6.5 years of owning the flying rollerskate - sheer motoring all round brilliance. The car has cost £14 in repairs - a corroded reversing light switch. Servicing costs at BMW main dealer have been vastly cheaper than our Mondeo diesel, due to the length of time between services indicated by the intelligent service indicator. 2 rear tyres at 30000 miles, 4 new tyres at 50000 miles. The car drives like brand new even now, without ever the slightest murmur. The best thing about the car is the engine. The 2.8 straight six pulls like crazy from 1000rpm to 6000rpm in a turbine like way. That coupled to a very slick gearbow means the car is fantastic in a straight line. Pushing it into 3rd at 50-60mph gives you a good buzz, and rockets past anything. (0-60 in 6.5secs also is quite good fun!!) The other great thing is that this is all on insurance group 16. Average 31.1 mpg over 50000 miles! (Does like super unleaded best (Sainsbury's only 2p/litre more)
Other great things are that the car is pretty low so good sportscar drive, but not so low as you've got to go into contortions to get in and out. Boot is a good size and usable. Heated seats are a must. Those and a two seater with a heater powered by a 2.8 litre 6 cyl engine means you can use the car roof down, down to 0 degrees as long as you keep the windows up.
Downsides: Paint seems to chip quite easily so regular touch ups are necessary. A problem with most metallic paints these days.
Forever washing & polishing the car as I can never bear any muck to get onto it. (They don't look the same with mucky wheels & paintwork)
Handling is not up to the latest sportscar levels - probably only as good as a recent 3 series saloon / coupe - still pretty good compared to most cars. When you get used to driving the car though it does have the ability to corner in the dry with amazing grip! Seen off many a scooby & rs4.
Car now garaged for 6 months each year as need to preserve it as can not imagine life without it. (£500 year insurance fully comp & £180 rfl = £1.86 per day to keep it for weekend use - what a bargain.)
Advice: probably the best used sports car buy possible. Go for a 2.8 + not a 1.9. (I've driven a few and they are a waste of time)
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BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 130 mph - 143 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: M Sport, Sport, SE, ES
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 137 mph - 150, 170 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: ES, SE, Sport, M Sport
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 140, 143 mph - 163, 177 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: ES, SE, Sport, M Sport
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Advantages: Great looks, Brilliant driving experience. Disadvantages: Poor practicality, Electric power steering feels a bit light until you get used to it.
DamienMorley 21.10.2007 (21.10.2007)
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