BMW M6 Convertible road tests and consumer car reviews

BMW 5-Series Saloon 2010

Rubbish car with a BMW badge. Very twitchy in wet and completely useless in icy conditions or snow. Big boot is let down by restricted access, back seats don’t drop so unless you are a family of four giants then its pointless. Fuel economy is good at least at around 50 combined. Have had many problems with intermittent fault warnings and run flat tyres.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 520 SE Auto 2005

A nice drive, good auto gearbox, punchy engine and reasonable 42mpg on average. A little hard ride but compensated for by handling with excellent direct feel steering. Plenty of room for 4-5 people and dent-sized usable boot. A little dodgy in snow so would guess that the 4 wheel drive is better. Would buy another if buying a family saloon of this size and price range.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 2004

What a great motor! I bought mine last May and have so far done 15000 kms with no problems. The car now has 125000kms on the clock and goes like the proverbial, returning 50+mpg. The garage removed the swirl flaps, they drop into engine and wreck it they said, so I’m relieved. The power is fantastic and road-holding equally so. It looks lovely in black and I would buy it again, but with a leather interior. Well done BMW!

BMW X3 20d SE Exclusive Auto 2009

Just bought a 2009 20d auto from a dealer. What a drive! It’s very responsive and definitely fun. I had a 320i 2010 previously and had to rev it very hard, whereas with this one a light touch and off it shoots. I have done just under 2000 miles in a month. and apart from the leather seats being a bit hard I have no complaints. I will definitely get another one. Also the mpg is great; at 70mph I got 51mpg over a 180mile journey when I first got it and reset the computer, and that included being stuck in a traffic jam on the M6 for a 5 to 10 mins. According to the computer it’s averaging 47.8 now after just under 2000 miles and that includes the supermarket trips.

BMW 1-Series Coupe 125i SE5 2009

I bought this recently with 6700 miles. A superb motor car of an older style. What a contrast to my reliable, but souless Audi A3 170 Tdi. The BMW reminds me of my Capri 3 litre, my Alfa 75 3 litre and my BMW 2800, but brought up to date. Fuel consumption around the houses is 30MPG on 91 octane and 33MPG on 95 is good. It took a long time for my Audi to better 40 in everyday runs.

BMW 3-Series Touring diesel 2003

We bought this car from friends who were emigrating and it has been great, until an injector went! Trying to remove the injectors is a major job and BMW is loathe to let you have sight of, let alone hire the tool they use. We also discovered that when the injector blows (quite scary) there is a distinct possibility of a screw getting into the manifold. It happened to us, and the car has had to have the engine reconditioned at a cost of £2,000, right at Xmas. It’s funny when these things happen and you start researching, you realise that it is not an uncommon problem at all. I have lost confidence in the car now and I will sell on in the new year. I will NOT be buying another one.

BMW 3-Series Touring 320d touring M sport 2009

A fun car to drive returning 43mpg running around suburbs and 50mpg on steady motorway plods. Nice performance and comfortable seats. The big downside on the M sport with run flats is the harsh ride on any, but a smooth surface. The sound system is designed so that if you set it for traffic reports you get them all the time and it’s impossible to interrupt/stop the ones of no interest. I have had niggling problems with the iDrive system, with two visits to BMW in 6 months for faults.

BMW 1-Series 118D M Sport 2009

A fantastic car that I love, however, I had to go for the M Sport because other trim levels felt a bit cheap (not what you would expect from BMW). I have had no problems in 20000 miles. Points to note: 18" Alloys plus sports suspension equals a bumpy ride, especially in the back! Although it’s economical it does not do the quoted 65mpg. Run flat tyres cannot be repaired when you get a puncture and cost £220 each. With regards to snow driving, you need to turn the traction control fully to off (hold button in), this allows the wheels to spin and improves progress no end.

BMW Z4 M Roadster 2011

Drives good, take my word for it. I love it!!!

BMW 3-Series Saloon 2011

It was the best car we’ve ever had, it was amazing especially with the speed :) Sad to get rid :(

BMW X5 diesel 2010

When I first got this car I was overall very pleased with it. As time went on I realised what a mistake I’d made, fuel economy is around 22mpg and servicing is outrageous. The huge chunky tyres last around 10,000 miles and are useless off road. Other drivers pull out on you as most people think you are an arrogant BMW driver. I’m getting rid of it this week and will never buy a BMW again.

BMW Z4 Coupe 2008

The best car I’ve ever owned. Yes boot is small, but you only need soft bags and you can fit holiday luggage in! Excellent engine and engineering.

BMW X5 Diesel 2011

My second X5. Previously owned RR Sport. Does not even come close. The Brits sure can glue nice looking wood to a dashboard but the Germans know how to put a great car together.

BMW 3-Series Convertible 330ci.m sport 2002

Rust has just started showing on one of the front wheel arches; it’s hard to beleve as when you’re looking at the whole car it looks in mint condition, but then you notice this problem. BMW did not underseal the front wings and they also fitted an inner plastic wing, which retains moisture. When I bought this car I thought BMW cars were better. I still would not sell this car and will fit new wings instead, but what a let down. I think it’s still a looker though, and what a car to drive!

BMW 3-Series Coupe m sport 2008

This 320 M Sport is the second BMW I have owned. My first was a 2055 5-Series, which was a very good family car. As I was looking for something smaller, but still with the BMW refinement we decided to go for the coupe. This car has a great driving position and styling. The M Sport delivers excellent acceleration and the standard equipment level is better than expected. Now for the one and only down side of most BMWs; RUNFLAT tyres give a hard and bumpy ride. They are also real expensive if you believe what BMW say about the tyre being unrepairable after a puncture, but I would still buy another of Germany’s finest cars.

BMW 5-Series Touring 535d M Sport 2009

2 years into ownership and I am smitten. Ok the car has been back for various issues, but this is a complex sophisticated car. The twin turbo removes any lag and gives linear power. I would only change it for the New F11 535d or a X5 40d.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 325d se 2008

I part exchanged my X3 for this 325d se, which uses less fuel, 47mpg against 23.5mpg and gives a softer ride. More importantly though this is a powerful machine with superb handling and good looks that are understated. I’m extremely impressed so far, but still getting my head around all the gizmos!

BMW 3-Series Saloon 330d 2004

My BMW 330d is the best car I have ever driven, there is so much torque now that I have installed a performance chip. It Originally had 406nm of torque, but now this has been increased to 496nm!! It’s an absolutely amazing machine and economy hasn’t been compromised at all! I would recommend this whole heartedly. I have covered at least 30,000mls with this setup and I am very impressed indeed! I love this car so much. I borrow a new shape 320d from time to time and it’s not a patch on mine. I always long for mine back.

BMW 3-Series Touring 320d Touring Auto 2005

My first BMW, replacing a totally unreliable Mercedes 220CDI. Overall, I am pleased with it. It does what it is supposed to do, returns an average of 37mpg with a mix of London driving and fast motorway work. Far short of claimed figures! With 67,000 on the clock, it remains totally reliable, and I can’t fault BMW servicing and customer care. I find the seats only average, and feel they could be wider, but then again I am a stocky build, so it may just be me! I feel safe in the car, and it remains rock steady at high speed, the engine never sounds stressed, and has bags of torque meaning hills pass unnoticed. Certainly would recommend one without hesitation!

BMW 1-Series 118d m sport 2011

I’ve wanted one of these for years and it was well worth waiting for. A great driver’s car,I love it! I’m getting 40mpg around town not 50mpg like BMW say, but who cares?? Get one now!

BMW M3 Convertible 2011

Almost perfect.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 2009

Crap. Won’t go anywhere in snow, ice or even frost.

BMW 1-Series 118d 2006

I bought my 118d 2 years ago with 39k miles, and it now has 67k on the clock. I’ve had no major mechanical issues and I’m very pleased with mpg which averages out at 56! I’m 6’3 and it’s a bit of a squeeze getting in and out; I find that its easy to catch the door rubber, with the result that it has come off on a number of occasions and has had to be secured with a small screw fixing. Otherwise I can’t fault the car.

BMW 3-Series Touring 330D se Touring 2006

I’ve had this car for nearly 3 years and covered 50,000 carefree miles. It’s the 4th Bimmer I’ve bought and yes it handles like a dream, especially in the wet with the DTC switched off! Sure it’s very tail happy, but totally predictable, ’though more tricky to catch perfectly and hold sideways than my previous E60 530i, the 3.0l petrol being much more progressive than the 3.0l turbo diesel’s massive torque surge at 2000rpm! It can (and has) caught me out when I’m not delicate enough with the throttle and/or quick enough with the opposite lock. In the snow it’s even better craic, ’though as I live in a hilly area; I’ve invested in a set of winter tyres as there are a few very steep inclines I can’t always get up. This car’s a great car for anyone who seriously enjoys driving a well engineered car - sideways!!!

BMW 3-Series Convertible 325i 2011

Fantastic second car used by the wife. Looks great with the roof up or down. The 19’ wheels look the part as does the red leather and grey paint combo.

BMW 7-Series 2011

Throughout my 25 years of driving experience this surely the best of all the cars I have previously owned. This car is better than you expect it to be. The bad point is the petrol. Very spacious and luxurious, I would strongly recommend anyone to buy it. Boot space is big and the seats are extremely comfortable.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 330D Sport 2004

Absolutely perfect car. I bought the car second hand from a BMW dealer. The car has 30k on the clock when I bought it in 2006 and now close to 140k. Still has so much power and a joy to drive. With all cars, it’s a must that you keep up with servicing. The people that have had problems with this car I’m afraid have bought the odd lemon BMW.

BMW 7-Series 730 lwb 2006

A beautifully comfortable car with every toy one could wish for. The I-drive is as complicated or easy as you want to make it. Handling and comfort are superb. Overall consumption going in and out of London about 28 mpg. Just a slightly heavy foot can find you into 3 figures very quickly earning me my first 2 speeding fines. The finish is excellent and the only criticism is even buying it with 4 years on the clock depreciation is still rapid. Certainly buying new is for corporate budgets. A tad more speed would be lovely, which seems to be handled well in the new 740i.

BMW 7-Series 750i 2011

This surely is the ultimate driving machine, I love it. Plenty of grunt and space.

BMW 7-Series 750i 2011

Excellent, plenty of space, practical and sporty. The engine sounds great a deep roar from the 4.8 litre v8 under the hood. Great car, just a little too expensive.

BMW X5 3.5 diesel 2010

I have a 2010 BMW X5 with twin turbo’s and 3.5 diesel engine. The thing can go 0-60 in less then 6 seconds and is amazing. Also it doesn’t smell like diesel so it’s good. I can also go over 1000KM with out needing to fill up on gas. The third row seating has very bad legroom and can only be used for kids and not adults. I would also recommend getting an extended warranty because as everything’s automatic then something is bound to go! The rims and tyres are over £2,000, which is over priced so I would suggest either keeping the ones that it comes with or buy some off the internet for a cheaper price.

BMW 7-Series Salvaged 735i with V12 1999

When I bought this BMW, it was a wreck. This is because the the engine and gearbox had been blown by a previous driver while running from the police. Now, the car has the V12 and 6 speed manual gearbox from an 8-Series. This, in addition to the custom BBS alloys, the keycode ignition system and the fact that my car is the standard wheelbase, makes my car the only manual V12-powered short-chassis 7 series in existence. The car handles brilliantly and absolutely munches the motorway miles with considerable ease. The car is loaded with features such as heated front and rear leather seats, cruise control, an electric sunroof and a custom made Pioneer stereo system with 6CD autochanger and MP3 connectivity. (Feel free to comment and offer opinions on this superb car).

BMW 1-Series Coupe M Coupe 2011

I purchased my M Coupe from Wollaston in Northampton. The good: the performance is just astounding. It has been described as a baby M3, well that’s a pretty good description but it is also so much more. It has a bit less power but bags more torque. 0-60 is just too quick, I’ve had to set the speed limiter to warn me as a quick dab of the right foot for some "safe overtaking" will easily lead to points. The roadholding is phenominal, it sticks and keeps sticking. With all the safety features on it is quicker through the twisties than anything I’ve played in before. 27mpg so far up to the first service at around 1,000miles. Good? Well actually for this car yes, that is pretty amazing. Every time I tease it up to 30 I treat myself to a bit of a blast! The new iDrive is much better, it’s actually useable now. Finally the 7 digit postcode search. A smile every time I start it up. The bad: I thought I’d ticked every box, DAB is an option even though it’s standard in all the new minis. It’s not really that bad though as the engine note is quite satisfying. Except at 70mph on the M4, when the tuned exhaust system does grate somewhat... iPod integration has taken a step backwards in my honest opinion; the search feature takes a lot of getting used to. The ugly: Hard suspension and rubber bands for tyres plus English roads equals lots of re-tracking. The local dealer have carried out two re-tracks under warranty so far, it will get expensive soon. It is so hard to drive even moderately sensibly and if I’m not really careful I will get points. I’ll add to this posting when I have some more running costs etc to mention, however, I did buy a 60,000 mile service pack for only £400 so I hope it’s just tyres and tracking to worry about. And the jungle juice of course!

BMW M3 Saloon 2008

Performance, durability, looks, you get everything in an M3. It’s as solid as a rock, has fantastic balance when you push it through corners and it’s breathtakingly quick off the mark. Other then the horrible trips to the petrol station, as it’s incredibly thirsty it’s the perfect performance car. But it’s also a car you can use everyday if you want. Mine’s in black which is the colour to go for.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 320i 2005

Since buying this second hand from private owner, who I knew, at around 60K I have had a lot of problems. It has now done 70K! The major problem (apart from a continual squeak from the back seat area) has been that the cam motor, combined with the electrics, making the car go into safe mode where you cannot drive over 2500 revs. I have had some cars in my time and this now ranks as the worst and most expensive I have ever owned. Worse than a Rover. For example you can drive a couple of journeys in the day with no problems. However, on the third journey the orange engine light flashes up and speed is restricted. To think I was going to motor down to the south of France - fat chance! Paddock Motors Exeter, have been excellent and friendly as always, but I feel as if I have been beaten up by my dream car. It has been in and out of their garage for a month and it has been expensive in other ways too.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320d 2009

Bought this car new in March 2009 and have covered only 12,000 miles. During this time it has had four new clutches and a flywheel. A friend of mine purchased the same model in June 2009 and experienced even more problems. The car still wonders what to do at junctions and often leaps about on take off; my grandchildren call it Skippy. Many software updates have made no difference to the erratic motions of the car but have suppressed the miles per gallon and considerably speeded up the idle speed. This is my fourth BMW over twelve years it will be my last.

Responses to this review

Yep - 320i 2008 and had all the same issues. It appears to be a common problem. One day the car would be okay, the next it would be lurching to the extent that it looked like you couldn’t drive. I have had two new clutches and flywheels replaced which made little difference. Also had several coil packs and all injectors replaced and still had engine problems - again a common problem. Eventually got rid of it because it was obvious that the problem would never be solved and I was so fed up not knowing from day to day which way the car would drive - Jake from County Antrim

BMW 5-Series Saloon 520d SE 2006

I bought this car used with 129,000 miles when it was 3 years old for £9k. Came with leather upholstery, satnav, comms pack and xenon’s. It’s now just past 200,000 miles and it’s only had a new battery from the dealer. I have serviced it myself every 10k and it is absolutely faultless and quiet; it’s never had a clutch or particle filter. The best car I have ever owned.

BMW 1-Series 118d SE

Excellent car. I’ve had from new on lease and looking to replace it with a new 1 Series - yes, it is that good. I have the 5 door and it is excellent as second family car. The acceleration is great and handles like it is on rails. Great for overtaking, superb smooth ride and with 17" rims, it looks great. I’m looking forward to the next one :-)

BMW 3-Series Coupe 3

It is a nice car and I like it. It looks good and fast to drive nice car that you are looking.

BMW 1-Series 123D M Sport 2008

Have had my 123D M Sport for just over a year and now added a total of 17,000 miles in it, bringing it to some 35,000 in total. Mine’s a two door and I love the looks. Engine; brilliant, economical, powerful and grunt available at anything above 1,200 rpm. Handling; brilliant, v precise except maybe a bit more feel back thro the steering would be nice. Ride; good, quiet, would be better with the new variable suspension to deal with bumpy roads, although I understand getting off the runflats makes things better, trouble is you are strongly advised not to mix tyre types which can make changing all four expensive. Driving Position; only BMW get it this right. Luggage Space; good but not huge. Faults; folding of front seats seem to stick and is standard. Tyres are expensive, runflats about £200 each. Don’t go to the dealer as they rip you off. Overall I totally love my 123D, it’s the best car I’ve ever had.

BMW 1-Series 120d se 2011

Great car, only draw back for me is the boot space as a salesman I found it too small, apart from that the car is a cracker, has the wow factor and handles like a car should.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 320d M Sport Edition 2008

My car have been great over the last year. This is my second 320d, in 3 years. My first had less options that I did not consider ie. rear seats folding down - I bought a picture from Ikea and had to take it back. My new car has leather manual seats that are comfortable. Space is acceptable, drive is excellent. The average mpg on a commute is 55mpg. I have achieved 62mpg for a tank of fuel giving me 840 miles between fills. With 177bhp, power is one of the best for its engine size. Runflats can be firm on country roads but as someone who has had a puncture in them, the car was always controllable and safe. This car is one of the safest on road with the function in telematics, it will call for help and send location from GPS for example if the airbag goes off in an impact without any input from anyone. This is in the iDrive. A lot of bad points in the iDrive 5 digit postcode only lack of POI. Low tax band and good MPG. 20,000-ish between service and a nice looking car. Engine noise is low in cabin and never seen smoke in headlights of cars behind me, like many diesels.

BMW 1-Series 116 2007

I am not please with the car. It struggles to climb small inclines. The 1st catalytic converter went on it, which is unheard of in a four year old vehicle. This car drives rough and I would seriously consider going back to an Audi.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 520 DSE AUTO 2010

Supposed to deliver 55mpg!! So far, the best I have got is 42mpg! (The CLK 270 DDI auto I traded in gave me 53 during the last 35k miles of its life). I sold it because Merc could not fix its failing brakes after 7 visits in 6 years. I had a 520d auto from July to November 2010, which i traded in for seat (dis)comfort. The ride is fine and the comfort seat which I traded the car in for worth every penny!

BMW X3 2.0D SE 2007

Bought this car used car with 38k in October 2010. Thought it was okay on the test drive but quite clearly a couple of faults were missed by the dealership that sold it to me. Clutch had to be replaced by another dealership but the car is still left with an horrendous clunking coming from the propshaft/diff whilst slowing down to a halt. Dealer says it’s the mismatched tyres and that the 4WD is compensating constantly hence the noise especially at low speed, less than 10mph on dry roads! This is a good car and I would recommend one but at what price for somehing that resembles a ship’s boiler? Fair mpg, fair handling and my Jack Russell loves it but I can see it being sold on if BMW can’t resolve the clunk.

Responses to this review

Hi, mine has the same problem with the clunking noise, have you found the problem yet? - John Whitbread from Lancashire

Hi, I'm also having the same problem with the clunking noise, not found the problem yet? - Mark from Stockport

BMW 3-Series Convertible 335 M-Pack 2011

I am in love with my car. So much power, so beautiful, so well made. Here in Greece sun is our best friend so the top is most of the time down. Ok I spend a lot of euros on petrol but it’s worth it. I would prefer it with a softer suspension and with out i-drive.

BMW 1-Series 118i 3dr M Sport 2008

I had a 2005 116i, which was a great car so decided to upgrade a 2008 118i 3dr m sport, which looked fantastic and went well. Unfortunately a week later I was back at the dealership due to a warning light regarding engine power and car stuttering in 2nd or 3rd gear sometimes. Did a bit of research and found possible problem was ignition coils, which turned out to be correct. After three hours wait they replaced the coil and fuel injectors and car seemed more responsive and quieter. Now two weeks later the same thing is happening except car feels much worse sometimes and feels under pressure when accelerating in 2nd and 3rd gear. Called the dealership again to get it fixed again - a replacement car was not arranged (they said they’d pick it up and replace it) so told them I’ll call to them and they have a replacement car ready there and then while they fix my car. Judging by the previous reviews, it borders on the bizarre how BMW have left a known problem in their engines and then wait until unhappy car owners come back. Originally looked at a Mk VI Golf 2.0 TDI and now regretting choosing the 118i.

Responses to this review

Mark, I agree with your comments. See mine logged in the response below...finger trouble. BMW must have known about this latent deficiency. My dealer did not express any surprise! Regards - John Edwards from Hampshire

BMW 3-Series Coupe 2007

I love the car but get it with 100k mile warranty because it’s so expensive to fix. There is no other car on the road like it. It flies like a rocket and corners like a jet plane. Wow wow.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 335xi 2007

This was my second bimmer and it had a lot of power, really outstanding handling and was fun to drive. The only thing I don’t like is the run flat tires cost a lot to replace.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 520d SE 2010

I’ve had my 520d SE Auto Saloon for about 9 months now with one problem needing attention. The car decided to lose power and go into ’emergency power mode’ whilst doing 70mph on a fast A-road, and it was less than 2 weeks old! Long story short, it turns out the fuel tank is a ’saddle’ design and requires fuel to be transferred from one half to the other below 1/4 full. This wasn’t happening, and so effectively I had run out of fuel. Anyway, kept it above half a tank until the nice men from the dealership sorted it out. Never missed a beat since! The drive is excellent! I specced the VDC which is superb, and married to the auto box makes light work of any driving situation. I previously had a 330d touring and whilst the 5 doesn’t have the missile like thrust, it could not be accused of being anywhere near slow. The ride is quiet, relaxed, surefooted and composed. It is limo-like in it’s hushed progress with comfy seats and acres of space. Four people can travel in great comfort. I have done nearly 20,000 miles to date, so spend a lot of time behind the wheel. I can do 200 miles and get out the other end relaxed and calm, irrespective of the traffic - superb! I lease the car so servicing isn’t my problem but fuel wise, I regularly get an average of 45mpg (and I have a heavy right foot). On long motorway journeys, this rises to around 55mpg and means I am getting about 700 miles from a tank. Overall, it is a brilliant car that is easily fast enough, superb to drive, relaxed to travel in and carries four in style. Can’t recommend it enough but would always opt for the VDC if you are a keen driver!

BMW 3-Series Touring M SPORT 2008

Foolishly I bought one of these cars after reading magazine reviews, and not getting off my jacksy and test-driving one. I think in M Sport trim they are a fine looking car and once I got used to rear wheel drive, it was reasonably OK when chucking it about, but couldn’t hold a candle to an Alfa 156 sportwagon I had a few years ago. The seats in the M sport are very uncomfortable and definitely not suited to any ’bigger-boned’ individuals and the ride will remove your fillings from your molars, especially with run-flat tyres on. I ended up taking the risk and re-shod the car with new alloys and decent ’normal’ tyres and did notice a slightly better ride. Build quality was OK, not what I expected from a marque, interior trim is easily marked, and plastics easily dislodge, the computer never worked correctly and told me I needed new brake pads when I had just had them fitted at a service, and the run-flat indicators failed twice when I had punctures which subsequently resulted in the tyres shredding and coming off the rims(which according to BMW is impossible yet it happened to me twice!!) I also found the whole BMW dealer thing a bit ’ Stepford Wives’ with lots of forced smiles, false tans and power-dressing - You sell average cars, get real! It was pretty economical @ 40mpg and drove OK but I won’t be rushing back for another BMW in the forseeable future - don’t believe the hype..like wot I did!!

BMW X5 3.0 Si 2008

This generation X5 is just awesome, good handling, high performance and good carriage with seven seats and flexible for close five of them. We used it traveling in between Hong Kong and China and we felt safe and comfortable the whole way. We have no regrets owning our Bmw X5, best SUV/SAV ever so far.

BMW 1-Series 118d 2010

This has dood handling, suitable for city use as well as out of town road trips sometimes. Perfect for carrying four people rather five, BMW high performance and power are never doubted.

Responses to this review

My 118i is now also in for coil replacement on cylinder number three. This is the second coil to be replaced, number four went late last year. The dealer was not prepared to replace the other two coils, and I am just going out of warranty! The work could not be done immediately because they were out of stock! I know about supply logistics and this looks like unplanned demand is pulling down stock levels of a simple component. Thanks for your information - John Edwards from Hampshire

BMW X5 X5 50i M-package 2011

I bought a X5 50i M-package which has a 4.4l twin turbo inside. It can do 0-60km per hour in 5.5 seconds, it’s a very fast car. When you drive it, you feel the car just is like a tank, it’s very heavy but still can run very fast. The sound of the car is very great, like a racing sport car but if you drive this car over 170km per hour you will feel it is not fast.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 320d 2010

A good car on most fronts but not quite fantastic. Drives well with good balance and road holding and just enough power and torque to make it fun if not exhilarating. I’m happy with it but there is no doubt that the run-flat tires make for a choppy ride and the interior is a bit dreary. I’m happy with it and will keep it for a while but every time I see a Jaguar XF I wonder if I made the right choice...

BMW 3-Series Coupe 2007

I love the car but if you’re thinking about getting one, make sure you get a 100k mile warranty because it’s so expensive to fix. There is no other car on the road like it. It flies like a rocket and corners like a jet plane. Wow wow.

BMW Z4 Coupe Sport 2008

Mine is silver sport with heated seats xenons piano black trim and loudspeaker system great sound. I adore shape and the feel of car but being us built I don’t think quality is up with german BMW. Ride is very hard and rough roads do require patience I tested a se and sport but found si a better drive. Mine is auto has paddles great drive.30 mpg ave and insurance is ave 400 pounds comp. I love this car but will change for a cayman one day!!

Responses to this review

I have a Porsche Cayman S and a Z4 coupe too. The Cayman S is a better car but no real feeling behind the wheel. It’s too perfect for a sport car, no emotion. The Z4 coupe is the opposite. Not the best handling car but really fun (a sport car need to be fun). A Porsche is not cheap to run, insurance is really high, services are high too. I love Porsche but go for an old one or a second hand Carrera 4. The Cayman S is great car but will be not remembered as a great Porsche - Benji Picot from Scotland

BMW 1-Series 116i 2009

I bought a 116i new in May 2010 from Cooper Thames Ditton. It is actually a "59" plate, but was a dealer demonstrator with 40 miles on the clock. From 15,000 miles the engine developed a mis-fire which became worse over time. I took it to the dealer at 18,000 for a service and warranty repair regarding the problem. After the diagnostic test, the deal replaced both injectors 2 and 4 and the related coil packs. The car was superb for 10 days and then the problem returned. I called BMW Emergency Services and they took care of the problem immediately. The mechanic replaced the coil pack on cylinder no 1 and the car was fine again. Two days later, the problem returned, and BMW Emergency Services returned to my home. The diagnostic test showed a fault with coil pack no 3 and it was replaced. I am happy to say that the car is now fine and the fuel economy, which had been somewhat disappointing, has returned to about 44-48 mpg (highway). This was a huge inconvenience to me obviously, but I cannot fault BMW’s attention and willingness to correct this ongoing problem. I would also like to add that while this may be a widespread issue with this engine model, the part in question is not manufactured by BMW, but by Bosch Electronics, and it is that company that is ultimately responsible. Perhaps BMW should simply issue a recall for all owners of this engine model (that was supplied with the defective coil-type)?

BMW Alpina D3 Mono Turbo 2006

A great car. Economical (33 commuting to work urban and 48 on gentle motorway runs just keeping up with everyone else), dynamic and great to look at. This single turbo model has turbo lag and a distinct lack of low down oomph but the remap allows a linear feel straight to the red line. Handles very well with the large tires and hard suspension. All in all, a great package for the sporting driver that wants pace with frugality whilst looking so cool.

BMW 7-Series 760li

I have had to spend around $75,000 in repairs on this car; $30,000 in one year at the BMW dealer in Roger, AR, USA. It has been a money pit but I’d hate to sell it and put this on someone; I don’t hate anyone that bad.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 318SE

Good all round motor, classy looks, solid build and over 40mpg on the motorway. Comfortable on long trips.

BMW 1-Series 3

Good at driving car.

Responses to this review

I find this comment rather bizarre. If the car is so good to drive, why doesn’t it get five stars? If it isn’t worth five stars and only deserves three, what is the reason for this? Phil Suddaby from Yorkshire

Perhaps Zara is "good at driving (the) car" and the rating is not for the car :-) - Nick from Kent

BMW M3 Coupe 2010

This is the best affordable car you will ever drive but it will empty your wallet quicker than a thief.

BMW 3-Series Convertible 330i M Sport Auto 2010

The BMW Cabriolet is a great car. I had one for about a week and really liked it. Enough room for 4 people, but the boot is really quite small and even smaller with the roof down. A nice looking car, but I think I really prefer a proper "soft top" without the metal roof. I had heard that BMW were reverting back to a cloth roof; not sure if that is true or not.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 320d Exclusive 2011

Had the car for 1 month now. The diesel engine is unbelievably noisy at tickover. There is a stop/start system which is a fuel saving measure but I suspect that this is also designed to save the occupants from the horrendous crescendo of noise coming from under the bonnet. The run-flat tyres are also very vocal unless travelling over a particulary smooth section of tarmac. The wind noise kicks in at about 60mph and the combination of engine, road and wind noise makes for a very tiring time behind the wheel. Unfortunately, the poor standard stereo lacks the guts to drown out the cacophony of external sounds. I do like the heated seats though!

Responses to this review

I cannot believe what has been said. This car is one of the better oil burners on the market. The 318d is just as good as the 320d, it’s not noisy and is a pleasure to drive - Peter Roberts from Kent

Couldn’t agree more with the original author, rarely have I driven a more overrated piece of old tut that the 320 Efficient Dynamics. I’ll give it its due, it is good on fuel and it does handle well at high speeds and round twisty lanes but of course that’s down to the hard suspension which causes issues when driving on bumpy roads. Now for the bad stuff: Horrible engine note, sounds like a low powered tractor vibration through the transmission at tickover. Gear stick is literally shaking itself to pieces. Unnecessarily sharp clutch, I’ve stalled this car in the 10 months I’ve owned it more than all the cars I’ve owned over the past 10 years. Poor gear change and ratios. Clunky gearbox is simply substandard compared to its rivals (Insignia and Mondeo), I know the gear ratios are for fuel economy however scant consolation when you constantly have to change from 2nd to 3rd and back again when travelling at low speeds in town traffic. Drab interior, If you’re going to give me a brushed aluminium interior at least give me brushed aluminium and not aluminium coloured plastic. The seats, I didn’t go for the £1,100 leather seats (thought I’d spent enough on it already at £31k!), however had I known they were going to get the material from the bottom of a sofa companies reject bin I might have broken the bank and gone for leather! Stop/Start feature, I hate it, thought I wouldn’t mind it but I hate it, I’d like to turn it off permanently, oh dear I can’t...got to remember to press the button every time I get in the car. Interior space, smaller than its rivals, you can’t get three people in the back comfortably. Boot, it’s a saloon, nowhere near as handy as a hatchback. Rear wheel drive, I’ll pay for that when the snow comes. Overall, it would get two stars for me, it’s my first 3-Series and it will be my last, never again BMW... - Neil Shakespeare from England

BMW 5-Series Touring 520 d 2008

So I’m only 2000 miles in and happy so far. I’ve just had an A6 for 60k so this is a direct comparison. It’s true, the idrive is poor, no, make that very poor when compared to the Audi MMI. The ride is harsher and run flats are prone to tram lining on the motorway. I’ve bought a space saver and I’m now counting the miles ’til it’s time to buy new tyres. The head and leg room is better for me (6’7" / 2m tall) but the boot is about 10 cm shorter, this means the push chair has to go across the boot instead of length ways. Steering wheel cannot be adjusted for reach but is in a good place. Fuel economy appears about 5-10 mpg better, but I could just be driving slower, following a speed awareness course (thank you Merseyside police). Heated seats are a must have for anyone with back issues. This is my first car with them and I love it. See my review on the A6 issues I had.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 320d se 2005

My wife has recently purchased a 55 plate BMW 320d se, the first problem was the overflow pipe on the fuel tank split and caused a fuel leak. The next problem is still ongoing, the car steering follows all the ruts in the road the steering has been realigned and two new tyres have been fitted to the front of the car but the problem still exists.

BMW 1-Series 2007

What a vehicle. I have had this car for three and half years and cannot find a bad word to say about it. I have read the reviews of other users complaining about the fuel and tyre ware it is no different to other vehicles of its size and weight. Test drove a Q5 as a replacement, no thanks, just ordered an other Q7 fantastic.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 316d es 2010

40k miles in my first year with this car and I can honestly say that the car is excellent, lovely to drive, economical and reliable. Certainly will buy another one.

BMW 1-Series 120D 2010

I smile every day when I go out, the car is excellent and so far I have only seen 3 on the road in 4 months! I have the white model and would strongly recommend it.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 318d 2010

I had a new 318 on order. My Mondeo and Vectra had lots of standard items which I was a little irritated to have to pay extra for on the BMW; cruise control, lumbar support, 12v socket, decent radio. I waited patiently for a couple of months, then I received a confirmation that the car would be built and delivered in a few weeks time. I checked the confirmation and some of the ""extras" I had been forced to order were not on the confirmation. I had previous confirmation in writing twith the extras on. BMW dealer said any change to the spec. would mean deleting the whole order and placing a brand new order, oh and by the way the price has now gone up almost £1,000, and you will start again at the back of the queue!!! I told them to stuff it. BMW experience = very poor.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320i M Sport Coupe 2007

After 30000 miles I’m wishing I had stuck with Audi! The 320i m Sport Coupe is great to look at, classy and subtle but it has a host of mechanical problems that never seem to get sorted. There was horrific clutch judder which BMW claimed was a common software issue that was only resolved with a new clutch and fly wheel in addition to the software update. The 6 speed manual gearbox regularly refuses to go into first. BMW claiming there is nothing wrong and its only a trait of the M sport box. The car would continually go into limp home mode. This was fixed with a new coil pack and all the injectors being replaced however there is still the odd unexplained loss of power. The car has also suffered a long list of minor electrical and sensor problems keeping it as a regular visitor to my local dealer. A dealer who somehow manages to charge £245 for a 225/40 R18 Bridgestone runflat that kwikfit charges £150 for! All in all it looks nice on the driveway but everywhere else its a massive let down.

Responses to this review

Bought a second hand 57 plate 320 Coupe 18 months ago and so far every 6 months I have to take the car back to BMW to replace the injectors. Car still has the odd stutter even just after the replacement. Due to the car and BMW in Aberdeen I’d never have another BMW. Oh, when I first bought the car, the run flat malfunctioned and the side wall collapsed meaning the car slid when going round a corner (defeats the purpose of run flat). Aberdeen BMW tried to tell me it was a nail and said I’d need to buy a new tyre for something like £250. I’d rather drive arounnd in a KIA, at least it has a 7 year warranty - Mark Donald from Aberdeenshire

BMW 5-Series Touring 530d 231cv 2006

Great to drive. High tech. Fantastic engine etc. But.... Damn expensive to get anything repaired or even diagnosed! Diagnostic check 150€. Replacement of hydraulic rear suspension 700€. Rear wiper motor: 400€. Intermittent rear bulb warning requires replacement light fitting. Make sure you replace windscreen with OE if you have HUD otherwise you get a double image like me! Run-flat tyres 300€ each and can’t find them anywhere when you need them - get a space-saver! PDC can be slow to initiate - reverse slowly - and it should be more sensitive at very close quarters - for me its on constantly too soon. Problems with: ingress of water into electronics via vent flap in offside rear wheel arch! BMW too busy here in Lyon - two weeks for a visit and another two weeks before they do the work!

BMW X3 2006

Bought from new, only owner since new, had following: Hand brake does not hold, had engine stripped by BMW; car jumping BMW flushed through, no fault found; rear sensors replaced x2; now going in to work shop to strip down the gear box as it will not go into first and reverse. Only done 40,000 miles, one lady owner. When I have no problems I like the drive and the space.

BMW Z4 M Coupe 2007

I drove a Z4 M in Germany for 12 months. This allowed me to both run the car in properly and then drive the car at the speeds for which it was designed. I had owned an M6 the year before but found the Z4 even more exhilarating! The road holding was superb even in the wet (Michelin tyres), acceleration vivid and the comfort was total. Highs - although governed at 155 mph, I could achieve just short of 170 and the sensation of power changing down and accelerating hard, which caused the back end to drop about 4 inches! Lows - the small boot was one, 23mpg was the only other, but then I was running at very high speeds on the autobahns and, with no weight over the back wheels, not too clever on ice or snow (I used to drive around in the winter with a large bag of salt in the boot. I have recently retired and plan to buy a good second hand M to refurbish, although I’ve not yet discussed this with my wife! The best car I have ever owned; total fun but practical.

BMW 6-Series Coupe 3.5 D 2008

This is my wife’s car. The BM is ’USELESS’in the snow! Even an inch of snow renders it imobile. The mud and snow setting on the auto box is a joke. There are strange inconsistencies, for example, the rear towing eye cover is attached with a nylon thread to the car so it does not get lost when the towing eye is in place. The front towing eye cover is NOT attached so can be easily lost especially when its snowing and dark! On my Qashqai the coolant bottle is transparent so at a glance I can tell if I need to top up coolant. On the BM the coolant bottle is opaque. You have to remove the pressure lid and then look for a float to see if the coolant is at the correct level! Over engineered for no purpose. Its a good looking car but it’s going nowhere ’til the snow goes.

Responses to this review

You’re reviewing a 60k+ car and focus on the towing eye, coolant bottle opacity & how it handles the one day a year we get snow? FFS go back to your Qashqai, you deserve to drive a POS like that! - Ben from England

BMW Z4 Coupe si sport 2006

Saved up for years and waited for 5 years no claims for this car. It’s pricey to run, set of tyres will cost £800 absolute minimum as will insurance, mine was over a grand at 28 y.o. But is it worth it, oh yes. There isnt much on the road that will beat it off the lights when the sport button is on. This makes it sound like a dream and increases the aggression of accelleration. It flies up the gears and will be pulling hard even over 130 mph in fifth gear. One negative; when the tyres start to wear handling on rutted roads requires concentration. Those lorry lane grooves on the motorway will make the car track along them, requiring a determined turn to free yourself. Massive, massive fun though and looks stunning in montego blue

BMW 1-Series 118d M-Sport 2010

118d m-sport automatic. Does even less mpg than the 200bhp automatic petrol scirocco we owned previously. Very lucky with the 1 series to get over 44mpg. Managed 48mpg on a motorway run. Often drops as low as 38mpg.

Responses to this review

What are you doing with it? You must be flooring the thing!! David Navin from Surrey

BMW 5-Series Saloon 520d 2010

Keith Crossley from Durham has sent in a review on the BMW 5-Series Saloon.

I have owned the new Flagship 520d since July and covered 8000 miles, 2 weeks ago on Remembrance Sunday I was driving my car in the fast lane of a motorway and the car suddenly lost all power and stopped I was very lucky to avoid a high speed collision from the rear. The car has been in repair for 2 weeks without any update at all from BMW , they have remained very quiet over the reapir, they did say it was the main electronic control unit that had moisture in it but it should have been sealed, I have no idea when the car will be ready? I am appalled at BMW’s attitude and wall of silence. I would not recommend this car, I could have been killed. It would not surprise me if there is a recall on this particular part of the car. The car was supplied by BMW Park Lane and BMW Elvet in Durham are trying to repair it and they have never contacted me in 2 weeks!??? Beware!!!

Responses to this review

My wife had exactly the same problem as you by the sound of it. She was driving alone on the motorway in her brand new 1 series BMW 116i when the car lost all power. It was raining and it was dark, she managed to drift into the hard shoulder more by good luck than management. It was an absolutely terrifying experience for her, it still makes her cringe when she thinks of what may have happened to her. The car ended up back with the main dealer and it took some time for them to diagnose the problem, which turned out to be the ecu unit. The dealer handled the fault very well but on writing to BMW U.K. they just apologised and suggested that any complaint should be taken up with the dealer! We thought this to be very poor customer relations, and we sold the car soon after as my wife had lost confidence in the car - Terry Wright from England

BMW 1-Series 116d Sport 2009

I am somewhat disappointed with this car. Apart from the fact it does 49 mpg instead of the 65 advertised, I find the ride quite hard and notchy. My greatest disappointment came today, when we had about 3 inches of snow. I felt it was downright dangerous, more so than any other car I have driven in snow, (and I have driven many) slipping and sliding constantly, in spite of the so-called electronic aids! Then, it would not climb a slight incline, so I had the embarrassment of leaving my car 150 yards from home!

Responses to this review

I drove about in an inch of snow and could not get up minor inclines and the car felt very unstable - Gary Barker from Sussex

I totally agree with you, the same thing happened with my 330d 60 plate - Kay Sharif from Aberdeenshire

Agree with you both. With the car being rear wheel drive it is poor in the snow. My gf’s 1.1 pug 106 is better in the snow due to being front wheel drive. The 1 series dash keeps flashing with the DTC logo every minute in bad weather, and I ended up having to leave the 1 series around the corner from my house due to getting stuck. In the dry 1 series handle corners well, very responsive indeed but bring them out in the snow you may as well throw away the keys! Rick Massey from Lancashire

I struggled this year in the snow in a front wheel drive car. I would rather have had my old BMW 3 - much better, never had a problem in the snow - perhaps its too heavy a right foot? Ian from Worcestershire

BMW 3-Series Convertible 2001

A lovely reliable car, the only one minus is that it is too low down, and I would like to aquire stiffer rear springs for the car if they exist, mainly because I tow a caravan with it, (no problem), I have seen that when buying the car from new, you can have a towing kit fitted, is this also a retrofit?  Anyone enlighten me on the subject?

BMW 1-Series 118d MSport Auto 2010

Hire car from Avis - so cannot comment on the long term nature of the car but for the 3 days I had it I have to say it impressed me, but its not without fault. Bad points, which I have read about on the 1 Series before is the lack of space in the cabin. And yes it is pokey. Front seats are fine, there’s enough space to get comfortable but the rear is pretty cramped and the boot isn’t massive either. Another petty problem but one which is annoying is the lack of cupholders. I’m so used to driving in cars with them that its highly frustrating when you don’t get them! The plus points is numerous - its obviously been well put together and deserves its "seal of approval" the BMW badge. The auto gearbox was excellent, very smooth and responsive. There was bags of grunt in the 2.0 diesel engine. Nice and responsive steering, with a slight gokart feel. And fuel economy was also good. Would I buy one? No, not unless it was a bargain. I feel there are better value cars in the same category.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 320d Efficient Dynamics saloon 2010

Fleet of foot and frugal with the fuel, the new dynamic diesel from BMW is a package to please. A Beemer to have the fuel conscious beaming - and with more than ample punch to pacify the ’go-getters’. So much so, that Swift Steve, the superannuated boy racer from Shrewsbury was agog at the 142mph performance coupled with the frugality at the fuel pump. "Blow me down with a feather." He said. "In all my years of hot pedal motoring, I took it as gospel that performance came - quite naturally - with a hefty fuel premium. "I can’t believe this car motors as it does, with consumption levels I used to equate with an old 2CV that my French granny used to drive in Dordogne Street, Telford.". This 3 Series possesses blistering pace but won’t blister your fingers in reaching for the wallet. In fact you might find Incy Wincy Spider has been busy with the cobwebs between fill-ups - and the purchase price is sensible too, starting at £27,245. Continuing to draw comment, my friend and neighbour, Thomas Ratcliffe - well known as the inventor of the scowl - said "I see you’ve got one of those poseurs cars again." In reply I put it to him that such words from his lips were, indeed, a compliment. After all, how many people do you know Reader, who have a shrine to Albert Pierrepoint? I have to say that the only time he ever praised a vehicle I was testing was when I was putting a vintage Parisian tumbril through its paces. "Anyway Thomas" I said, shutting the door. "I’m not hanging about. I’ve got lots of miles to cover." The beauty of this BMW is the very reassuring sense that it’s a car made to be operated by real people in today’s world. You open the door and slip into an interior that’s as welcoming as a comfortable old pair of slippers - leather slippers, that is - for this is nothing if not a finely appointed car. The publicity boast about BMWs being ’drivers machines’ is not - as Horace Bachelor used to say (Younger readers should consult Uncle Bert for reference) - an ’idle boast’. The seat is comfortable, supportive and immediately familiar: in short, ’the business’. It’s only a matter of seconds before all the little adjustments are made and you’re sitting in perfect comfort: one is, so to speak, ’well mounted’. And while this particular model is not a fire-breathing charger, neither is it a plodder. It’s as swift as an arrow, as poised as a pyramid and just ’made’ for the road (even roads such as our shockingly maintained ones). It gets you from A to B and back again with such aplomb as to make you wish to start the journey all over again. And If ’drivers car’ means anything at all, it surely means the sort of car you don’t like getting out of. A word or two here about the technicalities: Efficient Dynamics includes ’start stop’, brake energy regeneration, lightweight engineering, low rolling resistance tyres, low friction fluids and active aerodynamics, plus six perfectly chosen gear ratios to give low rev. long leggedness. The 163bhp 2.0 litre 4 cylinder diesel, with its wizard flywheel to damp vibration, is a gem. Astonishingly frugal it may be (I averaged just under 61mpg but couldn’t reach the dizzy heights of 68.9mpg overall, which BMW claim) but it’s the amazingly low emission figures that will save the planet - almost a million times a mile! A mild exaggeration? Well I’ll leave that to future generations to answer - but the exhaust is so pure that road tax is just £35. An indicator of the splendid dynamic qualities is the ease with which twisty roads are accommodated with the poise and flair of a ballerina. Answering to the helm instantaneously, it has that balance that only rear-wheel drive can provide: after all, who wouldn’t prefer being pushed in the back rather than being yanked by the bib in the direction of the horizon. Even in today’s all too prevalent nose-to-tail crawling along so called ’tailbacks’ (slow torture is, perhaps, a preferable term) one is so pleasantly ensconced in the assiduously thought through cabin that it’s tempting to stretch out, reach for the Horlicks and watch an episode of ’Way Out West’ on the sat-nav screen. It’s a brilliant motor, this. It has dimensions aplenty to afford all the space necessary for true comfort and yet has the nimbleness of a compact sporting vehicle. There’s plenty of power for all but the most hot headed and plenty of glory for all but the megalomaniacs amongst us.

BMW 1-Series 118D SE 2009

I had my Series one for 12 months from brand new and now I’ve sold it as in that time I had two sets of front door seals on my 5 door. On the last facelift BMW changed them to inferior ones from the original. Apart from that it really was a great drive, didn’t like that I had no spare tyre and it proved to be a real problem once. Mechanically it was just great, didn’t like that there was just primer in the engine bay as it looked unfinished, also the blanket underneath the bonnet was removed; also cost cutting I guess. Best get a 2 door as it’s not great to get two adults in the back. Summary: Fuel consumption in real life didn’t come anywhere near what BMW say, shame about the cost cutting. That said it was an excellent drive and £30 road tax, however, I sold it and got a Mercedes C Class, the quality of which is way above the BMW.

Responses to this review

What idiot would trade a BMW for a Mercedes? - Andy Scfield from Scotland

BMW 1-Series 116d Sport 2010

This is not a bad car, nice engine, excellent brakes, drives smoothly, and accelerates well. However I wouldn’t buy it again as it takes a quite while to get used to and BMW doesn’t offer a particularly good customer service. It has got a stiff gear box and one needs to be careful that one doesn’t change into the wrong gear and has the engine cut out. Also its very poor visibility to the rear and big blind spots are of great disadvantage, makes the car a bit awkward to reverse and park despite of having parking sensors. The rear seats don’t offer much room, certainly not a family car but absolutely fine for one to two not too tall people.

BMW X1 2010

Have just completed 6 months with this car (2.3D version) and it has some disappointing features - at speeds over 100mph there is an irritating whistle from the roof rails. The engine is quite noisy when idling at lights, probably some internal vibration effect, which disappears as soon as the accelerator is activated. The carpets on driver side permanently ruck up into the accelerator and brake; this can be quite dangerous at times, better velcro needed! The new version of i-drive is counter intuitive and overcomplicated, still not comfortable with it after 8000miles. Rattles from the interior are common particularly on rougher roads. Have already decided to replace the car and go back to the X5!

Responses to this review

Is it true that the 1st gear on the manual shift is in the 6th gear position? What were they thinking? - Keith Raymond from Derbyshire

BMW 3-Series Saloon M3 sport 2010

Like many here I was fooled by the advertising and the dream "the ultimate driving machine". Nothing could be further from the truth. I’d agree with many of the comments on here. And like others it’s my first and last BMW. I have never driven such a poorly speced over priced car. I’ve had the car a month, but am already talking to the dealer to get my old car back. That was an ’03 SAAB Aero, the two cars are incomparable in terms of comfort, quality and overall safety. I was really happy with my old car, So how can a premier manufacturer like BMW get so many things wrong, by not listening to the people its selling to? It’s a car with lots of bling and no show. It’s a car for guys who like to be seen in a car with an "image" Shame the car doesn’t deliver anything else, but the nice looks, The engine is gutless and lacking power. The interior is very disappointing, no driver comforts, No spilt rears seats, Passenger comfort is totally lacking. Nowhere to put anything, like maps or things. The seats are really uncomfortable even on short journeys, Thin, not really easily adjustable. I’m not very tall but end up nearly banging my head on the roof. No driver lumbar support. The Idrive totally does my head in. Catches your hands when you change gear, the Parking assist stays on even when you’ve finished reversing Should I go on? Am I impressed? No. Would I buy another? Definitely not. Would I recommend it to a friend? Never in a million years.

Responses to this review

You’re talking a load of cr*p, I bet you have never driven one - Steve Harlow from England

Sorry Steve Harlow but he’s right, the M3 is a great car to drive if you don’t mind having your back broken and being overcharged for the privilege, £35K of performance + 15K of image. I bet you’ve got an iPhone as well haven’t you? You must have, all the cool people have them, don’t worry about the fact you can get something just as good if not better for much less, but then you wouldn’t be cool now would you? - Neil Shakespeare from England

Steve is right, I do not believe you have ever driven one. And why would you spend all this money on a car unless you were totally in love with it. The M3 is an excellent car but perhaps not the one for you. You should have kept your Saab if you loved it - Peter Allen from England

BMW 1-Series Convertible 118d M sport 2010

I currently drive a Saab 93 Vector Sport, this compairs no way to a BMW, I test drove the 1 series 118d cnv and was instantly sold on it, the handling the styling and the over all feel and feeling I had when sitting and driving the car were so much more than the Saab, I ordered there and then with a full list of extras. Will be well worth it when my new BMW 118d M sport Convertable is delivered. The whole experience, from the car to customer service is second to none!

BMW 3-Series Touring 320d (163bhp) 2007

I have mixed feelings about this car. It is great to drive, very sharp turn in and minimal body control. It will cruise comfortably on the motorway. It does put a smile on your face. However, there are also some downsides to consider when living with the car. Mpg - 34mpg average over 3 years. Not very close to published mpg of 47mpg. This car is called "touring", not estate. That is because it’s boot is about the same size as a Golf hatchback. Look elsewhere if you need a bigger boot. Two large suitcases pretty much filled it. The glass of the read window opens seperatly from the boot, this is very useful. I had leather seats (not sport) and found them fine, if a little lacking in lateral support. Raising the seat involves shifting your weight - a VW ratchet style system would be preferable. As another reviewer states, this car eats tyres. I bought 3 sets of tyres for this car and traded it in with barely legal tyres. £1,000+ per annum for tyres is way too much. I spent more on tyres than fuel. And thats only doing 12,000 miles per annum. There is no option other than Bridgestones or Michelins (even more expensive). Going to non-runflats doesn’t work for me as there is no spare and tyreweld is no good with a blowout. The hydraulic control unit failed not long after the warranty expired. BMW graciously paid for the part (£1,500) and I paid for the labour (£300). Servicing is not cheap, but you buy a premium brand car so you should expect this. 5 stars for driving 1 star for running costs.

BMW 1-Series 118d Sport 2008

Had this car from new (one of the last before the Efficient Dynamics - so no start/stop). Has been practical, reliable and economical throughout - no issues to date at 3.8 yrs old. Yes the ride is ’hard’, but there again I have always preferred this to cars that are too sloppy (they make driver and passangers sea-sick after a while). Although I prefer my wife’s car (Peugeot 207 HDi) around town (v light on Clutch and steering) - for anything over 10 miles or so give me the BMW every time. Rear space is cramped, but we manage with 16 yr old (6ft +) teenager (and friends) without major problems, though will admit I miss my 320d Tourer when we have luggage to carry! - but for 355 days of the year it’s more than acceptable. Economy (on this pre-Edynamics model) is good, not outstanding - averaging at the 35K miles point around 44mpg (I’m quite heavy with the right foot). Performance and driving pleasure - what can I say? Sure its not a pocket rocket away from lights - but on the open road, the mid range and top end pull away is delightful; always feel there is more than enough to put the car where I want to when I need to!

BMW 3-Series Touring 335 D Sport

Great car, does most things really well. Falls down on two thing. It eats tyres, more to the point, the side wall wears down way before the main tread. I have done 40,000 kilometres and the second set of fronts have gone. The first set wore down to the canvas on the walls after 15,000 kilometres but loads of tread on the main and over here in France a new set of rubber will cost you £1,300. The second thing that lets the car down are the seats, they are not very comfortable for long trips: France to the UK and your back is killing you.

BMW X3 SE 3 ltr Auto 2007

Bought from BMW dealer under their so called 120 point safety check. So far have been back on four occassions for new tyres, which they fitted the wrong way round. Brake fluid change, incompatable blue tooth and last of all water coming in via the rear doors. only to be told that there is nothing that can be done. as it is an inherant fault with the X3. Head office/trading standards here I come !! Apart from that it is good ride on A & B class roads but get off onto country back roads ( we live in Suffolk) and boy does it shake you up. Holds the road like a dream, but will get the X5 when all the dust has settled

BMW 3-Series Coupe 2008

After taking delivery of my shiny BMW 320 Coupe, 9 weeks later it was back at the dealers neading a whole new automatic gearbox!! BMW UK didnt have the parts so I had to wait 3 weeks for it to arrive from Germany. I always thought that there was something wrong with the car as whenever I started it the whole thing would shake. It broke down 5 times in 18 months. It had all but one of the injectors replaced. The guy at the service desk at the dealers used to hide whenever he saw me heading towards him & the car being on the back of a recovery vehicle. It was a fab looking car but sadly I will never have another one EVER especially after it broke down yet again in the pouring rain & left me standing a the side of a busy trunk road for 40mins while BMW came out to rescue me again. It has now been returned to the lease company. Now looking at a Merc, seeing as I had one on loan while my BMW was being repaired.

BMW 1-Series 118d es edition 2008

Purchased this 2008 special edition 14000 miles in May, nice looking car, superb to drive good acceleration nice interior lots of extras, ride can be a bit bumpy due to run flats, also like stop/start function. Not yet been able to match the 60+mpg as BMW states, best so far is about 55mpg which is still good. Insurance costs good and road tax only £30. My wife though does find reverse gear very hard to engage sort of spring loaded and cannot engage gear with one hand, i must admit i have had many cars over the years and this must be one of the hardest gears i have come across. Overall very pleased with car and as there are only the two of us space is not an issue.

BMW X5 3.0 d 2004

I would wish to add to previous comments that I have used this car extensively to tow a caravan around most of Europe during my Summer vacations. It always leaves me with the comforting feeling of ample power, even when climbing steep grades, and of safety to spare. This is the second X5 I have owed and the first was so good that I would no change brand. I previously owned a Range Rover 2.5 TD and it played a few unpleasant tricks on me, like going too hot with temperature gauge moving into the red zone, and forcing me to make frequently when towing uphill and once dying on me on a road in Germany, with caravan in tow. You can imagine the annoyance and the frustration. Well, no more of that.

BMW 3-Series Convertible 320ci M Sport 2005

I purchased my car in the UK in January 2009 (a good time to buy as prices are naturally deflated from their spring/summer values). The car started with 38K miles and now has 67K relatively faultless miles. Dealer support throughout the 12 month BMW warranty period was good. Pricey bits are the primarily tyres as the Dealer fitted budget rubber and the true cost/value of quality rubber became apparent on ownership. The car can be driven energetically, in fact it often begs to be driven that way, with the smooth 6 cylinder engine taking all right foot punishment in it’s stride. The engine sounds great when either idling or on full bore even with a standard exhaust fitted. Service schedules are decently infrequent and the cost of servicing is surprisingly not too expensive considering the Marque. I love the style of the car, which looks so well balanced in design and the attention it generates over here is sweet. It’s not looked upon with the sort of snobbery one might encounter on British roads but more looked upon as a very affordable but very classy car generated genuine interest. Bottom line - a beautifully designed car that will look equally just as good in 20 years as it does now.

BMW 3-Series Touring 2010

Sad to say I just can’t get inspired by this car. It has no soul. Of course its efficient at what it does but I’ve been more excited by old bangers I’ve owned for various reasons. Gets nowhere near the claimed MPG, stereo is not very good and basic aircon is so far removed from where the best climate control options are these days.

BMW 1-Series 118i 2007

Purchased my BMW 118i in March 2008. Handles very well except in icy and snowy conditions. I believe that most European countries insist on having winter tyres by law from November onwards! Have had problems with the steering lock from new....rectified after three visits to dealers. Am very happy with petrol consumption...47 MPG or so on longish journeys. However, have had two fuel injector failures (at mileage of 19000) within 1700 of each other and am concerned about this occuring again. Am considering trading it in for a Mini Cooper as front wheel drive should be an improvement on rear wheel drive on icy snowy conditions.

Responses to this review

Richard, are you Richard Rees who used to live in Windhoek, Namibia. I knew Richard and Jean Rees in the 80s, they stayed in windhoek and I am trying to make contact with Jean. Perhaps they returned to the UK after Richard’s retirement. He worked for Alfa Romeo. I will appreciate if you know someone who fits the description and let me know. Kind regards Adri Mey, Johannesburg, South Africa 082 822 0686 - Adri Mey from South Africa

BMW 3-Series Touring 2010

The best 3 series model yet. The 1400 changes have made this model the greatest yet. The difference between the 2009 and the 2010 places the new version at a higher level in all ways. Suspension-wider track and obviously new generation run flats come together to create a comfortable highway cruiser and a better than usual performer on our twisty uneven New Zealand roading system. Motor smoother, quieter, more economical. Transmission 5 speeds that change without fuss, noise, quickly and easily overidden with the manual system if required. Who can match the economy and performance of the automatic transmission? Just watch the fuel gauge on the dash and agree. Brakes probably industry standard, progressive, and work well when required to do. A really wonderful motorvehicle.

BMW 1-Series 120d M Sport 2010

This happenend to me on Friday evening after collecting a brand new BMW 1 Series Coupe just less than 48 hours earlier in March 2010 having only driven 57 miles! I could’nt get out of the car, it filled with black smoke and an acrid smell. The car then decided to totally shut down after several attempts the door decided to open. Once out I called the Fire Brigade who then disconneted the battery due to possible electrical fault? I had to wait in the pouring rain for over an hour for a recovery vehicle to collect the car because it would not lock! Eventually the car was put on a low loader and the car is now back at the dealership in the workshop.

BMW Z3 Roadster 2010

Looks better than any other roadster, drives well but a bit like an old fashioned sports car without the issues. Great if you fit a lowering kit and some wheel spacers on the back, but watch out for speed humps.

Responses to this review

Mis-labeled. Z3s stopped production in 2002 - Ron from United States of America

BMW 3-Series Saloon 330d 2006

I bought it because of the reputation for speed, quality and economy. If you do the same.. be prepared to be sorely disappointed. The biggest problem with this car is the tiptronic gearbox called ’steptronic’ by BMW... IT WILL FAIL and YOU WILL BE SPENDING MINIMUM £1500 ON A REPLACEMENT. I have been unlucky enough to have 2 gearboxes fail on me.Tthe issue is the sealed for life fluid. BMW used to say that the gearbox fluid never needed to be replaced and sealed the gearboxes. when so many started to fail they changed this policy but have never accepted that they had a problem with the gearboxes. These gearboxes fail and if you were within warranty BMW might have helped. Most are too old now to be within a BMW warranty so it will fall on you to fork out the money. Dont take my word for it, just research on the internet. The problem is well known and widespread in the USA and owners there are taking BMW to court. Where my gearbox was reconned they said they are getting a regular supply of BMW diesel cars with failed steptronic boxes. Since owning this car I have spent over £4000 on repairs from aircon, suspension, gearbox, electrics, alarm, brakes, transmission. In contrast, during the same period my wife’s Citroen has had a bulb fail and nothing else... says it all really.

BMW 1-Series 118D Sport 2010

Having waited sometime I have recently purchased my 118Diesel Sport and what a drive this car is. Cheap Tax with a favourable Insurance Group and a great MPG return. Quick,responsive and great handling this baby Beamer is a must in it’s category.

BMW 5-Series Touring 525i SE Touring 2007

As an all-round family vehicle there is nothing better. This is my fourth BMW in a row, I have recently been tempted by a Volvo V70, but have decided to wait for the new BMW 5 series touring due soon. Fantastic mix of performance, handling and all-round practicality. Mine has the fancy switchable auto-box with sports mode, which is the best ever. Only downside is fuel economy - I would consider a diesel next, but is the premium for the diesel worth the extra when you consider the fuel costs over the term of your ownership - probably not when you do the maths. In the 50,000 or so miles I have had mine absolutely nothing has gone wrong, no lights bulbs, nothing. My only disappointment has been with servicing costs - BMW dealerships charge a fortune, but their service is as excellent as their cars - I guess with everything you pay for what you get. I will buy their ’service-pack’ next time.

BMW 1-Series 116 ES 2009

The worst car I ever bought. A lot of things have gone wrong in the space of 1 year. It went back to the main dealer (Joe Duffy, Dublin) at least 10 times. The main faults were ABS unit packed up; ignition coils gave up; DTC traction gave up; run flats kept saying faults. Run flats - what a joke. Pollen filter air con packed up - BMW should stand for Buy More Worries. You pay for the badge - never again and the main dealers talk through their a***s, they haven’t a clue. NEVER AGAIN!

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320d M Sport 2007

Have had the car for 3yrs with a problem free 35,000 miles covered. Like the car so much awaiting delivery of new 2010 model, this time on 19" wheels and auto box.

Responses to this review

Watch your tyres on 2010 M Sport on runflats - Lexa Lexa from Ireland

BMW 1-Series 116i Sport 2009

Purchased my BMW 116i Sport last October, has now covered 7500 miles. Loverly car to drive but fuel consumption is a big let down, has only managed to achieve an average of 40 mpg despite manufacturers combined figure being 46 mpg, most of my motoring is at a steady pace alopng an A road for a 30 mile journey. My previous vehicles have always achieved 2/3 mpg above manufacturers combined figure on this journey. On a long journey the car managed 42 mpg, a long way from the quoted 55 mpg extra urban figure. I have complained to the dealer who say that nothing is wrong with the car. I have complained to BMW, took to long to get a response and was told that the quoted figures are obtained under controlled conditions and that I should not expect to achieve these figures in normal day to day motoring. BMW buyers beware.

Responses to this review

We have exactly the same issue with a 116i sport bought last September. It seems impossible to get anywhere near the quoted mpg figures. We also took the car back to the dealer who sold it to us based on the fantastic fuel economy and were told it was normal. We are now on 11,000 miles and still the car struggles to get an average of 40mpg. Interesting to see that they have actually reduced the quoted figures in the 2010 brochure for the same model car. This stop/start efficient dynamics rubbish they sell you is all a gimic! You will never find a review from anyone with a 116i that is pleasantly suprised with the economy, infact you would be lucky to find anyone that is satisfied in my opinion - Tim McV from Swansea

Having had an AudI A3 FSI, I was quite happy to see 38/40mpg on the 116i. Anyone daft enough to believe the ’sales’ figures without a pinch of salt is, well, daft! - Paul from Scotland

BMW 5-Series Saloon M-Sport 2001

A great car for those who enjoy a good ride. It is not a car for those who do not have deep pockets!! Rear brakes cost £340 and tyres you are looking at £120 plus.

BMW 1-Series 116 sport 2009

65mpg official?????? er, try 47mpg tops.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 520d se auto 2006

Bought my 5 about a year ago after running a 3 Series. A great drive, loads of room for a family of four. The only thing I have had problems with are what I thought was a slow puncture (something to do with runflats)? The car has done 52000 miles and the trackrod end bushes had shot it! Done under warranty. Is this something to watch out for? But overall for a large car, what a drive!

BMW 5-Series Saloon 525m Sport 2009

Having saved hard for almost 3 years I finally got my Sport 525d. The effortless acceleration was great and the near silent 2.5 diesel engine a dream. I like the excellent fuel returns combined with a good turn of speed. If you have a budget of approx £15-19k then why buy an Insignia/Mondeo when you can have a slice of Bavarian excellence?

BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo 530d 2009

A quite brilliant car that is beautifully finished, great driving position, supremely comfortable with excellent technology and gizmos. Really do not understand the fuss over its boot, which is very simple to use and offers tremendous flexibility and loads of space. iDrive is now much improved and a simple and sensible tool which provides an intuitive and excellent user interface. Go for visibility & professional mulitmedia packages which provide good value. The speed limit display works and provides instant feedback on permanent and temporary speed limits signs. Sports seats are great! This is the best BMW I have owned, better than 7 & 5 series saloons. It may be the best luxury car I have ever owned.

BMW comfort 1.6 2008

The only problem was the heat-shield, like the other previews, I have that knocking sound of the rear, which I think is the suspension. Two years old and 89000 on the clock, it’s a good van.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 520i 1996

Best car I have ever had, I hope I will never have to part with it.

BMW 3-Series Touring 320d SE 2009

I have had a new BMW 320d SE Touring since July 2009. I have now covered 20,000 miles. I chose the standard seats, thinking they would be fine (I test drove one for 20 mins with the standard seat). The seats are horrendous, there is no lumbar support, are incredibly hard, giving a sore backside after only 20 minutes. All in all making this the most uncomfortable car I have ever owned. I would choose to drive a different car in a heart-beat, but I’m stuck with it for 3 years. BMW tell me there’s nothing they can do, if I want the comfort sorting out they told me to go and see an upholstery specialist! Thing is I know 3 other people who have a similar problem with the same car, funny that. I have driven a 320d with leather standard seats, completely different animal i.e. more comfortable, so if you do buy this car, don’t pick standard seats!

BMW 7-Series 740 IL V8 32V 1995

Best car I’ve ever bought. Loaded with the right gadgets, electric everything, great handling, great performance. My limo licence loser has smoked many boy racers from saxo’s to scooby’s. Being modified at the minute. 6.0l V12, cream leather, 22" rims, full ice upgrade etc. Forget how much it drinks, just buy one. Live it up.

BMW X3 2007

I would not get anouther one, dear and c**p. Bad interior, the rain gets in the back seats. Can’t wait until the lease ends.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 1996

Best car I have ever had, simply the best, better than all the rest, excluding Tina Turner.

BMW 3-Series Convertible 328i 1997

Sold my BMW three years back when I bought a Morgan +4. What a mistake. I have owned numerous cars and I can honestly say that the 328 is the finest car i have ever owned. My next car will certainly be another cabrio BMW.

BMW 3-Series Touring 330d SE Touring 2006

Had this car for just over 2 (fault free) years now; bought as a low mileage used car from BMW for 60% of original list price. The negatives are few - radio isn’t the best; not keen on runflat tyres (can’t repair punctures which means a new tyre every time); and rear wheel drive isn’t great in the snow! Other than that this car ticks all the boxes. It’s great to drive, does around 40mpg and has performance to match any hot hatch. Now mine has run out of warranty I’ve had mine remapped and the rolling road now reports 300bhp & 485lb/ft with improved fuel economy. It’s now able to match a 335i in a straight line. Even better though is how easy it is to drive with virtually no effort whatsoever. As long as you don’t need a massive load carrier this has to be one of the best estates you can buy if you enjoy driving.

BMW 1-Series 2005

I’ve just bought the BMW 116i se model, it looks great from the outside and inside, it drives and handles brilliantly. A few cons are you can’t see out of the rear window very well although you do get a rear parking sensor, which is useful; I find the steering is really heavy and not very powerful for a 1.6 and trying to engage reverse gear is very hard and stiff.

BMW 1-Series 118d Sport 2009

Just purchased mine, I love the drive and think the mpg and road tax is great!!!!!

Responses to this review

At £1.20 per litre, this is pretty poor. = 45 mpg! - James Donlevy from Hampshire

I get more than 45mpg on mine but then I’m not an ***e that floors it! John Hartill from Renfrewshire

BMW X3 3.0i SE 2005

I purchased my X3 as a used model. I think the x3 represents excellent value for money when you consider what you get for your money, ok the fuel economy is not great, but the X3 is great fun to drive and practical for a family.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 2005

Mine is the 535d Supercar performance well nearly!! Economy, will cruise at 70 mph showing around 40 mpg. Impressive performance when towing makes white van man sweat to get past. Great service from local BMW dealer. Don’t believe the rubbish written about the e drive, it is great, it has plenty of discrete information features to keep you happy from its on board computer. Fantastic Hi Fi and telephone system. Just buy one you will not be disappointed.

BMW 1-Series 118d sport 2009

Clutch judder, £20 fuel every 150 miles if lucky!

Responses to this review

Blimey I’d love to pay £20 for every 150 miles! - Adam Fisher from Herefordshire

Hi, has your dealer managed to fix the judder? My 118d Sport from Oct 2009 suffers from clutch judder when it’s cold and when there is an incline. I brought it to Sytner who advised that I need to authorise payment for £1000 for them to strip the gear box and if found to be wear and tear, I am responsible for all costs! The car has only done 7800 and is approaching 18mths. Surely it cannot be wear and tear right? Please advise me on what should be done. Thanks - John Lowe from England

BMW 5-Series Saloon 535 d m sport 2005

Well what can I say? 40 to gallon, 0 to 60 in 5.6 secs with super chip power.

BMW 1-Series 118i SE Auto 2007

I had a BMW 320d SE Auto (2007 model) for 2 years but found the boot impractical, didn’t need the rear seat space, and dropped from doing 20,000+ miles to 6,000 mile/year. So we changed to a 118i SE Auto (I just love auto’s). The 118i is far better suited to us. Great access to the more useable boot, and although far less room for rear passenger, that’s not a problem. Ride and handling - very similar to the 3 series to be totally honest. Same runflat tyres, so hard ride and feels most bumps, but that’s a characteristic of most BMWs and German cars generally. The 1 series does feel more sporty. I’ve found it more of a joy to drive than the 3 series, possibly also down to it being petrol rather than diesel - Oh the joy of not hearing that clatter when you start up. Internally very little difference to the 3 series. Same climate control, similar sound system, similar trim, although the doors don’t feel as solid as the 3 series. We went for a 5 door (just incase we do put someone in the back), and glad we did. Although the front doors are rather small, it’s much easier getting out in tight spaces (and less likely to damage the doors) than the large doors on the 3 door. I had a MK 5 2.0L golf for 3 years, and although I loved the golf, I test drove a new golf and 1 series before settling on the BMW for it’s handling (rear wheel drive makes a big difference), better quality and of course that badge! The Golf did offer more room inside though. So overall very pleased with the 1 series. Only gripe is fuel consumption. Official figures show little difference between the 118i (we have the Efficient Dynamics version) and 320d. I don’t know where these figures come from but around town the 118i is delviering 12 mpg less than the 320d.

Responses to this review

Hi, I am buying this as my first car i have added the following options 18 inh alloys, leather seats in terra and white body. any other options you would recommend? - Rizwan Ahmed from England

BMW 3-Series Saloon 318i SE Edition 2007

To sum up the car: OK, not offensive, the ultimate driving machine? Er, NO. My 1st BMW and I honestly can’t see what the fuss is all about. It does everything quite well but think i’ll try an Audi A4 when I change. This report is based on my opinion after a software problem was sorted out after 18 months from new. The car did not run properly from day 1: Hesitant / Poor running / Poor fuel economy, finally sorted out. BMW head office couldn’t care less, they must assume customers will return based on their cars, sorry mine’s not quite good enough to rush back to BMW. Not bitter just not very impressed. If you’re thinking of buying a 3 Series take it for a very long test drive to know what you are getting.

BMW 1-Series Coupe 120d 2009

My request is that BMW considers adding a 4 door edition to the 1 Series Coupe with doors that open in opposite direction to the front doors. This is similar to another brand which allows the back-door to open backwards which aids a person to get into the back-seat. The door handles are not shown giving the impression that it is a 2 door at first glance.

BMW X3 2006

I was planning to keep my Volkswagen Touran for another year, but when I saw this X3 in the car trade, It was love at first sight. Indeed it is a great car, economic, and sporty. Even the kids love it. I’d highly recommended it to any buyers who are having second thoughts.

BMW 1-Series 2008

A very good car. I’ve had it from new ;on it’s first service I had to have a new clutch fitted at only 15000 thousand miles which I wasn’t impressed with.

Responses to this review

Yes I fitted a new clutch plate, still after few months clutch haxs gone to hard from soft & gear not smooth specialy in cold weather, very tight - Nirmala Asokar from England

BMW 7-Series 730dSE 2009

This is my second 7, having owned a 2006 730dSE. I tried all the competitors, but the 7 series remains the best driver car of them all. The Merc S class probably has the better interior, but driving is all that matters to me, and the new 7 is even better than the one that it replaces.

BMW X1 x1 2.0d SE 2009

What a good all rounder of a car this is. A number of very rigerous test drives has convinced me that it has the edge over its competitors. Although the car is not exactly cheap, as with all BMWs it is well engineered and sturdy. I found the ride comfortable, handling was precise and safe. The standard equipment in the car is sufficient; however I would consider a few extra tweaks to raise levels as a requirment to suit my own personal preferences. I must at this point state that colur and trim combinations need to be chosen carefully as options could lead to a tacky or dated appearance.

BMW 3-Series Coupe Manual 2007

I have a problem with hesitancy on pulling away from a standstill, e.g. traffic lights and roundabouts; the car becomes very jerky. The car has recently had a software upgrade from the main dealer but the problem still persists. Any ideas?

Responses to this review

Check the clutch/get dealer to check software relating to any sensors - BMW Mechanic from England

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320d M Sport Auto 2008

I bought the car with 2,200 miles on it and 3months old. It has Black exterior, Black leather interior and M Sport 19" wheels. I’ve had it over a year now and its done 18,000 miles and I’ve loved every mile of it!! High in comfort, fuel consumption and overall driving pleasure. I did consider the Audi A5 but preferred the 3 Series Coupe due to its sporty looks and uncomplicated dashboard. Still think it looks great and it drives like new; excellent road holding and poise. The few things I dont like are the difficulty getting in and out of it, mainly in tight car parks and the location of the drinks holders are ridiculous. Otherwise, I’m over the moon with this car and cannot recommend it highly enough. I did test drive the 320i but found it a bit ’gutless’, whereas the diesel has just enough power. Its having its first service next week and have experienced really good ’care’ from Specialist Cars in Tring, Hertfordshire.

BMW 7-Series 750 Li 2008

This is the best car I have ever owned. The car is fully optioned with individual options: dynamic drive, 19 inch wheels, suede roof, double glazed heated windows, ventilated and massaging seats. It has a beautiful sounding engine with incredible power. The 7-Series is amazing, quiet and comfortable. Do yourself a favour and go get one

BMW 1-Series Coupe 125i M Sport Coupe 2009

I’ve had this car 4 months now and still can’t get used to all the looks it gets! Mine is black with red leather interior. Corny? Maybe, but its all you need. I just have to say I had an ’05 Astra Coupe 2.0 turbo previously yet fuel consumption is better in this 3.0ltr BMW! It’s still not a common site on the roads (which is fine by me). I’m not an Audi/Merc or even a BMW 3 series hater, but you turn your head and they are everywhere! This car is in a class of its own; the things BMW gives its vehicles should be a benchmark for all manufacturers. The car is a nice place to be in too, you feel like everything is where it should be, driving position is spot on which makes you feel like you’re driving the car. The 125i gives you an involved, responsive drive, which I look forward to EVERY day. Quick? Yes. Good looking? Yes. Worth every penny? Most definitely yes. But if you live in the northeast of England, please dont buy one, as I still like the attention! Little things please little minds and all that! Seriously though, go see one and go for a test drive.

Responses to this review

I too have a 2003 shogun sport and was disappointed at 44k to find that it failed the MOT for warped front discs. Just under a £100 to repair this includes new pads. I done the change myself to keep the cost down. I also have had to change the track rod ends, lower suspension joints and have had an advisory for the anti roll bar pin bush showing slight wear. I thought these cars were supposed to be rugged and tough? Mine has only done road work and an average of 7k per year. I am beginning to consider changing the car as the more I see and read about them the more concerned I get - Ray Turner from Neath Port Talbot

BMW X5 35 xd xdrive m sport 2009

This is 4th new shape I have had. They are stunning, a complete and superb drive. I would recommend the adaptive drive, auto headlight adjust and usb port connected. The drive is fantastic, economy at 25 is nowhere near combined, but I only do short journeys. A sublime mile eater. There are niggles with the rear wheel arch pits so I have fitted f mud flaps and had some plastic coating in that area - money well spent. Very, very well recommended - buy buy buy!

BMW X3 2.0d 2009

This car is fantastic. I bought it in August 2009 and the suspension and interior is much better than in earlier models. Although the stereo is disappointing and the steering is heavy when parking. Next time I buy I will get power steering as it is a must. The new X3 is much better than the earlier model.

Responses to this review

This guy obviously doesn’t know what he is on about as all cars from the early 90`s had power steering as standard, maybe he should get his wife to park it !!! I would like to see him park a car with the old rack and pinion - Matt Tobin from Lancashire

BMW 5-Series Saloon 520d 2008

Superb car in every way. The best fuel consumption I got was over 60mpg although that was at 50mph on a motorway. Very quiet and effortless to drive.

BMW 1-Series 116i Sports 2009

This is my first BMW and I absolutely love it. I had a Corolla, which is a great car but this is a class apart. Just like they say in their advert, it really is a joy to drive this car. People say it has less space and is impractical etc... but then you will love it for all the wrong reasons. You step inside it and it becomes your world and then when you drive this it engages you with the road and the car always communicates with you. The Efficient Dynamics is a real cool function. The car stops and starts with the touch of the pedal (it freaked me out at first though). 116i 2009 is still a 2 Ltr engine with less horse power compared to other variants but still is a good drive and won’t let you down. After all this is a serious BMW machine, highly recommended.

BMW 1-Series 118D SE 2009

After coming from a choppy VW Golf Mk5 I consider the series 1 very smooth and comfortable, a great cruiser but my car doesn’t have run flats like the earlier models so the ride is just fine. Really enjoy driving it and 55mpg, £35 road tax and 130mph what more is there? It’s not a family car as the back is a tad tight but I’ve had three adults in the back but only for short journeys. The power band is very smooth and its a pleasure to drive, the rear wheel drive makes a huge difference from my Golf, it has also got a chain cambelt so 100,000 miles against 40,000 for the Golf. Although I hate marketing blurb, it does put a smile on ones face... recommended depite what Jeremy Clarkson says.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 535i 2007

A lovely car. Luxurious, very fast, the 535i is also very sexy.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 320se 2008

The most disappointing and expensive heap of trash I have ever had the missfortune of throwing money away on. Unlike the BMW advertising slogan ’the ultimate driving experience it definitely is not! At less than one year old and only covered 11,000 miles I found this ultimate driving machine to be a total disaster, from large water leaks into front passenger footwell and air conditioning that stank the cabin out (smells from aircon are not covered under BMW warranty) to mega engine problems including blown turbo charger, new diesel injectors and a new fuel injection computer. The clutch is very heavy and makes life misserable in heavy trafic, limited boot space with no split rear seat in the SE model unless you pay extra, the run flat tyres make for a hard ride and gear change is poor, in particular the reverse being hard to engage. I did not experience any pleasure driving this car as this was destroyed by so many faults and a dealership both locally and nationally that doesn’t give a damn!

Responses to this review

Totally with you mate, I’ve got the 320 Efficient Dynamics and it really is overrated and overpriced (by at least £5K in my opinion). I also have the issue with the reverse gear, however my problem is that I tend to engage it by accident occasionally when going for first - Neil Shakespeare from England

BMW 3-Series Convertible 2lt Petrol High Line 2009

Just changed the 2 litre 08 SE after 15,000 miles to a 59 plate, 2 litre, high line as Castle BMW in York came up with a price that was aimed at doing a deal. The high line was supplied with a few extras we did not have with the last one and we were a little sceptical if the wind deflector was worth the extra money. We can now say yes it is if you have hair, I have little of it but wife number two has lots and it now is firmly on her shoulders where it should be when doing 70 mph with the top down. The last one had only one small fault over 18 months of ownership and when driven greenly gave a regular 40 miles per gallon. We look forward to another 18 months of reliable motoring in a car with real kerb appeal top down or up.

Responses to this review

By way of an update having now done 10,000 miles. Not been near a dealer except for a wiper blade finisher worth about 10p that left us on a motorway somewhere. Not in stock but dealer posted it on and I was happy to clip it on myself to save a wasted few hours trailing to have it fitted. There is a down side of this BMW with a 2Lt petrol engine. We drove to the Alps this summer and that was no problem on the motorways, it ate them up in comfort and 115 in Germany was relaxing but once there the heavier body sucks out the power on the steep mountain roads with limited passing time available. Not quite as in love with the car for this reason and if we trade on we may want to trade up as well to a more powerful version or diesel. That said if you are not leaving the UK 40 mpg average on a regular basis is a big plus. A great car but be sure to now what job you want it to do when picking an engine - Bob Cockeram from England

BMW X3 20d se 2006

Picked this up for £14.500 from a back street dealer a year ago now. I had a major fuel problem and BMW very kindly covered the bill while under warranty; then 4 months later the gearbox, which is a manual and only covered 40,000 miles also pretty much packed up - £2,300 - this time out of warranty but with a moan or two BMW have paid 80% of the cost so I cannot complain. The boot doesn’t shut first time. The handling is pretty good and it has a decent engine too. Brand new too expensive but second hand great value; I would buy another one but overall the suspension is, lets face it, too hard for a comfortable ride. For the money a good car in its class.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 530d Sport 2007

Superb car, luxury cruiser - fast, economical - 38 mpg. No faults whatsoever after 7000 miles, due first service shortly so has cost nothing apart from fuel since purchased new in December 2007. Only problem have kerbed a couple of wheels because of low profile tyres - fixed by Chipsaway. Had 535d estate previously but new 530d feels just as powerful. Highly recommended.

Responses to this review

"Kerbed the wheels because of low profile tyres" - yeah right, like the tyres were steering at the time, more incompetent driving - oops parking - cluttering the roads. If you can’t park it, dont drive it, please - Vince Carter from Oxfordshire

BMW 1-Series Convertible 125i petrol 2008

Purchased car brand new in May 2008 and have covered 4,600 miles, no faults so far apart from slight rattle when hood is down and windows are up - will get the dealer to check at first service. Car fast, comfortable, quiet, 29mpg. Highly recommended. Only problem - not enough sun this year!

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320d m sport 2009

I love this car. I have just swapped my Audi A4 Cabriolrt for this BMW and cannot believe how much of a difference there is! What a pleasure to drive. I cannot believe how many people look the car when I am out driving... I can’t get the wife out of it!

Responses to this review

Scott I have just read your report. I have sold my 2009 09 320D M Sport convertible as I was fed up with a leak in the boot which the dealer could not fix. I have ordered a 2010 320d M Sport Coupe and am just hoping its as good (without the leak) - Chris Jeffs from Flintshire

BMW 1-Series Convertible 120 d sport convertible 2009

I’ve just ordered a 120 d sport convertible after test driving one. The car drove fantastic, very comfy and responsive for a diesel. Driving, it felt really well built and very solid, no wobble for a soft top. There was hardly any cabin noise at all, driving position is fantastic too. The cabin is really well designed and spacious enough for a small family. Overall this was a real eye opener for me as I was not expecting the car to be this good. I had no hesitation in ordering one and I would give this beemer a 10 out of 10 on every aspect, beautiful car.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 320d 2005

My first BMW and probably the last. The car is a good drive, economical and very good on long journeys. The interior has plenty of space but is fairly basic. During the last four years I have had problems with the run flat tyres as they cannot be repaired. I have had eleven in that time. Yes, eleven! That is with normal road driving and no off road activities. I may have just been unlucky but it has proved expensive. Additionally the turbo had to be replaced even though the car had been fully maintained by the dealer and was only four years old. The car feels like a Friday car in terms of reliability. Despite all of this I do enjoy driving it.

BMW Z3 1999

Had this car since August 2008 and what can I say only GO OUT AND BUY ONE. The 1.9 is ample for fun driving, its cheap on insurance, fuel and parts pretty cheap too. I can’t fault it. It’s now June 2009 and I have driven it too death; 14000 miles in 10 months totalling 69770 been to Cornwall, North and South, Wales, Devon, Scotland and not cost me a penny except for fuel. Fantastic fun, brilliant to drive all good spec. Always a head turner and puts a smile on my face every time I’m in it, if your thinking of buying a soft top then get a Z3 you wont regret it.

BMW 3-Series Convertible 320d 2009

Had a 2004 M sport saloon, changed over to the convertible a week ago. It’s a great car, superbly built, responsive, very good on fuel, feels classy. When the roof is down, it’s a completely different car - I can’t wait for the sun to come out.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320i 2007

Great car all round with a few small niggles. For a coupe this is a decent 4 seater. Looks as good as BMW coupe’s costing 15 grand more. Can cover the miles in great comfort and refinement. MPG loads better than previous petrol models as you have the stop start system which you get used to very quickly. 320i is a little low powered and feels slow to pick up from a standstill due to the weight. I expect diesel to be better in this respect. BMW legendary quality slipping as the years go by. I suffered from 2 cam sensors failing & very spectacular oil burn up on a fast trip. Interior material for seats is cheap and I would recommend leather option for those who will keep the car. And BMW; get rid of these terrible rock hard run flats. They cost the earth to replace and are not commonly available - could catch you out on a long trip. Can’t get punctures repaired on them so £200 a pop you have to pay - it’s plain daft. I give it 4 stars but would give it 5 if the tyres were sorted and trim is better than the Ford level used.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320i MSport 2007

I have just handed back my 320i MSport after 2 year PCP. I had mixed feelings on returning it. While I loved the car for its looks, driving position, smoothness, and build integrity but I had issues with reliability which soured the relationship. Mine was one of the first MSport cars with the new 170bhp 2litre engine and efficient dynamics and this may have been the cause of some of my problems. Having owned an E48 318i Coupe previously it was an interesting comparison. The engine was smooth and revved well up to its 7000rpm limit but lacked low down torque. It stuttered intermittently on take off and needed 4000 revs to really wake up and while it got quicker while I had it, these characteristics never changed. While the E48 coupe was slower it had more torque low down and was more economical according to the trip computer. The old one used to average over 36MPG while the new one with Stop Start, 6 gears and all the efficient dynamics struggled to reach 35MPG. I have never had so many issues with a new car. When I first picked it up the steering felt odd. This was one of the first electric power steering implementations which I initially put it down to. However after about 15 minutes on the motorway it stiffened up causing you to over-correct to the extent it was noticeable by passengers. When I took it to the dealer the tech would not let me drive it home and replaced the rack. No recall was ever issued for this. In addition I had separate injectors which failed on two occasions dropping the car into limp home mode with a top speed of 60MPH and the worry it was going to die altogether. Each time BMW refused to replace all the injectors, only the faulty one under warrantee until a recall was issued and they were all replaced anyway. I also had a cam seal failure which was also subject to recall but failed before I could get the car into the dealers. To see your new car disappear on a trailer in 3 instances in 2 years is not something I was expecting although the BMW breakdown service is excellent. The car itself was fine, the steering was sharp but lacked true feel, handling and grip were good but a bit skittish in the wet I put down to the run flats. Ride was OK from my point of view, firm but not rock hard but I did get more complaints from rear seat passengers. The seats were comfortable with good room for 4 and an ample boot but tricky to get in and out for older people. All in all a good car but the problems made me feel BMW should be paying me for testing their new technology!

BMW 3-Series Coupe 1998

Good looking , good road handling, no problems. Backache though.

BMW Z3 1.9 2001

Best Roadster ever...

Responses to this review

Better than a Mazda MX5? I don’t think so! - Karl from England

Had 3 MX5s and found imports best but no comparrison to my BMW Z3. I have had for 2 months, the German build is second to none. It’s quiet, no rattles, smooth and loads of room inside, even a bigger boot. I was out in torrential rain and not a drip came through hood. MX5s are good if you want a cheap sports car. I can’t comment on the newer ones, they look like they have improved them??? - Alan Sanderson - Derbyshire

BMW Z3 1999

Really fast little car with comfortable interior. Looks good with the roof on or off!

BMW 3-Series Saloon 320SE 2008

This car has an amazing lack of class. Build quality is worse than anything I have driven previously by some margin and the infamous dealer network seem unwilling to cure any faults. I think I would actually choose a Vectra over this in hindsight.

Responses to this review

Can you please advise as to specific problems with the car? Andrew from Middlesex

BMW 3-Series Convertible 325d 2008

Amazing car! The roof mechanism is a master piece and looks brilliant with the roof up or down, wind noise is minimal and the engine is very quiet even at high revs. It performs amazingly for a diesel, it holds the road very well through tight corners at harsh speeds. It is also a very comfortable car for short or long journeys. I cannot fault it, my first convertible ever and it’s definitely been a wise decision.

Responses to this review

A review after 18 months: Numourous problems, ranging from leather to air conditioning without a compressor. My Nissan Navara manages to do this at half the price! Anyway, it has now been sorted with 5 sets of leather seat covers put on and we’ve had enough. It was disputed with the new management of the dealership and BMW UK who are now very helpful - I am now the proud owner of a brand new 10 reg facelifted BMW 3-Series 325d M Sport Convertible, made to measure with 18 months of pure problems from my past cabrio. EVERYTHING works as it should, such as the alarm, it’s a proper BMW now! It must have been a Friday night one my old one. Can’t complain with that? Alex White from Surrey

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320d SE 2007

Just picked up my 2007 320d SE Coupe this week. Its Montego blue with cream beige nappa leather interior, a real head turner. Its very economical to drive and the sheer power it packs is brilliant, ideal for overtaking. Everything works like a dream inside and with all the little gadgets in the car I just don’t want to get out. I just love this car. Well done BMW.

BMW 5-Series Touring 535D M Sport 2007

Unquestionably the very best car in it’s class. Blistering acceleration, precision handling, supremely comfortable and exceptionally safe. 286BHP, 0-60 in 6.4 secs, 42 mpg and 186g CO2. Show me another car that compares for driving experience, economy or practicality. This car truly is a star and deserves 6*

BMW Z3 1.9 soft top 1999

Bought this car for the wife because she just fell in love with it, had it now for about eight months and driven it quite a bit myself. Have put new discs & pads on front & back, plus new track rod ends, new tyres which were fitted to 18" special BMW alloy’s which look great. It’s the standard Beamer silver with a black hood, again it looks spot on, would have preferred leather seats and I am looking for some custom fit covers (anyone any ideas) apart from that fires up first time every time, goes pretty good for a 1.9 and handles nicely. For a nearly ten year old car that cost us just over £4K it was in our book a bargain & great fun.

BMW Z3 Roadster 1999

I bought this car in January this year and put it on the road in February. I bought it from a guy in South Wales, an ex-traffic bobby who had looked after it well: 63k on the clock and I think it’s a great car. I love the straight 6 engines, they’re so smooth, the power is really good. When the revs get about half way round the clock things start to happen in a big way, never any need to go anywhere near the red, even in 4th gear from around 50 put your foot down and its off. I have just worked out [roughly] MPG from the fill up with super unleaded and it works out at 33 mpg which I think is good, not that I am really bothered. The build quality of the car is all I expected of BMW and more. They’re a great weekend toy and the price you can get them for is very good, not bought many parts yet but I asked about front vented discs and the price is £19 each which gave me a pleasant surprise. I would recommend this car to anyone, I think the 6 cylinders are probably the best ones as they a fairly big lump. Happy motoring!

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320d M Sport 2007

I picked up my 320d M Sport Coupe brand new, in June 2007. I was immediately delighted with its performance and styling. As previous posters have mentioned, it attracted looks from passers by immediately... this was in the days when the coupe was rare, and the M Sport variant almost unseen! Quickly, I had a turbo problem... a complete lack of power, which fortunately didn’t cause a dangerous situation, and was solved despite the car being with my local BMW dealership for 2 weeks. In recent times, it has had 2/3 niggles, involving trips to the dealers, and the odd 1/2 night stay with a hire car. However, I do still love the car... it’s in Le Mans blue, which is gratifyingly rare, and still attracts positive comments (when it’s clean!) Economy is outstanding for a car with its performance. It might not have the same growl as the 330d or 335d, but it uses half the fuel, and will get me there just as quickly.

BMW X6 2008

Martin Luther King once very famously said "I had a dream." - well, so did I. Martins dream was a little deeper and more meaningful then mine; his dream was for a racially united world where creed and colour faded into insignificance and became an unrecognisable entity. Slowly but surely, through blood, sweat, tears, and a terrific amount of dedication a racially united world is emerging phoenix like from the devastation and deep rooted tension caused by hundreds of years of racial hatred. My dream was far more simple. My dream was for a dangerously dynamic, technologically advanced, coupe styled sports utility vehicle (SUV). My dream is slowly becoming a reality too, thanks to an audaciously inspired leap by the designers at BMW. The new BMW X6 is described in true "Ronseal" fashion as the worlds first Sports Activity Coupe. Offering the comfort and performance of the BMW coupes (at a whopping 408 bhp!), the X6 looks meatier, more manly, more butch, more "the business" than your bog standard sports coupe. As a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) I’m not so sure. It has a little more ground clearance than your standard car, and "Dynamic Performance Control" which delivers power and torque to the right places when needed, but it’s still just a car. I’d still prefer a Subaru 4×4 estate or a Range Rover for a day at the Game Fair, but ultimately there is something very appealing about the new entry to the BMW range. The new BMW X6 will appeal to a certain kind of man; men who want to be men, men who dare to be different, men who want to "stand out from the crowd", men who, through having a car like this, want to bolster some kind of sexual inadequacy (think short men wearing thick soled shoes, or skinny men having pec implants, or bald guys with a horrifically styled comb-over!). Would I have the X6? Well, I have a full head of hair, twenty years spent pumping iron have given me pecs to be proud of, and I’m only slightly vertically challenged (I would never make a NBA team!), but yes, I would. I think that the BMW X6 is impressive enough to make a very positive and loud impact on anyone’s garage.

BMW 1-Series Coupe 123d M 2008

10 months and 25,000 miles in and the trip computer gives me an overall 44.8mpg; 95% of this mileage is on the M4. Still on the same tyres, although still legal they probably need changing soon. One oil change at the first service at 18,000 miles is the only attention it has needed, so the first year has been pretty cheap motoring. I’m going up a star rating to 5 since my last post, simply due to the low running costs. I’m also now used to the auto start/stop feature, it is difficult to estimate the amount of fuel this has really saved though. The SatNav is a constant battle, but there is a neat feature built in to Google maps that allows a business address to be sent directly to the car via sms - this just about makes up for the lack of postcode search capability. It’s a real struggle getting in and out of the back - don’t expect your granny to fit! I borrowed a 135 variant, lovely to drive but just too powerful. I am clearly too old to own one now if I’m thinking like that ;-) Thanks for reading, I might post again around 50K to let you know how much the brake service costs.

Responses to this review

Hi, an update from my initial review. Sadly, the 123d Coupe went back in March as it has come to the end of the lease. I covered 75k miles, overall 43mpg, and minimal service costs - oil and filter changed three times over the 3 year lease. The rear tyres lasted 32k, so two new pairs, the fronts 50k. Runflats, no punctures. There is a happy(ish) ending, I picked up my M Coupe on Saturday. Half the mpg, ten times the fun. I’ll post a full review once I’ve got more than 300 miles on the clock - Tom S from Wiltshire

BMW 3-Series Coupe 335d. 2007

Ive had my 335d m sports now for 16 months and still after all that time it puts a smile on my face, its quick, looks the part, and even better still its returning me 32mpg on average. I’ve been thinking recently what car I should purchase next? I can’t think of any other car on the planet that will give me power, economy and out and out driving experience. The only downside is the depreciation! I paid 44k brand new and you can now pick up for around 30k at around 12 months old!! So my tip is buy a 12 month old model it will have taken a major kicking already!!

Responses to this review

Compare the coupe 335d DXB - John Beegs from England

BMW 3-Series Convertible 320SE 2008

All our 3 previous BMW 3 series models we have had have been diesel saloons. Great reliable cars but lacking that feeling of owning something a little bit special. Before purchasing this convertible I had read about the heavier body and that coupled with it being a petrol unit it did mean a re-adjustment in driving styles. The diesels would pull away in any gear but to get the best out of the smaller 2 litre unit you do have to push it on with a manual box fitted. Having said that the fuel economy is outstanding and with the recent hike in diesel fuel costs is it worth paying the premium for an oil burner to get just a few miles more per gallon. Having done several thousand miles now it has had to go to the dealers once for an engine sensor fitting (warning light came on and a little less power) but the vehicle was still useable. Otherwise no other problems and the wind noise is no worse than any other car we have owned. Would we have another one? There is every reason to say yes but that will also depend on how much it drops in value. The saloons lost in motoring terms very little over the period we owned them and that is one of the best reasons to buy a BMW but I do hunt around for deal. The real down side of owning this car in UK is we just do not get the weather to get maximum enjoyment when the top is stored neatly away in the boot.

BMW 1-Series 118d SE 2007

Excellent engine - smooth, quiet, powerful. Good economy - 50 mpg overall, best trip 56mpg. Fairly good build quality, though paint is lumpy. Go-kart handling. But very hard ride. Not bad on cats’ eyes but poor over uneven roads, so I blame hard springs rather than the run-flat tyres. I have standard wheels/tyres. Hard seats. Not comfortable. My car has the ’comfort pack’. Heaven knows what it’s like without. Controls, especially the clutch, are heavy. Nowhere to rest your right foot when cruise engaged (and for some reason, very few 1 series have cruise control). ’Engine Stop’ part of Efficient Dynamics is a waste of time. It cannot know how long the halt will be, so it stops each time the car comes to rest. On 99% of occasions, the road is clear to move off within 5 seconds so it isn’t worthwhile. I disable it - but this has to be done each journey. RDS function on the radio is poor. It suddenly ’loses’ the station. Press the stored button and it comes back OK. Irritating. And you need the extra tweeters in the doors for OK sound.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 330d M Sport 2008

This is my first BMW after two Mercedes Benz cars. The first a SLK 230 and the second a C Class Coupe with a 2.5 litre V6 and 7 speed auto box. I absolutely adore the 330d M Sport. The ride, driving experience and performance are the best I have experienced to date and all this coupled with a good fuel economy as well. I particularly enjoy the driving experience which is spirited but controlled and above all else I feel involved and in control. This is my first diesel for over 10 years and it certainly does not sound or perform like one. If I have any reservations about the car it’s the run flat tyres and the difficulty I am having in getting hold of a set of replacement alloys and winter tyres. Suggestions anyone? Fortunately, the bad weather only lasts a short time. Roll on the better weather.

BMW 3-Series Touring 325d Touring M Sport 2008

Contrary to some reports here, I really like this car. Yes, you have to dive deep into the options list to really enjoy yourself: the 10 speaker Harman Kardon option combined with the iPod connection and SatNav/iDrive lets you drive around like a mobile nightclub, wonderful. The M Sport model comes with great sport seats (not for fat people!) and a rocky, but very stable ride which will not be to everyone’s taste. And don’t take the Lemon leather if you don’t want to clean it every week. We are quite spoilt car wise and I have to say, this is really a great car, even better than the 540i Touring that preceded this car.

BMW 1-Series 120d M 2008

The 1 series is ridiculously impractical. It’s awkward to get in and out of, the boot is just another glove box and there is very little other space to put things. So, if it’s a practical car your after buy a Ford Focus. What this car does have in abundance is quality - everything feels great, the handling is superb and it’s simply a pleasure to drive. I drive 40K a year on average and was a bit unsure this was a good choice but my heart won over my head and I’m glad it did. I’m 37 and I feel 18 again; absolutely love this car even though it cost a little over £25K I actually think it’s worth every penny. This is my first BMW and I always wondered what all the fuss was about. Now I know!!

BMW X3 2.0D 2004

We’ve had the car 9 months (changed from a 3 litre Terranno) and are pleased with it. It is reasonably economic averaging 36mpg dropping to 29 when towing our large caravan. On a run the car will get over 40mpg. On a recent camping trip the car pulled the caravan out of a very muddy field without any fuss while other Japanese off-roaders had to be towed out. The insurance and RFL are reasonable for the type of vehicle, certainly cheaper than the Terranno when the new Tax Bands are considered.

BMW X5 3.0sd M Sport 2007

Lovely car to drive, the performance of the diesel engine is out of this world - it pulls away with no effort and still achieves 30MPG. I do regular long distances (+600 miles a day) and it is a pleasure to do so. I did drive the Range Rover and Mercedes ML but found the RR very slow and the ML boring to drive. I do have the comfort seats and the panoramic sunroof.

Responses to this review

Tyres possibly under inflated, excessive wear down the middle of the tread means over inflated tyres hth - Phil from Conwy

BMW Z3 1.9 DOHC 1997

I have liked these cars since they came out and eventually decided to buy one. I have always been a hater of 2 seater soft tops until I drove the Z3. I have a 1.9 DOHC in Atlanta blue, with uprated 17" split rim alloys and fat tyres. This car has completely changed my opinion on roadsters, it handles well, goes very well for a 1.9 and returns in excess of 30mpg but the most important thing is that it puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. What more can you ask for?

Responses to this review

I am thinking of buying a 1.9 Z3,my concern is should I buy an early one 1997 or a later one 2001?. I have seen a very nice 2001 model advertised but I have also seen some nice looking 1997/8 models for a reasonable price. Should I go for the early model or the later one?. Is one better than the other, or should I go for a 6 cylinder model instead?. Any knowledgable person with experience willing to help? - John Ireland from Conwy

BMW 1-Series 118d M Sport 2007

I’ve owned my 118d M Sport from new. Although It did cost a few bob but after getting over that issue there are just two little issues... and that is on the road you do feel every bump and there is not a great amount of room if you was to have a family. As for driving, handling, fuel and insurance you cannot fault it. In fact I’m going to part exchange it next year for the same model; just for the cheaper insurance.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 318 iSE 2006

Bought the car new after a big discount, and free metallic paint. After owning 2 previous 3 series (E46), I initially didn’t like the car, but after a couple of months I have changed my mind. Its fantastic to drive, gripping the road extremely well, and very quiet. Around top 30 - early 40 to the gallon as well. Buy one!!

BMW 3-Series Saloon 318i 2002

Always wanted a BMW for last 15 years; got one eventually and was most disappointed. I would take my wife’s 1999 Focus TD if ever I had the choice as it was a much more pleasant drive. Nothing wrong with it; just unimpressive and far below what I thought it would be; half decent SE spec but had a 1980’s feel to it. I kept it 10 months and moved on to a VW Passat. If you are thinking of buying one look beyond the badge and compare it to more value for money brands.

Responses to this review

I have had a 3 series BMW SE 2001 2ltr for two years now and I am most impressed with the comfortable drive and the styling is great. The power is more than enough for the motorways in uk. Pulling power not that great but motorway power it’s a flyer!! Fuel consumption on long journeys is pretty good but lets it’s self down in town. The quality of these cars for the money is great. Solid as a rock!! - Carl Fama from Essex

Look mate - you bought the sh*ttest model going. Cheap skate, a 320d is better in every single way compared to that Focus - Upur a*se from England

BMW 3-Series Coupe 330iSport 2007

This replaced a 9-month old 335d Touring that rattled and squeaked from new. Despite the local dealer’s valiant efforts the oil-burner was never right. This coupe is like waking up from a bad dream - everything works as it should, it is blissfully quiet and smooth and handles like a dream. On a run it regularly returns 35+ mpg and is near silent around the legal(ish) limit. True, the ride is firm but this is a sports coupe and the seats are superb.

BMW 1-Series 116i SE 5dr 2008

The first thing that attracted me to this car were the looks. It is very distinctive and if you’re tired of bland hatches then this is the one for you... to my eyes it looks sporty and classy. Step inside and the driving experience lives up to the looks. This is a real drivers car, with direct handling and superb grip. I have the 116i engine, and whilst it’s not the fastest thing on the road I find it perfectly fine for everyday driving, and can get up to motorway speeds without fuss. Space in the back is a little tight, although I have had two adults there on a long journey and they never complained. The interior design is as sporty as the exterior, and it all feels very well made. Overall I am delighted with the car. If you want something distinctive, with a quality badge, then you must take a look. Friends and family are equally impressed with it - it’s the centre of attention wherever I go!

BMW 3-Series Convertible 2007

The 335i is a very, very good car. It’s quicker than the 630 I had before and the XK8 before that, amazing really. Reliability has been fine so far and it handles well, too. Best car I’ve owned, although I should have shod it with bigger wheels.

BMW X6 X35i. 2008

I recently bought one. It is just great. Yes - it is big, huge. But driving like sport limousine. V6 engine drives like v8 in X5. Great.

BMW M5 Saloon 2008

Wow!! absolutely in love with the car, from the engine soundtrack to the heads up display. I normally dont like to seek attention but when driving the M5 you can’t but help notice peoples heads turning when they see the car. The only downside to owning the beast is 13mpg urban driving, but hey you can’t have supercar performance and expect much better fuel economy. On the whole a highly recommended car which will change your life!!!

BMW 5-Series Saloon 520D. 2006

Mine is a company car, and have done 81,000 miles. If you want effortless pace and economy, you can’t go wrong. People like myself who spend very long hours in a car, know that in a car like this you can drive for 4 hours to a meeting and get out feeling almost as refeshed as when you got in. I like the styling, but inside the cabin does not feel that special although it is perfectly adequate. Previously I had a Mercedes E class 2.2D automatic, and I would give that 5 stars also. Have not driven the new A6. Would buy a Ford Mondeo ( I also have a Ford Galaxy) in a minute if it could get its high speed refinement sorted, as it is great to drive. In conclusion, there are many great cars in this class, but you will not regret choosng the BMW 520D if you are a high mileage user.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 530D SE Auto 2006

After two years and 40,000 miles I still love the car and will buy another. Drive from Costa Brava to Kent this year saw 48 mpg overall with cruise set at 95 mph most of the time so an easy days drive of 800 miles. Range at that speed is shown as 700 miles per tank so nearly made it without a refill! You need to specify sports seats as the standard ones don’t hold you well. Xenon lights are easy to adjust for continental driving and worth the money. I think the 3.0 diesel is the best engine but I would as this in the one I bought.

BMW 7-Series 745i 2004

I must say that with out this car I would be in the poor line, soup kitchen, or just sleeping rough as it has 100% helped me in my work. Clients love to be picked up in it, and driven around, it instils the confidence in them to believe in me. The drive is amazing, and the iDrive I found was superb. I managed to get used to it in seconds, I also find this car to be a marvel when driving long distances, back ache is a think of the past. I would like to thank BMW for moving always forward ..... Cheers KL

BMW 3-Series Saloon 325i M Sport 2006

This is my fourth BMW and the most disappointing. The handling is fantastic with plenty of power when you need it but the build quality has let the car down. The leather seats are very thin compared with previous models and it has worn badly on the drivers seat - not good for such an expensive option. The paint work has chipped easily and I have had to have the rear window replaced due to a faulty seal along with other minor problems. I feel that I have bought ’the runt of the litter’... Now it is time to sell and though I love the actual drive of the car (especially the positive feedback through the steering) I will be looking at the new Jaguar XF instead.

BMW 5-Series Touring 540i Sport 2003

Wonderful car, quiet, understated yet very powerful. As long as you drive long distance fairly economical, however city driving will make you feel bankrupt when refuelling. It is a very very heavy car, which makes it much less sporty, especially combined with the auto box, which in itself is good, although I don’t like the downshifts on the motorway. I will now replace it with a 325d Sport Touring company car, which has the same amount of torque. Much lighter, it probably won’t be much slower A-B. And yes, the 3 is smaller than the 5, especially in the back and in the boot, but in the end: how often do you really use it? Good excuse to leave stuff home!

BMW X5 3.0d SE 2007

Best BMW I have ever had (having had M3,540 and 545). Ride and handling for a car of this size is excellent. Built quality good, although in 20k have had a few problems. Wipers stopped working, dealer unable to find fault but they started working again. Rear parking brake failed leaving the car unable to be moved (I know know there is a manual release). Running cost 26mpg. If you have runflat tyres - ouch! check availability before needing new ones. Fronts wear on outside and lasted only 18k, backs should last 30k+. Only negative point is its size - parking can be difficult due to its width.

BMW 3-Series Touring 320 D Touring 2004

I rented one of these on holiday in France in 2004 and was very impressed. I am first and foremost NOT a diesel fan (at home I drive a 4.3L V8 Mercedes). However BMW have done a great job with the 4 cylinder diesel in this car. It would bog down off the line like all turbo diesels (what with that and the traction control I had a few nasty moments trying to pull sharply out of gravely side roads....) but once spinning it pulled quite well. It actually had a fairly broad power spread unlike most turbo-diesels with their blink-and-you-miss-it power band. The steering, gear change, brakes and suspension were all superb. I could hustle it along on the sweeping bends of Northern Provence in an effortless way (without upsetting the Mrs beside me). All in all a pleasant surprise. It’s not the most spacious of estates (the new one is supposed to be much better) but if you have to have a 2.0 diesel this must be one of the very best.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 530D SE Auto 2006

Just got back from Costa Brava, left 7 am back in Kent 800 miles later at 8:30 pm local time (big jam around Paris). Cruised at 90-95 with 47 mpg o/a. Shower + something to eat and down the pub for the rest of the evening. Possibly the world’s best long distance cruiser.

BMW X5 3.0sd M Sport 2008

A classy, luxurious car that is stunning to drive. I had an X5 before and nothing comes close to the new one. Looks the business, has German quality. It is FIRST CLASS travel.

Responses to this review

I had same problem, mine turned out to be cable twisted behind the heater knob. Plastic fascia around radio unclips (be careful) then star screwdriver to get to cable behind the heater knobs - Jay Potter from Kent

BMW Z4 Coupe 2008

Forget Clarkson’s dribble, after all he’s only a B grade comedy writer who was born with looks that heavy drinking women wouldn’t look twice at. We need to remember that this clown couldn’t drive a finger up a greased orifice let alone judge whether a sports car was worth it’s salt. I have the enviable pleasure of kicking the tires every morning of a Z4 Coupe Si (Yes the M is for those that live near race tracks) that from a review he’s put his name to suggests is a dog. I’m convince he’s had a brian snap that recalled visions of his past girl friends and god forbid what he falls into bed with these days, let’s not go there. Let me tell you these things are made to give punters with minimal folding the option to wean off precription drugs and getting drunk with the boys. Forget the other Germans (build quality is not up to the flag yet) and the Japs, the Z4 Coupe is like an inbuilt alarm clock, it just rings louder the longer you avoid it, like an itch you have to scratch. If your last memory was good, get ready to put your license to circulate on the line because this car will give you the don’t care atitude (And I’m not advocating this, I’m only speaking from personal experience) to part with a few points and pounds , just for the hell of ticking those boxes. If you can’t afford to buy one, do your self a favor and go and test drive one, you will understand why people like me have battled with the wife (not the kids they love it) to sacrificed quite a few mortage repayments to live life today and pay for it later. Believe me it’s worth the experience. These life experiences are not going to get any cheaper (sorry for sounding like a poli). Put your fist in your pants and tell me if you want to have a go, quality machines are like sex, they are the most infectious sensations you will ever have.

Responses to this review

What a review mate. Never read anything quite like that, and if people don’t want to drive it after that, well, they’re already dead. Nice one! - John Do from England

You come across as a really immature d*ckhead - Tom from England

You obviously have a very small p*nis - Big Fella from Derbyshire

BMW 3-Series Touring Touring 2008

Overpriced and overrated. Most car mags rave on about BMW’s being superb so I hoped it would grow on me, but not so. The load length with seats folded is short and the space is not much more than a hatchback. The ride is harsh and the steering nervous and has a wandering feeling. The plastics and seating are very average. Radio is very poor quality and fiddly to set up and operate. Only 4 small speakers are provided instead of 6. Rear headrests obscure rearview even when folded down. Very short of extras which are standard on lesser makes. Aluminium trim on the dash doors and gearlever console are cheap and garish and easily scratched. Storage is very limited and central cubby under armrest very shallow and glovebox also too small to even hold the drivers instruction and service folder. Engine is fairly muted for a diesel and is very economical and I have easily achieved 60mpg without trying. Overall an average but overpriced car and not a patch on my lovely Jaguar X Type diesel which I regret not keeping!

BMW 3-Series Touring SE 2005

All those punters and the magazines can’t be wrong- loads of fun like a 60s Lotus on B roads but cruises effortlessly (and quietly) at over a ton, 40+ mpg wherever you go, room for 5 and luggage (and dogs if you must!) etc. and built like cast iron + never needed the dealer’s help. Plus you lose less than with competitors so relatively cheap to own. All the car you could ever want. The styling grows on you - stick with it!

BMW 3-Series Convertible 330D 2008

I have had the car now for four months and really enjoyed driving it. I have had roof problems with noises and a failed electric seat but I do love the car. I think it is well suited and I love the economical engine (40 miles to the gallon) with plenty of power. I cannot fault the BMW 3-Series Convertible and I have driven all sorts.

BMW Z4 Roadster 2006

I would like to say I have a friend called Dan who has just bought a BMW z4 and it is stunning... I must say I am extremely jealous!!! It looks amazing. Dan, fair play, you are a legend!

BMW 3-Series Coupe 330d Coupe 2006

I got this car as an early retirement present in Dec 06 and was so excited awaiting its delivery. I have had BMW’s for over 20 years but never had a diesel or an automatic before. Prior to placing an order, Mill Garages of Boldon (as it was then) loaned me a 335d version for the weekend to take my wife to the Lakes on her birthday. I was sold within minutes. The power, handling, refinement and economy were just amazing. It had 3/4’s of a tank of diesel when I picked it up and was just under half when I returned it even after around 200 miles. Amazing! I ordered mine with the professional sat nav, grey leather heated seats and the paddles for the steering wheel. The paddles look great and are fun to use now and again and was only a £100 extra. The gear change using them is so smooth and occurs in a micro second. I got the telematic too which allows use of a hands free blue tooth mobile phone and for verbal instructions to the Sat Nav etc. Mine is a second car and only had 9,000 miles on the clock now after 17 months. (I use a Smart car for commuting to my part time occupation and it produces the same economy) The car still smells of leather, everything works as it should, the power is amazing and the economy varies depending on use between 35 and 48 mpg. I love going on a longer run and trying to reach 50 mpg but you have to really drive economically and below 70 mph to achieve this. Oh and this is a car that turns heads. It is so impressive on the road when its clean znc polished. That happens in my yellow Smart Car too but I think for different reasons. I highly recommend this car. It was a lot of money (£36,2000) but really worth it. John in Tyne and Wear.

BMW 3-Series Touring 2005

Probably the best car i have driven - overall. The diesel pulls from around 1300rpm all the way around to 4500rpm and the fuel economy averages around 46mpg without being driven too carefully. The handling is very good and the stability control quickly sorts out any loss of grip you may experience. On the downside the interior is a little cramped in the rear and the boot space isn’t that great due to the rear wheel arches intrusion. Also the standard fit radio is pretty awful in terms of maximum volume. It is almost like they hobbled it to make you buy an upgrade. I had an E46 before and it was much better as well as having 6 speakers rather than the 4, that the E91 has. The worst point are the looks. The E46 was, in my opinion a classic, whereas this ca looks like my 3 year old daughter made it from play dough. There are little or no styling nuances which set if part from the crowd. The coupe version looks nice and, like the radio, I wonder if they made the saloon and estate versions look dull on purpose. Having said that it, styling, space and radio aside, it is great to drive. Would I buy another? No, I’d buy a 5 series as they don’t cost much more (10% maybe) and have better looks, more room, more standard equipment and are only 5-10% less fuel efficient. The 5 series is as good to drive as well and having driven a 5 series after buying my 3 series I wonder why there are so many 3 series on the road? In summary a lovely car unless you want to use it to it’s potential and seat 4 or more people. My tip is to save up for a 5 series.

BMW 7-Series 730 d SE LWB 2006

Had this car for 2 years and it has never put a foot wrong. My journeys are sometimes over 700 miles in a day and it can do that on a full tank. I get out at the end every time feeling fine. Space in the back second to none on the LWB model. Tyres have lasted 29k on the rears & still 5mm on the fronts (new ones cost £207 all in). The drive is fine... now for the small moans... centre arm rest is not padded enough and you start to feel it on a long trip, hi-fi should have an iPod connection and... I can’t think of any more. I’m getting a new 08 in July, the same model and I will keep this one for next 3 years. The price on contract hire is just the best value, you would be mad to buy one as I’m paying £505 + VAT and the next deal is at £520 + VAT. Thats a lot of car for the money - is there a better deal around?

BMW 3-Series Coupe 330d 2006

Having had an older 330D touring for four years I was saddened when BMW came out with its new styling...until the the coupe came along. It is the best looking and most practical coupe on the market. The new 3.0L diesel is unbelievable, it is so much faster than my old one and is showing 41.5MPG on the computer!!! It pulls at any speed and any revs and leaves other cars as a spec in the rear view mirror. The ride is an excellent balance with a sporty feel but not too harsh, the interior has a real quality feel and the room in the rear seats is better than my old 330 Touring. It is the first automatic I have ever owned and BMW should have a different description for it because it reads my mind. It is the first auto I have ever driven where it does not feel like it is sapping power and it even gives engine braking as it changes down the gears. The standard fit Electric memory seats are a blessing as my partner and I share the car, just press the button and the seat and mirrors go where you want them. I struggle to think of a single fault with the car apart from BMW’s insistance on run flat tyres.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 525d M Sport 2008

Great power from the Efficient Dynamics engine. The added bonus is that it also provides great economy sometimes returning almost 45 miles to the gallon! Reliability and quality are both excellent and this is the car to choose if you want to drive in luxury and be economic at the same time.

Responses to this review

I’m so pleased at your review, I have just ordered myself one from Williams Rochdale. Can’t wait now. Thank you - Alan Greer from Cheshire

BMW 3-Series Coupe 325 Coupe SE 2007

Decided on this car after falling in love purely with it’s looks and am happy to say she drives ten times better than she looks. It is a real honey with smooth power delivery and awesome handling, DSC on or off. Returns surprisingly good mileage figures too. My second BMW and very impressed.

Responses to this review

Hi I’m looking at purchasing a 325i coupe, anyone have any actual mpg figures rather than the manufacturers? Cheers - Chris Jones from England

BMW 1-Series 120d SE 2006

First off, this is a car better suited to a couple than a family, there is not enough room in the back and boot space is too limited to be ideal for a small family. The car is used mainly by myself for work and by myself and my girlfriend when we go on holiday. The driving experience is refined and provides a comfortable and relaxing environment that helps to keep me calm when traffic congestion is at its worst. I spent 4k on options to ensure this comfort, this is fully recommended if the price is not prohibitive. Fuel economy is as good as you would expect from a diesel and the 120d SE’s low CO2 emissions will leave me well placed following the 2008 budget. Reliability, handling and safety are all top class.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 2.0 diesel 2008

When I found the 3 Series I found my dream. The enjoyment that I get from driving it is incredible. I look forward to driving in a way that I have never done before. Reliable and sexy, two reasons why it is better than my husband (only joking...). I get about 50mpg and reliability is as good as you would expect from BMW.

BMW 1-Series 2.0 litre diesel 2008

This is a real drivers car. Excellent body control and balance make driving in rural settings breath-taking. This was the most expensive of all the cars I looked at but the high resale values swayed me. Head and leg room are ample. I really like this car but the ride is just a little too hard when on long motorway journeys, that’s why I can only award it 4 stars.

BMW X5 30d SE Auto 5dr 2008

A real contender to the Discovery, which was my previous car. I’ve decided to go for the X5 because it feels more exciting, in design and driving exerience; that and the wife said she prefered it. The cabin layout and excellent i-drive system do make for a very pleasurable ride and the comfort level is very luxurious. Storage space is excellent also. I know it’s slightly contentious to jump ship from a British made car and to one that has less off-road ability but I don’t want to drive up mountains, I want a car that’s reliable and can cruise myself and my family in complete comfort and safety and this car fits the bill. BMW know their market and design superbly for it.

BMW 5-Series Touring 525i Touring 5dr 2008

This is a very special car. I recently test drove this and had made up my mind within the first 5 mins that I would be ordering one. I will be taking delivery in two days and I’m very excited to be getting behind the wheel of such a wonderful car again. Maybe giving it a 5 star rating already is a little unfair but I feel that this score will stick for such a well designed car.

BMW 1-Series Convertible 125i 2008

Having just test driven this I have to say I was very impressed and think it’s a gorgeous looking car. The drive is as you would expect from a BMW and handling is effortless. I think this will definately sway some people away from the Audi TT market although I have got a test drive of the TT convertable booked so we shall see.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 5.0 V10 M5 5dr 2007

This is the only car really worth driving. The whole thing is beautifully designed and built and the driving experience is like nothing else. This is the serious car lovers car because there are no cons, only pros - it simply is perfect.

BMW 7-Series Long wheel base individual 2005

I have been driving the 730 Li 3.0 petrol for three years almost and have just agreed to replace it with the 2008 (short wheel based) 730 D SE. I opted for the individual package in piano black etc, beautiful! There were one or two minor problems such as the side light build going a few weeks after delivery, but because the fix requires the front bumper to be removed I haven’t had the time to get it sorted. The other annoyance was the tyre puncture alert design fault. which meant that you were never sure if you really had a puncture or not. However, the car is a beautiful thing to drive, the Long wheel base does change the overall look of the car as it appears sleaker and lower. my business is numbers and money and I can see little reason to buy the car in anoy other way than through contract hire. Fabulous head turner, tremendous safety features and the I drive become second nature (after a little while anyway).

BMW 1-Series 116i SE 2007

Bought this car new in December 2007. Lovely car to drive, really comfortable and great handling (although not as good as a mini!). Good to have front and rear parking sensors and cruise control and got 5 years (60k miles) free servicing. Lacks acceleration and as for fuel consumption, what can I say? Bought this car believing combined fuel consumption of the 1.6 petrol, was 39 mpg, I’ve been lucky if I get 27 mpg out of it. Took it back to the dealer and they told me I’ve been getting 42 mpg out of it!?! However, I know how much petrol I’ve been putting in!

BMW 1-Series 123d M 2008

I’ve now had this for a month / 2800 miles, and have achieved 44mpg overall, but this is with highly spirited driving (read "ragging it everywhere") - it’s fully maintained and I have a fuel card so the economy and reduced service interval is of no concern to me. I’ve just come back from a trip to the garden centre, and squeezed quite a lot in with the seats down - although the Volvo days of strapping fence panels to the roof are over. I can’t help comparing this to my V70 - on the motorway the idiots in bmw’s would get out of the way in case I was plod, but now _I_ am the idiot in the bmw and progress is somewhat slowed which is exceedingly frustrating. People seem genuinely surprised when I let them out! If I could buy this car all over again, I would remove the M package as the sports seats which are a little too sporty, the side supports hug a little too closely. I would also fit the 6 speed auto box as 1st and 2nd are very short; leaving the lights most petrol hot hatches will win up to around 30-40 (unfortunately the auto was not available to order 5 months ago). The pedals are very close together, it is all too easy to stab the brake pedal with my left foot when changing gear. An auto box would have disabled the damn auto stop-start which is a pain (eventually I’ll work out which fuse I have to ad or remove to disable permanently). I also wish I’d fitted front pdc, as with the high bonnet it is surprisingly hard to judge, and comfort access as the hole-instead-of-a-key is near the centre console, every time I get in the car I go to put the dongle in the ignition which isn’t there! It does sound like a plumbers escort van for the first few miles until it’s warm, but I think that’s true of all diesels. I’m still very happy with the car overall, the niggles are all relatively trivial. The handling is precise, there is plenty of power to get both in and out of trouble, and at the very least it is a conversation piece - as there aren’t many about and I had the model inscription deleted most people have no idea what it is. I genuinely haven’t come across another one in a month. Still only 4-stars as it’s not the 535d touring I really want!

BMW 3-Series Coupe 335i M Sport 2008

Just taken delivery and it’s awesome. Superb build quality, everything works perfectly, no rattles or creaks. Power delivery is stunning with no turbo lag, yet to test the handling as it’s always raining!

BMW 5-Series Saloon 520d 2007

This is a luxurious and stylish car and great to drive. Fantastic fuel consumption for its size, I am averaging 40 plus on normal use and 49/50 on motorway driving. There is plenty of space inside and all in all it is a very comfortable, especially for a tall person such as myself. There is also very little or no road noise and you sometimes have to double check the diesel engine is running as you cannot hear it . A very impressive car all round and I am very very impressed with it .

BMW M5 Touring 2007

This car is fantastic, took a while to understand the driving style and gearbox, once sorted the gearbox is very smooth, you have to understand this car, this is a drivers car, very much like a Maserati, or Ferrari paddle shift, but once you adjust to it you are on your way. Just don’t attach any wings. P.s. It loves fuel.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320i M-Sport 2008

I have just taken delivery of this car and I am over the moon with all aspects of it. I previously owned a Jaguar X-Type which now seems so old fashioned up against the BMW. What surprised me was how eco friendly the BMW have become with great fuel figures low road tax and servicing every 15,000 miles. I bought it because I loved the look of it and the drive but to find it eco friendly was a big bonus. It handles like it is on a rail and even with low sports suspension the ride is very good. I ordered mine in Le Mans Blue with cream leather and a walnut dash because that was the things I liked about the Jaguar. I was going for the XF but it was not not for me when I sat in it.

BMW 1-Series Coupe 123d M Coupe 2008

..update from my previous post after a week of living with a 123d M coupe.. The MPG is creeping up now everything is running in and I’m learning to use the low end oomph, getting close to 48mpg overall so my previous comments about economy are inaccurate. The Sat Nav can be modified to include full post code search, as it is possible to copy the satnav dvd and include custom POIs, similar to the way you can on a TomTom, but to a DVD-RW. Still not quite as intuitive though, pull your finger out BMW and give a premium car full postcode search! A TomTom can do it in 10Meg, there’s loads of space left on the DVD! It feels closer to the previous gen 3 series coupe than the 1 hatch, which is a relief, and with the rear seats down can *just* take a couple of bicycles. Now the tyres are a bit scrubbed it has less tail wag so the sports seats can be justified! Don’t be deceived: it really is only a 2+2 and does have sports performance. In real-world conditions it is significantly quicker than my Volvo T5, mini cooper and neighbours’ R32 golf, which really surprised me - especially as I am broadly adhering to the running in guidelines. The engine is quite special, although it does sound like a tractor, and I must find out which fuse I have to add or remove to disable the auto engine stop - it is incredibly disconcerting especially when slowly freewheeling <5kmh as the engine will cut out leaving you with no servo assist braking! btw, through my company lease scheme the 123dM is the same lease cost as the 120dM due to better residuals, although the tax is marginally greater due to the higher list price.

BMW 1-Series Coupe 123d M 2008

After 24hours of ownership it is clear that the fuel economy figures are completely made up, there is no way I will achieve the 55mpg suggested.. maybe once it is run in.. and if I slipstream juggernauts... SatNav professional is rubbish as it doesn’t do full postcode search, a TomTom at 10% of the price is a better option, but the acquisition time can’t be matched. However, the iPod integration is what I really upgraded to the premium iDrive system for, and it is astounding. Much better than any noddy after market system. The bluetooth connectivity to my Blackberry just works, although background noise is quite loud. The doors are large, making it impossible to park in tight spots, and due to the concave styling it gets very dirty very quickly. The turning circle is great though. Feedback through the steering is adequate, although I’ve been sideways already even with the traction control on which is a little worrisome, although I was just mucking about. Why did I go for a 1 coupe? Well as a company car driver I wanted to tick _every_ box - and I couldn’t do that on the 5 touring I should have bought! As with all beemers, it’s all about the toys... Am I happy with it? Yes, very. I am sure it will grow on me. It’s replacing a V70 T5, so has a lot to live up to.. frankly I don’t thing the fuel economy will be much better which is bonkers, but the handling and gadget integration is much better, as it the company car tax...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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!

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.

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!

Responses to this review

Hold the menu button for 10 seconds before adjusting. It’s an anti-child thing - Billy Roberts from Warwickshire

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.

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.

BMW X6 3 litre twin turbodiesel 2007

I work in the motor industry and was able to blag my way into a test drive of the X6 under the guise of research for press purposes. BMW are really keeping the X6 under wraps and I am honoured to have already had a brief (very) run in it. These were my first thoughts... The X6 is much bigger than is suggested in the press photos, bigger than the X5 and a look I would describe as a scorpion poised to strike. There are four individual seats for passengers and the boot room is impressively big. The X6 cornered well and the feeling you get when driving it is of safety and stability. The X6 is going to be a huge success; there is no doubt about it. Unfortunately my time in it was too short to make a full appraisal but I loved what I saw and felt and would not think twice about getting one if the opportunity arose.

BMW 3-Series Convertible 325i 2007

This is truly a great car to drive. Engine gave excellent performance and economy when I drove down to Italy for 2 weeks. The quality builds better than my E class and surprisingly no flex in the body as you get with most convertibles. I bought this new and it has been totally reliable.

BMW X3 2.0d 2007

I'm now on my second X3 and, yes, the ride is firm, however you don't get cornering on rails with soggy suspension. For its size and weight it performs very well with fuel economy better than a large number of saloon cars. I have towed a caravan all over Europe and it's a very good tow car. The new model is much improved over the previous model. Being quieter, smoother and more compliant on the road it's excellent in snow and mud and it has that badge on the front and back.

Responses to this review

What a woman! Whinges, complains about everything, you should grow t**s. The BMW is a drivers car, but you’re not a driver! Buy a wet sponge and drive that around, you wont get bruises then - Geoff from Australia

BMW 7-Series 2006

Hi this is my first BMW so I went for the 730D previously I have always had S class Mercedes five in total so I thought that it was time for a change the BMW is in a different league it is very fast smooth and very comfortable the technology is amazing voice command etc... Good on fuel what more can you want!!!

Responses to this review

You need to drop your sump off and clean it out, it’ll be full of sludge. When you rev the engine it increases the pressure and will pull oil through the system. The pressure drops on idle therefore the oil doesn’t circulate - Bryan from England

BMW X3 SE 2006

I’ve leased the X3 for almost two years now and have not been disappointed. My diesel, manual drive has returned approximately 48mpg on a run and 34mpg round town. I find the ride comfortable and not too hard at all. I would recommend it and am thinking of replacing my existing X3 with another one except that I do not see as good a deal as I got last time.

BMW 1-Series 116i m sport 2007

This car is the entry model dressed to kill with 17" alloys bigger than the SE 16" alloys front and rear muscular bumpers ,half leather ,interior climate control ,and the usual BMW features that give it the edge over the others in its class. Dont think for one minute BMW have cut corners with this being the entry series it is every bit a BMW in all ways.

BMW X5 3 ltr Sport diesel 2004

I drove a Saab Aero Auto, Audi A6 Avant. The X5 gives "Sports" performance with car handling. The Auto / Manual tiptronic box is great, and yes it smooths out all the bumps in the Yorkshire roads. An excellent machine. I am a pensioner as well.

BMW 5-Series Saloon 523i se 2000

My BMW is a wonderful car to drive it is fully loaded with all the gadgets and the engine has plenty of torque and power when its needed, all bmw’s are a top class motor to drive and to own.

BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0is SE 2007

A great every day sports car that is easy to live with.

BMW Z4 M Roadster 3.2 2dr 2007

Just an excellent car. I’ve not stopped grinning since I bought mine. You can keep your TT’s and all the other pretenders, this car has power, pace and class. Beautiful to look at and equally wonderful to drive. This is a car that loves you to drive it.

BMW Z4 M Coupe 3.0si SE 2dr 2007

This is the second Z4 I’ve owned and I really didn’t see any reason to change when it’s such a practical everyday coupe that looks amazing and is very much value for money. I still get a buzz out of driving it and apart from a slightly stingy boot it has everything I need. Great little car not yet bettered in my opinion.

BMW M6 Coupe 5.0 V10 SMG 2dr 2007

It’s been said by some, rather unkindly I think, that this is an ugly car. I prefer to see it as an unconventional beauty. The thing is with this car that once you’ve driven it you just want to get back in and drive it again. I’m trying to find excuses all the time to nip out in it, but the wife has told me there’s only so many pints of milk our fridge will hold. It’s one of those cars that gives you a real experience when you’re behind the wheel and as for power...it goes like the clappers!! First rate interior and comfort and a drive like no other made it very easy to choose this car over Aston Martin and Porsche. Perfect.

BMW M5 Saloon 5.0 Vio 2007

I love the iDrive system but I believe that it is not to everyone’s taste. Residuals are great on it. It is quality and limited supply is driving demand.

BMW M3 Coupe 4.0 V8 2007

This is my company car and I’m glad because it is a fantastic car but it is very expensive and guzzles fuel. I love it and the drive is brilliant. Quality all round.

BMW M3 Coupe 4.0 V8 2dr 2006

A near perfect car. Beautifully built and the finish on the interior is superb. The V8 engine is just a joy to hear every morning and makes the drive to work something to look forward to. Perfect driving position and the handling is so good the car practically drives itself. Not cheap to run but worth every penny. A very enjoyable car to drive.

BMW 1-Series 120 d 2007

The 1 series diesel is a real drivers car. When I first saw it, it looked a bit like a beached whale!!!...but the M sport variant looks superb. The boot and rear legroom are very restricted but the car makes up for it with supreme and effortless pulling power throughout the rev range. In addition, I averaged 57 mpg from Wales to Leicestershire!!!!!!! When I first bought it, my friend couldn’t tell it was a diesel till he opened the door....its that refined. Handling is sharp but lacks ’feel’ that my older ’95 Bmw had. The ride is hard but I would gladly compromise this for the safety of runflat tyres..( my dealer said you could drive 150 miles on punctured tyre!!!- hence no spare tyre). Its a great all rounder, being easy to park in town and cruising superbly on the motorways. Worth every (costly) penny!

BMW 7-Series 3.0DSE 2006

What a great car especially on long journeys. Supremely smooth, powerful with great road presence and it’s fun to drive. Over 38mpg on long runs, 31 mpg overall with a lot of short journeys. Done over 14,000 miles in 18 months with 100% reliability record and no service bills. The shape could be better especially rear quarter and the dash is ugly. However the car is packed with technology including 10 air bags, bluetooth, voice controls etc. Highly recommended but do lease it as the depreciation will be huge!

BMW X3 2.0dSE Tiptronic 2007

Oh my God. Be very, very careful you like this on the test drive. I didn’t notice the faults in the 30 minute test drive I had, but after a few hours in the drivers seat, it is awfully painful to drive. I only got this because it’s the only diesel with an automatic box less than �30k. If you want a manual, get the Honda. The main problem is that suspension is just too hard (it was supposedly softened last year). Yes it’s sporty, but that’s not relaxing on long drives. Every bump goes straight through you and sends you bouncing up and down in your seat. Somehow, BMW’s engineers have managed to make this an instrument of torture by deciding not to pad the arm rests, so as each bump comes up from the road, you get smacked in the elbow (I am actually bruised!). Then there’s the door handle, which for no purpose whatsoever, goes all the way from the window to the floor, so no matter where you put your leg, it too smacks you about. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. I’ve leased this for 3 years (all my other cars were just 2), and I am regretting it already. Any chance to write this thing off and get a comfortable car instead will be taken! The stereo is awful, the doors need to be slammed (usually twice) to get them to close properly and the cruise control isn’t very smooth. On the plus side, there is room in the back seats and the brakes are excellent. Lastly, the official quoted fuel economy 43mpg. I drive like I’m on my way to a funeral, and yet I only get 34mpg. This is totally unaccaptable and deceitful - I got 10-20% better fuel economy than the official figures in my last 3 cars (all Mercedes), so why this should be 30% worse is beyond belief.

Responses to this review

What a pitiful review of a man that talks like a woman! Buy a Citroen DS and stop crying about good road handling I would say - Sander Sanderman from Herefordshire

There is a known fault with the return spring on the wastegate of the turbo charger, it causes a loss of power and poor fuel consumption. This was replaced under warranty (after breaking completely and leaving me stranded). Fuel consumption has improved, but 36mpg is still poor. After 60k miles, the suspension has softened a little, but is still very harsh, so much so I’ve had back problems ever since I’ve started driving it. My dog won’t even get in it as it made him sick in all previous trips. The front air vents have fallen out of the dashboard and several other pieces of trim have come away due to excessive vibration / poor build quality. This is not acceptable in any new car, let alone one that costs £32,000. Water comes into the rear seats if it rains and the doors won’t open if it’s cold. Meanwhile, BMW say "there’s nothing wrong with it". I still consider my previous Mercedes ML to be far, far superior for handling and comfort and comparable on economy. Oh, and the stereo is awful. Of all the cars I’ve had in the last 15 years, this is the worst. At least a Land Rover Discovery works off road - Art McFall from Oxfordshire

Spot on review, I sold mine after six months. It was the most uncomfortable car I had ever driven, terrible driving position, felt every bump in the road, wet back seats which can’t be cured, inherent fault, never again - Steve Hardy from England

BMW 6-Series Convertible 630i Sport 2dr 2006

Fantastically stylish and beautifully built, this car will blow your mind once you are behind the wheel! Yes it’s a lot of money but I believe you get what you pay for and you really do get an awful lot, residuals are healthy as well so it’s an investment. Great drivers space and although I’ve seen reviews saying that visibility is impared I have to disagree, it really is just one of those things that you adapt to as every car is different. The only real down side is legroom in the rear seats, however, the boot space is massive so if you’ve got tall friends just bung them in there instead!

BMW M5 Touring 2007

The M5 Touring was a huge disappointment. The SMG gearbox was really clunky when used in everyday driving and meant that I could not get used to the car. I sold it after a few months. With a smooth gearbox the car could have been fantastic.

BMW X3 2.0d 2007

This car reminds me of a sophisticated German Go-Kart. Pin point handling, light and positive to drive, very quick off the mark for a 2 litre diesel and great at quiet long distance touring with 38mpg economy and cruise control set to 85mph. But the ride quality is nowhere near the 3 series saloon or the X5 so be warned! The 6 speed gearbox is positive and covers quite a low ratio first gear up to a long legged high 6th gear which allows motorway cruising at just over 2000 revs. Rear wing mirror coverage and parking sensors are the best yet.

BMW 1-Series 118d ES 2007

The performance of the 1 Series is second to none. The 118d ES is a simply magnificent car. Price, fuel economy, max speed are all spot on. The mpg of 60 is almost unbelievable. This is not a family car and is better suited to young professionals. This make going to and coming home from work a joy ... almost!

BMW 1-Series Coupe M 2006

The 1 Series M Sport is a stunning example of a small family car. Refined to the max in every way. Stylish interior, excellent seating positions with sports feel but total safety in mind. Although the ride is firm this is acceptable with the smooth and precise steering to compliment the excellent handling. The only item that really lets this vehicle and specific model down is the performance of the engine. BMW should have never released an M version in the 1.6. Not only is the engine seriously underpowered but the fuel consumption is less than desirable. You find yourself frantically shifting down through the gears at the whiff of a small incline, and when the car is complete with a family of four driving can become tiresome especially on long motorway inclines where you are constantly up and down the gearbox. I would love to try the 3litre version or even get a 2.0 litre on a track day to really see the suspension working.

BMW X3 2.0d se 2005

Normally we change cars every year but are extremely pleased with this car and so decided to keep it for longer. Yes the vehicle has a hard ride which is a pain after a while (Dont get the sports suspention) but the car is a great all rounder and is economical to run. Recomended

BMW 1-Series 120 d Msport 2007

The 120 d M Sport works out the better car in the series, be it a little costlier to run. I just purchased one, and I must say the performance is superb...overtaking on a large hill in 6 th gear ( any gear for that matter ) is a doddle. And having just upgraded from a VW polo, I was pleased that the BMW is just as easy to park and manouvre! The ride is a bit firm with the M suspension and it does have large blind spots......but with parking sensors this is negated. Inside BMW have given the ’ big car feel’ although a little more room in the rear would have helped. For all those interested in buying....try and get a demo car ( save on cost and running in time) and note that all the diesel models give around the same MPG!! So you could mainly save on road tax, the car price and insurance depending on the model you chose.

Responses to this review

I did not get your point, are you recommending to buy this car? - Prabaharan Srinivasan from England

BMW 6-Series Coupe 645 CI Auto 2007

I love the unique styling of the 6-Series. Also has the best drive, seriously quick off the mark. Superb.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320d M-Sport 2007

Great Car and (surprisingly) a really great dealer. I can highly recommend the www.kentbmw.co.uk website and the service that the Broad Oak Group provide. The car is superb and looks terrific. I love the way it drives. It is really powerful but economical thanks to its stop-start system in traffic. This part took a bit of getting used to but I am now loving the economy. I was unsure about buying a car on the web but I am now a convert thanks to Broad Oak BMW in Canterbury, Kent. They kept all their promises, kept me informed of progress and there were no nasty hidden extras. They made it simple and straightforward. Best of all for my convenience they delivered the car to my work which was fantastic service. I have had some poor experiences in the past with BMW dealerships but the guys at Broad Oak are different. Try them!

Responses to this review

Are you the sales manager? 330d owner from England

BMW 5-Series Touring 318 ES 2007

Good looking and well built but with all the space you want from a family estate. Who needs 4X4’s? 5 stars from EuroNCAP and an absolutely HUGE inside. Also a real driver’s car, fantastic feel, rear-wheel chasis is great and plenty of grip.

BMW 7-Series 730d SE 2007

Wasn’t overkeen when I first saw the look of it! But this car is about comfort and performance. I was won over on the test drive.

BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0 SE 2007

The best coupe I have ever had. Built with typical BMW quality, the drive is very sporty.

BMW 3-Series Saloon 320d SE 2007

Wow! Better than anything else I have ever driven. BMW quality means I have had no trouble with this one or the previous company car I had which was a 3-Series as well. Build quality, drive and performance are second to none and the residuals are great too.

BMW 1-Series Coupe 123d SE 3dr 2007

I test drove a 1-Series Coupe at Millbrook not long ago. It was agile, elegant and the engines were just brilliant. The variant I drove was the 123d SE 3dr and I was mightily impressed and will be purchasing one as soon as is humanly possible.

BMW 1-Series Coupe 120d SE 2007

Having previously owned the old BMW 3 series Coupe I was torn between replacing it with the new 3 series coupe or the all new 1 series Coupe. I’m glad I made the choice I did! I think it is a fantastic looking car and far better handling that the 1 series Hatch. The diesel engines as always go like stink from the off and with the addition of the 123d even more poke is now on offer! Not the most practical car you will ever own and ride may be too hard for some. Great residuals mean a good car buying prospect and cheap Contract Hire and Leasing deals should be available soon!!

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320i SE 2dr

This is a very refined car. It out performs any car I have driven before (Mercedes, Audi, Alpha Romeo) and really does put the enjoyment back into driving. The well laid out interior comfortably seats 4 adults and iDrive controller is easy to get to grips with. Whilst I wasn’t expecting high mpg I did think I could rely on the 23mpg quoted in the book - that is my only gripe because it’s no where near.

Responses to this review

You’re not even getting 23mpg? You must either be incredibly heavy footed or there is something wrong with your car - Jasper Hawker from Sussex

BMW Z3 Roadster 1.9 2dr

Bought this second hand but not that you could tell. Amazing engine and still looks impressive, this car is definately a head turner and so much fun to drive.

BMW 3-Series Touring 320D SE Auto

Over-priced, over-rated and over-hyped snob-mobile. The so-called "Touring" is no better than a hatchback for which you pay a 1K premium over the saloon. The big selling point is the excellent handling (in the dry), but you pay for it with the ride. Mind you, it is a different beast in the wet. I have had scary moments at well under the speed limit! Harsh standard ride, and sport models are bone-shakers. Average quality standard kit, such as the radio and plastics, and the seats are uncomfortable and not supportive. Diesel engine more powerful and refined than competitors but still far too agricultural. Quiet on the motorway, though. Fuel economy is as claimed by the manufacturer - credit to them for that. The Auto box can’t make up it’s mind what gear to be in around town, so it "hunts" badly at times. Fiddly direction indicators are potentially dangerous. Ugly exterior stying is typical of the "Chris Bangle" era. Yes, it wins awards, But that is because all the enthusiasts care about who give out these awards is the handling. BOTTOM LINE: I wish that I had not wasted my money on this car.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320 Coupe SE

Car generally adequate but ride atrocious on run flat tyres. They are not worth it. The car never ever settles on the road. Crashes over imperfections. Looking forward to replacing them with proper tyres. Otherwise OK for £34k.

BMW 1-Series 118d SE

In my opinion this is the best amongst the 1-series. A smooth ride with excellent economy and suspension make this an all-round perfect car.

BMW Alpina B3s 3.4

Superb car, a dream to drive. This car has been designed with love, everything has been thought of from the beautiful hand built engine to the hidden valves on the tyres. Sheer motoring heaven.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 335d

This car in my opinion is fantastic, great performance and handling even on poor road surfaces. 33mpg with mixed driving can’t be bad with the performance this car produces. Pity the dealer wasn’t so efficient but thats another story.

BMW 3-Series Convertible 325 SE

We spent over �40,000 on one of these brand new. I can’t fault the BMW Recovery Service - as we needed their help consistently before we finally got fed up with it and returned it to the dealer demanding a full refund. On the plus side the car was fun when it worked and the dealer was very helpful, but having spent this muck money on the car we wouldn’t have expected it to be in the garage for five weeks of the two months that we owned it for... The faults: roof sensors were not configured properly - so the roof refused to lock down; resulting in not being able to drive it and the interior getting wet when it rained (windows also locked down) and the engine management system shut down - a problem that the parts were not available to fix. BUY ONE OF THESE AT YOUR OWN RISK..!

Responses to this review

I bought my third 3 series brand new in 2010, the facelift convertible was beautiful to look at in the showroom. Pretty soon I noticed there was a leak in the roof on the rear left. I took it to the dealers who spent three weeks to rectify it, as soon as I got it back with supposedly the problem sorted, I noticed the clip on the roof was up and loose, didn’t think much of it and casually reported it to the dealer. One month on, I opened the roof and noticed the same clip was up and bent backwards. The dealer now diagnosed it as a stress fracture on the roof assembly and the only thing is to change the whole roof, not under warranty but to pay £10,000 for it. I’m fed up of the car, it’s fine as long as it works. Be smart, buy Japanese - Temur Khan from Yorkshire

BMW 3-Series Coupe 335d

As always with BMW, options are very expensive, but the car and engine are absolutely awesome. Blisteringly quick at any speed and a huge amount of fun on the mountain roads of Wales. Well worth the extra £120 per month in lease costs to get the 335d. With mixed city and motorway driving I get around 31mpg, which I feel is more than acceptable a car with 286bhp on tap!

BMW 3-Series Convertible 325i

Just bought 325i without test driving and cant fault a thing love it!

BMW X5 3.0d SE 5 dr

Excellent handling and responsiveness on the X5, for me, really sets it apart from the competition. Terrific to drive and looks the biz, what more could you want?

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320d SE 2 dr

Such a great car, so pleased I finally made the jump from Audi. Handles superbly, a real pleasure to drive and very reasonable to run. Excellent value for money.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 320d SE

I did a LOT of research to find the best coupe before parting with my hard earnt cash. The 3-Series came out top on most of the sites that I looked at and this persuaded me to get one. Glad I did! This car is a delight, get one if you can.

BMW X5 3.0i Sport Petrol

The BMW X5 is like a 4x4 BMW 5 Series. Great car, roomy, but as with any BMW the must have extras do hike up the price though.

BMW 5-Series Saloon

This is a luxurious and stylish car that is good to drive. There is plenty of space inside and all in all it is a very impressive executive model.

BMW 3-Series Coupe 3 Series Diesel

Great handling and great diesel performance. This car ticks all the boxes. 5 out of 5 from me!

BMW 1-Series BMW 1 Series 118d

I have only just taken delivery of my new BMW Series 1 and so far I have only good things to say about it. My daughter loves it too and loves being able to ride in the front as ISOFIX and front passenger airbag deactivation is available as standard. Thoroughly recommend.

BMW Z4 Roadster 2006 2.0i Sport

Excellent road presence and feel to this car thanks to rear wheel drive for an essential roadster experience. Full six gears with just enough punch particularly in the mid ranges while returning me 29.4 mpg over the last year which includes mostly town driving. Reaches full capabilities with the hood down. Great looking too!

BMW X3 2.0 litre SE - leather interior

It's a hard ride - suspension is not great but it is a good safe family 4x4 that is pleasing on the eye. I get approximately 34 MPG so fuel economy is not too bad.

BMW X5 BMW X5 3.0d SE

I looked at the Range Rover Sport as well as the X5 but as much as I like to buy British I’m afraid, for me, the X5 has more to offer. The handling is superb and the car just looks fantastic. Can’t fault it.

BMW Z4 Roadster BMW Z4 2.5i Sport

Having just changed from the Audi TT, which I had for 18 months what a refreshing not to drive down the road and see half a dozen cars exactly the same as mine! This car just exudes class and luxury and is such a smooth drive. Glad I made the change.

BMW 3-Series Convertible 320i M Sport

This car is class personified, not only in looks but to drive. If you are currently looking at convertibles you HAVE to test drive one of these, I guarantee you’ll be hooked!

BMW 3-Series Saloon BMW 3 Series 318d ES

Good solid car, handles beautifully. I’m hitting the 52mpg mark and am very pleased with the car’s performance. This is my third BMW and I don’t think it will be my last.

BMW 5-Series Saloon BMW 5 Series 525d SE

I’ve had this car now for 2 months and am impressed with the fuel consumption together with the overall handling. Opted for the luxury package on the interior and a couple of other extras, think it’s definitely worth it for such an investment. Very pleased so far.

BMW 3-Series Coupe

I don't think I could have got a better car to drive/own. I love driving my 335i everywhere. The 2007 coupe is a stunner to look at, a beautiful car that performs well, definitely worth the money i spent on it. I agree that BMW is the ultimate driving machine, it just feels more solid and stable than any other car I’ve driven.

BMW 1-Series

I recently bought the 118d and have found the drive extremely smooth. The suspension isn’t the best and that is why I’m only awarding this BMW 4-stars. Good economy and the 5th door really makes a difference.

Responses to this review

In September 2010, I bought my BMW 120d 3 door, normal tyres, Xenon lights and leather seats. When test driving various cars for long periods, I found some uncomfortable for my back. In the end I tracked it down to the leather seats versus cloth seats. The leather seats suited my back much better. I love the car, and having done 20,000 miles there have been no problems (except a speeding ticket!!). Wish I had opted for cruise control as an option. The variable servicing is incredible, still have 2,000 miles to go until the first service. Fuel consumption for the period has been 50 mpg. Not sure about the 3 door, it does look better, but the 5 door is probably more practicle for loading the back up. Plentry of boot space when the back seats are down. Only down side is handling when icy. The back is simply not heavy enough. Loaded the boot up with 300 Kg of ceramic tiles, and handling did improve - Peter Brooks from England

BMW 3-Series Coupe

The BMW 3 Series Coupe has not been the most fuel efficient car I have ever had. It only does about 30mpg so it is not the most economic in the world. Suspension not the best but all in all a pretty good car.