2007 BMW 335i

The 335i was the first car to be fitted with BMW’s famous 3-litre twin turbo unit, which was voted International Engine of the Year in 2007 and is still in use in modified form today in the M4.

It makes for a very quick and refined car. One reviewer said it was ‘more fun to drive than cars twice its price’ and went on to say it was ‘like a gentleman’s M3: relaxed and serene when you want to kick back, maniacal and focused when Mr Hyde rears his ugly head’. Ahem.

Anyway, with 228 kW and 400 Nm to play with this car still goes very well and doesn’t feel too far off its pace when it was new (0-100 in just over 5 seconds).

It still turns heads too. The E93 coupe was one of then BMW chief stylist Chris Bangle’s most successful designs (no awful bulge out the back). And the Valencia orange paint makes much more of the car’s elegant lines than the usual black or silver.

It’s the same inside. The dark tan (cinnamon?) leather really lightens up the interior and looks far more inviting than black.

The car is very well equipped, with a glass sunroof, heated front seats with electric adjustment of bolster position and lumbar support as well as the usual fore and aft etc, Xenon headlights which turn with the wheel like a Citroen DS, iDrive with NZ navigation and radio stations, and a truly spectacular sound system with woofers under the front seats and speakers all over the place.

We replaced the run-flat tyres with Goodyear Eagles, which greatly improved the ride as well as the roadholding on bumpy roads. New turbos were fitted 30,000 km ago. We’ve kept the car fully serviced and have always stayed on top of any work needed in the nine years we’ve owned it.

The car has been used mainly for long runs, has been garaged, and presents and drives beautifully. Alloys all unscuffed. Sounds great too: near-silent at cruise, but with a silky roar under acceleration. It’s now time for it to go to someone else (house renovations to pay for). We hope whoever buys it loves and cares for it as much as we have.