BMW 330d M Sport: month 6

Arrived: September 2008
List price (including options): £38,870
Average economy: 42.1mpg

The BMW 330d M Sport has been -

To the west coast of Ireland and back this month. Our destination was the scenic county Mayo, where a family celebration required us to spend a week in among some of the most spectacular scenery Ireland has to offer. We weren't so fortunate with the weather unfortunately, but that did make us appreciate the few fair days all the more.

We're loving the -

Classiness of this particular 3 Series. Let's not beat about the bush: the 3 Series is ubiquitous on Britain's roads. However, most cars are painted in sombre colours. I've seen few others painted in the sparkling Bluewater hue of our test car and allied with the M Sport styling it really does stand out from the crowd, drawing appreciative glances from passersby that might usually not even notice a 3 Series. The looks are more than backed up by the 330d's prodigious performance.

But not so impressed by -

Dust. More specifically, how quickly it seems to build up on the car's interior. It doesn't seem to take long for the lovely leather and soft-touch dashboard to accumulate grit after a good valet. I guess we can't blame BMW for that, but to be honest, we're beginning to struggle to find things wrong with this car after nearly a year at the wheel.

We're looking forward to -

One final hurrah for the 330d. On our way back to BMW HQ in Bracknell, we're planning a drive down through the heart of Wales, taking in Snowdonia and some wonderfully quiet and open A-roads. Unfortunately, at the end of it all, it's time to give BMW back its car. That'll be a sad day for us.

Shane O' Donoghue