I've run a 406 estate company car for 60,000 miles over two years; miles make this car better and the 110 bhp engine must make it better still (mine's 90 bhp). Learn how to use the power band, which starts at 3100 rpm, and you'll appreciate it a lot more. Surprise those BMW drivers with the handling on fast motorway curves and A-road roundabouts; there's no understeer even when you push it (swap it for a Passat for the weekend and you'll scare yourself). ABS and that flat, firmly-damped suspension both help when you think you've gone beyond it.

Air-con and a CD autochanger even on the lowly LX make it pleasant company, even if you're together about five hours every day - I'm not fed up yet. I don't pay for my fuel, but 600 miles out of a 65-litre tank of diesel isn't bad. Main-dealer servicing in Brighton is good, polite and prompt - and you can always feel the difference after it's been in.