BMW Bristol
Looking to buy a BMW? Find out what's good, what's bad and what to watch out for from Honest John.
The new BMW 5 Series Saloon has been styled to reflect its almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution with short overhangs, a coupé-like flowing roofline and a long, contoured bonnet. Read on for more information on BMW 5-Series E.
Good: Better looking and a sportier drive than its Z3 predecessor.
Bad: Rear tyre wear on 3.0. Rims prone to kerbing. Can ground out on road humps.
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Good: An M3 alternative for less cash.
Bad: It will be harder to resell than an M3 or 330Ci.
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Good: Redeemed itself in 2007 with hot versions and a super economical 119g/k, CO2 118d. Always good to drive.
Bad: Not much room in back seat, no spare wheel, hard rid on 'Sport' suspension (SE much better).
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Good: Its 400bhp V8 makes it a real blast. James Bond drove one.
Bad: Pricey. James Bond prefers Aston Martins now.
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Good: Redeemed itself in 2007 with hot versions and a super economical 119g/k, CO2 118d. Always good to drive.
Bad: Not much room in back seat, no spare wheel, hard rid on 'Sport' suspension (SE much better).
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Good: Good looking. Enough room for 4 + luggage. Very quick 135i. 204PS 123d outstandingly efficient.
Bad: Steering lacks proper road feel and is a bit disconcerting.
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In the following article, you will learn some information about Honestjohn's impartial car review of BMW 1-Series E83 conv available in Bristol (2008 - ) with good points and bad points, reliability, car performance, car fuel consumption, car engine options and car technical information.
BMW has been cleaning up its act. Reducing CO2s, which goes hand in hand with improving economy. Yet also boosting power and performance.
BMW in Bristol has squeezed an extra 13bhp out of its 2.0 litre diesel, plus a total of 340Nm torque at 2,000rpm and puts it through a 6-speed manual box. That means that you’re through 2nd gear very quickly, but you soon learn to short-change into 3rd.
How does 306PS in a 4-seat coupe the size of a Golf grab you? And not any old 306PS engine, but ‘engine of the year’: BMW’s sensational twin-turbo 3.0 litre straight six that’s both benignly tractable and very, very fast.
Good: A sharp drive at the time. Still entertaining in a corner, especially in the wet. Cared-for M3s are rightly sought after.
Bad: Over-rated. Some drivers will find its more tail-happy moments unnerving. Plenty of age-related faults these days.
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Good: Excellent build quality. Good balance of performance and economy. Plenty around to choose from.
Bad: Clocked mega-mileage ones around now. Average crash test rating. 316i and 318i are unremarkable to drive.
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Good: Screwed together well. Good balance of pace and economy. Did very well in 2007 Warranty Direct Reliability Survey.
Bad: Simpler rear suspension make it more skittish in wet tha E36 saloon.
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Good: Decent to quick 4-seater convertibles of highly regarded E36 3-Series.
Bad: Did not share 318iS 140PS twin-cam 16v with coupe. Only 115PS 8v.
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Good: Accomplished all-rounder. Wide choice of second-hand ones.
Bad: Unremarkable looks. Handling not quite as enjoyable as E36. Turbo and injector problems with diesels.
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Good: 150PS 320d version offers lively performance, good fuel economy and rewarding handling.
Bad: Reports of turbo failures on 320D 150PS models.
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Good: Beautifully balanced, rear wheel drive small saloon, at its best as the 320d.
Bad: On runflats, so no spare wheel.
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With ideal 50/50 weight distribution and a 25% stiffer shell than the old car, it goes and handles like a true rear-drive thoroughbred. It rides well on those Primacy runflats with very little road noise even on rough, chewed-up surfaces.
Good: Beautifully balanced with 320d engine. Practical loadspace. A real pleasure to drive. Huge performance from 335i.
Bad: 325i doesn't do it for me. Still reports of turbo failures on 320d.
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Unlike previous 3-Series coupes, the E92 shares no body panels at all with the saloon. It sits on a long wheelbase, helping reduce pitching over undulations. Somehow it’s been “de-Bangled” of the sometimes-odd styling quirks of all recent BMWs.
Good: 5 Stars is for the 335i, which is very nearly the perfect four seater with a fantastic engine and fine rear-drive handling.
Bad: Very tempting and easy to drive way above speed limits.
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Good: Smart looks, excellent engines and practical metal folding roof. Decent luggage space can be augmented by lowering rear seat backrests.
Bad: Early days yet for roof. Watch this space.
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Get in, turn the key and, oops, shouldn't have done that because this is a diesel. Should have waited. No sweat, though. I'm off and discovering that, though light, the clutch doesn't take prisoners, so starting in second needs getting used to.
The new BMW 5 Series Saloon has been styled to reflect its almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution with short overhangs, a coupé-like flowing roofline and a long, contoured bonnet. Read on for more information on BMW 5-Series E.
Good: A likable saloon from a time when the roads weren't full of BMWs.
Bad: Hard to find one. Even harder to find one that isn't rusty or modded beyond the bounds of good taste.
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Good: Tidy looks. Good handling and ride comfort. Solidly put together. Decent quality interior.
Bad: Some electrical and electronic problems. 518i can struggle on the motorway.
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Good: Some great engines. Good ride and handling. Classy looks. Performed well in JD Power Customer Satisfaction surveys.
Bad: Electrical niggles. Some complaints over paint quality and assembly standards.
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Good: Nicely balanced, fine handling, fairly substantial car. Standard cloth upholstery much nicer to sit on than velour or leather.
Bad: Looks are an acquired taste, more accepted by 2007 than when launched. Some problem areas.
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Good: As saloon, with the advantages of a station wagon body.
Bad: Looks not everyone's taste. Some problem areas.
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All BMW 5-Series GTs come as standard with Drive Dynamic Control, a feature first showcased on the BMW 7 Series, that allows the driver to fine tune the chassis configuration to suit their needs. Drivers in Bristol will be able to specify Normal, Comfort, Sport and Sport+, with each setting changing the steering assistance, throttle response and gear change characteristics.
The boot is vast and well-shaped, only creating a bit of lower spine worry because of its length. Yet I still managed to dispose of a few thousand magazines that had been choking my office without suffering what back-quacks term ‘disc involvement’.
Good: Cared-for examples are appreciating in value. Handsome design.
Bad: Rust and auto gearboxes give trouble. Tyres are hard to find.
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Good: An entertaining car along an open road. The M6 is a phenomenal drive.
Bad: Not at home in urban environments. Tyre wear. Rear backrests are very upright.
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In the following article, you will learn some information about Honestjohn's impartial car review of BMW 7-Series available in Bristol (2009 - ) with good points and bad points, reliability, car performance, car fuel consumption, car engine options and car technical information.
The 7 is the first production BMW to feature a pretty vast version of its familiar kidney radiator grill, premiered on various concept cars, and destined to become the German make’s smart family face in Bristol. The end result isn’t beautiful, but it’s quietly interesting and has presence.
Good: Very luxurious. High-mileage 730i and 735i SE cars can be real bargains.
Bad: Complex electrical systems can give trouble. Problems with aircon. V8 bore liners can degrade.
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Good: Luxurious and capable, with a comfortable ride and decent handling.
Bad: Hard on tyres. Afflicted by wide-ranging niggles and problems. Bore liners of early V8s can degrade.
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Good: Brisk or rapid performance, depending on model. Handles well. Looks improve with familiarity.
Bad: The iDrive control system takes a lot of learning.
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Good: Distinctive super coupe with strong performance.
Bad: Bore liners can degrade on original 4.0-litre V8. V12 heavy on fuel.
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Good: An M3 alternative for less cash.
Bad: It will be harder to resell than an M3 or 330Ci.
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Good: 214PS and 143g/km CO2.
Bad: You probably won't match the certificated fuel economy.
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Good: Fantastic performance and handling, yet reasonably benign. Flexible engine enables starting in 2nd gear.
Bad: Old fashioned analogue instruments and small LED display too small to read quickly.
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Why is it that as legislators and police get heavier and heavier on speed manufacturers keep coming up with faster and faster cars? I was bricking it just at the thought of driving the new M3 V8 on the road.
Good: Outstanding performance, superb handling and powerful brakes. Also easy to drive in everyday traffic.
Bad: It's hamstrung by UK speed limits. Heavy on the oil. Auto gearbox shifts crudely if left to its own devices.
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