Boy Racer Image has to Go.....

Gaygle · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:51

MikeHiow said:
I don't know about the OP, but spunking 15k on a car that is slower than my last car would be a no go.

Let's just say that you have rather "unusual" buying needs.

MikeHiow said:
It would have to be the 330 or 335 IMO.

I've outlined why i recommended a 325i in coupe form above. And i've also mentioned that if he wants a saloon and doesn't mind about it being Pre-LCI, to get the N52 (254bhp) 330i. Will be quick, more reliable than the N53 engined ones and still be plenty quick enough.

MikeHiow said:
I believe the 335s have just creeped in to his budget, too (albeit in SE trim).

If he doesn't need 306bhp+ i would absolutely not recommend a 335i over a 330i. The 335i's have plenty that go wrong with them, and even if you have a warranty, you could still find yourself at signifcant inconvenience when (not if) it breaks down repeatedly.

TBH, from the OP, i got the feeling that he wants a car with a bit of punch, nothing too crazy, but something that isn't chavtastic and looks more professional and respectable. A pre-LCI 330i M-Sport would do the job IMO.

DAIR · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:51

MikeHiow said:
The 5.

I don't know about the OP, but spunking 15k on a car that is slower than my last car would be a no go.

It would have to be the 330 or 335 IMO.

I believe the 335s have just creeped in to his budget, too (albeit in SE trim).

Are you serious?

You mean to tell me going for something slower is seen as a downgrade?

MikeHiow · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:52

You'll have the same bills whether it is a 325 or a 330, and I doubt the 335 will be significantly more.

I think the 330 strikes the perfect balance if you're not after a rocket ship.

Participant · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:53

MikeHiow said:
You'll have the same bills whether it is a 325 or a 330

Except for the purchase bill.

Gaygle · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:54

DAIR said:
Are you serious?

You mean to tell me going for something slower is seen as a downgrade?

In Mike's eyes apparently. But he appears to be on a different planet a lot of the time.

And oddly enough, he downgraded from a faster car to a slower one too? :confused:

MikeHiow · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:55

DAIR said:
Are you serious?

You mean to tell me going for something slower is seen as a downgrade?

You haven't told us your requirements here, so we are guessing.

The nice interior and image of a BMW will only take you so far if you like your fast cars. Once you're "over" these things, you'll start missing the fun/fast stuff.

DAIR · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:55

Focus to Clio... iirc.

MikeHiow · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:56

Gaygle said:
In Mike's eyes apparently. But he appears to be on a different planet a lot of the time.

And oddly enough, he downgraded from a faster car to a slower one too?

No, I downgraded to a cheaper, more economical car

DAIR · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:58

MikeHiow said:
You haven't told us your requirements here, so we are guessing.

The nice interior and image of a BMW will only take you so far if you like your fast cars. Once you're "over" these things, you'll start missing the fun/fast stuff.

When that urge re-spawns I'll get a decent fast car. One with a decent sized engine. Not some 1.6 litre with an afterthought (turbo) fitted to it!

Fr0dders · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:58

lets not make this personal.

So, in summary DAIR, refinement and image in the company car park are now more important than speed ?

If so the 330i fits the bill perfectly. Not exactly slow when you need to overtake on the motorway etc.. and with a business like image and a very nice interior. Just try and hold out for one with idrive, as its excellent. Its not just nav, it replaces the interface for the music system, controls etc..

Gaygle · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:59

MikeHiow said:
You'll have the same bills whether it is a 325 or a 330

Generally, yes. But i'd recommend the OP getting a BMW warranty with whichever one he gets. The N54 (featured in the 335i) and N53 DI (featured in the 57-> 330i) engines are the ones with the most problems, but the N52's (in the 330i 05-57) are not without their issues either.

MikeHiow said:
and I doubt the 335 will be significantly more.

You'd be wrong. A 335i will be more expensive to fuel, insure, tax AND will go wrong a lot more than a N52 330i. Like i said, if you don't need that 306bhp, don't have it, because it comes at a significant cost.

DAIR · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:00

MikeHiow said:
No, I downgraded to a cheaper, more economical car

I doubt the difference is that great.

Clios love to be reved!

Gaygle · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:01

MrLOL said:
So, in summary DAIR, refinement and image in the company car park are now more important than speed ?

I don't see how people aren't getting it? My guess is that he wants an all round, respectable looking car. A blend of nice, refined looks, power, handling and comfort.

The BMW 330i makes sense to me

MikeHiow · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:01

DAIR said:
When that urge re-spawns I'll get a decent fast car. One with a decent sized engine. Not some 1.6 litre with an afterthought (turbo) fitted to it!

Would it not make more sense to upgrade to a car that meets both requirements, rather than buying yet another car when you get that itch?

I mean it (330) is in budget, meets all of your requirements and is going to cost similar money to run than the "slow version".

Gaygle said:
I don't see how people aren't getting it? My guess is that he wants an all round, respectable looking car. A blend of nice, refined looks, power, handling and comfort.

The BMW 330i makes sense to me

Which is exactly what I suggested.

DAIR · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:02

MrLOL said:
lets not make this personal.

So, in summary DAIR, refinement and image in the company car park are now more important than speed ?

Image is important yes.... Some like the boy racer image (I know I did) whereas other down.

I just want something a little more low key!

DRZ · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:03

Gaygle said:
Generally, yes. But i'd recommend the OP getting a BMW warranty with whichever one he gets. The N54 (featured in the 335i) and N53 DI (featured in the 57-> 330i) engines are the ones with the most problems, but the N52's (in the 330i 05-57) are not without their issues either.

You'd be wrong. A 335i will be more expensive to fuel, insure, tax AND will go wrong a lot more than a N52 330i. Like i said, if you don't need that 306bhp, don't have it, because it comes at a significant cost.

A certain member here doesn't believe that the costs are as significant as you make out?

DAIR · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:03

MikeHiow said:
Would it not make more sense to upgrade to a car that meets both requirements, rather than buying yet another car when you get that itch?

I mean it (330) is in budget, meets all of your requirements and is going to cost similar money to run than the "slow version".

The next car may meet that urge..... If it doesnt then tough luck for me lol... We cant all get what we want in life lol!

DAIR · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:04

Gaygle said:
I don't see how people aren't getting it? My guess is that he wants an all round, respectable looking car. A blend of nice, refined looks, power, handling and comfort.

The BMW 330i makes sense to me

Thanks for the suggestion.

Shall look into those!

Gaygle · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:04

MikeHiow said:
Which is exactly what I suggested.

You also started suggesting the 335i which you "didn't think would be significantly more to run", when it would totally be. And it was quite clear that the OP wasn't wanting something that quick or with those running costs.

MikeHiow · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:06

DAIR said:
I doubt the difference is that great.

Clios love to be reved!

ST: 14k, 20MPG, Main dealer servicing.
Clio: £2.2k, 32MPG, DIY servicing.
Focus: ~£5k, 34MPG, DIY servicing, as it'll be run into the ground.

None of it is really important, other than the difference being that I downgraded because I needed two cheaper cars, my thoughts expressed in this thread relate to upgrading.