Don't quite get this image thing, must be me.

How much can use you use in excess of the perfectly adequate performance this car would have in the UK, basically you can't unless you want to swiftly collect some points.

Would people really feel ashamed to 'only' have the money or company position (image either way) to buy/use a 4 pot BMW so would debadge to save their embarrasment, dear Lord i thought that disappeared in the 80's or has it re-emerged in the wannabe celebrity century.

Seems a decent enough motor to me if you like modern cars, i don't.

Your post implies that VAG aren't up to the job. My experience of ownership is somewhat different, I have a Passat and have posted before about its history. 80.000+ miles and has been regularly serviced, initially by VW and latterly by a good indie who charges an average of £100 each service over the three service cycle. The only outlay other than that has been for a cam belt and kit (£185 fitted) new parking brake switch (£48 fitted), brake fluid change (£35) and tyres (now on 3rd set, just fitted). So apart from the switch, no surprises. Still has original wipers, pads and discs all round, original DMF and clutch despite using it to tow a caravan, covering 5,000 miles towing. It has spent two years as my wife's town car and two and a half years as my commuter car. Passed its last MoT with no advisories and returns 50-55 mpg (on supermarket dregs).

Bad things. The dash creaks when its cold.

Overall it has cost me about the same as the Mazda that we had for just over two years. I wouldn't use the VW dealer I bought it from for anything (but then again the only thing I would use the Mazda dealer for is target practice), but the VW garage which serviced it whilst under warranty were very reasonable. I don't expect it to last forever, but I think so far it has been very satisfactory and I will keep it as long as it is economically viable.

Where does this indicate that I haven't done my homework, or have more money than sense? Looking for a helpful dealership and help outside of warranty? Try Toyota (unless you have the automated manual gearbox or a 1.8 running on oil petrol mix), try Mazda (unless you have a 2l diesel)