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BMW Consumer Car Reviews

BMW X3 Full Road Test Report

BMW very rarely make mistakes but that is what has happened here. Not up to BMW’s usually high standards, the X3 performs more like a saloon than the compact SUV it purposes to be and the build quality is simply not good enough for a vehicle of this price. Budget BMW.... read more

Road Test Reports Says 3 star rating Full Report
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Paul Gardner, England

BMW 7-Series 2005

Lots of small problems, which are fixed under the 5 yr p&l warranty. Sun roof noise that dealers don't seem to be able to sort out, the most horrendous depreciation you can imagine (£9000 in 9 months) or £850 per month from new to re-sale after 4 yrs). But, what a ride! what great fun to drive and with so many toys to play with long drives are never dull. Economy is not bad with an average of 35mpg; tyres are not cheep (£250 each) so ensure you keep them correctly inflated. All servicing is done under the manufactures 5 yr warranty so no worries but once this expires its time to buy another car or it will cost a fortune to maintain. If your thinking of one then try to avoid BMW finance as their quite expensive, inflexible and there penalties for early termination will put you off buying ever again, seriously consider leasing.

Submitted: 06/03/2008 09:30:04

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Peter Marsh, Yorkshire

BMW 3-Series Coupe 2.0 2007

Great looking coupe. Fantastic and precise handling. Had quite a few beamers and this coupe is by far the best.

Submitted: 29/02/2008 09:25:33

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Peter Goodman, Buckinghamshire

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320CD Automatic 2008

I have had 3-series for over twenty years now and I have to say based on overall performance, comfort and design this is the best. It is the first automatic I have had and it is an absolute treat to drive. I am getting 42-44mpg in town and urban driving and yet it is still powerful and I am now so glad I didn’t go for the 330 or 335 versions. I think the design of the interior is brilliant and by far the best I’ve come across. I had the professional Sat Nav fitted and it makes the whole i-drive experience that much better with the split-screen. I can also thoroughly recommend the pro-logic hi fi which makes it hard to get out of the car! The only reason I haven’t given it 5 stars is that the ride on the run-flat tyres is a bit hard although you do get used to it.

Submitted: 28/02/2008 14:22:09

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Mike, Devon

BMW 1-Series 120d SE 5 door hatch 2005

I’ve owned my 120d for nearly 3 years and 42k miles and it continues to be an extremely impressive car. Outstanding performance coupled with sharp & predictable handling means that few cars can stay with me on a twisty road - or a straight one for that matter! The firm ride assists in this respect but I would not sacrifice existing comfort levels and go for the M Sport version or larger wheels to make it even firmer still. I’ve noticed that most negative magazine road tests test the Sport - perhaps to ensure they can find fault! It has been reliable, comfortable, economical (average 43 mpg on a semi-urban cycle) and great fun - even when commuting! I also really like the shape and styling but this is a matter of personal taste - something which most motoring journalists seem to ignore! The only criticism I would make is that rear leg room is limited - but I did change from a 5 series. All in all it has been the best car I have ever owned. Overall, it has been a very positive ownership experience and - so much so that I have just placed an order to replace it with a 123d 5 door hatch.

Submitted: 25/02/2008 10:24:16

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Harmeet, England

BMW X6 2008

V6, 3L is reportedly around 54K for a fully loaded, i saw it on the road when the engineers were in the final stages of launching it last year around November, and it looked amazing. However, the biggest question that comes in my mind is, isn’t a normal aspirated V8 of an x5 which is cheaper than twin turbo V6 of an X6, better. The interior is identically the same. I am not able to make up my mind!!

Submitted: 22/02/2008 09:58:06

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Philip Smith, Northumberland

BMW X3 2.0d SE 2005

Yes, the ride is firm but acceptable and the up side of this is that the handling is great and just like a normal saloon car. I have recently been considering a replacement car and will probably end up with another X3 - there really is nothing comes close from a prestige manufacturer that gives this level of performance and fuel economy. I do contract hire and for not too much more per month, I could have a Discovery, Merc ML280 or a Volvo XC90. However, all give much poorer performance, varying amounts of roll and sloppiness around corners and, in the real world, would give between mid to high twenties per gallon. My current car has the original 150bhp engine and, bashing around rural Northumberland, gives me about 33 or 34 to the gallon. Also, although probably no good for real mud-plugging, the car has been fine for off-roading across muddy fields and recently performed very well in the snow - no complaints at all for normal snow and off-road usage!

Submitted: 11/02/2008 14:17:55

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Joe Longward, Warwickshire

BMW 1-Series Coupe 123d 2007

Having owned a BMW 525i SE in the e60 model. I decided to was time i changed cars having changed them every two years or less, I’ve had the 123d coupe since they was available. When i first looked at this model is was very impressed in the showroom at the local BMW garage its seemed like to right choice to go for, but having owned the for 2 months now its not being all that great, there has being issues with the build quality and the level of economy the car has being returning. In real world driving it gets 33-35 at the most this is all done in 30-50mph zones. On the motorway I’ve seen the trip meter showing 55mpg but this isn’t what i got this car for. The car was ordered in the m-sport variant in Le Mans blue with beige interior, I had the 18’’ wheel option, xenon headlights, front seat heating and a loudspeaker upgrade. First off the loudspeaker upgrade is just updated speakers in the original housings, the 18’’ wheels are made of butter they chip and mark very very easy, the xenon headlights had to be replaced due to them not staying on at times when driving, This has being the worst car I’ve owned in a long time Mercedes are built better and Audi’s are in a league of the own with their build quality and features on their cars. I’ve now placed to deposit on a Mercedes CLK 220 cdi coupe. Many thanks for reading my review.

Submitted: 06/02/2008 09:09:19

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Stephen Sutton, Carmarthenshire

BMW X3 2.0d 2006

Got 2.0d on 2yr contract hire from BMW at £249 + VAT per month, great deal for an excellent all round vehicle, economy of 35mpg around our home area, but can stretch to 45+ on long motorway runs. The ride is firm, but it is never harsh, and the excellent handling and stability just inspire confidence, especially when towing our caravan. Just had first oil service (19500 miles) for £166.00, next one due in another 18,000 miles - cheap motoring for a quality car! As said, we use our car for towing our large family caravan, and my only disappointment has been the manual gearbox/clutch (clutch was changed under warranty at 18k miles), like many newer cars (LR Discovery included) the clutches are not man enough for coping with caravans/trailers close to their maximum towing weight. I am seriously considering another X3 for replacement in June, but it will have to be a 2.0d Auto! Let’s hope that the ’deals’ are around this year again, otherwise it may be a Tiguan 2.0tdi Sport Auto!

Submitted: 04/02/2008 12:02:24

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Jonathan, Yorkshire

BMW 7-Series 730D SE 2006

This is the best car I have ever owned. The smoothest gearbox, effortless and rapid acceleration. Quiet and comfortable, it just seems to get better with every mile. Yes, the I -drive can be distracting, but this is a small price to pay. It is quicker than most cars on the road, but this car is all about relaxed comfort. It makes you feel good about yourself. Not the greatest cornering ability at speed...you don’t want to throw this car about. Don’t like the Pirelli tyres....the Goodyear’s give much better grip.

Submitted: 01/02/2008 12:02:26

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Andrew Webb, County Down

BMW 1-Series 116 Sport 2005

The 1 series with the full sports kit looks good. It also has a comfortable driving position and good interior features. However the car has pretty poor acceleration and for the money you could definitely get something a lot more sexy and speedy.

Submitted: 28/01/2008 12:50:17

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