[quote name='Alasdair Kirk' date='17 January 2010 - 01:46 PM' timestamp='1263735971' post='10511']
Jason - they are good and bad
Much better in handling terms than the classic before (I had a couple of those), but not as good as the new ones.
I chose to go for leather / but not all the toys - so got a DSE, not a DHSE.
Later ones tend to be better than older ones, so buy as new as you can.
Engine is rock solid - but very very sluggish - 136 BHP as standard, 0-60 in a couple of weeks (13.5)
I took mine to JE Engineering in Coventry where I spent £1k on chip and new inter-cooler - has transformed the car - you can do a chip remapping from a number of firms for 200-300
They do have several areas of issues:
Air-con - blender motors (c. £600)
Main computer (£800 recon / £1200 new)
Air Suspension (any price up to £2K) - many people put them onto coils - c. £400 - £600.
Generally - I like them - depends how much you have to spend as the new ones are now down as low as £8 - £10k, though you are prob. still better off buying a £14 - £20k one, so quite pricey for the post 2004 ones which apparently are better.
come and have a look if you want...
regards
Alasdair
[/quote]
might take you up on that one day, looking hopefully to spend around 4/5k on one.