BMW 130i, Golf R32 or something else
Discussion
Sorry, another 'what car' thread.
Looking for something with a bit of character that is fun to drive but, crucially, has rear seats and (ideally) rear doors. The reason for the comparison is they both have larger petrol engines that are a bit more interesting than a 1.8/2.0 turbo.
Will mainly be used for trips into town and short/medium day trips/weekends
Thanks
S
Looking for something with a bit of character that is fun to drive but, crucially, has rear seats and (ideally) rear doors. The reason for the comparison is they both have larger petrol engines that are a bit more interesting than a 1.8/2.0 turbo.
Will mainly be used for trips into town and short/medium day trips/weekends
Thanks
S
I found the R32 disappointing as a driver's car. Sounded nice, mind you.
The 130i is a much better steer, if you can cope with the looks. And if you can find one with a BMW Performance exhaust fitted, they sound the part too.
But at that money, you could get a decent e46 M3, which would probably be my pick.
The 130i is a much better steer, if you can cope with the looks. And if you can find one with a BMW Performance exhaust fitted, they sound the part too.
But at that money, you could get a decent e46 M3, which would probably be my pick.
In what way was the R32 disappointing? Not had a chance to drive one yet, so keeping an open mind. GTIs have never done much for me though.
The M3 is a good shout. Only issue is that I have a Z4M Coupe I can't bear to part with and having 2 BMWs with the same engine may be a bit geeky even for a car geek like me. Also a bit concerned about reports of rust on the E46 in general, as well as the apparent lack of honest E46 M3s on sale - a lot seem to have a number of questionable modifications.
The M3 is a good shout. Only issue is that I have a Z4M Coupe I can't bear to part with and having 2 BMWs with the same engine may be a bit geeky even for a car geek like me. Also a bit concerned about reports of rust on the E46 in general, as well as the apparent lack of honest E46 M3s on sale - a lot seem to have a number of questionable modifications.
I stupidly traded my Z4MC in for an R32 back in 2010, thinking the R32 would be the perfect one car solution. Colossal mistake. It lasted a couple of months and got chopped for an e46 M3.
The R32 was understeery, thirsty, heavy and not very quick. The brakes were too sharp and the steering too numb. And it spent far too long being mended. But it did sound glorious.
If you're keeping the Z4MC, I'd be looking for something different - the 130 and the R32 will feel a bit too "close but no cigar". How about a barge of some sort? Or perhaps an Alfa 159ti?
What's the budget?
The R32 was understeery, thirsty, heavy and not very quick. The brakes were too sharp and the steering too numb. And it spent far too long being mended. But it did sound glorious.
If you're keeping the Z4MC, I'd be looking for something different - the 130 and the R32 will feel a bit too "close but no cigar". How about a barge of some sort? Or perhaps an Alfa 159ti?
What's the budget?
I had a Mk V R32 and loved it. That engine note alone was enough to make me beam from ear to ear, I found the handling was good and I always gave up before it did in corners. Got to get it in the signature blue though! Much better looking than the BM IMHO. PM me if you have any specific questions.
survivalist said:
Sorry, another 'what car' thread.
Looking for something with a bit of character that is fun to drive but, crucially, has rear seats and (ideally) rear doors. The reason for the comparison is they both have larger petrol engines that are a bit more interesting than a 1.8/2.0 turbo.
Will mainly be used for trips into town and short/medium day trips/weekends
Thanks
S
How about a V8Looking for something with a bit of character that is fun to drive but, crucially, has rear seats and (ideally) rear doors. The reason for the comparison is they both have larger petrol engines that are a bit more interesting than a 1.8/2.0 turbo.
Will mainly be used for trips into town and short/medium day trips/weekends
Thanks
S
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
ZX10R NIN said:
survivalist said:
Sorry, another 'what car' thread.
Looking for something with a bit of character that is fun to drive but, crucially, has rear seats and (ideally) rear doors. The reason for the comparison is they both have larger petrol engines that are a bit more interesting than a 1.8/2.0 turbo.
Will mainly be used for trips into town and short/medium day trips/weekends
Thanks
S
How about a V8Looking for something with a bit of character that is fun to drive but, crucially, has rear seats and (ideally) rear doors. The reason for the comparison is they both have larger petrol engines that are a bit more interesting than a 1.8/2.0 turbo.
Will mainly be used for trips into town and short/medium day trips/weekends
Thanks
S
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
No mention of budget - get an M3 / M5 from whatever fits the Op's budget, which from what he has mentioned may not be limitless - maybe 130i is the best option if he needs rear doors.
Hope he does tell us what he gets in the end.....
Thanks for all the replies. Budget is around 12k. The Alfa looks interesting, will have a look. Not really looking for a barge, more for a runaround with an interesting engine. I did think about the E46 M3 but there don't seem to be many good ones for sale.
Opinions on the R32 seem to be split down the middle, guess I need to find the tim for a test drive.
Opinions on the R32 seem to be split down the middle, guess I need to find the tim for a test drive.
Have a look at my "Readers Cars" thread for a detailed R32 ownership experience.
I haven't driven a 130i, but a quick search indicates that the R32 came out on top in the balance of contemporary review.
Both cars straddle the gap between hot hatches and more exotic cars (M3 etc) - meaning that they will inevitably be compared with the bigger beasts, even where it's not always appropriate.
I haven't driven a 130i, but a quick search indicates that the R32 came out on top in the balance of contemporary review.
Both cars straddle the gap between hot hatches and more exotic cars (M3 etc) - meaning that they will inevitably be compared with the bigger beasts, even where it's not always appropriate.
Edited by Basil Hume on Monday 30th March 07:24
Mr Tidy said:
Ah, I see what you mean!
No mention of budget - get an M3 / M5 from whatever fits the Op's budget, which from what he has mentioned may not be limitless - maybe 130i is the best option if he needs rear doors.
Hope he does tell us what he gets in the end.....
What I got in the end, for now anyway, was... none of the above.No mention of budget - get an M3 / M5 from whatever fits the Op's budget, which from what he has mentioned may not be limitless - maybe 130i is the best option if he needs rear doors.
Hope he does tell us what he gets in the end.....
Mannaged to test drive a couple of 130i. Found the electric steering on the face lift models disappointing, while the interior of the pre-facelift is noticably poorer. Quite liked the R32 'feel' but did find the handling a bit odd - felt 'sporty' but not particularly dynamic or satisfying.
So the end result was something else. A E90 shape BMW 335i Estate. Doesn't quite have the same 'chuck around' feel of the original contenders, but is fairly quick and has decent steering. However, rather than being addition to the fleet it ended up replacing our boring family 530d bus due to realisation that neither me or Mrs Survivalist wanted to drive it. 6 weeks later the only thing I miss is the fuel consumption and full electric seats.
Only dilemma is that this car replaced our existing family transport, so still leaves a gap. Now I need to find something fun, loud and ideally v8 powered- but still capable of taking 2 adults and at least 1 child.
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