USED BMW 3 Series Saloon (98 - 07)

My car

I'VE HAD THIS CAR FROM NEW, AT 20K HAD PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THE COILS I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALERS TO REPLACE ALL FOUR JUST IN CASE. THEN AT 50K THE CAR CUT OUT WHILE REVERSING ONTO THE DRIVE, THE PROBLEM WAS ABROKEN VAVLE WHICH INTURN TOOK THE HEAD. WITH BMW DISCOUNTS THE REPAIRS COST ME JUST OVER £4K. BEEN TOLD THESE TWO "MISHAPS" ARE A COMMON PROBLEM.

My car

Have owned my 330i 4dr 5sp since 2005. In general the car is great to own and to drive. Odd tho no owners have commented about the slow ratio steering, esp for a powerfull rearwheel drive car where you need to control fish tailing quickly when you apply gas more than neeed sometimes. M3 CSL has shorter ratio steering...5sp box is sleek but changes are slow, should be quicker, also drivebywire throttle has a delay in transferring inputs. My buds Porsche has drivebywire system but madulation is great and no lags.... I rmeber the BMW add, "lightening rsponses by druvbywire styes" or soemthign liek this....it is not!! The cabin, controls and everything is of high quality as you'd expect. 30MPG is OK for a 6cyl 3.0ltr car. Handbreak is weak. Window arms break after years and breaklight bulbs have a habit of breaking down every 3 4 months.. my freinds had the same problems in their 3 series..

My car

This car has got one terrible problem, I have changed my 2 BMW's 3 series that was a nightmare for me. The engine on many occassion never fired what ever you do. I got it checked a dozen times by my local dealer but they couldnt solve the problem. Finally I went and wrote to BMW Factory in munich germany and they suggested getting the Cam belt timer chip changed and it worked. This is common problem with this car I'm afraid. It costs 650 pounds to get this problem fixed. Watch it before you buy a beamer.

My car

I have a 54 plate 320d M Sport 6-speed

Its an nice car, with the onset of the new shape there are many of these runners around, i brought mine before the new shape was relaeased, i have had it now for over 2 years, it was brought from a local dealer (little over priced) and it had the servicing pack thrown in. Over years its never missed a beat, all but one thing, we had a flat battery after a year, BMW checked everything for 2days!, couldnt find a fault, since then its been perfect. It regualry hands back around 48mpg on a nice run with kids and a boot full and around 38-40mpg around town, which suits us. As its the sports version tyres arnt cheap and the ride is a little firm, but it handles very well. Positive:- Good handling, easy to drive, good MPG, cheap to ensure, loads of gadgets, reliable, well built - no rattles/squeaks. loads od boot space. Bad:- Ride a little firm, tyres arnt cheap, servicing could be expensive, clutch a little heavy (as per my wife), narrow boot neck so wont take a large box.

I have owned and enjoyed this car for a while now and it feels good, i would reccommend this car, but next time i'll have the SE version, for a softer ride!.