BMW and M Power Owners

Gaygle · 31 Dec 2019 at 10:52

MrKnifey said:
What is it like compared to VW DSG systems? The car I have one eye on is partially stripped out track car with SMG. But im torn between than and a bog standard Manual car.. as I will be using it on track some times

Incomparable to anything I've driven with a DCT/DSG box. I wouldn't even say it's comparable to the old ZF 6sp auto gearbox in ~2004-2010 era BMW's.

I'm sorry, I know everyone has their preferences, but SMG II is not good. It's not smooth, it's not clever and it's eye wateringly expensive when it goes wrong. It's clunky, lumpy and bumpy.

Also, if you're going to use it on track "sometimes" - isn't looking a stripped out track cars a bit much? Stripped out cars are unpleasant to drive day to day. These don't need a lot of work done to them to make them competent for a few track visits a year.

MrKnifey · 2 Jan 2020 at 17:22

Yea think I've decided on buying a standard ISH manual car..when I find one I like

broona · 2 Jan 2020 at 18:39

Any 2 Series Gran Tourer opinions? Found a decent lease deal for one, perfect timing as my Cupra goes back at the end of March - https://centralukvehicleleasing.co....-sport-5dr-step-auto-2_BM2S15MS~5EPTA~~1.htm/

[TW]Fox · 2 Jan 2020 at 18:55

Why? Just.. why?

tamzzy · 2 Jan 2020 at 18:57

broona said:
Any 2 Series Gran Tourer opinions?

broona · 2 Jan 2020 at 19:01

Ha ha, just the kind of replies I was expecting...

Jez · 2 Jan 2020 at 19:28

To be fair £200pcm nothing down does seem quite cheap doesn’t it? I rarely look at leasing but doesn’t that usually get you a Citroen?

muon · 2 Jan 2020 at 19:36

Jez said:
To be fair £200pcm nothing down does seem quite cheap doesn’t it? I rarely look at leasing but doesn’t that usually get you a Citroen?

If you need an MPV, it's a bargain. Decently equipped M Sport model as well, looks a lot better than their stock photo.

theone8181 · 2 Jan 2020 at 20:12

Is it just for people who want the badge and not a zafira or a Picasso?

Scania · 2 Jan 2020 at 20:25

theone8181 said:
Is it just for people who want the badge and not a zafira or a Picasso?

Having driven a 2 GT, Zafira and Picasso recently its the one I'd pick regardless of its badge or which wheels are driven (which is the BMW purist default)

Not my bag any of them tbh, but, if the need arose I'd happily have the BMW over the others.

muon · 2 Jan 2020 at 20:40

Scania said:
Having driven a 2 GT, Zafira and Picasso recently its the one I'd pick regardless of its badge or which wheels are driven (which is the BMW purist default)

Not my bag any of them tbh, but, if the need arose I'd happily have the BMW over the others.

Probably couldn't even get a new Zafira or Picasso that cheap.

mikeh501 · 2 Jan 2020 at 20:41

wife has the 'active' tourer version of this. not quite as hunch backed and no 3rd row. tbh its a decent car and shes been really pleased with it. The visibliity is great especially the extra window to the side of the windscreen and the huge pan roof. Bit of a tardis inside especially with the rear bench being slideable. The m sport suspension is a little too crashy for what it is, but the engine and gearbox is great. its the 218d so 2.0 diesel and 8 speed auto slush box which is plenty fast enough. One weird thing i've noticed is how the stop start turns down the volume of the radio if its on loud. Not a lot to report, great runabout.

tamzzy · 2 Jan 2020 at 20:43

£4.9k for a 218i GT msport for 24mth 6k mpa...
could be a lot worse i guess

broona · 2 Jan 2020 at 21:07

My current Cupra ST 4Drive is £300 down and £300 a month, this one saves me £100 a month over the next 2years.

I appreciate that they're totally different cars, but I just need something reliable to ferry my son around to football every weekend, and this seems like a decent deal for a 30k car.

Scania · 2 Jan 2020 at 21:44

muon said:
Probably couldn't even get a new Zafira or Picasso that cheap.

Fairly sure the Zafira is out of production now, they probably can’t give them away!

theone8181 · 3 Jan 2020 at 07:41

Scania said:
Having driven a 2 GT, Zafira and Picasso recently its the one I'd pick regardless of its badge or which wheels are driven (which is the BMW purist default)

Not my bag any of them tbh, but, if the need arose I'd happily have the BMW over the others.

The 2GT is front wheel drive isn't it.

Scania · 3 Jan 2020 at 08:05

theone8181 said:
The 2GT is front wheel drive isn't it.

Yes, it’s FWD along with the new 1 series, a taste of things to come maybe....

Must say, whilst it’s not for me I was impressed by it, and the lack of RWD makes a big difference to how spacious the interior felt compared to a RWD 2 Series, the styling is very van like though.

roadie · 3 Jan 2020 at 09:08

My dad has the 225i x drive Active Tourer. It's a really nice car and perfect for his needs. There are some good practical features like the rear seats that slide forward and back. I'd recommend it for a family car.

MrKnifey · 4 Jan 2020 at 07:37

E46 M3 people, found two on M3 Cutters I fancy a look at, what do you think? Any advice?

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/e46-m3-carbon-black-manual.217713/

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/2004-bmw-m3-manual-carbon-black.215441/

[TW]Fox · 4 Jan 2020 at 07:41

That last one has been for sale for half a year without a single viewing! Perhaps 11k is too much for a 15 year old 3 series?