bryans69

Isn't that the problem with early L&K's though

Sounds good. How do you find the seats, as a lack of support on the non Sportline is something I've seen mentioned a few times?

We shall wait with baited breath

Performance aside, how does this compare to the Golf? My two current options for the next vehicle are a Golf R estate or Superb TSI 280 Sportline. Really struggling with the R estate looks, and think the extra space in the Superb probably more useful than the finer handling.

Looks a bargain

We looked again last week at both the BMW 330d and a Skoda (not a vRS, admittedly, so not ideal comparison from a spec point of view). As has been said many times, the Skoda wins hands down for practicality and cost, but there is just something about the BMW that keeps pulling me back. The 330d is great to drive, and the engine / box combination is brilliant. The interior with the right spec feels special, but you do pay for it. The Skoda felt just like my Golf, not bad, but not great. Having owned two BMW's in the past, I know they are not perfect, but I just can't fall for the Skoda. Maybe a drive in the vRS will change that. I'll admit that there is a certain amount of my own "can't possbily buy a Skoda", but I do also drive a Nissan, all be it a 350Z.

Don't know about Mercedes, but certainly my colleague's Jag XF is the same. First bit of snow and he turns up in his son's Focus

I've had an E46 325i Coupe and E92 335i Coupe. Both useless in the snow, although I admit not the most winter friendly tyres. It has put me off a RWD BMW as our main car, especially as second is a 350Z Roadster, also not much better. Currently torn between VRs and 330d xDrive to replace a Golf GTD. Looked at both again at the weekend. Love the BMW, but can't ignore the extra space of the VRs, and the cost. The 5 Series is ruled out because of no 4WD, although I know you can faff about with extra wheels, winter tyres etc Maybe the fact that you can't actually get a VRs anyway will swing the BMW

£42k is still pretty good going. I got to £43k on 330d xdrive with pretty much everything I'd want, including Pro Sat Nav, Auto (standard on 330d) and some other bits. The vRS similar spec comes in at £29k. I'm sure with some clever man maths taking into account depreciation etc I could make the BMW work, and that's before you look at difference in quality (just see the comments about the 'leather') Currently on our second Golf, and looking for something bigger, whilst the vRS probably makes sense, the BMW just appeals more (I've also had two 3 series, including an E92 335i Coupe before kids arrived). Still can't get my head around spending close to 30k on a skoda, and there is something about that 3 litre BMW engine coupled with 4WD..............