Thanks for the replies - this helps a lot. I've settled on the 325 as I really want a 6 cyl but would prefer not to pay the €1400 odd on road tax - and I think 190bhp is enough for the kind of driving I'll be doing (mostly a 4km round trip to/from work). Family car will remain the e90 and will see most of the driving.

Also I know it's only €400 in the difference but it's as much the principle as the cost (& if I stretch there next thing I'll be trying to justify the €400 extra for an M3 ).

My heart likes the private sale - love the color combination and have a preference for manual over automatic for pure driver involvement. But I figured there might be more peace of mind with a dealer - seeing the good feedback above on First Choice this is added to other good feedback I've had elsewhere so that's a help.

The plan now is to look at the private sale and the First Choice car & see where we go from there.

Thanks again for the feedback.