Took my car into the dealer today, with an intermittant fault on the central locking (sometimes, the car just would not unlock - the interior lights would come on, but the doors would not unlock)

I pre-booked it, and asked for a courtesy car.

When I arrived, I explained the fault, and also demonstrated that the seal around the triangular part on the door (where the wing mirror fastens to) had also split slightly.

They put me straight in an '04 318ci (1000 miles), leather, bodykit, wheels etc.

They called me 2 hours later to tell me they had replaced the central locking module under warranty, and that ther had ordered a new seal to be fitted at my convenience(again, under warranty).

When I arrived at the dealer's, I had to wait a few minutes whilst they finished valeting my car !

Considering that my car is an import, and I didn't buy it from a BMW dealer, and that the visit didn't cost me a single penny, I was extremely impressed with the service.

Well done Haliwell Jones BMW (Southport - UK).

Just out of curiosity, how did you like the 318 loaner they gave you? Is BMW still using the m44 engine in 318's? Unfortunately we no longer get 318's in Canada. The lowest e46 we get is the 320.

I'm glad you asked actually, because I forgot to mention. BMW in the UK sells the 318i/318ci which is actually a 2.0 4cyl 16V 143BHP. The 320 is a 2171cc 6 cyl.

I was astounded by the 318. When I drove it enthusiastically around the town, I was very, very impressed, considering I was comparing it to my 330ci, although mine is an auto. I still found it to be an excellent drivers car, very enthusiastic. Although the steering/suspension felt a little wooly in comparison, It was still able and capable, and more importantly the engine note, combined with the whole feel of the car made it inspiring to drive enthusiastically. There was a time when I asked myself If it really was slower than mine, but this was soon answered the hard way when I pulled out to overtake someone doing about 75 in third and then I realised ! - But that can only be expected. - anyway, in short, When I climbed in it, I was determined to compare it to mine, and I thought I would be very disappointed with it. I couldn't have been further from the truth. I have always thought that if you have a Beemer, it has to be a six pot, but the noise of this engine made the car very enjoyable in it's own class.

Thanks for the review!! It appears that BMW is using a different 4 cylinder engine in 318's now. Too bad we don't get them here in Canada anymore. The 318 really is a fun car to drive.