Why do I keep going back to BMW
Discussion
Having recently selling my dream car, the M4 competition after 5 months of ownership (sold it because I got offered all my money back as used car prices went up) and my brother getting the new Golf R mk8, I decided to buy a 2004 Mini Cooper S for some back to basics cheap thrills and within one week of ownership I started to hear some rattle from the suspension and the week after the exhaust started to rattle and it reminded me why I prefer new cars as despite them costing more, I just don’t have the time or patience to be calling mechanics and getting quotes etc etc.
I decided to get back into something with a warranty and low miles but I’m bored of BMW’s interior, the gongs and the idrive and decided to try something new.
I love my brothers Golf R and it’s frankly ludicrous how well it puts its power down and how well it handles but being DSG, it shifts so quickly and effortlessly, it could get boring quickly so I thought I’d get a manual one.
Onto the classifieds for a manual S3/Golf R and I ruled the Golf R out immediately. I’m not sure why the facelift R’s are so expensive but I was looking at 26 minimum for a dealer approved one without the Pretoria wheels and no leather. The pre facelifts have a dated interior which is fine but not ok when they cost so much so I found a minuscule market of facelift 66 plate + Audi S3 manuals in budget and test drove one.
Well what can I say, the car is immensely quick but I just didn’t like the gearbox, it didn’t feel nice to shift and I don’t know how to explain this but I feel like the car was so powerful and it put its power down so well, the clutch felt like it couldn’t dis engage in time causing it to make this noise and jolt forward while not accelerating quickly enough, Obviously it takes time to get used to but it felt like the car was designed to be a DSG. I also couldn’t get comfortable in it, I felt like I was sitting ‘on’ the car, not in it. Furthermore the interior felt old and the only difference I saw between facelifts and pre facelifts was the steering wheel. It didn’t sound nice either. I had ruled the S3 out.
I considered a Civic Type R but I had one in 2019 which I bought for 24 grand, FK8 67 reg. Today, they go for at least 26 with double the mileage and I didn’t want to pay extra for something I already had.
I don’t like Merc’s so didn’t even consider an A45 so back to BMW it was.
Yesterday I test drove a manual M140i and it felt like I was back at home, engine note was amazing, the seating position was ace and the gearshift was perfect.
The deal was nearly done but they wouldn’t move on the price so I went back to the classifieds and today I bought a 67 reg 2018 M240i manual.
I’ve always been a BMW fan so I’m honestly not being biased here, why are BMW’s just the best? They just hit the spot, some will point out other cars being more engaging but as a premium car maker, in the used market, I just can’t see past them for value, enjoyment and quality!
I decided to get back into something with a warranty and low miles but I’m bored of BMW’s interior, the gongs and the idrive and decided to try something new.
I love my brothers Golf R and it’s frankly ludicrous how well it puts its power down and how well it handles but being DSG, it shifts so quickly and effortlessly, it could get boring quickly so I thought I’d get a manual one.
Onto the classifieds for a manual S3/Golf R and I ruled the Golf R out immediately. I’m not sure why the facelift R’s are so expensive but I was looking at 26 minimum for a dealer approved one without the Pretoria wheels and no leather. The pre facelifts have a dated interior which is fine but not ok when they cost so much so I found a minuscule market of facelift 66 plate + Audi S3 manuals in budget and test drove one.
Well what can I say, the car is immensely quick but I just didn’t like the gearbox, it didn’t feel nice to shift and I don’t know how to explain this but I feel like the car was so powerful and it put its power down so well, the clutch felt like it couldn’t dis engage in time causing it to make this noise and jolt forward while not accelerating quickly enough, Obviously it takes time to get used to but it felt like the car was designed to be a DSG. I also couldn’t get comfortable in it, I felt like I was sitting ‘on’ the car, not in it. Furthermore the interior felt old and the only difference I saw between facelifts and pre facelifts was the steering wheel. It didn’t sound nice either. I had ruled the S3 out.
I considered a Civic Type R but I had one in 2019 which I bought for 24 grand, FK8 67 reg. Today, they go for at least 26 with double the mileage and I didn’t want to pay extra for something I already had.
I don’t like Merc’s so didn’t even consider an A45 so back to BMW it was.
Yesterday I test drove a manual M140i and it felt like I was back at home, engine note was amazing, the seating position was ace and the gearshift was perfect.
The deal was nearly done but they wouldn’t move on the price so I went back to the classifieds and today I bought a 67 reg 2018 M240i manual.
I’ve always been a BMW fan so I’m honestly not being biased here, why are BMW’s just the best? They just hit the spot, some will point out other cars being more engaging but as a premium car maker, in the used market, I just can’t see past them for value, enjoyment and quality!
Must admit I'm a big BMW fan as well. A lot of it will be familiarity and the way a car feels ... And they do some incredible engines like the b58.
The ones I've had have been beautifully put together and great all rounders.
That said I've just dropped a BMW with a B58 for an Alfa Romeo.
The ones I've had have been beautifully put together and great all rounders.
That said I've just dropped a BMW with a B58 for an Alfa Romeo.
Chestrockwell said:
I’ve always been a BMW fan so I’m honestly not being biased here, why are BMW’s just the best?
Literally the definitive reason to be biased. You might aswell have said I'm not a fanboy but why are they the best.
The answer is they're generally not anymore. Of all the cars they currently sell I think the only one that could claim to be class leading is the M2.
Your M240i is a choice BMW.
I’d consider one of those today, or an M2 - BMW were my choice for 20 years, but I have to say that my experience with Porsche shows the flaws in the build of BMWs, and my wife’s golf GTI shows how good the mainstream competition have become. BMW, sadly, make a lot of dross these days.
Edit: our Golf is a manual, and it has a beautifully sweet gearshift. Short throw and very precise, it betters any BMW manual I’ve experienced. Getting a DSG golf R or GTI would be a shame.
I’d consider one of those today, or an M2 - BMW were my choice for 20 years, but I have to say that my experience with Porsche shows the flaws in the build of BMWs, and my wife’s golf GTI shows how good the mainstream competition have become. BMW, sadly, make a lot of dross these days.
Edit: our Golf is a manual, and it has a beautifully sweet gearshift. Short throw and very precise, it betters any BMW manual I’ve experienced. Getting a DSG golf R or GTI would be a shame.
I keep ending up in the bloody things too.
Not sure what will happen going forward because I really really struggle with the current design language; it’s awful and I’m still not warming to it.
A school friends mum had an E36 saloon way Mack when I was at primary school and I got a lift in and and sat in the front. It felt like nothing is been in with high transmission tunnel and controls angled towards the driver. It was a million miles away from the cars my patients drove. I think it was that that tuned me into a fanboy. To this day I still like the way the interior feels; low and snug.
I looked at the Golf R and GTI TCR before buying my M140i and I much preferred the BMW’s interior. There was no digital dash but the driving position and ergonomics were better in my opinion and I felt in, not on the car. The ZF8 is better than the DSG in my opinion too.
Even when I decided that I’d never fallen for the 140, I only really looked at BMW’s for a replacement.
Not sure what will happen going forward because I really really struggle with the current design language; it’s awful and I’m still not warming to it.
A school friends mum had an E36 saloon way Mack when I was at primary school and I got a lift in and and sat in the front. It felt like nothing is been in with high transmission tunnel and controls angled towards the driver. It was a million miles away from the cars my patients drove. I think it was that that tuned me into a fanboy. To this day I still like the way the interior feels; low and snug.
I looked at the Golf R and GTI TCR before buying my M140i and I much preferred the BMW’s interior. There was no digital dash but the driving position and ergonomics were better in my opinion and I felt in, not on the car. The ZF8 is better than the DSG in my opinion too.
Even when I decided that I’d never fallen for the 140, I only really looked at BMW’s for a replacement.
Same here started with a Z4 then two 5 Series Touring and one 5 series saloon. We have gone down to one car now and my wife really misses her SUV since her lease finished plus she needs a car to get up and in to due to her knee disability.
We decided to sell my 2017 G30 and went searching for a SUV, after visits to other premium manufacturers we came back to the only car that satisfied us and the one I picked up on Friday, a four month old X3 2.0d M Sport fully loaded with great Tec. It’s fantastic interior is every bit up there with Audi plus it’s the best drive in it’s class bar the Macan
We decided to sell my 2017 G30 and went searching for a SUV, after visits to other premium manufacturers we came back to the only car that satisfied us and the one I picked up on Friday, a four month old X3 2.0d M Sport fully loaded with great Tec. It’s fantastic interior is every bit up there with Audi plus it’s the best drive in it’s class bar the Macan
Edited by hilly10 on Sunday 26th September 21:09
I'm not sure there are many who love BMWs more than me - well the older generation at least! My first BMW experience was with an E30 318i in 1992, after driving a W123 Mercedes 230E for a couple of years. Then I got a E36 320i in 1996. Then a new E46 328Ci in 1999. Then a new 330Ci in 2001, which I still own. I test drove an E92 M3 and an F82 M4 in 2017 but ended up buying a Porsche Boxster S instead. Last year I was the highest bidder on a 1987 M635CSi but didn't quite meet the reserve. Earlier this year I test drove an Approved used M2 to see if I'd prefer it to the Boxster but it didn't feel anywhere near as good in the handling department even though it had significantly more power. Three months ago I picked up a 1993 730i and I absolutely love it! But my 330Ci is probably my favourite of all. I must say I'm much less taken by newer BMWs as I don't really like their styling. I'm still on the lookout for more BMWs. Maybe an E28 or E39 M5, an E30 325i and an E31 850Ci and finally an E21. And then my BMW collection will be complete. I just need to find somewhere to put them all!
hilly10 said:
Same here started with a Z4 then two 5 Series Touring and one 5 series saloon. We have gone down to one car now and my wife really misses her SUV since her lease finished plus she needs a car to get up and in to due to her knee disability.
We decided to sell my 2017 G30 and went searching for a SUV, after visits to other premium manufacturers we came back to the only car that satisfied us and the one I picked up on Friday, a four month old X3 2.0d M Sport fully loaded with great Tec. It’s fantastic interior is every bit up there with Audi plus it’s the best drive in it’s class bar the Macan
Great spec and car, and that’s what some people don’t get when I say BMW are still ahead of their rivals, BMW’s may not he as good as they used to be but for people who like new cars with new tech and warranties, they’re still the ultimate driving machines. Your X3 for example, 2.0 diesel and 4x4 but I bet it still is engaging and handles well unlike a Q5 or GLC mercWe decided to sell my 2017 G30 and went searching for a SUV, after visits to other premium manufacturers we came back to the only car that satisfied us and the one I picked up on Friday, a four month old X3 2.0d M Sport fully loaded with great Tec. It’s fantastic interior is every bit up there with Audi plus it’s the best drive in it’s class bar the Macan
Edited by hilly10 on Sunday 26th September 21:09
Chestrockwell said:
Your X3 for example, 2.0 diesel and 4x4 but I bet it still is engaging and handles well unlike a Q5 or GLC merc
Exactly thisMy wife had a petrol GLC for two years, it was a car I hated. The Merc infotainment was horrid piece of kit and I hardly ever drove it. Comparing the two now to me the X3 is streets ahead.
Edited by hilly10 on Monday 27th September 06:51
Mr Tidy said:
nickfrog said:
Particularly the ones you haven't even driven 
Exactly, they don't interest me at all! What is unique about the latest M135i 4-cylinder turbo FWD hatch that hasn't already been done with A-Classes, Golfs, Leon Cupras, etc?
Chestrockwell said:
Having recently selling my dream car, the M4 competition after 5 months of ownership (sold it because I got offered all my money back as used car prices went up) and my brother getting the new Golf R mk8, I decided to buy a 2004 Mini Cooper S for some back to basics cheap thrills and within one week of ownership I started to hear some rattle from the suspension and the week after the exhaust started to rattle and it reminded me why I prefer new cars as despite them costing more, I just don’t have the time or patience to be calling mechanics and getting quotes etc etc.
Bad luck with the Mini. I recently bought a 2005 Cooper S Park Lane to complement the B5 as whilst the Alpina is brilliant on longer drives, around the local country roads, moving around 1960s built carparks etc it was a bit too big.We bought top of the market on the Mini (about 3 months depreciation on an Alpina) and it's been perfect. I put aside some cash to fix things that were getting old / tired mechanically and took it to a garage we trust to build a laundry-list of fixes. It came back with the all-clear. I've fitted a DAB receiver, and got some 25mm deep lambswool carpets like you get in a Rolls Royce. It makes me smile every time I get in.
I loved my i3, didn't take to the 340i and the B5 will likely never leave the garage, especially as I doubt I'll be able to get a V8 estate in a few years time. I have to say most of the new stuff leaves me cold (and with sore eyes) but an M635 CSI or E39 M5....
The Mini is a keeper too.
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