325i SE Auto 5dr Estate

Good all-rounder in every sense

Coming up for 14 months ownership now and 16000 miles and the odometer is now just in 6 figures.

The engine is an excellent balance - not too thirsty, or expensive to maintain, insure, but still with the 6 cylinder growl.

Quality of cabin still impresses and looks like it'll last another 100K with ease. Comfy seats and leather helps with cleaning up after children. Feels much higher quality than my old E46.

Still in two minds about the runflats. As they wear (but still well within legal tread) they definitely tramline much more and their noise seems to increase. You find yourself really avoiding pot holes and the tyre hardness makes wheel buckling much more likely. The tyres themselves are much heavier so add to the unsprung weight. The latest third generation runflats are supposed to be much improved and price is closer to non runflats, but cannot comment on use. I got some winter runflat tyres for a trip to the alps and they did seem softer and quieter for the two winters I've used them.

Reliability has not been perfect. A common fault for pre LCI cars is the leaking fuel filler pipe which mine suffered. After the second coil pack failed, I bit the bullet and replaced the other four at the same time. A wire in the boot for the radio broke due tailgate opening over time.
The ? front discs have become warped as there's a noticeable judder when shedding speed (BMW info display says they are good for a long time yet) and all wheels and tyres have been recently checked. I came across someone who had the same problem and it returned a short while after changing the discs...
Other than that it's been routine maintenance.

MPG is about 30mpg for mainly motorway fast A-roads; even going though endless roadworks on the M5 and M6 it doesn't creep much above 32. Lowest was 12mpg after a track session.
It's been used for house removal with boot and roofbox full, trips to the continent, and a blast round a circuit.

I'm always thinking ahead for my next used car but at present can't think what I'd replace it with : possibly a 330i touring manual with a few less miles on it.
Would give it 5* overall if it wasn't for the minor reliabilty issues.

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