BMW 3-Series Touring (2005 - 2012) 318d ES (08) 5d (2010/60) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I'm a BMW driver, and with that comes a certain attitude.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

My family think its posh. My wife hate's it and think it impractical. My neighbours think I waste money on a 'posh' car.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Never. Uncomfortable, impractical, no toys, gives you the wrong image.

What are you likely to buy next?

V60 D4 R-design, had one on test drive and very nice, fast, comfortable and practical car. So happens though I've ended up with an Audi A4 Avant, but the V60 would be the right choice.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£0

When did you buy the car?

July 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

It was a company car that became availabe to replace my outgoing volvo.

What was the dealer like?

The local BMW garage service is pretty good, although alot of the sales/ service members are quite 'snobby'. As a company car driver, I also question the validity of some servicing works undertaken.

What's it like to drive?

I drive accross the Welsh countyside alot, so have given the car its fair share of abuse. The power delivery of the engine is impressive, but after 80,000miles it does seem to be loosing it abit. Handling is pretty good and its a fun drive, although turbo lag is an issue pulling out of junctions etc. The pedals are slightly offset which is annoying. The ride is quite firm and seats are awful and are giving me a bad back (a colleague is also having the same in his). I have hit over 90MPG in the car driving very carefully from work to home (about 50 miles), however normal driving is around 50MPG, and when pushing it I have been into the low 30's (over 40 mile distance).

What's it like to park?

The lock on the car is very good, and I have litterally parked in in a space with less than 2 inches either end to the other cars (one was my mother in-laws so I didn't mind nudging it). Judjing reversing into spaces, I am never as deep as I think it am.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Squeeking break pedal is annoying. Whistling wingmirror. 40-70mph. Glad I'm changing the car, its very annoying. Juddery clutch also seems a common problem on these (3 people in work with the same issue), as really queeky breaks when breaking in reverse, which is embarrasing and not somthing you would expect from an exspensive car. Run flat indicators are useless, I've had loads of false indications and then when I have actually had a flat tyre (3 times now) they haven't alerted me to it. Engine cover is loose and rattles like hell. Also, it eats tyres. 20 tyres in 50,000 miles. Others I work with have had similar results. The 'parcel shelf' also has a habbit of popping up over bumps, which is annoying.

What's most practical about your car?

Comming from a volvo with pockets everywhere, the BMW stuggles. Watch out for deep back seats. This pushes childrens car seats into the middle, which makes fitting 3 childrens seats a nightmare, and even just putting the two either side leaves my 3rd child quashed in the middle. The boot isn't very big with a deep bootlid resulting in careful packing resulting in the boot not closing. Opening glass on teh tailgate is only practical thing on the BMW, as you can wedge stuff in better that way.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The car is so basic I'm suprised it comes with a spare wheel, oh hang on, it doesnt. The base model comes with nothing and must be the lowest spec of any car over £10K. I hate the dim interior orange light you cannot turn off.