BMW 3-Series Saloon (2005 - 2011) 320d M Sport 4d Auto Owner Review

I have owed my 320d for 18 months now and was my first bmw . But after driving a couple i was impressed by the quality so took the plunge and bought one .It had 97k on the clock with a full history and was full of factory options . I was sceptical of the auto box but really wanted a big comfy auto and after driving it for a while was very impressed with how smooth the auto box changed gear and only added to the driving pleasure , it also has a manual semi automatic option which is equally very smooth and easy to use when the mood takes you .Yes the auto is not as frugal as the manual on fuel but still at 43 ish I'm happy although my son used to get 50 plus out of a 320d manual. The build quality is excellent and even though the car is 15 years old its been well looked after and all the controls and switches are fully working and feel like the car has just come from the factory with no real signs of wear and tear , with the full leather heated seats a pleasure to sink into on a long journey or short hop to the shops . If i had one criticism it would be the suspension , being an M sport version the suspension is harder and lower than a standard 320 and can be a bit hard for the Somerset country lanes where i live but once on better A roads its fine and on the motorway with the cruise control set you soon get the feel of a very well built quality German motor that will with the recommended servicing go on for a very long time , and without an drop in quality and driving feel. Admittedly main dealer prices can be expensive but ,there is a large number of independent Bmw specialists around that come highly recommended within the Bmw owners groups to carry out any work or maintenance needed to keep your car in tip top condition I have since bought a high mileage 1 series for the wife and a 3ltr 325i cabriolet to go with the daily driver 320d i was that taken by the build quality and driving experience , and have to say i have no intentions of swapping from Bmw any time soon .My biggest regret is having owned and driven a vast array of cars from hot hatches to people carriers i havent got myself into a Bmw before .Its safe to say there's no going back now . Obviously there is good and bad second hand cars and some that have been abused but shop carefully and dont be scared to spend a bit more on a good example , you wont regret it !!