B180 CDi Blue Efficiency Sport

Outstanding chassis, style and comfort; a pleasure to drive, roomy and well thought through.

Over 22,000 miles I have found the 180 diesel is quite powerful enough for most work. In fact, the engine is a dream; quieter than when new, pretty economic, burns no oil, is gutsy and responsive and revs easily, more like a petrol than a diesel. The chassis is as good as our 3 Series BMW, i.e. very good, the driving position allows me to cover 800 miles on the trot in a day and get out without an ache. Getting in and out is easy - you just 'walk' into the car. Visibility is good. The rear camera is terrific, making parking a doddle. In the wet, grip is excellent. Controls are well-made and work effectively. The pedals and gearbox are light and positive, the steering well weighted but not too heavy. The only query is why do I have to have fancy 'sports' pedals, rather than bigger, ordinary ones? Tyre wear is average - about fifteen thousand on the fronts and well over thirty, I estimate, for the rears. Steering is tight and precise but a fraction less than perfect on long, slow corners - I quibble. The only thing I wish I had on the car is cruise control. Details like the design of riding lights and indicators, the way it stays lit for a while after you get out and all those little things that make a good car great, seem to have been thought of. To give you an idea of the level of 'wrongness', the radio isn't completely inaudible when you switch on and I think I'd prefer a more sensitive electric handbrake. Now there's a problem!! Oh, and I think I'll go for the automatic next time.

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