Should I worry about buying a manual BMW?

My wife would still like a manual, and we've finally come round to the idea of a 5 series (Alfas before), and have found a 2010 525d with a manual gearbox. But the Internet is rife with stories about the...

BMW X1 Efficient Dynamics fuel consumption

I have a BMW X1 2.0 diesel manual efficient dynamics model I have recently bought from a dealer. The official combined fuel consumption figure is 62.8 combined. I am driving it really carefully and changing...

BMW X3 - Manual or Automatic?

We are thinking of buying a new BMW X3. What's your recommendation on the transmission to go for, manual or automatic? Most 4x4s seem to have automatic transmissions, why is this the case? After years...

Buying post-Olympics BMWs

The papers are reporting that up to 4,000 BMW vehicles will be used for the Olympics. Not all cars of course, but how do you expect BMW to dispose of 3 and 5 Series models after the event? What is the...

Tyre and alloy wheel insurance

I just bought a 2010 bmw320d sport with low profile tyres and expensive alloys from main dealer John Clark Aberdeen. I have been offered tyre & alloy wheel insurance @ £349 for 3 yrs for accidental demanges....

BMW swirl flaps - do I get them taken out?

I am a very satisfied owner of the much maligned BMW X3. The car is a 3.0d manual. My question is: I have heard talk of swirl flaps failing and dropping into the engine causing untold damage. Does...

5 Series Touring or E-Class estate?

I'm buying a second-hand estate and have so far narrowed the field to an E-Class or 5 Series. I can only stretch to a 2004 vehicle and it will probably have 100,000+ on the clock. It will be used for...

What should I pay for a BMW Z4?

I am looking at a BMW Z4. What should I pay for a 2008 2.5-litre Si Sport with 29,000 miles privately? The books seem to suggest around £11,000 but that seems a lot.

Very pleased with winter tyres on my BMW X5.

I was up and out at 8am this morning to beat the kids on their sledges so I could try the winter tyres on my X5 on virgin snow. The verdict: absolutely brilliant. I bought a set of BMW 17-inch alloys off...

My BMW 5 Series' DPF fault also caused the turbocharger to fail - is this to be expected?

I own a 2007 5 Series BMW diesel automatic. The car has a full service history, but is high mileage at 85,000. The DPF light came on and the message said that the car was safe to continue driving, however...