Further impressions
Discussion
OK now that I've got a few more miles under my belt, here are some further impressions in case anyone is interested.
I don't need to discuss performance again - it's a fast car! Particularly with so much torque available so early. Handling is also surprisingly good. Squeeze the throttle in 4th and 5th and suddenly the speedo is reading 130mph...
You sit a lot higher than you do in my Alpina (to my surprise) which tends to make you go faster than you realise, ie sitting higher makes speeds feel slower. The car is also a lot more.... how can I put it... it moves around and jiggles a lot more than the Alpina, which in turn feels heavier and more solid somehow. On the other hand the GTS-R hides its weight amazingly well... the combination of the suspension, power and brakes really do make the car feel light and nimble.
The Alpina feels heavier and more solid, but is undoubtedly easier to drive, partly because it's automatic (albeit with manual switchtronic for when you want to throw it round a bit) and partly because it can deploy its lower power (350bhp) more easily. It's quite rare to spin the wheels in the Alpina but in the GTS-R you need to apply throttle with care. Which makes the GTS-R more fun, and more of a "special" ride.
Funnily enough the Alpina makes a nicer noise - in the GTS-R I can't hear the engine or exhaust at all. Then again the GTS-R has the incredible supercharger howl when on boost, which is awesome. I guess if I wanted more engine noise / exhaust noise, I'd end up with more when cruising on the motorway etc, in which case I'd prefer it the way it is now.
Little things - the other day in the cold weather I switched on the wipers whilst defrosting the windscreen and promptly "broke" one of the wipers which was frozen to the windscreen. The reason I did this is that the Alpina has little heating elements where the wipers park (and heated washer jets) so that normally I just switch on the rear demister for a couple of minutes during which it also melts any ice on the wiper blades. A nice BMW touch and very useful. The fix for the GTS-R was just to re-tighten the nut holding the wiper on the motor spindle which was a relief.
Also this lunchtime for some reason the driver's door stopped remote unlocking completely - ie the button inside popped up, but not quite far enough for the door handle to operate. Had to use the key in the keyhole. Also tried opening from the inside but still wouldn't open without using the remote fob. Half an hour later it started working properly.
I'm also amazed that the radio doesn't have RDS, which is a real pain, but - hey - I didn't buy this car to listen to the radio....
All in all I'm still very excited about it. A little worried how it will deal with road salt... I don't suppose the UK cars had any extra protection applied.....?
I don't need to discuss performance again - it's a fast car! Particularly with so much torque available so early. Handling is also surprisingly good. Squeeze the throttle in 4th and 5th and suddenly the speedo is reading 130mph...
You sit a lot higher than you do in my Alpina (to my surprise) which tends to make you go faster than you realise, ie sitting higher makes speeds feel slower. The car is also a lot more.... how can I put it... it moves around and jiggles a lot more than the Alpina, which in turn feels heavier and more solid somehow. On the other hand the GTS-R hides its weight amazingly well... the combination of the suspension, power and brakes really do make the car feel light and nimble.
The Alpina feels heavier and more solid, but is undoubtedly easier to drive, partly because it's automatic (albeit with manual switchtronic for when you want to throw it round a bit) and partly because it can deploy its lower power (350bhp) more easily. It's quite rare to spin the wheels in the Alpina but in the GTS-R you need to apply throttle with care. Which makes the GTS-R more fun, and more of a "special" ride.
Funnily enough the Alpina makes a nicer noise - in the GTS-R I can't hear the engine or exhaust at all. Then again the GTS-R has the incredible supercharger howl when on boost, which is awesome. I guess if I wanted more engine noise / exhaust noise, I'd end up with more when cruising on the motorway etc, in which case I'd prefer it the way it is now.
Little things - the other day in the cold weather I switched on the wipers whilst defrosting the windscreen and promptly "broke" one of the wipers which was frozen to the windscreen. The reason I did this is that the Alpina has little heating elements where the wipers park (and heated washer jets) so that normally I just switch on the rear demister for a couple of minutes during which it also melts any ice on the wiper blades. A nice BMW touch and very useful. The fix for the GTS-R was just to re-tighten the nut holding the wiper on the motor spindle which was a relief.
Also this lunchtime for some reason the driver's door stopped remote unlocking completely - ie the button inside popped up, but not quite far enough for the door handle to operate. Had to use the key in the keyhole. Also tried opening from the inside but still wouldn't open without using the remote fob. Half an hour later it started working properly.
I'm also amazed that the radio doesn't have RDS, which is a real pain, but - hey - I didn't buy this car to listen to the radio....
All in all I'm still very excited about it. A little worried how it will deal with road salt... I don't suppose the UK cars had any extra protection applied.....?
[quote]ITS AUSTRALIAN![/quote]
Very helpful
Glad to hear you are enjoying the car, all that power must be quite scary! I'm not sure about the salt protection, my advice would be to make sure you give it a coat of wax and if you have a power washer, blast any suspect areas (under the car + wheel arches) to get rid of residue salt.
Very helpful
Glad to hear you are enjoying the car, all that power must be quite scary! I'm not sure about the salt protection, my advice would be to make sure you give it a coat of wax and if you have a power washer, blast any suspect areas (under the car + wheel arches) to get rid of residue salt.
On the plus side, there is much less electrical stuff to go wrong on the HSV. I actually find this simplicity quite refreshing, especially after experiencing BMW's I-Drive on recent models, which is techno. overkill IMO.
On my 2yr old Saab, there are warning messages/lights for everything. More often than not I'm told I have Brake Light Failure. The lights all work perfectly. I know what the problem is, but the main dealer thinks he knows better. The car will be returning for the 4th time to get it sorted!
I don't think that there is any warning at all for brake lights on the HSV!
Edited to add: I had my 2000 VT fully Waxoyled as the protecton was minimal. Brian may also have done this, if not I would reccomend it. Didn't cost that much, about £200 all in I think.
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Wednesday 21st December 15:47
On my 2yr old Saab, there are warning messages/lights for everything. More often than not I'm told I have Brake Light Failure. The lights all work perfectly. I know what the problem is, but the main dealer thinks he knows better. The car will be returning for the 4th time to get it sorted!
I don't think that there is any warning at all for brake lights on the HSV!
Edited to add: I had my 2000 VT fully Waxoyled as the protecton was minimal. Brian may also have done this, if not I would reccomend it. Didn't cost that much, about £200 all in I think.
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Wednesday 21st December 15:47
Yeah, I cannot stand I-drive. Stupidest thing they ever thought of... second only to hiring Chris Bangle as chief designer.
My Alpina is based on the 1997 5-series, in my opinion the last decent-looking BMW. Sod's law... if I ever get to the point where I can afford a new Alpina I won't want one cos they're so damn ugly now. Although the current 5-based B5 is quite a performer - 500bhp and 200mph.. !
My Alpina is based on the 1997 5-series, in my opinion the last decent-looking BMW. Sod's law... if I ever get to the point where I can afford a new Alpina I won't want one cos they're so damn ugly now. Although the current 5-based B5 is quite a performer - 500bhp and 200mph.. !
[quote][quote]ITS AUSTRALIAN![/quote]
Very helpful
Glad to hear you are enjoying the car, all that power must be quite scary! I'm not sure about the salt protection, my advice would be to make sure you give it a coat of wax and if you have a power washer, blast any suspect areas (under the car + wheel arches) to get rid of residue salt.[/quote]
Glad to see a sense of humour hasn't reached the West Country
Very helpful
Glad to hear you are enjoying the car, all that power must be quite scary! I'm not sure about the salt protection, my advice would be to make sure you give it a coat of wax and if you have a power washer, blast any suspect areas (under the car + wheel arches) to get rid of residue salt.[/quote]
Glad to see a sense of humour hasn't reached the West Country
[quote]Funnily enough the Alpina makes a nicer noise - in the GTS-R I can't hear the engine or exhaust at all. I guess if I wanted more engine noise / exhaust noise, I'd end up with more when cruising on the motorway etc, in which case I'd prefer it the way it is now.[/quote]
Brian preferred the quieter exhaust, so more of a rumble would be easily attainable and a good 2.5" twin system wouldn't drone when cruising
Brian preferred the quieter exhaust, so more of a rumble would be easily attainable and a good 2.5" twin system wouldn't drone when cruising
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