Her name is Tina. She's great! "TURTL PWR"! YAY!!

I researched, and test drove like a maniac for a month before finally getting the BMW.  I wanted power and this car had it.  Unfortunately, like a cat, this car had 9 lives and used all of them in less than a year...so it had to go back.  List of problems: 1) Computer screen blew, replaced, 2) Sun roof motor died, replaced, 3) Mirror retractor motor died, replaced, 3) Bad fuel pump, replaced, 4) Timing belt broke, replaced, 5) Headlight assembly installed incorrectly, repaired, 6) Rear brake sensor cracked, replaced, 7) Vacuum seals not sealed, repaired, 8) Oil line kinked, repaired, 9) and finally, Engine failure, repaired...but that was the final straw.  My nine month love affair with my perfect car had to end, and luckily BMW worked with us and let us terminate the lease w/o penalty.  

This car was like Brokeback Mountain - I didn't know how to quit it. :)  I LOVED the car when it was working properly and that darn malfunction light wasn't on, it was perfect.  Turbocharged and fast as hell.  Beautiful interior, comfortable, sporty, had every convenience possible.  After about the third major problem, Neal tried to convince me to give the car back, but I just couldn't, I loved it.  I've never driven something so smooth, so fast, something with more than 300 horses!  I didn't want to give it up...until I was driving out in the middle of the desert and the engine failure light came on, then reality set in..I had to let it go.  At least I got  a new MINI out of it. :)  We'll try BMW again in a few years, hopefully next time I won't the get the lemon.  

Awsome acceleration with no turbo lag, nice look, sound system.  Automatic transmission is as quick and responsive as the shift transmission...Some electrical problems...unexpected for the car....

Handling is a bit weird, but performance is good. Not exactly the most reliable car, but it gets you from A to B.