Sad times - byebye Stormtrooper

[keejoonc]

I suppose that depends on how one defines "what it is".

Yep agreed. I guess for me, I wouln't pay that sort of money for a small hatchback with a 2L turbo engine.

I'm not sure how much of a discount you can get on the A45 but there is certainly a significant amount of discount possible on the 1'er, which makes it the A45 look even more expensive.

 

[rsk21]

Yep agreed. I guess for me, I wouln't pay that sort of money for a small hatchback with a 2L turbo engine.

Don't really understand that view albeit I have heard it espoused a lot.

In my view when I choose to spend my money on cars I'm not paying for how a car might be technically described but how it makes me feel. Based on that I then make (a usually flawed !) value based decision.

 

[keejoonc]

Don't really understand that view albeit I have heard it espoused a lot.

In my view when I choose to spend my money on cars I'm not paying for how a car might be technically described but how it makes me feel. Based on that I then make (a usually flawed !) value based decision.

I suppose I'm the same when I say I wouldn't pay that sort of money for a hatchback and 2L engine.

For me, hatchback doesn't really exude class or prestige, which I want when I'm spending that sort of money and 2L engine won't sound as good as a straight 6 or v8 regardless of how nice the A45 sounds for a 2L (once again subjective, but I think so anyway).

 

[st13phil]

Not driven a 135i, but wasn't it one of those that tried to kill Clarkson on the TG test track due to an "odd" stability issue at high speed?

Again, not driven an A45 but I did drive a GLA45 at the weekend and was very impressed. It didn't have the "killer punch" of a V8 AMG at higher speeds, but it was definitely rapid and the 4WD meant the performance was easy to access.

Ultimately it's going to come down to which one puts the biggest smile on your face and that you would prefer to live with on a daily basis. The BMW may have a price advantage, but there's not much point in saving a few quid if you then spend the next year or two wishing you'd bought the MB. If, however, the BMW is the one that you enjoy most then the few quid saved is an added bonus.

 

[Doodle]

There's no "stability issue", it's just Clarkson driving like a hamfisted chunt and hitting standing water at 130 on tyres that are known to be less than fantastic for inclement weather.

High speed in the wet is more a test of tyres than the car they're attached to.

 

[C240Sport97]

how about M235i?

 

[rsk21]

Wise words Phil

Yes it was the 1 that tripped Clarkson up. I'm tempted to add that to the credit column

I've looked into it and found that a change of springs plus ARBs and a diff make all the difference.

That does of course mean that the cost advantage is eaten in to.

 

[brucemillar]

The search is over.

 

[rsk21]

^^^^

Perfect !

Family hatch practicality and Group B Provenance all in one stylish and well maintained package !

 

[brucemillar]

^^^^

Perfect !

Family hatch practicality and Group B Provenance all in one stylish and well maintained package !

Maybe some wheel spacers on the rears. But what's not to like. Think of all the looks you will get as you rumble down the high street.

 

[rsk21]

Well after having entertained all sorts of ideas I today committed to what I hope is going to be the new daily driver.......

It's a V8

it has twin turbos

It's German........












......... It's a BMW

 

[C240Sport97]

I see the plan for a smaller more sensible car got ditched

 

[rsk21]

I see the plan for a smaller more sensible car got ditched

Yes not quite sure what happened there !!!

Not even driven it but looking forward to it, supposed to be a consummate mile muncher and as tuneable as the M157 cars.

Nowhere near as nice to listen to though.

 

[rlowy]

Sad to loose a great advocate to the propeller but enjoy none the less.

 

[rsk21]

Sad to loose a great advocate to the propeller but enjoy none the less.

First ever M car and first ever BMW

I might hate it !

 

[Palmball]

M5 / M6 then?

You won't hate it, it's impossible to!

That said, having had two M6's and now two E63's, I'm not sure I'd go back to the BMW. It's all in the sound, steering feel and body control which are all superior in the old Merc taxi. Of course this is countered by a much better transmission, telematics system and dare I say aesthetics in the BMW.

They're all great, and we're lucky to be able to try them all. In the end, a change is as good as anything if you ask me....but then you'd expect that kind of view from me!

 

[rsk21]

^^^

Yep it's an M5

Was factory built and sitting waiting so ended up costing me less than a new m3 or C63

It's a daily driver, which means station, airport and back and the odd weekend duties ferrying kids etc.

I reckon it'll last a year or two and then it'll be either back to an AMG or if I'm feeling brave maybe the new Alfa Giulia GTA.

In the meantime I haven't lost all connection to AMG per another thread hereabouts

 

[Palmball]

Interesting you say that about the Alfa as I used to be a big fan (their old busso V6 was a lovely engine) and if that Giulia is as good as being claimed, I'll be joining you. Having gone through the M cars and with no real interest in Audi, it's probably the only car that'll tempt me out of an AMG currently.

That said, it'd probably be a short lived affair (probably meaning it's measured in hours and days by my standards) as I was severely put off Italian cars after that piece of cr@p Maserati Granturismo S I bought....maybe they've got better as they've evolved over time but the (relatively early) one I had was rubbish.

Ha, the M5 won't get a look-in once that GT turns up . Still, it's a hell of an extravagant taxi.....all you needed to do was buy something that looks like a taxi. Now, who'd do something like that.... Sounds like it was amazing value though.

 

[rsk21]

Interesting you say that about the Alfa as I used to be a big fan (their old busso V6 was a lovely engine) and if that Giulia is as good as being claimed, I'll be joining you. Having gone through the M cars and with no real interest in Audi, it's probably the only car that'll tempt me out of an AMG currently.

That said, it'd probably be a short lived affair (probably meaning it's measured in hours and days by my standards) as I was severely put off Italian cars after that piece of cr@p Maserati Granturismo S I bought....maybe they've got better as they've evolved over time but the (relatively early) one I had was rubbish.

Ha, the M5 won't get a look-in once that GT turns up . Still, it's a hell of an extravagant taxi.....all you needed to do was buy something that looks like a taxi. Now, who'd do something like that.... Sounds like it was amazing value though.

It was crazy value - nearly £20k discount, delivery miles and 0%.

Ref the Alfa having been burnt myself by a 3.2 Brera some years ago I have resrevations but I still might be daft enough to go back and give it another go. I looked at a Ghibli but found it very underwhelming in terms of drive, quality and value. Lovely badge and gorgeous leather but that's about it.

Agree entirely with you about Audi, good cars, but I have just don't fancy one for reasons I can't define.

 

[The _Don]

It was crazy value - nearly £20k discount, delivery miles and 0%.

That's common for the M5, Congrats on the new car.