Dryce
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- May 17, 2006
- Messages
- 10,911
- Car
- ..
I get to drive a hire car about every second week.
Always automatic.
Over the last year:
The A180d is a real star IMO. I really really didn't want to like it. But I've done well over 10000 miles in them and the only real complaint has been the transmission which on about 1 in 3 cars snatches and scrabbles when moving off on a wet surface (I noted that on some the tyres had been replaced). But on the move and getting about on A roads, B roads, and motorway it's comfortable and economical (decent range).
I really would like to hate the 320i because it's a BMW but if I was buying a car tomorrow and was after a saloon then I would have a very hard think about it. If the choice was a 320i vs a C Class then the BMW would get my money I'm afraid.
Always automatic.
Over the last year:
Mercedes A180d ..... most common drive because I ask for them if available - excellent at what it does but a bit bland - 7speed auto not perfect when moving off- I'd happily have one as a company pool car
Renault Capture 1.5dci .... good - nothing fancy - nothing wrong for the money - good engine.
BMW 320i .... soulless despite the badge but somehow excellent - I could happily own one
Mercedes E220 .... very good .... I could happily own one.
BMW 320d .... old model - less soulless than the new one - still good
Mercedes C220 .... good .... but not quite as good as the 320d or 320i
Jaguar XE - surprsingly good - maybe better than the C Class - but I'm biased to MB - rides well over low speed bumps
Skoda Octavia 1.5 petrol something or other - impressive all rounder - not exciting - but very 'ownable' from a practical point of view
Mitsibushi Outlander ..... olde worlde .... comfortable but no thankyou
Renault Koleos ..... forgettable but inoffensive
Vauxhall Mokka - not terrible. I wouldn't want one to own but I can see why some people like them.
Juke - CVT drvetrain is shameful example of the tech - but surprisingly room for those up front - gloomy at the back - rotten economy - needs to be thrashed to climb hills.
Lexus NX300h ..... waste of money - poor economy - stupid nose overhang - small boot - has no purpose - can't see why anybody with a brain would buy one
Most cars are pretty good these days. The Lexus is the only one that really irks me - not because it wasn't well appointed but because as a package it is not eco anything despite the low CO2 numbers. And it has a strange drive train. Doesn't brake nicely (feedback). Doesn't accelerate nicely (I thought there was a broken vehicle somewhere nearby making that strange noise). If anybody here has one then sorry - but I think it's just about the most stupid car on the market because the money it costs can be put to so much better use on other manufacturers' offerings.The A180d is a real star IMO. I really really didn't want to like it. But I've done well over 10000 miles in them and the only real complaint has been the transmission which on about 1 in 3 cars snatches and scrabbles when moving off on a wet surface (I noted that on some the tyres had been replaced). But on the move and getting about on A roads, B roads, and motorway it's comfortable and economical (decent range).
I really would like to hate the 320i because it's a BMW but if I was buying a car tomorrow and was after a saloon then I would have a very hard think about it. If the choice was a 320i vs a C Class then the BMW would get my money I'm afraid.