[Yeltzer]

..... my E90 is in the stealers for its first MOT (fingers crossed it passes).

Have been given a 118d M Sport automatic in AW for the day, with the big 18" alloys.

My review would be as follows: The delay between planting your foot in the floor and anything happening is abysmal. Took a lot of getting used to at roundabouts/junctions etc (is this the same on E9* autos?).

And inside The cheap plastics are a disgrace to BMW imho. They obviously used the cast offs for the E87 interior. Horribly plasticy and scratchy. Makes you appreciate the E90 interior and its quality finish even more. The mpg seemed no better than my 320d on the blast up the M6 to Walsall.

Like the front parking sensors on it (dont have them) and the retro look of the AW paintwork and big rims. Dislike the plastics, dumbo wing mirrors, crap stereo and poor rear visibility.

Can't wait to get back in the E90 tonight!!!

[MEGA]

I had the same car but a petrol rather than diesel and can agree. I put it into M mode and ragged the crap out of mine using the flappy paddles. redline gear change in every gear. Was quite fun.. But pretty slow..

[kaishang]

I had a 118d automatic loaner for a week when my E90 was late to arrive + I'd sold my last car.

I thought it was OK. It's not as nice finish as an E90, but it is a lot cheaper and drives a lot better than your average hatchback of that size. I do not think the delay when you put your foot down is a problem in the 118d auto, but it is a problem in a 330d auto. For safe roundabout crossings in a 330d, you need to use DS mode so it downshifts faster and is in a lower gear to start with. In the 118d auto, everything happened a bit more leisurely anyway.

Crap stereos are universal in BMWs unless you spec a better one.

[Yeltzer]

The car is also filthy dirty inside and out.

Loads of bird lime on the outside as well as general road dirt, alloys were almost black with grime, can't have been washed for a week or so. Inside lots of dust and dirt and foily stuff from ends of packs of mints etc and 4/5 big suction marks on the windscreen where a satnav has been attached. The windscreen itself is also filthy inside with loads of smear marks where its been (unsucessfully) cleaned.

You'd think the stealers would take more care of their courtesy cars but when I saw this very same coming into the dealer this morning after a member of staff had taken it home the night before, they obviously don't.

Thankfully I only have to do about 15 more miles in it tonight.

[kaishang]

I advise having sex in that already-dirty car then followed by a trip to the Asian supermarket for some durian to really give the next driver something to think about in that case.