, it looks good both in and out and, turbo aside, has been completely reliable.

My car

Bought this as I wanted a BMW 6 cyl but not a barge for communting. Liked the Mini but could not see why they were so much more money for less car (and front wheel drive to boot). With the 325 you also get all the electronic aids as standard, plus better chairs and more kit.

After 18,000 miles in 18 months it has been a delight, but would not want it without the (excellent) warranty. Bought from a main dealer - cheapest car on the forecourt! - and been back for numerous engine management gremlins. Finally diagnosed as lazy valve actuator on cyl 4 (formerly tappet) - all 24 replaced under warranty. Also had new door lock, hatcback rams, and now pending radio and/or rear window aerial. All these things would be livable with if not repaired, but nice to get sorted.

Whilst they have the car I get a new 3 series loan car - quieter on the road, but I do not rate the modern dash. It no longer 'wraps round' the driver nor is it angled towards you.

Running costs OK - stretched to 17k between services and 30+ mpg rising to 35 on longer runs, a small price for the soundtrack and grunt when needed. Needs approx. 3 litres of oil betwwen services as well.

My car

I've only it a couple of weeks, upgraded from a Mini - bought a BM as I like them and they gave me the best trade in for my Mini.

Fantatsic to drive - very quick, sounds incredible, but is thirsty when thrashed. Its also surprisingly quite and comfortable, it cruises well, which is one fo the reasons I bought it - I have a 76 mile commute and the Mini was tiresome at best. Mine has full leather, 18inch MV wheels etc and looks good (I really wanted a Coupe but couldn't find a good one for the money I wanted to spend).

The only downside is that its due to go back to the dealer for a couple of minor issues (I bought from a BM main dealer for the warranty - had 3 Minis all of which had lots of issues, but they where always sorted out under warranty).

If driven sensibly, I'm averaging around 32mpg on my commute including some enthusiastic driving down the country lanes if I go the long way! On a long motorway slog, its very good - had up to 35 out of it sitting on the M1 at 70 for a couple of hours.

So far, very happy - a big improvement over the Mini.