I bought the 150 TDI end of 2006 and what a car. Have the car now for quite a while now and still having terrible trouble figuring out what to replace it with. The 1.9 engine is without a doubt a brilliant engine and has converted alot of my friends and family who are all petrol heads over to diesels. My car is modified to over 200bhp and 320ft/lb torque and still easily returns over 55mpg. I don't understand why people don't look at the Bora more rather then the Golf. Personally massive VW fan but golfs are everywhere and recently I had the MkV R32 and got rid of it because it didn't give me as much driving pleasure as the Bora does. My only slight down fall on the car is the rear leg room is tight and I myself at 6ft cant sit in the rear without my head hitting the roof.
Only ever problem I had with the car was the clutch which I changed for a better one but are generally the only weak points of the 130 and 150 diesel engines.
Handling is superb but you can sometimes feel the extra weight from the boot when pushing hard into corners.
Comfort having the sports I find grip you in all the right places and hold firm at all times.
Performance is second to none for me, yes my car is tuned but because of that I pass cars with absolute ease and show alot of Impreza STI's, Evolutions and type R Honda's who's boss while still getting 55mpg which is remarkable and hence having such a terrible time figuring out what to change to.
Would recommend the car to anyone and have but sadly they are becoming very rare to find with low mileage or even to find at all.
One of the best cars I've owned for the money for practicality and performace for the money. Yes the 320D is another option but it costs more and personally I like my music and the BMW's stereo doesn't come near the Bora's.