Welcome to drive the debate

Looks, Build quality (2nd to none), Straight 6 engine, Equipment, 2nd hand bargain, Performance/Handling (dry).

Fuel and oil consumption, Handling in wet can catch you out, Parts (tyres for 18" wheels especially, Ride quality with sports suspension, Town driving.

Overall a great car but not as good as magazine reviews led me to believe. Biggest disappointment was the handling/ride on sports suspension, which has now been fixed by installing Eibach springs to eliminate body role and give a decent ride. Engine is a peach, sounds fantastic with bags of power throughout the rev range. Does not inspire confidence in the wet and has caught me out many times. Tyre choice critical to the behaviour of the car, however in the dry the handling is exceptional. Car is now 6 years old and has proved very reliable with no parts changed with the exception of service items and still feels like new. Everytime i think of changing it I always come back to searching for the same car on autotrader. ***** For more information look on BMW onwers club; www.bmwland.co.uk