Car swap time...

RedvGreen

RedvGreen

RedvGreen

Soldato
Joined
2 Dec 2009
Posts
4,018
Location
Midlands
Unfortunately due to several reasons (job change) I am required to change my car.

Currently 2009 Lotus Elise SC (9k miles, touring pack, aircon, 2bular exhaust, TRD induction). This has a rough market value of £26-27k, and will be used either as part-ex or sell private then used to buy the new car.

Insurance costs (£800+), expiry of warranty (3 months) and 20 MPG are an additional dagger in my side on top of the reasons below:

I am weighing up personal requirements (seat 4 adults comfortably, space for server + PC cases if needed, <£26k), brand reliability, driving experience and cost for the replacement vehicle.

I will also require a full dealer warranty, so new/nearly new is important.

For obvious reasons, I am looking towards German brands:

BMW (1 Series & 3 Series)
VW (Golf & Scirocco)
Audi (A3 & A4)

I know and accept that no car will be able to mimic the Lotus' handling or performance for cost, but what car may come close to meet my lengthy requirements?
 
If the 1 series is big enough then you should be able to get a nice nearly-new 130i.

Worth taking a look at one to see if you could fit what you need in the boot!
 
I believe I can do so - I have driven all the BMWs and am impressed by their handling and quality. 130i though, the mpg isn't too hot is it not?
 
Should be able to get 30mpg as long as you're not stuck in traffic / giving it some welly.
50% improvement over the Elise ;)
 
Actually budget increased to £28k... I am tempted by the 3-series, although a few do look a bit slow on the figures on paper without stepping into the crazy 335i territory?
 
As I'm sure Fox will agree.. if you can find a very recent 330i in a spec that you like, its pretty quick (272bhp) with awesome fuel economy. £28k should be enough to take your pick from the BMW approved used network.
 
I'd definitely be interested in a 325i or 330i. But, it would have to be 2010/11 and have a low mileage <5k. Main Dealer is a must, for warranty etc.

The hunt begins... for one in Black, Manual and ideally an 'M' spec !
 
You dont need to buy a 2010 3 series for the warranty - provided the mileage is low enough you can simply buy a warranty from BMW which will be completely comprehensive and costs £500 a year.

You'd get a 2008 325i M Sport Coupe for £20kish.

Warranty is also hugely important to me for my next purchase - which is a lot of the reason I am also going for the 3 Series, but there is really no need to spend £28k. Infact, £28k is rather insane for a 3 Series.
 
[TW]Fox;18707509 said:
You dont need to buy a 2010 3 series for the warranty - provided the mileage is low enough you can simply buy a warranty from BMW which will be completely comprehensive and costs £500 a year.

You'd get a 2008 325i M Sport Coupe for £20kish.

Warranty is also hugely important to me for my next purchase - which is a lot of the reason I am also going for the 3 Series, but there is really no need to spend £28k. Infact, £28k is rather insane for a 3 Series.
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I'm popping round to my Local BMW Dealership tomorrow (Sunday). They own a few around the country, so should hopefully prove interesting.

My major gripe will be if they dare to offer low on my Lotus; like for likes are retailing for £29k and I have substantial proof of this including offers from other dealers on my car.

I may have to leave the dealership to avoid hitting someone :D

I do like the 325i M and the 330i M... I think any slower or faster would be a negative to me.

It is quite tricky trying to find one that fits the bill exactly however...

... makes me wonder what the ultimate *best* offer they can do for me on a new vehicle. Might be either interesting, or insulting.
 
Well, dealership trip went pretty much like this:

Walked around the Approved Used and New cars, picked out several I liked (120dM Coupe used, 320iM cabriolet used). After about 30mins of looking interested, went to reception area where the fit, cute but unfortunately dipsy receptionist asked if we needed help.

We followed her around the showroom for 5mins looking for a salesman (she really was fit!) but to no avail. After a short time, we noticed they were outside - 3 salesman chilling out outside. She went out and grabbed 2 of them. Both came in, walked right by us. She followed them, and on passing turned around and said 'Oh, just wait around here and the salesman will be along in a few minutes'.

I waited a few moments to realise that the 2 salesmen returned to their desk to basically shuffle papers, pointless click the mouse and hit a few keys on the keyboard, and as funny as it sounds, they rang each other on the internal phone line - or appeared to.

One turned around to look at me, and nodded his head after he finished on the phone, I believe beckoning me over. I thought "Sod this power game", shook my head, and walked out. I was in no rush, giving him plenty of opportunity to pursue, went to my Lotus parked outside, and drove off. As I drove by the showroom, that salesman was getting what looked like a bollocking off another guy, presumably his Manager.

I ended up at a VW dealer. They had a new Scirocco R in stock, and did some very nice deals on the figures. I am looking to purchase that now...
 
I will never understand why people can change an entire car choice based on the actions of a few salesman.

As a contrast I viewed two 3 Series on Friday and had perfect service, but then I called ahead and didn't just show up.
 
Don't fret!

I'm calling a few other BMW dealerships too (Stratstones - have a Lotus Showroom, so could be better for part-ex value).

I am weighing up whether I would opt for a new 135i M or 325i M as they are both capable cars, with the 3 series being larger, more spacious and therefore generally more practical.

Coming out a supercharged Lotus however makes you appreciate power more, and the last thing in the world is to regret a decision. Having driven all of them, what it comes down to at the end of the day is £££.
 
You can buy a used 08 135i M Sport Coupe on a 2008 plate from a dealer for about £22k.

This is some £10,000 less than the a new one - and you can renew the warranty after it expires (You get a year) for less than £500 a year.

Can't see how a new 1 Series - a car reaching the end of its life - makes any real sense.

The 135i is a great car, but buy a used one.
 
First impressions count when spending that kind of money and why should he have to book? If there standing there chilling then there not that busy.

Not sure I would go with a different brand of car just find a better dealership.
 
dsb said:
First impressions count when spending that kind of money and why should he have to book?
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He shouldn't but you can either be all principled and get nowhere or you can just play to their tune and get what you want.

They are just people in the way of the car you want - nothing more. They don't add value or enhance the purchasing process at all, so it shouldn't really matter if they amazing or terrible - all that matters is the car you want at the price you want, if you have to jump through a few hoops to get it to work then well, so be it. Far from ideal but thats how it.s
 
[TW]Fox;18711289 said:
He shouldn't but you can either be all principled and get nowhere or you can just play to their tune and get what you want.

They are just people in the way of the car you want - nothing more. They don't add value or enhance the purchasing process at all, so it shouldn't really matter if they amazing or terrible - all that matters is the car you want at the price you want, if you have to jump through a few hoops to get it to work then well, so be it. Far from ideal but thats how it.s
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Cant argue with that but its them that should be jumping through hoops. What are BMW sales like at the moment? (genuine question) and are they paid on commission?
 
[TW]Fox;18711289 said:
He shouldn't but you can either be all principled and get nowhere or you can just play to their tune and get what you want.

They are just people in the way of the car you want - nothing more. They don't add value or enhance the purchasing process at all, so it shouldn't really matter if they amazing or terrible - all that matters is the car you want at the price you want, if you have to jump through a few hoops to get it to work then well, so be it. Far from ideal but thats how it.s
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But if they treat you like crap when you want to throw a not insignificant sum of money at them buying a car and they can't be arsed how are they going to be when you go back to deal with warranty service etc?

The first impression you get when going into these places is very important and makes a huge difference to the buying process or in my view it does. The whole customer service thing is hugely overlooked and in my line of work can mean the difference between winning contracts and not as the customer sees how they will be dealt with when in the buying process.
 
J1nxy said:
But if they treat you like crap when you want to throw a not insignificant sum of money at them buying a car and they can't be arsed how are they going to be when you go back to deal with warranty service etc?
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A fair point but I doubt it makes any difference - they are two different teams with two different goals.

Sometimes you will find a sales force that is amazing and does everything to sell you a car - then a service team who dont want to know when it goes wrong.

Sometimes the reverse is the case.

Sometimes they are both terrible.

Sometimes they are both great.
 
Scirocco may leave you short on space. Golf GTI, 20K second hand (mk6) and respectable MP considering the performance and since it is a 2010 cars nearly all on sale still have warranty. Although a 5 door one would be more use to you maybe?
 
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