USED BMW 3 Series Convertible (98 - 07)

My car

Slow depreciation but. .. . Service2 is GBP420 assumingthey find nothing that needs doing to the car - Otherwise its more. GBP418 for a new drivers mirror!! and they could nt fit me in for 15 days so the car was off the road effectively for over 2 weeks. Lindt BMW in Chelmsford I called 3 times to book the car in and they didnt return my calls. Also some moron in a blue van through eggs at it when the hood was down!!! So it certainly attracts jealousy.

My car

I have a 1995 N Reg 2.0i convertable, milage at present 51,000

This car is a complete disaster : 1. Rattling noise from the steering/instrumental panel when you go over bumps 2. suspension coil spring broke, cost to fix £150 from local garage 3. ABS speed sensor from one wheel failed, BMW dealer charged me £250 to replace it !! This is pathetic. This was in Mar-2006. 3. Apr 2006 : another speed sensor failure, I will not bother to fix it this time. 4. gearbox torque converter broken, replacement cost was £400. 5. viscous fan failre : replacement cost £120 6. ENGINE FAILURE : car does not start - this was a manufacturing defect where the bores get wet and the spark plugs do not fire the engine. BMW replace the bore head, cost £120 7. Service II cost £350 from BMW dealer.

As you can see, this is the worst car in the world. I would rather drive a wheel barrow than this trash - Keep clear of ALL BMWs - they are very expensive to maintain and are a rip off. 3.

My car

I have the facelifted 330Ci which I use as my main family car (I have two young kids).

The car is surprisingly practical as a family car, and also doubles as a pick-up with the roof down.

I once transported a washing machine on the back seats with the roof down for my brother, who could not fit it into his Volvo S40!

The car drives like a go-cart and is very refined. The only gripe that I have is wind-noise over 80mph.

Warning - this car eats a pair of rear Pirelli P-Zero Rosso' every 8000 miles!

However, it's a brilliant car overall which makes me grin a lot. I would like to know what an M3 is like, though...

My car

I own the 330 Ci - it's a superb car, especially in summer when you can put the hood down. This is not a family car, but will accept two adults with some comfort for short rides in the back. For three- well, let's say it is possible, but not convenient.

The boot is small, and being a sports car you can feel the bumps on the road. Build quality is excellent, too. I included a satellite-navigation system in this car, and it has proven to be a superb tool - the best satelite system I have ever used.

The stereo system is superb, too - in fact it is so good that you miss it when you are travelling in another car.

I found the Xenon ligths a bit of gimmick. They are adequate, but not worth the extra money.

The reliability after three years has been extremely good. I guess with this car, if you get a bad one, it will be bad all the time (no matter what you do to repair it, guarantee or no guarantee), but when you get a good one, it is superb,

Regarding running costs - well, being a sports car, they will be high, but depreciation is very good, and the car will lose value slowly. I found that I get around 20mpg in town and 30-32mpg on the motorway.