Car shopping today aaarrrgh

[Welshbeef]

Two things I found out today.

1. When it came down to it I wasn't able to justify changing my 330d for the cars I viewed none which I viewed lee me out of the water enough to consider changing.
2. To satisfy the wife we popped into a Ford dealership to see a titanium sport S Max - I was blown away by how good a car it is superb in a family and lugging proposition hugely impressed. Clearly no drivers car but good looking and very very good in every way.


So am stumped.

[Troubleatmill]

S Max would most likely be designed by someone who has a large family.

[Welshbeef]

I picked up a brochure below are the ltrs of luggage space..

In 7 seat formation boot is 295 ltrs so Polo sized
In 5 seat formation its 1050 ltrs and up to 1175ltrs (think that's up to the headlining in the second
In 2 seat formation its a whopping 2,000 ltrs....


A 3 series boot is c400ltrs a Mondeo 500ltrs.

In 7 seat formation you'd assume the 2 seats in the boot are kids only and no legroom and flimsy. Well I tried then out 6'2" and long legs I had adjusted the drivers seat as middle row so that I was comfortable in those well te rest two seats I had plenty of headroom and to my surprise same legroom as I get in the back seats of a Seat Leon!!!

Genuinely is a bloody good car and it can tow 1.5tonnes.


So I asked the wife is there anything you don't like about it? A long pause its size (and a cheeky comment) its really big and I'm only used to handling small things ...

[ModernAndy]

They are good but (and I hope I'm not pissing on your campfire here) there have been a few reliability issues with some of them - relating mainly to electrics & diesel engines needing rebuilt. So watch out for those

[fjord]

With the roof down, the load capacity of an MX5 must be at least a few billion ltrs.

[0a]

What cars are you considering? A 330d is hardly exciting, not surprised an S-max seems fine in comparison. They drive very well, and if it had a petrol engine and a manual it's a more interesting car per se.

[Welshbeef]

I had a good look at an S8 v10 - just wasn't really that fast very nice but when you give it wide open throttle I certainly didn't have a big smile on my face nor one that lasted after the test so that I'd buy it there and then.

I'm not doing diesel again its petrol
I might be considering the E60 M5 but the bork possibility is worrying.
S4/6 are possibilities likewise the RS equivalents too.

Would a 4.2 v8 S4 be a sensible selection or is it a bit lacking?

I really do fancy an E46 M3 manual but from what I can see prices vary from £6k-£17k which is a huge range and I'm struggling to see how the difference can be justified. Also if I look at the upper end of that range that v8 M3 starting point.

[Polariz]

fjord said:

With the roof down, the load capacity of an MX5 must be at least a few billion ltrs.

True, but going round a corner would be interesting.

[ModernAndy]

I know what you mean about the S8. You'll probably find the V8 S4 is about the same. They're both good cruisers but not B-road blasters designed to make you laugh

[Welshbeef]

ModernAndy said:

I know what you mean about the S8. You'll probably find the V8 S4 is about the same. They're both good cruisers but not B-road blasters designed to make you laugh

Would you say the E46 M3 trumps the S4 ?

Also is it madness to even consider the E60 M5 at the lower end of the price range? (Purchase price range)

[ModernAndy]

Haven't got much BMW experience but the M3 is a better driver's car. The new S4 with the 3.0 supercharged lump is a worthy competitor though. Particularly with a remap to circa 400 bhp (and get one with the sports diff)

[BryanUsrey]

ModernAndy said:

Haven't got much BMW experience but the M3 is a better driver's car. The new S4 with the 3.0 supercharged lump is a worthy competitor though. Particularly with a remap to circa 400 bhp (and get one with the sports diff)

Was lucky enough to drive both on the track. M3 was much better, but on the normal road, I actually liked the S4.

[Willy Nilly]

Welshbeef said:

I had a good look at an S8 v10 - just wasn't really that fast very nice but when you give it wide open throttle I certainly didn't have a big smile on my face nor one that lasted after the test so that I'd buy it there and then.

I'm not doing diesel again its petrol
I might be considering the E60 M5 but the bork possibility is worrying.
S4/6 are possibilities likewise the RS equivalents too.

Would a 4.2 v8 S4 be a sensible selection or is it a bit lacking?

I really do fancy an E46 M3 manual but from what I can see prices vary from £6k-£17k which is a huge range and I'm struggling to see how the difference can be justified. Also if I look at the upper end of that range that v8 M3 starting point.

So you're looking at a selection of half worn out German performance barges and an S-Max

[J4CKO]

Welshbeef said:

Two things I found out today.

1. When it came down to it I wasn't able to justify changing my 330d for the cars I viewed none which I viewed lee me out of the water enough to consider changing.
2. To satisfy the wife we popped into a Ford dealership to see a titanium sport S Max - I was blown away by how good a car it is superb in a family and lugging proposition hugely impressed. Clearly no drivers car but good looking and very very good in every way.


So am stumped.

Welsh, we have the Galaxy which is basically the same thing, not the last word in driving pleasure but like you say it is good, the chassis is better than it has any right to be, there is some genius engineered in there, it can be hustled at some speed and doesn't fight you like most cars like that, it isnt fast but has a useful and adequate amount of power. I wouldnt never, ever buy one if we didnt have to but Ford make a decent product, there is very little to touch it in its market segment.

[ModernAndy]

Willy Nilly said:

So you're looking at a selection of half worn out German performance barges and an S-Max

To each his own I say. I'll be trying to get him into a Bugatti Veyron in the next 3 posts.

[Welshbeef]

Willy Nilly said:

So you're looking at a selection of half worn out German performance barges and an S-Max

Oh no. Basically I got fed up looking so popped in as we were passing as that's likely to be the car for the wife in the future.

[irishbloke]

I can relate a little. I have an s6 avant, wife has a smax. Mine makes me grin but if heading out with kids the smax is possibly the most perfectly designed family wagon. Niceninside with plenty of gadgets. Slow but if kiddies loaded up I'm a very sensible driver so to be honest it's about priorities. It may be boring but but must say nothing can compete as a family car.

[Herbs]

Don't rule out the Phaeton if you are looking at barges especially the 6.0l

[Lagerlout]

Welshbeef said:

I had a good look at an S8 v10 - just wasn't really that fast very nice but when you give it wide open throttle I certainly didn't have a big smile on my face nor one that lasted after the test so that I'd buy it there and then.

I'm not doing diesel again its petrol
I might be considering the E60 M5 but the bork possibility is worrying.
S4/6 are possibilities likewise the RS equivalents too.

Would a 4.2 v8 S4 be a sensible selection or is it a bit lacking?

I really do fancy an E46 M3 manual but from what I can see prices vary from £6k-£17k which is a huge range and I'm struggling to see how the difference can be justified. Also if I look at the upper end of that range that v8 M3 starting point.

S65, it will definitely make you smile, it's a little bit quick and silly..

[Wills2]

Lagerlout said:

Welshbeef said:

I had a good look at an S8 v10 - just wasn't really that fast very nice but when you give it wide open throttle I certainly didn't have a big smile on my face nor one that lasted after the test so that I'd buy it there and then.

I'm not doing diesel again its petrol
I might be considering the E60 M5 but the bork possibility is worrying.
S4/6 are possibilities likewise the RS equivalents too.

Would a 4.2 v8 S4 be a sensible selection or is it a bit lacking?

I really do fancy an E46 M3 manual but from what I can see prices vary from £6k-£17k which is a huge range and I'm struggling to see how the difference can be justified. Also if I look at the upper end of that range that v8 M3 starting point.

S65, it will definitely make you smile, it's a little bit quick and silly..

Won't get one for 17k though, I would have thought mid 20's for a good one?