R I C H

Full of what? I made a post about factual comparisons. Nothing controversial or argumentative.

So a 335 can 'hold it's own initially (within a few milliseconds)'? Whoopdedoo. It's ultimately not as fast, nor does it handle as well (in stock condition). What's your point? I need to join a club to prove what?

Maybe your 335 is a fun drive, but it's still a family sedan, and as stock they're nippy, but dull.

jamesb377

As my good friend from Liverpool would say 'calm down, calm down'

Shall we all just agree that the new 2 Series Gran Tourer is one of the best cars BMW has ever made!

However, i drove an i8 last week and that really is a pretty impressive car considering it has only 3 cylinders! Economical too!

uk_grenada

Its 'calm down dear' but im afraid he's dead as a dead parrot now.

Forget they are cars, they are washing machines or fridges. They have no soul, they are to take you from a to b within the allowable laws wherever you are, and should do so at minimal cost. I buy cars without seeing them, i just decide whats sensible along a number of axes for a requirement and order it, the way i order my employers it kit.

Car makers for decades have mostly made efficient cars, but they trade or make profit on emotion. Dont join that game. Would you buy an audi, skoda vw or seat? Because they all come from the same maker, with the same kit of parts, but some can make more noise or break more laws than others.

Did you realise that every car brake in the world is to a design of 1 of 2 companies? [lockheed and girling]

If you have abs or tcs or vsc who do you think made and owns that? [its mercedes]

can your car park itself ? [Ford own that via volvo, though merc own the sensor tech]

little is unique or new, everyone copies or pays royalties to everyone else. If apple or google crack driverless, do you imagine they wont license it to a lot of makers?

This is how to operate objectively imho. All else is folly really. And yes, we or our childrens children will therefore all probably drive greŷ boxes with 3 cylinder engines make in usbekistan or china because it makes sense. By then oil will be far too valuable to burn i suspect.

stuabroad

yeah whatever, move on sunshine and come back when you know what you're talking about.

Siouxie

Oh get a room you two!

Tootle, did you decide what you are going to look at?

dbd33

A DS21 Break, a Tatra, or a three wheeled Morgan, one hopes. Something that will stand out among the sea of lookalike grey Sonatas, Bangle BMWs and Camrys.

Pizzawheel

In VAG terms, skoda or seat every time. And VW last.

Skoda/ SEAT used to get the technology before VW because the VW badge sells those cars. But it's been a long time since I've looked at cars in yurp.

R I C H

'Yeah whatever'. The sound of a rattled teen.

You sound very defensive about your car sweetheart, and apparently unable argue a point with any facts to back up whatever has irked you.

I spent 15 years working on behalf of BMW, Aston Martin, Ford, Volvo and Land Rover. I think I'm informed enough thanks.

Tootlepootle

I'm going to try the new Mini, the V8 Mustang and one other, not sure what that will be, the wild card. My midlife crisis is pushing me to a convertible but it needs to be four seater.

Siouxie

Ooooh, exciting! There's a few options out there for a 4 seater convertible, anything in particular strike your fancy?

uk_grenada

Dont buy a convertible with a steel roof, they all end up either leaking or creaking. If they have a joint in the roof you have to keep it very clean, special grease even, theres a reason why vw have steel tops but audi never accepted them. Ive also had volvo and peugeot. Very heavy and not really suitable, the audi was the nicest, quiet, just a little more in touch withthe outside, cleaned well, just fortunate that i never had to have one worked on, thats another nightmare apparently.

dbd33

I tried the Mini convertible several cars ago. The problem with it, for me, is that the top doesn't disappear (same issue with the Beetle) so you don't get that nice clear view in the mirror that you do with heritage or classic or whatever-they're-now-called convertibles. Ideally, of course, the mirror should be screwed to the top of the dash in a properly sporting manner.

I haven't driven a tin top convertible that could pull itself along, too much fragile and heavy gubbins.

Pizzawheel

I think the options for 4-seater convertibles over here are terrible! Which is bad because I love convertibles, especially for the practicality- top down they're like a rich mans pick-up truck, as long as you're not too fussed about the upholstery

Interesting point. I liked the little SLKs when they came out but when Peugeot did their tin top I felt suspicious of the engineering. Who makes the folding tin tops though? I know most of Europe's rag tops are made by independents like Karmann; my Saab came out of the Valmet factory in Finland.

cxx

Depending on how long you're planning to keep it check out Mini reliability, or rather lack of..... Not sure if it's just the weather in this part of the world but our local dealer is still trying to shift "new" stock from a few years ago.

jamesb377

MINI reliability is one of the best in the market, the 'new stock' will be due to the ever increasing push on New Car Targets.

MINI have just released the new MINI Convertible, so the last generation may have dropped in value a tad.

On the topic of tin top convertibles, i had two 3 Series convertibles and they were both fantastic... then the kids came along and ended my fun.

if your having a midlife crisis, why not get some cheap washing machine grey box like someone said and then get a motorbike to have some fun on