Top spec 'normal' car vs. entry level 'premium'
Discussion
hornetrider said:
Just bear in mind those 22-23k cars will be pre-facelift models (facelifts just coming in to showrooms now). The facelift has a lot of improvements with ride, Nav console etc.
Apparently not, brokers are listing facelift 6's with 5-6k off (spec list includes the new 7" nav, HUD, DAB etc). Reason being stiff competition from the new Passat and Mondeocsampo said:
hornetrider said:
Just bear in mind those 22-23k cars will be pre-facelift models (facelifts just coming in to showrooms now). The facelift has a lot of improvements with ride, Nav console etc.
Apparently not, brokers are listing facelift 6's with 5-6k off (spec list includes the new 7" nav, HUD, DAB etc). Reason being stiff competition from the new Passat and MondeoI'm convinced that a new Golf GTD with a few options does everything you could want from an everyday car for covering big mileage.
Yes various 6-cylinder BMWs and Mercs are better in many ways but not as an overall package.
Clarkson summarises it well in this recent review
Yes various 6-cylinder BMWs and Mercs are better in many ways but not as an overall package.
Clarkson summarises it well in this recent review
Jeremy said:
You may think that Volkswagen puts its brightest and its best engineers into the boutique, high-profile companies that it owns: Bugatti, Lamborghini and Bentley. But it doesn’t. It uses its absolute geniuses on the Golf, because that’s the bread and butter of its operations. The Golf has to be right.
And it is right. I drive a lot of cars and every single one of them does at least one little thing that is annoying. The Golf doesn’t. The way the seats slide about, the feel of the buttons, the weight of the steering, everything: it’s all absolutely spot-on. As long as you ignore the dashboard “eco driving” tips
And it is right. I drive a lot of cars and every single one of them does at least one little thing that is annoying. The Golf doesn’t. The way the seats slide about, the feel of the buttons, the weight of the steering, everything: it’s all absolutely spot-on. As long as you ignore the dashboard “eco driving” tips
For 25k a year, this question shouldn't even be asked. Go for a long drive in a 5 series and you will very quickly get your answer.
A 520d isn't meant to be exciting, neither is the Mazda, but it is a fantastic place to spend some time. It is incredibly relaxing to cover distance; very quiet, big seats and low NVH.
Go for BMW but I might be biased as I am a 25k a year driver of an Auto 520d. (PS- if you were choosing between a 3 series and the Mazda, I woudnt be so gushing for the BM because the 3 is not as refined/relaxing as a 5er but it is more fun).
Good luck either way.
Edited by A900ss on Wednesday 4th March 19:31
pmanson said:
Not for 25k p/year! Hated the mk1 focus we had... It used to give me backache
Not really a fair comparison a) because that was a decade ago b) because a ST has recaros. You struggle to get a better seat IMO. Ride is a different thing. The ST is obviously on the sporty side but I'd be surprised if it was much different from a 5 series on bling rims and run flats.
I bought a 6 tourer a year ago. Was 99% decided on a 320d touring but dropped into a Mazda dealer on a whim and ended up securing a cracking deal late on the 31/3. Still love it, think it looks great and like the fact it's so much rarer than a BMW.
Receives a staggering amount of positive comments, particularly as its a diesel family wagon.
Only downside is the wind noise at speed, but I've got used to it.
Receives a staggering amount of positive comments, particularly as its a diesel family wagon.
Only downside is the wind noise at speed, but I've got used to it.
hornetrider said:
Crikey! At that price you start to maybe allow for some foibles... Checking the usual suspects I have DTD at 2700 discount and Broadspeed at 3100 discount... got any links?
WhatCar linked to uk-car-discount[.co.uk] for the facelift model, they have the 175 sport nav tourer at £21885 and the spec listed is the facelift spec. Let me know if you try them and it turns out to be valid; I'm still a month or so away from ordering at the moment!Claudia Skies said:
IMO it's always better to buy the base model of a better car than the tarted-up model of a lesser car. The fundamental quality of design and engineering can never be added later!
Does the premium badge represent premium engineering any more? Early-2000 Mercs are not exactly highly regarded, for example.Is a Ford inherently poorly engineered compared to an Audi or a BMW?
romeogolf said:
I'm in a similar situation. I've been given access to the BMW staff lease scheme through a family member and I'm choosing between a Mini Cooper SD with Chili, Media and a bunch of other goodies for the same £400/month as a 530D M-Sport with nothing added.
But those things you've added as goodies - ie Media - are standard fit on the 530d! You don't need to count leather, Xenons, media etc as a 'goody' because its fitted as part of the cars generous standard spec whereas its optional on the Mini.
It seems we're all split into two camps!
I've got a bit of time to decide (planning to change May/June). Love the looks of the new Mazda 6 touring but have always wanted to get back into a BMW.
In regards to 'toy's previously mentioned my 6 has things like keyless go, blindspot monitoring and the new 6 sport adds things like rear view camera. Obviously all available on the BMW but as options (hence why the one I spec'd last year got up to around £42k without really trying
Fox - have you driven the 525d? Looks to be an interesting middle ground
I've got a bit of time to decide (planning to change May/June). Love the looks of the new Mazda 6 touring but have always wanted to get back into a BMW.
In regards to 'toy's previously mentioned my 6 has things like keyless go, blindspot monitoring and the new 6 sport adds things like rear view camera. Obviously all available on the BMW but as options (hence why the one I spec'd last year got up to around £42k without really trying
Fox - have you driven the 525d? Looks to be an interesting middle ground
pmanson said:
i do 25k a year) and i'm ready for a change! i've never had a new car!
Option 1
£3.5k down then around £479 p/mth + service pack (without any discounts etc).
Option 2:
£620 p/mth (no deposit, service pack included over 4 years)
Option 3:
x/y/z for £500 and run it until it dies,
New cars are overrated but someone has to buy them. NOT you though. Don't do it !!!! Option 1
£3.5k down then around £479 p/mth + service pack (without any discounts etc).
Option 2:
£620 p/mth (no deposit, service pack included over 4 years)
Option 3:
x/y/z for £500 and run it until it dies,
Lets just talk money to start with
Option 1 = £26500 PLUS servicing to do 100K
Option 2 = £29000 to do £100K
Option 3a = £UNKNOWN but £20K would be 40 cars at £500 - or more realistically 10 cars at £2 K ie one every 5 months approx boy - you could have some fun. List all the £2k Cars that have 5 months of life left on them, that are more fun than a mazda 6
Option 3a £30K / 4 cars one per year = £7500 per car.
Option 3c £30K / 2 cars 1 per 2 years = £15K per car. I'm thinking CLS 3.2 D (I say this because a bloke I work with spent £13K on one 2 years back, has put 40K on it, (Now 90K total) and it's 'probably' worth £8-9K. If you worked on this option you have £8K to add to you £15K for the 3 and 4th years and what fun you could have buying second hand in the £23k to £24K world of car buyingh.
Option 4 Take your £3500 and buy a decent car. I'm sure a what car for £3500 thread would give you all sorts of ideas, but Currently I'd be looking at a Civic or Accord 2.2 icdti if I were you. If you get one with 75 K on the clock, you'll get 3 or 4 years out of it. Then you save the £479 per month for 4 years, and spend £3500 on the replacement and £18K on the RWD car of your dreams that you only use at weekends. I'm thinking NEW MX5 ?
In my very humble opinion you have £29k to spend over 4 years, and you could have a great deal of fun, than option 1 or option 2
A900ss said:
For 25k a year, this question shouldn't even be asked. Go for a long drive in a 5 series and you will very quickly get your answer.
A 520d isn't meant to be exciting, neither is the Mazda, but it is a fantastic place to spend some time. It is incredibly relaxing to cover distance; very quiet, big seats and low NVH.
Go for BMW but I might be biased as I am a 25k a year driver of an Auto 520d. (PS- if you were choosing between a 3 series and the Mazda, I woudnt be so gushing for the BM because the 3 is not as refined/relaxing as a 5er but it is more fun).
Good luck either way.
25,000/yr is nothing in a modern car, I'd be quite happy doing that in my Jazz, I've done 250 miles in it today and have done 400 in a day before. A 520d isn't meant to be exciting, neither is the Mazda, but it is a fantastic place to spend some time. It is incredibly relaxing to cover distance; very quiet, big seats and low NVH.
Go for BMW but I might be biased as I am a 25k a year driver of an Auto 520d. (PS- if you were choosing between a 3 series and the Mazda, I woudnt be so gushing for the BM because the 3 is not as refined/relaxing as a 5er but it is more fun).
Good luck either way.
Edited by A900ss on Wednesday 4th March 19:31
ferrariF50lover said:
This guy knows. Utterly spectacular car in the spec aforementioned.
As to cheap 'n' cheerful v prem, drive them both and then ask yourself if the extra quality is worth the sacrifices you'll have to make elsewhere to afford it. I drive all sorts of cars all the time and anyone who tells you that there isn't a difference between, say, a top spec Insignia and a basic 3 series or C-class is either in denial or completely mad.
I know you want a brand new car, but your monthly budget would get you a really, really good used example of almost anything. What about a brand new motor makes it worth the money, to you?
This hits the nail on the head. People can advise, but ultimately it is a personal choice. As to cheap 'n' cheerful v prem, drive them both and then ask yourself if the extra quality is worth the sacrifices you'll have to make elsewhere to afford it. I drive all sorts of cars all the time and anyone who tells you that there isn't a difference between, say, a top spec Insignia and a basic 3 series or C-class is either in denial or completely mad.
I know you want a brand new car, but your monthly budget would get you a really, really good used example of almost anything. What about a brand new motor makes it worth the money, to you?
For me, the difference is huge. I've driven reasonable distances in a Hyundai i40, Vauxhall insignia, Jaguar XF and my BMW e92 330i recently. I can honestly say the Hyundai and Vauxhall were awful to drive. The Insignia was especially deplorable.
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