Go drive one of the latest BMW diesel automatics, the difference is chalk and cheese, DSG just doesn't suit diesel characteristics very well  but brilliant with petrol engines

 

I will be doing - next week - an X1D apparently. And, as for the comment about the diesel and DSG being worse on fuel, how come I easily get around 50mpg regularly using fuelly and/or the equipment provided. I'm currently doing 250 miles per week and not hanging about either... 

 

I couldn't give a toss about C02 as I'm not company car taxed.

One day I hope to be able to get a 911. I don't care which model, as long as I can drive it regularly. Although one of the 4S would be nice

See, you're a VAG girl after all!

 

I've been looking at 928's lately, great value compared to 911's of the same age and surprisingly modern too. First sports car with abs, first aluminium blocked engine not to have a separate bore liner, passive rear steering, electrically adjustable vents to manage cooling, near 50:50 weight distribution, trip computer, electronic lsd - it was very advanced for it's time (1978 to 1992 or thereabouts) and is still surprisingly modern looking and capable today (oh, and sounds awesome!!!)

 

Too many jobs on at the moment to take the plunge, but it's an itch that's going to have to get scratched sooner rather than later!

Wealth warning : once bitten by the 911 bug there is no escape! An almost impossible act to replace. I have frequently tried and always failed!

I do too many miles to run anything too daft. There would be a muscle car in front of my house too if I could afford it (C7 Corvette one day )

See, you're a VAG girl after all!

 

 

I've owned the main 4 VAG marques now. My mkIV Golf GT TDi  was the best built, my Toledo 130 TDI was the most economical (by a mile), the Skoda was the most practice and best value and the Audi was the fastest and although I really liked it, it was probably the car I least connected with.

 

So I need to get a Lambo next to begin to get close to all the VAG marques

Interesting thread and here's my tuppence for what it's worth.

I'm currently driving a 320d touring of 2011 vintage and as a company car. I'm going to come out of the scheme and do a cash for car as I used to and had run 2 mondeo( 2.0 TDCI ghia x and 2.2 st. both estate). I also have a late classic Impreza turbo for fun.

Never had a Bm before and only German car experience was a new golf estate of 2001 and that went back to the dealer 7 times in the first year and from a driving experience was hopeless !

Assessment of BM is not fantastic. It's had a new clutch and flywheel and been locked out of boot twice and had badly squeaking brakes for longer than I remember. The ride and handling are soft and willowy. For me, it seems the springs are not matched to the damping. Steering has almost zero feedback of what the tyres are doing and the weighting seems artificially too heavy. Like a lot of German cars I've driven, the brakes are over servo'd with 90% of the efficiency coming from 10% of effort???I prefer a more linear response. It is not a drivers car and is nowhere near as involving or handles anywhere near as good as the old ST mondeo. The other comment to make is that all the controls seem to have been dumbed down..by that I mean like I'm connected via something else..take the steering, gear change(vague) etc. the engine is great but again, the throttle response is terrible. It must be 20yrs since I've had to floor the throttle and count 1,2,3 so the revs can climb enough to make a quick getaway.

So, leaves me looking for my next car and the Octavia vrs diesel is on my hit list and from what I've seen so far, could make a good replacement...test drive to follow.

Oh yeh, I like driving so manual is the only option for me...wafting along is for my Dad...

Steve.

^^ My Octy broke down completely and refused to go (plus the dealer service was poor too) when it was around 1 year old! It didn't put me off Skodas, it was just one of those things. All manufactures suffer from them to some degree. It certainly would not stop me getting another Skoda if the time was right and in fact I just recommended one to a colleague who is in the market for something to replace his Mondeo.

Old money or new money ?!?!??

Old money used to drive round in anything battered rusty or "farm looked after"no one said owt

New money wants the badge

I found myself going towards the old way but still new car , in life we pay for what we want so I mean no disrespect

I went skoda as it looks good but costs less than the bmw/audi how much less depends on many things but bmw audi don't do a car like ours with that spec for the figure I got it to over 3. Years pcp 0%

So I went yes please skoda

Do I look at bmw and think I made a mistake yes in terms of overall style,but as to running everyday and paying for it NO!!!

Oh yeh, I like driving so manual is the only option for me...wafting along is for my Dad...

Steve.

I used to think that - until I drove a quick (petrol) car with a double clutch gearbox - now I'd never go back to manual at least in a fast car! 

..If you can get anywhere near the £10k discount for a new 335d touring X-Drive mentioned by Lady Elanore above in this thread - call me!

Did you get a call.....?

Interesting thread and here's my tuppence for what it's worth.

I'm currently driving a 320d touring of 2011 vintage and as a company car. I'm going to come out of the scheme and do a cash for car as I used to and had run 2 mondeo( 2.0 TDCI ghia x and 2.2 st. both estate). I also have a late classic Impreza turbo for fun.

Never had a Bm before and only German car experience was a new golf estate of 2001 and that went back to the dealer 7 times in the first year and from a driving experience was hopeless !

Assessment of BM is not fantastic. It's had a new clutch and flywheel and been locked out of boot twice and had badly squeaking brakes for longer than I remember. The ride and handling are soft and willowy. For me, it seems the springs are not matched to the damping. Steering has almost zero feedback of what the tyres are doing and the weighting seems artificially too heavy. Like a lot of German cars I've driven, the brakes are over servo'd with 90% of the efficiency coming from 10% of effort???I prefer a more linear response. It is not a drivers car and is nowhere near as involving or handles anywhere near as good as the old ST mondeo. The other comment to make is that all the controls seem to have been dumbed down..by that I mean like I'm connected via something else..take the steering, gear change(vague) etc. the engine is great but again, the throttle response is terrible. It must be 20yrs since I've had to floor the throttle and count 1,2,3 so the revs can climb enough to make a quick getaway.

So, leaves me looking for my next car and the Octavia vrs diesel is on my hit list and from what I've seen so far, could make a good replacement...test drive to follow.

Oh yeh, I like driving so manual is the only option for me...wafting along is for my Dad...

Steve.

 

Your BMW experience is the complete opposite to mine but I've only owned older BM's and only test driven the higher powered modern 3 and X3's. I've also rarely driven Fords so can't really compare in that respect.

 

I suspect BMW don't put as much effort into their lower spec lower powered cars as they should whereas 1.6-2.0 litres is the sweet spot for a manufacturer like Ford. I remember seeing the older BMW 3 series compact cars driving around and thought they looked really cheap and underwhelming and they seemed to have been produced to tempt Ford and Vauxhall buyers into BMW's based on badge snobbery alone.

Did you get a call.....?

No - now there's a surprise.....   not likely to change in the very near future so I haven't chased it.

I'm taking delivery of a 320d M-sport manual touring tomorrow while I wait for my VRS Tdi with DSG box. It's a long story but the car coming tomorrow is 3 months old and will be interesting to compare back to back when I eventually get the VRS.

Having just got rid of the latest 520d with auto I can confirm it is by far and away the best auto box around, I've driven Merc's , Audi's et al and the BMW 8 speed is incredibly smooth. I've got it in the 116d hire car at the moment and even in that it's good.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the DSG compares but I'm expecting compromise. The Octavia wins hands down on value and space which is why I opted for it, have a growing young family. I still find it bizarre that the boot is bigger than an A6 and 5 series estate and yet it's a smaller car, clever Skoda.

In dynamic terms I know the BMW will be better, pre 5 series I had the previous model 320d M-sport which was fantastic to drive so I guess the latest one is even better, time will tell.

I think the BM autobox is the best mainstream on the market, the one in my C250 is good but not as good as the BM variant, though it's miles ahead of Volvos effort in this space for example.

Its all personal preference and I prefer the look of the C over the 3 and think the interior is nicer. I also agree the Vrs is a great package in what it gives I just wasn't prepared to wait.

The reality for me is I consider myself a bit of a 'petrol head' (done the requisite Alfa and Porsche Thing) and, ignoring the financial impact I could change car every 6 months as there's so many I'd like to try out as there's so many good cars out there.

Edited 3 April, 201412 yr by tuonopepper

No - now there's a surprise.....   not likely to change in the very near future so I haven't chased it.

My post about £8+K off not interest you?

My post about £8+K off not interest you?

 

Not at the moment - still looking for a 911 anti-serum

See, you're a VAG girl after all!

 

I've been looking at 928's lately, great value compared to 911's of the same age and surprisingly modern too. First sports car with abs, first aluminium blocked engine not to have a separate bore liner, passive rear steering, electrically adjustable vents to manage cooling, near 50:50 weight distribution, trip computer, electronic lsd - it was very advanced for it's time (1978 to 1992 or thereabouts) and is still surprisingly modern looking and capable today (oh, and sounds awesome!!!)

 

Too many jobs on at the moment to take the plunge, but it's an itch that's going to have to get scratched sooner rather than later!

 

Beware - they can be absolute money pits! - got a mate who had one and it cost him dear!

If you are a car enthusiast, enjoy fast driving and cars are a passion then maybe Skodas won't float your boat.

 

Not sure about that statemenbt - if you are a car enthusiast and enjoy driving etc. you probably have more than one car and those cars can each appeal to different traits of your enthusiasm.  The 'weekend car' could appeal to the fast driving part and the the Skoda to the practicality and smugness for not paying through the nose part and the knowledge that you 'know' your cars???

Not trying to start a flaming war, but I think that wanting a BMW is a natural thing for a car lover.

 

Sorry but I really can't disagree more with that statement!

 

I've been into cars for as long as I can remember (i'm 46) and anyone who has ever met me would vouch that I'm a petrolhead and a lover of cars and that cars would be, without a doubt, my highest priority were it not for my kids (in fact my cars were my highest priority before the kids came along!  ) but I have absolutely no desire, or want, for a BMW.  In fact I almost have the exact opposite, and this is despite having driven them.

 

Using terminology suggested by someone else on here they simply do not 'float my boat' in any way shape or form.

 

I find the recent styling a complete mish-mash and ungainly, the interiors bland (if well made), the driving dynamics nothing particular to write home about, standard equipment levels poor and additional equipment overpriced (if advanced - but then personally I don't actually want the majority of the advanced stuff they offer), the dealers stigmatised and aloof and the cars themselves generally overpriced.

 

Sorry if that sounds harsh to those of you that love BMW's but that's my own personaly opinion based on experience.  :think:

Beware - they can be absolute money pits! - got a mate who had one and it cost him dear!

I would only ever buy a Porsche from a Porsche main dealer and with a Porsche warranty - all used Porsches come with a two year warranty these days, and having bought one serviced only by a main Porsche dealer. Buy privately or from a non - Porsche dealer and you really are playing Russian Roulette with your wallet. I've had four, never a problem with any of them, not even anything minor.

Servicing is not as expensive as other cars of similar performance, required every two years or 20k miles, around £600 for a minor service and £1,200 for a major.

Edited 3 April, 201412 yr by Timoctav

The one thing I admire about BMW is their marketing. They have successfully created an image for their cars that they are more rewarding to drive and better built than their competitors.

 

The only thing in that respect that I do think has been successful is the Efficient Dynamics stuff - in recent times BMWs have been impressively fuel efficient for their size. Otherwise - more style than real substance. Not that there's anything wrong with BMWs, just that the perceived differences are largely illusory nowadays.

Beware - they can be absolute money pits! - got a mate who had one and it cost him dear!

Most old cars can be, but buy a cared for example wisely and 928's are a pretty robust & reliable car. It's when they've been neglected (cam belt, water pump and torque tube are the key areas) that you're playing Russian roulette with your wallet every time you start it up and go for a drive!

I would only ever buy a Porsche from a Porsche main dealer and with a Porsche warranty - all used Porsches come with a two year warranty these days, and having bought one serviced only by a main Porsche dealer. Buy privately or from a non - Porsche dealer and you really are playing Russian Roulette with your wallet. I've had four, never a problem with any of them, not even anything minor.

Servicing is not as expensive as other cars of similar performance, required every two years or 20k miles, around £600 for a minor service and £1,200 for a major.

I think once you're looking at cars 20 years and older (I was/am looking at early 90's 928 S4's) then dealers don't sell them unless they're extremely low mileage and/or a unique model.

 

And in truth, I'd rather have an older Porsche serviced by a respected indy that's dealing with them every day or so than a main agent who doesn't see one for months or years on end.

 

Were I to blow some of the kids inheritance on a new(er) 911, then of course I'd have it dealer serviced, but otherwise I'd rely on the independents and the owners clubs that offer a great support network (just like Briskoda!)

I think once you're looking at cars 20 years and older (I was/am looking at early 90's 928 S4's) then dealers don't sell them unless they're extremely low mileage and/or a unique model.

 

And in truth, I'd rather have an older Porsche serviced by a respected indy that's dealing with them every day or so than a main agent who doesn't see one for months or years on end.

 

Were I to blow some of the kids inheritance on a new(er) 911, then of course I'd have it dealer serviced, but otherwise I'd rely on the independents and the owners clubs that offer a great support network (just like Briskoda!)

Some of the better dealers such as D1ck Lovett do cater for older models last time I was there they had 1960's 911's, 924 and two 928 as well as a 959. The Porsche warranty is only available on cars up to 10 years old. Yes there are some excellent independents that do look after the older models very well, but more current models do need the back up for the latest tools, software updates, technical bulletins etc.

Sorry but I really can't disagree more with that statement!

 

I've been into cars for as long as I can remember (i'm 46) and anyone who has ever met me would vouch that I'm a petrolhead and a lover of cars and that cars would be, without a doubt, my highest priority were it not for my kids (in fact my cars were my highest priority before the kids came along!  ) but I have absolutely no desire, or want, for a BMW.  In fact I almost have the exact opposite, and this is despite having driven them.

 

Using terminology suggested by someone else on here they simply do not 'float my boat' in any way shape or form.

 

I find the recent styling a complete mish-mash and ungainly, the interiors bland (if well made), the driving dynamics nothing particular to write home about, standard equipment levels poor and additional equipment overpriced (if advanced - but then personally I don't actually want the majority of the advanced stuff they offer), the dealers stigmatised and aloof and the cars themselves generally overpriced.

 

Sorry if that sounds harsh to those of you that love BMW's but that's my own personaly opinion based on experience.  :think:

 

 

 

Fair enough but we're not letting you get away with that without telling us what you do actually like and why :-). Apart from Skoda's I mean, that one is presumably a given.

Edited 3 April, 201412 yr by Stone

Well I didn't say everyone had to like BMWs