Not Sure What To Get... £20k Budget
27 January 2010, 09:45 PM
#182
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Prefer the D, we are used to derv for the mrs' car now and I love the fact it doesn't cost much when we visit the outlaws in Kent. 
Guess I will have to ignore the satnav requirement.
Guess I will have to ignore the satnav requirement.
28 January 2010, 10:11 AM
#184
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I think you're missing the point Matt, its not that he (or I for that matter) really need Satnav, but its a nice addition to have on the spec list.
I'll be honest, I wanted it because I think it will help when it comes time to resell and... because its another gadget. I've never used satnav before and have always managed, so its not that without it we'd be doomed.
I reckon given the choice to get one with satnav or one without, I'd say 9/10 people would probably opt to go for the one with it.
I'll be honest, I wanted it because I think it will help when it comes time to resell and... because its another gadget. I've never used satnav before and have always managed, so its not that without it we'd be doomed.
I reckon given the choice to get one with satnav or one without, I'd say 9/10 people would probably opt to go for the one with it.
28 January 2010, 10:58 AM
#185
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I have 2 satnav machines already, but I just hate having to attach them to windscreens etc, and then remove them when parking up.
Trust me Matt, my Mrs' map reading skills are nil so if we're travelling somewhere I don't know, although in theory I also prefer a good map to look at, it's so much easier with satnav as with a map I would have to keep pulling over to check it myself.
I also prefer the lower stress of sat nav and the fact you just enter a postcode then just forget about it and it takes you there - never once had a problem with our TomTom's and when visiting clients that's a real plus point, in fact that's why I first bought one.
Having said that, I think it's more the i-drive and TV function I'm going for as we only use satnav maybe 3 times a year when on hols, and I like the look of it with the extra dash cowell.
I'm a gadget ***** so I love anything where you have a control screen for various stuff.
It's hard to find a 320 with the pro nav though, so I may have to just go without and get it on the ST replacement instead.
Trust me Matt, my Mrs' map reading skills are nil so if we're travelling somewhere I don't know, although in theory I also prefer a good map to look at, it's so much easier with satnav as with a map I would have to keep pulling over to check it myself.
I also prefer the lower stress of sat nav and the fact you just enter a postcode then just forget about it and it takes you there - never once had a problem with our TomTom's and when visiting clients that's a real plus point, in fact that's why I first bought one.
Having said that, I think it's more the i-drive and TV function I'm going for as we only use satnav maybe 3 times a year when on hols, and I like the look of it with the extra dash cowell.
I'm a gadget ***** so I love anything where you have a control screen for various stuff.
It's hard to find a 320 with the pro nav though, so I may have to just go without and get it on the ST replacement instead.
28 January 2010, 11:12 AM
#186
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i-drive drives me nuts (I prefer buttons and ahem *****...!) and a TV would get no use in my car -the inlaws have it and you can only use it when stationary.
I also don't trust satnav and have used supposedly "good" systems many times. Often suggest cr4p routes, being "talked to" drives me mad and I think it's too distracting.
But yes, I'm in the minority.
I also don't trust satnav and have used supposedly "good" systems many times. Often suggest cr4p routes, being "talked to" drives me mad and I think it's too distracting.
But yes, I'm in the minority.
28 January 2010, 02:15 PM
#188
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Indeed.
I also prefer non M Sport Beemers (unless an M3/5/6, Z4M), smaller wheels (better handling and ride IMO), few toys (it's a car not an Xbox), power without shouting about it and also prefer 4% ABV Stella to 5.2%...
I also prefer non M Sport Beemers (unless an M3/5/6, Z4M), smaller wheels (better handling and ride IMO), few toys (it's a car not an Xbox), power without shouting about it and also prefer 4% ABV Stella to 5.2%...
Last edited by Matteeboy; 28 January 2010 at 02:16 PM.
28 January 2010, 02:18 PM
#189
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On a more serious note, though, I'm with you, to a degree.
If buying new, there's no way I would pay the exhorbitant cost most manufacturers charge for sat nav, unless it was an absolute necessity come resale time - especially given that you can get an arguably better portable system that you can place where you like for 1/10th of the cost.
Also, I prefer the 3 series dash without the double hump.
As for the idrive, one of my colleagues has just picked up an M sport touring with the idrive and he gets around it just fine. I'm saying this because he is generally technolgy illiterate . I heard that BMW had refined the system to make it more user friendly now.
As for Sat nav itself, we toured the north of Scotland for a couple of weeks a while back in a large motorhome and the tom tom in it was brilliant, especially the miles to go and estimated arrival time functions - ideal when planning lunch stops and the like, coupled with near instant route planning made it great to have.
Yes, you can do that with a map, but its effortless with sat nav
But day to day I wouldn't have a use for one, and like you there is always a good map to hand.
BTW - 4% stella just makes you gay
If buying new, there's no way I would pay the exhorbitant cost most manufacturers charge for sat nav, unless it was an absolute necessity come resale time - especially given that you can get an arguably better portable system that you can place where you like for 1/10th of the cost.
Also, I prefer the 3 series dash without the double hump.
As for the idrive, one of my colleagues has just picked up an M sport touring with the idrive and he gets around it just fine. I'm saying this because he is generally technolgy illiterate . I heard that BMW had refined the system to make it more user friendly now.
As for Sat nav itself, we toured the north of Scotland for a couple of weeks a while back in a large motorhome and the tom tom in it was brilliant, especially the miles to go and estimated arrival time functions - ideal when planning lunch stops and the like, coupled with near instant route planning made it great to have.
Yes, you can do that with a map, but its effortless with sat nav
But day to day I wouldn't have a use for one, and like you there is always a good map to hand.
BTW - 4% stella just makes you gay
Last edited by Devildog; 28 January 2010 at 02:19 PM. Reason: Matts intervening post was worthy of comment!
28 January 2010, 02:29 PM
#190
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On a more serious note, though, I'm with you, to a degree.
If buying new, there's no way I would pay the exhorbitant cost most manufacturers charge for sat nav, unless it was an absolute necessity come resale time - especially given that you can get an arguably better portable system that you can place where you like for 1/10th of the cost.
Also, I prefer the 3 series dash without the double hump.
As for the idrive, one of my colleagues has just picked up an M sport touring with the idrive and he gets around it just fine. I'm saying this because he is generally technolgy illiterate . I heard that BMW had refined the system to make it more user friendly now.
As for Sat nav itself, we toured the north of Scotland for a couple of weeks a while back in a large motorhome and the tom tom in it was brilliant, especially the miles to go and estimated arrival time functions - ideal when planning lunch stops and the like, coupled with near instant route planning made it great to have.
Yes, you can do that with a map, but its effortless with sat nav
But day to day I wouldn't have a use for one, and like you there is always a good map to hand.
BTW - 4% stella just makes you gay
If buying new, there's no way I would pay the exhorbitant cost most manufacturers charge for sat nav, unless it was an absolute necessity come resale time - especially given that you can get an arguably better portable system that you can place where you like for 1/10th of the cost.
Also, I prefer the 3 series dash without the double hump.
As for the idrive, one of my colleagues has just picked up an M sport touring with the idrive and he gets around it just fine. I'm saying this because he is generally technolgy illiterate . I heard that BMW had refined the system to make it more user friendly now.
As for Sat nav itself, we toured the north of Scotland for a couple of weeks a while back in a large motorhome and the tom tom in it was brilliant, especially the miles to go and estimated arrival time functions - ideal when planning lunch stops and the like, coupled with near instant route planning made it great to have.
Yes, you can do that with a map, but its effortless with sat nav
But day to day I wouldn't have a use for one, and like you there is always a good map to hand.
BTW - 4% stella just makes you gay
Agree about costs - if I really did need SatNav, I'd buy a TomTom or similar. Even my mobile has fairly decent GPS but proper portables are better.
I-drive has improved a lot but I still see multiple issues on various websites. I find it turns a single button press into a multiple menu item faff.
4% Stella is gay but you can drink more without falling over.
28 January 2010, 03:27 PM
#191
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Does "Stella" go with the BMW image Matt, would've thought it was a bit "chav" for you.
Two things I love about Sat Nav vs map:
1. Looking for a petrol station when your miles to go is close to zero.
2. When you are so lost that even if you had a map you wouldn;t be able to tell where you are - where I live it's very very possible and happened to me the last time I was out on a Focus run - got lost up in some moors and would have had to drive back 20 miles at least to get back to where I started - with satnav it know where you are and can get you out of it.
Two things I love about Sat Nav vs map:
1. Looking for a petrol station when your miles to go is close to zero.
2. When you are so lost that even if you had a map you wouldn;t be able to tell where you are - where I live it's very very possible and happened to me the last time I was out on a Focus run - got lost up in some moors and would have had to drive back 20 miles at least to get back to where I started - with satnav it know where you are and can get you out of it.
28 January 2010, 03:29 PM
#192
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If I got truly lost, I'd use the GPS on my mobile.
Dream - if I cared about image, I wouldn't have a BMW. The ultimate poor image brand
Prefer Becks Vier but it's usually more expensive.
When out and about (rare these days) it's local ale all the way.
Dream - if I cared about image, I wouldn't have a BMW. The ultimate poor image brand
Prefer Becks Vier but it's usually more expensive.
When out and about (rare these days) it's local ale all the way.
29 January 2010, 07:44 PM
#194
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Picked it up today. Feckin awesome 
Satnav helped me out twice on the way home taking me away from ridiculous traffic jams - one on the M1 and one on the M62. Case closed.
Will start a new thread tomorrow inc pictures (Matt, you're going to get to see it twice mate)
Cheers for all the advice to everyone that has contributed, notably Matt and Si
Satnav helped me out twice on the way home taking me away from ridiculous traffic jams - one on the M1 and one on the M62. Case closed.
Will start a new thread tomorrow inc pictures (Matt, you're going to get to see it twice mate
)Cheers for all the advice to everyone that has contributed, notably Matt and Si
03 February 2010, 12:06 PM
#196
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We want pics, we want pics!!
Come on Jeff, get some pics up and a review if poss.
I've almost talked myself into swapping my ST for a 335d/i coupe now so want to know what you think of it? If I do go for it, I want one with the toys on so let me know what you think of everything, and if there is anything that's a must have.
How do you find the auto?
Need to go and test some asap.
Come on Jeff, get some pics up and a review if poss.
I've almost talked myself into swapping my ST for a 335d/i coupe now so want to know what you think of it? If I do go for it, I want one with the toys on so let me know what you think of everything, and if there is anything that's a must have.
How do you find the auto?
Need to go and test some asap.
03 February 2010, 12:16 PM
#197
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Dream - the Coupe is very well equipped even in SE form. Saloons and Tourings have less "extras" as standard.
The 'box is about as good as an Auto can be but takes some getting used to - get it wrong and it blunts the performance. If you hate it get a 335i with a manual (very very rare).
Just looked at this months "Car" mag - they agree that it handles best on 17s.., ;-)
The 'box is about as good as an Auto can be but takes some getting used to - get it wrong and it blunts the performance. If you hate it get a 335i with a manual (very very rare).
Just looked at this months "Car" mag - they agree that it handles best on 17s.., ;-)
03 February 2010, 02:53 PM
#198
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How does the auto work? Is it one paddle to shift up and one to shift down, or is it pull to shift up and push to shift down?
I thought it was just the bits above the wheel that look like MTB shifters, but from viewing a video review it looks like they extend behind the wheel as they should.
Really fancying a 335d coupe, just need to have a look at the finances, the justification for the miles I do (i.e. it will sit on the drive 20 days a month), and whether it's allowed to have 2 E90/92 3 series on the drive!!
I thought it was just the bits above the wheel that look like MTB shifters, but from viewing a video review it looks like they extend behind the wheel as they should.
Really fancying a 335d coupe, just need to have a look at the finances, the justification for the miles I do (i.e. it will sit on the drive 20 days a month), and whether it's allowed to have 2 E90/92 3 series on the drive!!
03 February 2010, 03:01 PM
#199
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Dream - both paddles do the same thing - push with thumb to change down, pull with fingers to change up. I find it pretty intuitive as you naturally push forward as you slow down and pull back as you accelerate. Some aren't sure but it's better than any semi auto I've used.
In general use you put it in "D" mode - this gives a fairly relaxed drive but can be interrupted with paddle semi auto at any time. In "DS" (sport) mode the gearing is much more aggressive - really go for it and it will redline in each gear. The paddle shifts also speed up. You can't do anything stupid (like change down at high revs) but you are pretty much in control.
For a real shove in the back, put it into DS, flick down a gear with the paddles then floor it. This overcomes a very slight hesitation you get even in DS mode.
It's a six speed ZF box and for extremely "spirited" driving, the auto box in sport is good enough that you can forget changing gear and concentrate on speed, braking and what the car is doing on the road.
It's two big steps - to a diesel and to an auto. But they are very rewarding steps. The chassis is a cracker in coupe, saloon and touring shapes (Cabrio is just a bit too heavy).
Bored yet? So am I.
A letter in this month's Evo printed - my 3rd. That's how dull I am.
In general use you put it in "D" mode - this gives a fairly relaxed drive but can be interrupted with paddle semi auto at any time. In "DS" (sport) mode the gearing is much more aggressive - really go for it and it will redline in each gear. The paddle shifts also speed up. You can't do anything stupid (like change down at high revs) but you are pretty much in control.
For a real shove in the back, put it into DS, flick down a gear with the paddles then floor it. This overcomes a very slight hesitation you get even in DS mode.
It's a six speed ZF box and for extremely "spirited" driving, the auto box in sport is good enough that you can forget changing gear and concentrate on speed, braking and what the car is doing on the road.
It's two big steps - to a diesel and to an auto. But they are very rewarding steps. The chassis is a cracker in coupe, saloon and touring shapes (Cabrio is just a bit too heavy).
Bored yet? So am I.
A letter in this month's Evo printed - my 3rd. That's how dull I am.
03 February 2010, 03:19 PM
#200
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Sounds good, I will go and drive some I think.
It makes no sense for me to swap as I will need to add the cash myself, but you only live once etc etc and I'm getting a bit bored of hot hatches, and turbo nutter cars etc.
It makes no sense for me to swap as I will need to add the cash myself, but you only live once etc etc and I'm getting a bit bored of hot hatches, and turbo nutter cars etc.
03 February 2010, 10:55 PM
#204
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I've got a couple of pics but they arent best, as the car isnt all shiny and lovely, its a bit iced over... so I dont want to show...
Oh, go on then, just a teaser...
I've got some polishing products that I really want to use before I take and post some proper photos.
Si, I'd be happy to meet you somewhere in Skipton (I can tie it in with seeing one of my mates that lives there) and you can have a spin and see for yourself. Just let me know.
I'll do a proper report when I get the pics.
The auto box is pretty good actually, much MUCH better than the one in my E46 330Ci M. Regarding your questions about the paddles, yes they disappear down behind the steering wheel, so the flip up is as it should be on a flappy paddle - easy!
Whilst I was looking, I came across quite a few 335i manuals, I was strongly warned to steer clear by a dealer. Also, from what I've read, the auto box can handle more power when it comes to moding... which you know you'll end up doing
Ref: the turbos, put it like this, the first time I drove one when just after they came out, I know one of the guys at Bateman and he let me take it for a test spin when I was buying the 330. I didnt even realise it was turbo charged!! No whine, no lag, and no wastegate noise - nothing. Its my understanding that decating releases a little bit of that, and obviously you can add a DV (or two
). IMO, if you've got the 320D on the drive by then, get the 335i
Last edited by Jay_bee; 04 February 2010 at 09:28 AM.
04 February 2010, 02:19 PM
#206
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Looks good Jeff, and thanks for the invite, although we've had an about turn now.
Realised that spending £18k on a 320 touring and then £20k on a 335 Coupe is a bit daft, especially as the car that's mine will just sit on the drive most of the time plus selling our 2 current cars and then buying 2 new Beemers will take up lots of time/money.
Soooooo, we've decided to keep the Focus ST as it's all paid for and relatively speaking it's cheap to run at about £1k per year, and instead of going for a 320d touring, we are going to buy the Mrs a 335d Touring now and have upped the budget to £24k.
It's the best of both as I get to keep the modded ST for blasts on my own and trackdays, but then we have the 335D for the weekends as a family and I get something which is quick and has auto, something I've been on about in the family car for ages.
Just about to ring the BMW dealers now to let him know the search has changed, and now need to find one somewhere within budget.
Any tips Matt?
Realised that spending £18k on a 320 touring and then £20k on a 335 Coupe is a bit daft, especially as the car that's mine will just sit on the drive most of the time plus selling our 2 current cars and then buying 2 new Beemers will take up lots of time/money.
Soooooo, we've decided to keep the Focus ST as it's all paid for and relatively speaking it's cheap to run at about £1k per year, and instead of going for a 320d touring, we are going to buy the Mrs a 335d Touring now and have upped the budget to £24k.
It's the best of both as I get to keep the modded ST for blasts on my own and trackdays, but then we have the 335D for the weekends as a family and I get something which is quick and has auto, something I've been on about in the family car for ages.
Just about to ring the BMW dealers now to let him know the search has changed, and now need to find one somewhere within budget.
Any tips Matt?
04 February 2010, 02:33 PM
#207
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Dream - you'll get a good one for that money!
I'd say a low miler 06/56 or even 07 plate.
Now I know everyone goes for M Sport but don't discount SE - you'll get more car for your money and a better ride too.
There aren't loads around so you may have to be dictated by spec available but the sunroof is superb and worth looking for.
Other than that, you can't really go far wrong - check for inner tyre wear, especially on 18s or 19s, check for cracked alloys in an M Sport, look for excess oil behind the radiator on the intercooler pipe (they often leak - it's big red plasticky pipe). That's it really - engine seems to be a very strong unit and everything generally works.
Definitely use the BMW network - the AU warranty is excellent.
And nice one!!
e90post.com (the UK section) is a good resource for various issues - some proper BMW geeks on there!
I'd say a low miler 06/56 or even 07 plate.
Now I know everyone goes for M Sport but don't discount SE - you'll get more car for your money and a better ride too.
There aren't loads around so you may have to be dictated by spec available but the sunroof is superb and worth looking for.
Other than that, you can't really go far wrong - check for inner tyre wear, especially on 18s or 19s, check for cracked alloys in an M Sport, look for excess oil behind the radiator on the intercooler pipe (they often leak - it's big red plasticky pipe). That's it really - engine seems to be a very strong unit and everything generally works.
Definitely use the BMW network - the AU warranty is excellent.
And nice one!!
e90post.com (the UK section) is a good resource for various issues - some proper BMW geeks on there!
Last edited by Matteeboy; 04 February 2010 at 02:35 PM.
04 February 2010, 02:52 PM
#208
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Can only find M Sports (SE 335ds are rare!) but this is a belter:
Approved Used BMW
As is this:
Approved Used BMW
And a very rare manual 335i just to be unhelpful:
Approved Used BMW
Approved Used BMW
As is this:
Approved Used BMW
And a very rare manual 335i just to be unhelpful:
Approved Used BMW
04 February 2010, 03:11 PM
#209
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Had a look at those this morning, although that first one is a bit too much I think, I doubt they would drop much but it does all depend on how much they offer for the Civic.
Civic is worth about 10k retail, so I'm banking on being offered £8k for it, but I know dealers are a rare bunch so I need to get the PX price first as it may be as low as £6k and that will dictate the budget as we basically have £16k available plus the Civic.
Civic is worth about 10k retail, so I'm banking on being offered £8k for it, but I know dealers are a rare bunch so I need to get the PX price first as it may be as low as £6k and that will dictate the budget as we basically have £16k available plus the Civic.