Kev

I prefer the looks and interior of the 6 series. The interior is really high quality and very nice. But I prefer the s5's size and engine. 

If I can find a nice 640i I won't be able to resist. I think it might be easy to negotiate a few thousand of the price on one too. They tend to sit and most want the diesel. I think the fact that it's essentially a huge 2 seater puts alot of people off. 

640's sound great with a decent exhaust too

I've decided against a 640d. Modern Diesel engines have too many parts that go wrong on a regular basis and aren't cheap to replace. I don't do enough miles to worry about mpg either.  

I'm going to go for a 640i or (as ekona suggested, and I previously dismissed) a V8 S5.

I hate cream leather too. Nothing worse in a car. 

That rs5 is a nice car no doubt. it's a slippery slope with me though. I'd just be thinking if I add £5k I could get a m5. 

At least if I get the 640d I won't be tempted to buy akra exhaust and overpriced pieces of carbon. 

ive been watching YouTube reviews tonight. The quality of the interior and build is really good and even the engine sounds ok for a diesel. 

Id be open to a 640i but they are rare.  90% are 640d's.  

A nice rs5 is  £10k more expensive and I'm not a huge fan of the S5. If I got a RS5 I'd want a akra too. 

Id love a f80. But it's another £10k for the m performance carbon bits, exhaust and to sort the shockingly bad suspension. 

I dont think a 640d is the perfect car, but it's hard to beat for £15k. All the reviews seem good too. 

I appreciate it's a bit of a barge and probably won't age well. 

1 hour ago, Mikevv said:

why not an M6 - Now that is a steal. £45k see's you into low mileage '14 plates

I've been looking at m5's for mid 20's. But the warranty cost is huge and I wouldn't have a M with no warranty. They are great cars though. 

1 hour ago, un1eash said:

There very big for everyday use around town and you need deep pockets when things go wrong. 

They were something like £70k new and now 2012 cars are going for well under £20k. 

 

You can pick a well spec'd one with 50-60k miles for around £15k. A lot of car for the money. 

29 minutes ago, Ekona said:

Issues? It’s a diesel, so that’s your issue right there.

 

 

313bhp and stage one takes it to 380bhp with a stack of torque. 

I wouldnt normally go for a diesel gt coupe, but for around £15k I'm really tempted. Spec is mental for that money. I don't care if there is no room in the back. 

My Z is going to have to go this spring. I have to resist the temptation to keep it for another summer. 

I was planning on buying a early f80 M3 when the lease on my daily runs out in October. But I keep looking at 640d's because the seem like a lot of car for the money. 

I know they are very different cars, but the 640d is half the price and has a much better interior. 

Does anyone know of any major issues with the 640d? Seem too good to be true. 

On 24 January 2018 at 13:36, docwra said:

If youre leasing a BMW then you cant beat TRL's prices: http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=106417&p=1361177#p1361177 - these are genuine prices and not sales pitches. 

 

There used to be a calculator for adding options but its not up at the moment, Ill update if it comes back.

 

I looked at buying the Alfa QV on PCP about this time last year but was put off by the low GFV (£25K IIRC) ........ they seem to have only dropped £15K since release so Im thinking they could be £15K out on the GFV, gutted

 

 

Drove one a couple of weeks back. Epic in every way. 

I said when they were released they would hold their money better than a m3. 

26 minutes ago, un1eash said:

Where from as that's around £100 cheaper a month to anything I've seen.

1 series is currently going through a price increase also so PCP deals will be changing.

This isn't the same deal I seen a few months back. But it's not far off. 

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/bmw-m140i-5dr-nav-lease-208548-deposit-23172month-5000-miles-vehiclesavers-335bhp-leather-seats-sat-nav-19-alloys-bluetooth-usb-777573-vehicle-savers-2512370

Bmw will usually match these deals. 

They are currently doing new m3/4 cp with 20% discount and 0% finance. They have totally destroyed the value of used cars in the process though. 

Edit* just seen how old that link is. It was the first on that popped up on google. 

You can get a new shadow line M140i, with leather and sat nav for £2k down and £220 a month. 

That's a great deal. 

4 hours ago, docwra said:

Not really, the C63 etc only came into it as someone claimed the M3 was the "only" choice for a performance car. Not only does an M Lite cost a shedload less to run, and isnt actually much slower, its also a lot more useable than an E46/E92 as the torque is available right through the rev range and its significantly smaller and lighter. I should know, I own one

As VFM goes they are very difficult to argue with, right from the N54 E8* cars through the N55's and including the current B58's, with a few mods they get even better
 

Never said that. Just said IMO its the best value performance car for low 30's. Nothing comes close as a all round package and I still think that. The Bentley c etc that you mentioned are ridiculous buys for that price. Wannabe cars IMO with ridiculous maintenance costs. 

I dont think you can buy a better new car for £50k than a m3/4 cp either. It's only my opinion though, don't let it upset you. 

Only a fool would have a old shape c63 over a current M3/4 IMO. They have aged really badly and the auto is crap. The current gen coupe is a different price bracket. 

A 140i is a good car but far from a m car. The 240i is just too girly/camp looking ...again only my opinion. We all allowed to have one....even if it doesn't match yours. 

140i leases are ridiculously cheap at the moment. Much better option than buying one.......again my opinion. Not saying it's a fact  

5 hours ago, docwra said:

un1eash, look into the M4 lower arms as well, they make a LOT of difference, if you ditch runflats at the same time its like a differet car
 

Apart from a C63. Or an E63, or a CL63 ....... you get the picture. 
Or an XFR, XJR. Or a Maserati, or a Bentley CGT. Or RS4/5/6. I could go on?  

 

The big difference between 1/2 and 3/4 is size, theres not a huge amount it but the smaler cars feel a lot more at home down a tight B road. Im supposed to be driving an M2 and an M3 in the very near future, at the moment the M3 Comp has it licked on looks alone but we will see ........
 

 

C63, e63 or cl63 for mid 30's wouldn't match the interior or tech. Older AMG cars have aged badly IMO and look very dated. Especially the c63. I love the new c63 coupe but that's nowhere near mid 30's. 

I wouldnt dream of having a old Bentley cgt either. Interior is nice, but dated and the ownership costs are huge. Just like the v8 vantage. One of the worst purchases you can make IMHO. I imagine Peter stringfellow wannabes buy them. 

Maserati gt sport is nice, but heavily flawed and again looks dated in that price range. 

A 2014 m3/4 for mid 30's is impossible to beat as a package unless you're looking at older cars. Interior, exterior, spec, modern interior, DCT, brutally quick. What else comes close?

They are are hard to beat new too. Especially with discounts and dealer contributions. 

1 minute ago, coldel said:

 

 

I guess the issue is, why have anything inbetween if it makes the business no money and doesn't lend enough prestige to make it a marketing tool? As mentioned Chevy is a hard competitor in the US market. In Europe you spend a bit more and get a Cayman or a bit less and get a very fast 1 series BMW. All these outselling the 370z (I am guessing) by some margin. There is no harm in businesses trying to focus and not try be jack of all trades, it may be that Nissan decide its the least profitable market segment for them so decide to get out and focus on smaller cars with a flagship supercar. Toyota jumped out the segment some time back and focused on boring family cars, but hey made them one of the best selling manufacturers for the last 30 years.

 

I agree 100% but it is a shame. 

I think they messed up with the 370z. Not a big enough step forward from the 350z, questionable styling and a hatchback interior that was miles behind the competition. 

I thought they might come up with some hybrid mini nsx for the next Z. Looks like the gtr is their halo car for the brand and they don't need anything else. 

Toyota are a good example. I loved mk1 and 2 mr2's when I was a kid, supra's too. Now I don't even know what their models are called. I just see them as a generic "old persons" car. But as you say, they sell well. 

Every exciting car that is released these days is £100k plus. Even the new rs5 is £90k with a few options and it's not that great.

Porsche prices are now eye watering. I thought I'd buy a new 911 one day, now I know it won't happen. 

22 minutes ago, Mikevv said:

In the US they're closer to $50k USD - That is a hard car to sell when you get a Corvette for that sort of money

Omg that is ridiculous. Wtf are they thinking? I'm amazed they have sold 1. 

I'm not surprised really. The 370z was never a success in the Europe which is a shame. 

I thought the US muscle car market might have swayed the decision for another z but the yanks are patriotic with their cars and many buyers now want turbos and AWD. 

So anyone wanting a nismo can have a micra with red bits and a badge or a £100k+ gtr with not much in between. 

Anyone else notice this?

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2017/10/29/Looks-Like-The-Iconic-Nissan-Z-Car-Might-Be-Dead-7741748/

2 hours ago, SuperStu said:

They wouldn’t be half as bad if they resisted the urge to put stretches of dark grey plastic along the sides. *shudders*

 

”It also has very unique styling”. Something can’t be very unique, it is either one of a kind, and therefore unique, or it isn’t. Even if it could be very unique, which it can’t, it still isn’t, because it looks like all the others, just in swollen/shrunken form.

 

just noticed the rear seat alcantara, perfect for small children and clambering into when you’ve been doing ‘utility’ sports in the mud. Nothing wipes down easier

The dark grey plastic is actually frozen grey paint according to the article, and is reserved for the top spec model. Why I can't quite fathom. 

Its also hard to repair and requires totally different cleaning to regular paint. Polish ruins it. Which makes it a really odd decision for bumpers and wheel arches. 

The lower spec models look better. 

I actually love the sound with a Akra or mpe. I know a lot don't. They remind me of old group b rally cars. The pops and bangs sound mental. 

I should have have explained myself better. I meant nothing else offers the power, torque and interior/spec for mid 30's. They are also really tuneable if you're insane. I appreciate many prefer better handling cars like the 981.  

We are all different but I personally wouldn't have a 240i or a mustang. I'd much rather have a m2 than a 240, even if it has the same awful, cheap interior. And the mustang is very basic compared to a m3 IMO. It also has a really tacky interior and is a bit of a barge. 

If you drove a 2017 comp pack I'm sure you'd have a different opinion. A 2014 car with the current software and KWs is even more planted. 

If I could afford one, I'd definitley take a 911 over a m3/4 though. 

I know most won't agree....but fashion grey is my fav colour too. 

M2's are a bargain at the moment due to being replaced by the m2 cs (m3/4 engine) early next year. 

The m3/4 is a awesome car and the best value performance car by a mile. Nothing comes close for the money (mid to late 30's).

The current m3/4 CP cars have solved the suspect suspension and damping, and early cars are easily sorted with KW's and a software update. 

M3 will be my next car for sure. 

1 minute ago, Ebized said:

Anyone drive/tested  a 718 yet, either in 2lt or 2.5lt form?

 

Reviews suggest the aural experience of the 4 pot is disappointing, even if the sports exhaust is added. Hope that is wrong as otherwise the new shape Cayman is very tempting......

 

It's a massive step backwards IMO. just wrong on every level. 

13 hours ago, gangzoom said:

£85K for a car that has less stuff on it than the cheaper standard version......and people think Teslas are overpriced 

Teslas are massively overpriced. Build quality of a toy. 

911 T is a great car

My fav car on this forum 

5 minutes ago, Mikevv said:

That's a bit dramatic.

Yes it's plastic, but that means it won't rust in our "exotic climate"

Furthermore, they are great cars, if you google their laptimes they are insane value. The reason they cost so much here is supply n demand, making them not popular as they aren't the best quality.

I would buy one for looks, they look epic. Seen 2 in my life in the UK - 13 years - Both times I was blown away and they roared past me.
Do they look pathetic in the wet on a grey afternoon in the US too? Thats a dumb point.

 

If they were RHD, I'd sooner buy one than a Mustang. IMO the LS series engines are much more favourable than Coyote. Simple, cheap/easy power and reliable!

I'm not saying they are bad cars. I know they aren't. 

I just wouldn't have one over here. 

19 minutes ago, Ekona said:

Well, that's the worst reason not to buy a car I've seen yet. I mean, who would want a 2 seat icon with a 400bhp V8 that stands out from everything else on the roads? Not I!

 

Why did you think the driver of said Corvette/s was a prick then? Could it possibly have been that the guy was just a poor driver, and had nothing to do with the car?

Who would want a plastic, lhd car in the uk? 

Most of the corvette drivers I've seen over here are fat, old guys with ponytails and fake tan. Hoping that average Joe will think they're in a Ferrari. 

I always get get the impression they buy them for the looks rather than performance. 

They look good in the us and suit their roads.......but they look totally pathetic on a wet, grey afternoon in the uk IMO.

I wouldn't be seen dead driving one over here. Just my opinion. 

3 hours ago, Ekona said:

Why on earth would you buy an imported Mustang? It'll cost you more, then be LHD as well so all the downsides just so you can have a two-tone interior? You'd be far better off modding one bought in the UK.

 

And the previous gen Mustangs weren't actually very good cars. At all. I'll admit I prefer the looks of them to the current one, but in terms of everything that really matters the new one is far superior.

Agree about the prev gen mustang. Had one as a hire car in San Diego and it was a dog to drive. 

I would never drive a corvette in the uk. I've never seen one where I didn't think the driver was a prick TBH. 

They look silly on uk roads and have a really poor image IMO.