Exciting Times - Testdrives Booked

Exciting Times - Testdrives Booked

Author
Discussion

hamd01

Original Poster:

53 posts

66 months

Tuesday 18th September 2018
quotequote all
After much deliberation, I've narrowed it down to 3 cars;

BMW 340i
BMW 140i
Golf R

Consecutive test drives booked tomorrow.

In reality I think it will come down to the 140i or the R, but I'll be writing my thoughts here after the test drive....should I survive them.

steve-5snwi

8,593 posts

92 months

Tuesday 18th September 2018
quotequote all
I bet you end up with the 340i smile

numtumfutunch

4,705 posts

137 months

Tuesday 18th September 2018
quotequote all

Golf R for me at the moment out of those choices

In case you dont know the current go to deals on the BMW's are posted here:

https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=80&a...

I thought Id be in a 340i Touring this autumn but the offers are pretty shabby for a run out model - and if you want a new saloon they have stopped production. The new 3 is about to be revealed and I wouldnt expect any spectacular deals to start with, although 20% didnt take that long to appear with the new 5.

Cheers


the_stoat

504 posts

210 months

Wednesday 19th September 2018
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Consider taking the R for an extended test drive. For the first hour or so I thought it was good, after that I completely regretted getting one. Once you get over the ability to take off briskly I found it dull and annoying. The DSG farts grow old, I have no idea why they made the suspension so stiff and following a RenaultSport Mégane it felt inert. Yes people will tell you it is fun and look what Chris Harris can do in one, I would suggest Mr Harris is rather talented compared to most and any attempt at vigorous driving results in understeer unless you are massively brutal with the steering inputs.

AllyBassman

779 posts

111 months

Wednesday 19th September 2018
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a 340i for me,

A mate has just got a a G30 540i XDrive, a peach of an engine for sure!

Daaaveee

909 posts

222 months

Wednesday 19th September 2018
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Another vote for the 340i. Much nicer place to be inside for me.

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
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So which one did you end up deciding to buy.

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

171 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
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ZX10R NIN said:
So which one did you end up deciding to buy.
He won't be back......

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
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biglaugh I know but it's worth a try.

Funk

26,254 posts

208 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
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Ahbefive said:
ZX10R NIN said:
So which one did you end up deciding to buy.
He won't be back......
OP's that same bell-end that was posting up endless threads about Golf Rs, AMG A45s etc isn't it...

hamd01

Original Poster:

53 posts

66 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
quotequote all
OK so the test drives went semi-well....

First the Golf R.
I was really impressed with the build quality, as you would expect with a VW. The tech really impressed....sat nav is same as my current LEON, so no complaints there. I cant honestly say that sitting it it made me smile....but when I drove the thing and pushed it, that did make me smile! Stunning drive, really love the positive steering in sport mode, which I gave a good test.

Then onto the BMW garage.

First I was a bit let down that the 140i I had asked to test drive wasnt available....bit poor as Id given almost a weeks notice. Anyway, such is life,and as the 340 is the same engine I wasnt too fussed.

When I sat in the 340, my first feeling was 'this is a car my parents would buy'. I just felt a bit....old fashioned. I also felt it the sat nav wasnt very easy to use compared to the golf....nor was the audio selector. The lack of touchscreen unless you upgrade is a negative over the golf.

Compared to the golf I also felt the cockpit display was a let down.....although preferred the steering wheel on the BMW. The flexibility of the digital cockpit was a real plus for the Golf.

I liked the fact leathers are standard on the BMW.

Drive wise....no complaints. Loads of power, and really positive experience. Like for like on the drive quality I couldnt really split them.

We also had a sit in a 1 series just as a reference point, even though we couldnt take the 140 out for a spin.

Conclusion
It has to be the Golf R. I preferred the interior, and the screen/satnav/tech was better....by far.

I also slightly preferred the driving position in the Golf...but only marginal.

With the 340i it just felt like I was driving a model at the end of it's life span...which perhaps hasnt had the TLC from the manufacturer with that fact in mind.

Personal taste....but its got to be the Golf R.



hamd01

Original Poster:

53 posts

66 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
quotequote all
Funk said:
OP's that same bell-end that was posting up endless threads about Golf Rs, AMG A45s etc isn't it...
How rude....and wrong.... I've not posted anything about AMGs or A45s.

Funk

26,254 posts

208 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
quotequote all
hamd01 said:
Funk said:
OP's that same bell-end that was posting up endless threads about Golf Rs, AMG A45s etc isn't it...
How rude....and wrong.... I've not posted anything about AMGs or A45s.
Apologies - we had someone posting over and over and over in new threads about Golf Rs, AMG A45s etc etc. He got banned and kept creating new accounts.

In that case, Golf R is great fun, the M140i is also a cracker. Be interested to know what your thoughts are on them - I nearly went with the M140i but the figures stacked up better on the Golf in the end.

Edited by Funk on Friday 21st September 01:13

steve-5snwi

8,593 posts

92 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
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Touch screens are a pain, try operating one while driving down a bumpy road, the i drive, specifically the pro version is very good and easy to use. The 3.0 is a peach of an engine and the driving position is so adjustable, you can sit low and get the steering wheel close. I've never driven a VAG car that has a nice driving position.

I do agree the 3 is coming towards the end of the life and does feel a little dated but you need to spend a few hours in one to gel with it.