TBH I don't think any of them are going to be great for 'throwing down a country road' in the UK... they're all designed to get the best lap time round the Ring on nice tarmac in the dry.... don't see too much of either down your average country road in the UK... probably do better getting one of the slightly lesser models with more compliant suspension and bigger sidewalls on the tyres. ;)

I'd be happy with the Macan, especially in GTS trim.
I've driven them quite a few times and dynamically they're top of the class.
They just don't do it for her though.

We looked at the C63 yesterday - neither of us like the shape of the saloon, and it doesn't look much different to a cooking model.
The coupe was favoured by both of us, but, not enough room in the back and quite a bit out of budget.

This M3 in Ferrari red has got her attention....

I'm still hoping the Alfa comes up trumps on the test drive.

Thanks for all the suggestions - a few cars there I didn't know existed :)

That just looks boring to me.. but hey I won't be driving it. :lol1:

Syntners have been 4rses since they're days on Huntingdon st, I used to hate going there when I worked at London Car Radio...they were even worse back then when the boss was around all the time... although he's probably retired by now.

I think the Alfa has more about it, and the reviews so far are very favourable.

But.....depreciation.....

Shytners, are by and large the worst dealer of any car make I've had the misfortune to do business with.

Actually that M3 looks very nice, I'm just out of love with BMW and Mercedes at the moment.

The m2 in case you want to drive it, heaps more fun over the m3/4

Have you looked at them new volvos suvs they make a pretty quick petrol turbo version.

Yep and they have a monopoly in our area from Leicester to Huddersfield... (maybe even further now) so you're pretty much shafted and have to deal with them. :(

Sounds to me like she's already made up her mind and just playing along with you. :lol1:

It looks nice yes, but even with the competition pack it doesn't drive much different to the one we've got.
I'm just finding offerings from the big 3 marquee a little uninspiring now days, hence the Alfa almost sticking its boot in seems a refreshing change and left field choice.

Busta - if only the M2 had an interior befitting an M car, with a bit more leg room, then it'd be in contention.
But then it'd be an M3 ;)

To be perfectly honest here, she likes what she likes (so not Audi) and driving dynamics don't really come into it.
For me, of course they do, but I don't drive it enough to worry about that.

My Exige has everything I need.

Well, we have Sopers at Lincoln - still a family run business and quite well liked.
Only 40 mins away too.

I'm minded to leave her to it.....:thumb:

Ah yeah, and the new road makes getting to Lincoln a lot easier.

Don't blame you mate, I left mine to it as well.. but to be fair she came back with a nice little car.

At least she'd be able squeeze her paunch behind Alfa steering wheel

QUOTE=zip106;11918428]I'd be happy with the Macan, especially in GTS trim.
I've driven them quite a few times and dynamically they're top of the class.
They just don't do it for her though.

We looked at the C63 yesterday - neither of us like the shape of the saloon, and it doesn't look much different to a cooking model.
The coupe was favoured by both of us, but, not enough room in the back and quite a bit out of budget.

This M3 in Ferrari red has got her attention....

I'm still hoping the Alfa comes up trumps on the test drive.

Thanks for all the suggestions - a few cars there I didn't know existed :)[/QUOTE]
Hi,
They had a red M3 with the full performance kit in Abu Dhabi motors the other day.
It looked really good in the flesh - although it would obviously be similar to drive as your existing one.
Here are a few photos of it:-
Attachment 22208

Attachment 22209
Cheers
Steve

How about an rs6 avant??

I do like that colour. It looks a bit like Audi's Misano red.

Zip, sounds like she has her heart set on the M3. I'm test driving the new S4 Avant on Monday (to replace the c63 amg). I'll let you know what it's like, in case you haven't driven an Audi recently.

C63S
M3
Cayenne
GLE ?

Haven't driven an Audi for some time, so would be interested in your thoughts, cheers.

Just found out that Ferrari red is around £3500 for the paint...
**** that!

Lol, Spending £60k on a car and worried about £3.5k paint job :lol1: talk about the straw breaking the camels back. :lol1:

Not getting at you but just curious... why have you not thought about PCP instead of shelling out £60k... I can think of many other uses for a £60k lump sum than a new car that could pay the PCP along the way.

I draw the line at £3.5k whatever the cost of the car!
£1500 then yes, but not £3.5...

It's £3.5k that you're never going to get back come trade-in time.
Don't mind losing a bit, but not that much.

Besides, you can probably have free red paint on a 114i, so red isn't all that exclusive!

Will most probably be on a PCP as the wife gets a rather decent car allowance each month.

Stelvio or F-pace?

Went to look at the F-Pace - quite big.
Stelvio is another option, I'm guessing it's going to be Macan size and from the pics I've seen, very nice.

However, doesn't sound like it'll be here until 2018.

Left field, Maserati Ghibli. Don't see many of those, goalies dad for footy team I manage has one but his is a diseasal.

M2 is supposed to be the new M3.

Zip

Shes got an M3 which you don't like as its crap for your roads. So why would she get another one?

Why not keep the one she's got and save £60k? (or the monthly payments)

just test drive it first if its got the CP pack that red 1 has, the suspensions even stuffer....

You should go drive a Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupé

http://static.wixstatic.com/media/45...3283_s_4_2.jpg

Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupé

Price £50,960; Engine V6, 2996cc, twin-turbo, petrol; Power 362bhp at 5500rpm; Torque 383lb ft at 2500rpm; 0-62mph 4.9sec; Top speed 155mph; Gearbox 9-spd dual-clutch automatic; Kerb weight 1845kg; Economy 34.0mpg (combined); CO2 192g/km, 37%

I know, the drive doesn't seem to be an issue with her, just me.
I also see no point in getting the same again, so I'm hoping to ease her towards the Alfa.



And this is exactly what I need to know - I've read all sorts of differing views.
And I don't trike the wheels either.


The Merc mentioned above - it's very big in the metal, seems more so than the Macan.
All these different Merc models - they all blend into one, all look too similar.

Think we realise we don't actually need an SUV - still have the Forester for that job, and when that dies I'll certainly have another.
Bloody brilliant little thing.
(Although if the Stelvio delivers what it's promising...)

Yeah the Comp Pack adds the following

The Competition Package brings new springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, which represents a comprehensive overhaul of the base car’s chassis. BMW says the various drive modes – Comfort, Sport and Sport+ – have also been reconfigured and adaptive dampers are now standard fit.

The 20-inch wheels, which mimic the M4 GTS’s wheel design, have been optimised for weight and rigidity. The Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres are 265/30 20s on the front and 285/30 20s on the rear.

The cabin now features lightweight sports seats with sizeable bolsters and seat belts with the BMW M colours woven into them. The Individual Shadow Line exterior styling upgrade is standard fit, as is the M sports exhaust system.

Id shove her in an E63 :)

Saying that Zip i was talking to my BMW dealer when i collected mine, and the M6 was up at 90k plus, he said without ever batting an eyelid that you can command 20k off list before you start the bartering on an M6, but as i replied there value falls through the floor, Still sound bloody awesome though.

wish i had a dilemma of which mega car to put my wife in, i ask her what she wants and her reply is normally a colour :) no idea what so ever

Cheers Ted.

I ought to try the comp pack car for comparison, but as alluded to above, my local dealer is ****e.

E63 just too big.
She once had an E60 (?) 5 series and that was a bit big, although the 3's are catching up in size.

And as for the money, she's paying for it, I just want her to have something I like too :D
She wants a nice colour and something powerful..

then id prob say M3 then or C63S for the 500 BHP monster.. but in the coupe...

i like Jags but I'm always put off by the time they used the mondao chassis for that model they did, its tainted me..

Times have changed since then, you should test drive their latest cars :)

I'd like one of these: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...ted-first-time

Braid wheels, 6-pot(?) brakes etc.