£10-13k hero.....335/535 - is there anything else?
Discussion
mrdanbartlett said:
yeah I saw them but looks huge/ugly, probably very very uninspiring to drive. Interior looked bland too.
I think the assumption of it being bland to drive is just that, but if you don't like the look of what you are walking towards or what you then sit in I agree it's not for you...pimpchez said:
Depending if your not a badge snob .
MK2 Mazda 3 MPS.
Have a look at my readers cars for all the information you need.
Looked at those, unbeatable package but for me too 'hot hatch' like and not enough prestige etc, GF has a 2011 Mazda 2 and although its good the interior is a bit plasticy. Plus not a massive fan of the looks, too Jap for me, too much like an Impreza. MK2 Mazda 3 MPS.
Have a look at my readers cars for all the information you need.
new666uk said:
Have you thought about a lease?
Golf R, Merc AMG and BMW M135i all tick boxes and care sub £400 a month with options. Even less if you take standard spec.
I'm pretty against leasing, I like to own my cars outright, i.e so if my circumstances change then I have something of some value to sell and also I'm not paying our any money monthly etc. Plus I hate the concept of renting something, I'd rather lose a little each month (100-200) in deprecation than £300-400 on a lease. My commuting costs are already £650 a month (train/fuel/parking) so I don't want anything to add to that. I prefer to save monthly a little for my next car, rather than be behind by leasing if that makes sense. Golf R, Merc AMG and BMW M135i all tick boxes and care sub £400 a month with options. Even less if you take standard spec.
Ali_T said:
If you had the choice of putting your own money (£12k) into a 335i or a 159 v6 I'd say you'd need your head examined if you chose the Alfa.The Crack Fox said:
"Hero" - at the risk of wandering off topic, we're talking about a car, right?
I just took cue from EVO magazines '10k hero's' articles. Agree re the Alfa, they are nice but I've had mates with them and they generally are always trouble, I v v nearly bought a 147 GTA once, my mate got one and sold it to another mate - wasn't the best! They have prob had 5 alfas between them and they just are a little flakey, I had a Fiat coupe 20v turbo years ago and although it was nice it was the same 'worrying' feeling you get with the Alfa, generally needs a fair bit of TLC.
They do look/sound lovely though! I'd just not be keen on that v6 engine, its SO old in design, terrible on fuel, and will only be alot worse due to the SC.
Uncle John said:
How about the mk 2 Focus ST facelift with the Mountune pack. Great cars, lots of character, look good, knocking on 300hp.
Now they are a great car on paper, I just do not like Fords, and I live in Essex so it would be a cliche! I drove a brand new ST recently and was v impressed with how responsive it was, no lag, v sharp etc, turning circle was utterly terrible but common with FWD I find. Nothing wrong with them and they have a proper engine in the 5 pot turbo those older ones, sound lovely, but just not my bag. Ali_T said:
rallycross said:
If you had the choice of putting your own money (£12k) into a 335i or a 159 v6 I'd say you'd need your head examined if you chose the Alfa.
And I'd say your wasting your life away buying the BMW. Good job everyone's entitled to an opinion. 
mrdanbartlett said:
Uncle John said:
How about the mk 2 Focus ST facelift with the Mountune pack. Great cars, lots of character, look good, knocking on 300hp.
Now they are a great car on paper, I just do not like Fords, and I live in Essex so it would be a cliche! I drove a brand new ST recently and was v impressed with how responsive it was, no lag, v sharp etc, turning circle was utterly terrible but common with FWD I find. Nothing wrong with them and they have a proper engine in the 5 pot turbo those older ones, sound lovely, but just not my bag. And I nearly always look at the Jaguar XF SV8 at around the 13k mark, very understated, quite rare and 420bhp. They were the original fast XF before the XFR was made. One day I'll have one.
Some nice car suggestions, although I think the OP wants and Auto... FD2 is an amazing point to point machine but again manual, and what a great manual, only car I made money on when I sold it.
OP - I'm in the same boat and will also be going for a 335i, just cant decide if there is much in it between the Auto and DCT box, the DCT I had in my M3 was stunning but I believe the one in the 335i is not the 'M' version.
OP - I'm in the same boat and will also be going for a 335i, just cant decide if there is much in it between the Auto and DCT box, the DCT I had in my M3 was stunning but I believe the one in the 335i is not the 'M' version.
Zero7 said:
Some nice car suggestions, although I think the OP wants and Auto... FD2 is an amazing point to point machine but again manual, and what a great manual, only car I made money on when I sold it.
OP - I'm in the same boat and will also be going for a 335i, just cant decide if there is much in it between the Auto and DCT box, the DCT I had in my M3 was stunning but I believe the one in the 335i is not the 'M' version.
What year are you looking at?OP - I'm in the same boat and will also be going for a 335i, just cant decide if there is much in it between the Auto and DCT box, the DCT I had in my M3 was stunning but I believe the one in the 335i is not the 'M' version.
From my research I *THINK* the 3 series upto at least 09 had a pretty old skool auto, it's not terrible but not as good as a DCT or more modern box.
The e60 5 series started off with this same box, but then in mid 2007 they facelifted it and it got a fast auto box, with a much more modern looking shifter, quicker shift times etc. NOW.....there was also an option to have 'SAT - spots auto transmition' on these facelifited (LCI model) 5 series, which gave it a sport button on the gear surround and a slightly different looking shifter - apparently these are even faster to change and well worth seeking out for the keener driver.
To confuse things the 335d started with the 286bhp engine which the 5 series only got from the LCI 2007 facelift, the older 272bhp enghine is meant to be a fair bit less economical. Obv no issue if going for a 335i but I thought I'd point this out
If you find any more info do let me know! I drove a 535 2006 model and the auto was OK but not great, I'm waiting for find a local 2007 with SAT to drive. (missed one this weekend which sold within a few hours)
Sorry to try and simplify that:
335i - 2005-2009 has the older traditional auto box (or manual)
335d - 2005-2009 has the older traditional auto box, but the newer more eco 286bhp engine
535d - 2005-2007 has the older traditional auto box, the older 272bhp less eco engine
535d - mid 2007 onwards has the newer improved auto box and the newer more eco 286bhp engine
535d - mid 2007 onwards with SAT option, newer improved auto box + even faster shift times in sport, and the newer more eco 286bhp engine
The non-SAT shift in the 2007 5 series is angled towards the driver and has no sports button on its surround, you CAN retro fit the SAT but it will cost you a few hundred and require some programming to get the sports mode unlocked.
No manual for the D engine - it has too much torque.
335i - 2005-2009 has the older traditional auto box (or manual)
335d - 2005-2009 has the older traditional auto box, but the newer more eco 286bhp engine
535d - 2005-2007 has the older traditional auto box, the older 272bhp less eco engine
535d - mid 2007 onwards has the newer improved auto box and the newer more eco 286bhp engine
535d - mid 2007 onwards with SAT option, newer improved auto box + even faster shift times in sport, and the newer more eco 286bhp engine
The non-SAT shift in the 2007 5 series is angled towards the driver and has no sports button on its surround, you CAN retro fit the SAT but it will cost you a few hundred and require some programming to get the sports mode unlocked.
No manual for the D engine - it has too much torque.
mrdanbartlett said:
What year are you looking at?
From my research I *THINK* the 3 series upto at least 09 had a pretty old skool auto, it's not terrible but not as good as a DCT or more modern box.
The e60 5 series started off with this same box, but then in mid 2007 they facelifted it and it got a fast auto box, with a much more modern looking shifter, quicker shift times etc. NOW.....there was also an option to have 'SAT - spots auto transmition' on these facelifited (LCI model) 5 series, which gave it a sport button on the gear surround and a slightly different looking shifter - apparently these are even faster to change and well worth seeking out for the keener driver.
To confuse things the 335d started with the 286bhp engine which the 5 series only got from the LCI 2007 facelift, the older 272bhp enghine is meant to be a fair bit less economical. Obv no issue if going for a 335i but I thought I'd point this out
If you find any more info do let me know! I drove a 535 2006 model and the auto was OK but not great, I'm waiting for find a local 2007 with SAT to drive. (missed one this weekend which sold within a few hours)
I'm looking at 2009 models, will probably go for a vert as regardless of performance of the 335i it's not going to be an M3 for me and I've had a coupe of these in DCT variants, plus I like open top motoring, I too only do around 10 miles each way and would no way having another Diesel, takes too bloody long to warm up and it;s souless (A6 3.0tdi Le Mans). From my research I *THINK* the 3 series upto at least 09 had a pretty old skool auto, it's not terrible but not as good as a DCT or more modern box.
The e60 5 series started off with this same box, but then in mid 2007 they facelifted it and it got a fast auto box, with a much more modern looking shifter, quicker shift times etc. NOW.....there was also an option to have 'SAT - spots auto transmition' on these facelifited (LCI model) 5 series, which gave it a sport button on the gear surround and a slightly different looking shifter - apparently these are even faster to change and well worth seeking out for the keener driver.
To confuse things the 335d started with the 286bhp engine which the 5 series only got from the LCI 2007 facelift, the older 272bhp enghine is meant to be a fair bit less economical. Obv no issue if going for a 335i but I thought I'd point this out
If you find any more info do let me know! I drove a 535 2006 model and the auto was OK but not great, I'm waiting for find a local 2007 with SAT to drive. (missed one this weekend which sold within a few hours)
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff