I am a beemer fan over Audi, the 1 series however seems to me to be a ladies car aiming at the professional lady that isn't flashy with it.
Everyone I know that bought new Audi's have had terrible problems with faults in the first year and problems getting parts.
That said I never buy new Beemers, I would rather wait till someone else has bought all the new breakpads, cat converters and exhausts
before I buy.
I favour the 3 series, not to flashy but not too shabby either, great solid balance. Alas for town driving ruddy expensive, my fuel bill is £200 a month.
Originally posted by easygoingeezer
I favour the 3 series, not to flashy but not too shabby either, great solid balance. Alas for town driving ruddy expensive, my fuel bill is £200 a month.
What model you driving EGG? I have the 320d SE and Im getting abt 600-650miles to the tank with an MPG of about 49-53, and I don't drive slowly either[:w]
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/29032007/376/k ... heels.html
If it's good enough for the royals, it's good enough for me [:w]
If it's good enough for the royals, it's good enough for me [:w]
Neil, have you been on the drugs again? 
BMW do make some good cars, but they have a bit of an image issue in the UK which is a shame as I like their brand and engineering. W*nkers that drive bottom end 316/318's in the outside lane (that have been debadged) do no help at all. They spend silly amounts of money on extras like the expensive alloy wheels, and the all important de-badge yet still have the single exhaust that gives them away as a pure wannabee. I don't see owning a 3-series as a status symbol, but some people do.
To show I'm not biased though, 6-Series oh my. Love that car. Same goes for the M5/M6. The M3 is starting to suffer, has a real wide-boy image to it now even though it is a great car to drive.
JP is right on about the A8 though, now they are stunning cars (some issues with depreciation at the moment) but wonderful pieces of engineering.
The 1-series has a little bit of the 'I couldn't afford to buy a 3-series' air to it, which is probably harsh given that they do overlap quite a bit in price bands.
A3's are not cheap to be honest, starting at £15k for basic entry, easily hitting the low-to-mid twenties when loaded up with options. True they won't be the cheapest car to run either, but they are on par with BMW. There is always the S3 which has just been launched, and that is very nice.
In my time, had 2 A3's, a TT, an A8 (on long term loan from Audi UK) and currently an A4S which is a good all round car, currently on the waiting list for the new A5 so one can see I'm loyal to the Audi brand but then they do make some great cars.
Thanks,
Richard
BMW do make some good cars, but they have a bit of an image issue in the UK which is a shame as I like their brand and engineering. W*nkers that drive bottom end 316/318's in the outside lane (that have been debadged) do no help at all. They spend silly amounts of money on extras like the expensive alloy wheels, and the all important de-badge yet still have the single exhaust that gives them away as a pure wannabee. I don't see owning a 3-series as a status symbol, but some people do.
To show I'm not biased though, 6-Series oh my. Love that car. Same goes for the M5/M6. The M3 is starting to suffer, has a real wide-boy image to it now even though it is a great car to drive.
JP is right on about the A8 though, now they are stunning cars (some issues with depreciation at the moment) but wonderful pieces of engineering.
The 1-series has a little bit of the 'I couldn't afford to buy a 3-series' air to it, which is probably harsh given that they do overlap quite a bit in price bands.
A3's are not cheap to be honest, starting at £15k for basic entry, easily hitting the low-to-mid twenties when loaded up with options. True they won't be the cheapest car to run either, but they are on par with BMW. There is always the S3 which has just been launched, and that is very nice.
In my time, had 2 A3's, a TT, an A8 (on long term loan from Audi UK) and currently an A4S which is a good all round car, currently on the waiting list for the new A5 so one can see I'm loyal to the Audi brand but then they do make some great cars.
Thanks,
Richard
Originally posted by RichardMannion
Neil, have you been on the drugs again?
I do wonder sometimes, but can assure the answer is negative!
I don't disagree that BMW's and their drivers have a bad image (unfounded as I know many idiot drivers who drive other makes), but again, this does not make them bad cars, and sports model varients aside, the BMW is still the better car to drive.
I extensivly test drove the BMW/Audi/Alfa's, both the hatch's and then onto the Saloon's and on all occasions the BMW's won hands down, its nothing to do with status, and I challenge anybody to find a better car for drive/ride/steering quality than the BMW (1/3 or 5 series).
If you want a nice looking car then buy and Alfa, they outclass the BMW's and Audi's put together!
Neil
Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
The Grinning Jackanapes regards all this battling betwixt Audi and BMW as similar to graduates of the University of South Bradford arguing whether their alma mater had more academic rigor than, say, The Evening University of Hull.
Frankly, both marques are beneath me.
I enjoy my morning and afternoon commutes in my Bentley Continental GTC.
GJ
One can aspire. Though I do show some pedigree given they are from a peer company from the VW family, clearly on the right track
And ever so quietly said, I don't quite think I am old enough for a Bentley, yet. Stepping out of the drivers seat of one, or an A8 for that matter at my age screams of 'Borrowed it off Daddy'.
Thanks,
Richard
Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
I enjoy my morning and afternoon commutes in my Bentley Continental GTC.
GJ
Once again GJ, you out do everybody with your class, something the Bentley oozes! I also agree with Richard though, owning the BMW at my age I get enough comments about "daddy's car" or funny looks which read "bet he's stolen that" to cope with, so whilst its a nice car, I'll pass on the Bentley thanks:D
Neil
Pick my new Z4 roadster up tomorrow lunch time[^]. Test drive week before felt superb. Service when buying was very good as well. PX was more than I could have got selling private. Have not dealt with Audi so don`t know. They do have their own channel on Sky TV though if you need an Audi fix.
[quote]Originally posted by RichardMannion
Neil, have you been on the drugs again?
BMW do make some good cars, but they have a bit of an image issue in the UK which is a shame as I like their brand and engineering. W*nkers that drive bottom end 316/318's in the outside lane (that have been debadged) do no help at all. They spend silly amounts of money on extras like the expensive alloy wheels, and the all important de-badge yet still have the single exhaust that gives them away as a pure wannabee. I don't see owning a 3-series as a status symbol, but some people do.
OUCH [B)] I have a BMW318i SE, I just like it.
Neil, have you been on the drugs again?
BMW do make some good cars, but they have a bit of an image issue in the UK which is a shame as I like their brand and engineering. W*nkers that drive bottom end 316/318's in the outside lane (that have been debadged) do no help at all. They spend silly amounts of money on extras like the expensive alloy wheels, and the all important de-badge yet still have the single exhaust that gives them away as a pure wannabee. I don't see owning a 3-series as a status symbol, but some people do.
OUCH [B)] I have a BMW318i SE, I just like it.
Originally posted by Attitude23
Sorry but I totally disagree, Audi's are BMW wannabee's, and are still miles behind in terms of ride/steering quality. Yes they are very nice looking cars and priced more resonably, but you have the remember this is BMW's first shot at the Hatchback market and they are already upahead of the A3, which Audi has been devolping over many years, just wait until the 2/3rd version of the 1 series arrive...
BMW wnanabees?? Er.... I don't think so. If this is BMWs first shot at a hatchback what was the vile 3 series compact thing that my BMW dealer gave me for 2 weeks (when our 5 series was trashed by a mindless thug) some years ago? Didn't the BMW 2002 model of the 70's come in a hatchback/ "touring " version too?
Agree that BMW generally has a bit of an image problem.
However , you can't knock them for:
Build quality - good
Engines - generally good
Resale value - good
On the minus side:
Seats - appalling..... hard and designed to cause discomfort.
Image - 3 series now the new 'Mondeo for the masses'
Audi very similar + and - points. My last car was an Audi A6, loved it for a while, then the seats started to bug me.... Like the BMW hard and uncomfortable on long journeys. My previous car was a Saab 95 Vector, The most comfortable seats I've ever sat in!.
Doh.....[:0] it's just dawned on me that It's not image, Build quality, performance or resale value that's important to me..... it's how comfy the seats are - Must be an age thing [:w]
I'm off to get me pipe and slippers
Jon B
However , you can't knock them for:
Build quality - good
Engines - generally good
Resale value - good
On the minus side:
Seats - appalling..... hard and designed to cause discomfort.
Image - 3 series now the new 'Mondeo for the masses'
Audi very similar + and - points. My last car was an Audi A6, loved it for a while, then the seats started to bug me.... Like the BMW hard and uncomfortable on long journeys. My previous car was a Saab 95 Vector, The most comfortable seats I've ever sat in!.
Doh.....[:0] it's just dawned on me that It's not image, Build quality, performance or resale value that's important to me..... it's how comfy the seats are - Must be an age thing [:w]
I'm off to get me pipe and slippers
Jon B
Originally posted by Jon B
Image - 3 series now the new 'Mondeo for the masses'
Thats because its such a good car, the best in its class, and everybody wants to own one;)[:w]
Talking about the Mondeo however, the new one, I must say looks rather good and is getting some excellent reviews. Obviously its still a Ford, but if you like that kind of thing (and I personally don't!) then it seems that for the price you will get a very good car.
Originally posted by Jon B
Agree that BMW generally has a bit of an image problem.
However , you can't knock them for:
Build quality - good
Engines - generally good
Resale value - good
On the minus side:
Seats - appalling..... hard and designed to cause discomfort.
Image - 3 series now the new 'Mondeo for the masses'
Audi very similar + and - points. My last car was an Audi A6, loved it for a while, then the seats started to bug me.... Like the BMW hard and uncomfortable on long journeys. My previous car was a Saab 95 Vector, The most comfortable seats I've ever sat in!.
Doh.....[:0] it's just dawned on me that It's not image, Build quality, performance or resale value that's important to me..... it's how comfy the seats are - Must be an age thing [:w]
I'm off to get me pipe and slippers
Jon B
I totally agree with you about the Saab 9-5 Vector, my dad has one and I could sit in it all day if I wanted to
Although I won't be able to for much longer since he's changing it later this year.I also agree with you about the good/bad points on BMWs. Had to laugh at the point about the 3-Series being the new 'Mondeo for the masses'. If I had the money I'd rather buy the new Mondeo than a 3-Series...a lot more car for the money and with an upmarket feel without breaking the bank.
Originally posted by VS075Had to laugh at the point about the 3-Series being the new 'Mondeo for the masses'. If I had the money I'd rather buy the new Mondeo than a 3-Series...a lot more car for the money and with an upmarket feel without breaking the bank.
Think I'd probably go for the Mondeo as well, Far too many BMW's on the road these days and only the seats and steering wheel are standard kit. Rumour has it though that from April, all new 3 series will come with an FCUK 'hoodie' and a gold plated sovereign ring - talk about knowing your end market
Disclaimer - Just kidding all you 3 series drivers [:w]
Jon B
On a lighter note I remember seeing a large billboard advert for Mercedes in Cape Town once. Apparently an S-class driver had lost control of his car on the twisty coast road and it plunged over the side of a sheer 100ft drop.
The advert showed a large picture of the wreck and stated that the Driver was able to walk away from the accident as Mercedes were built with safety in mind.
200 yards up the road was another billboard showing the same picture but placed by BMW stating that if the driver had been in a BMW he wouldn't have gone over the side in the first place
Jon B
The advert showed a large picture of the wreck and stated that the Driver was able to walk away from the accident as Mercedes were built with safety in mind.
200 yards up the road was another billboard showing the same picture but placed by BMW stating that if the driver had been in a BMW he wouldn't have gone over the side in the first place
Jon B
I've owned a few Beemers and enjoyed most of them (320D included) but my fave was my 1989 325i SE. An Audi cabin though is a very fine place to be, and I must say the 2.5 V6 TDi coupled to the CVT box is a marriage made in heaven - for the more "commom" V-Flyer.
Regards
John
Regards
John
My boss made a strange choice - swapped his two year old BMW 330D Sport for an Audi A3 2.0D. While he appreciates the power and build quality, he still says it's more "raw" and "basic" than the Beemer, and the Beemer is still the best car he has owned.
Still, one person's loss is another's gain.
Jason (one happy 330D owner)
Still, one person's loss is another's gain.
Jason (one happy 330D owner
)
Have only scanned this thread so sorry if what I raise has been mentioned already!
I do not but my mother does and on occasion have driven it for her. She has the 120 with the m pack on and sport suspension. Word of warning this is very very hard.....my car is a mini with a sports suspension on and the bmw is much harder. I would say go for it- is a fantastic little car- looks cool and is a tad nippy.
On a side- there is a 3 door version being launched later this year- cant remember exact date but is in this months car magazine.
I do not but my mother does and on occasion have driven it for her. She has the 120 with the m pack on and sport suspension. Word of warning this is very very hard.....my car is a mini with a sports suspension on and the bmw is much harder. I would say go for it- is a fantastic little car- looks cool and is a tad nippy.
On a side- there is a 3 door version being launched later this year- cant remember exact date but is in this months car magazine.
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