Bmw vs Alfa..........honestly

pred racer

From the last motors meet where 70% of the cars were either Bmw or Alfa, with Bmw being in the vast majority. I was just wondering.........

1. Did you consider the other, or any other marque when deciding what to buy?
2. Would you buy and drive the other marque out of choice.
3. If a Bmw/alfa was not available, what would you buy?


For me.

1: No I didnt even consider buying a Bmw, it was going to be a C5 but I drove one and didnt like it, then I seen a red 159 2.4 Ti Sw and was smitten.

2: No, I cannot see a time when I would buy a Bmw for many reasons which I wont go into here (or I will if asked:p) btw none of which is that Bmw make bad cars, they dont.

3: if there was no such thing as Alfa romeo I think right now I would be driving a pug 508, a mondeo or a mazda 6.

Bluefoam

100% Alfa, I've had a 147 & a 159, my Dad had two 164's, my Mum had a 146 & 156, my little brother had a 146. It's in the genes. My Old Man has had a couple of BMW's recently & I like them, but there's an enjoyment from owning an Alfa that you can't get from a BMW.

+ I don't buy the bull**** about the BMW driving dynamic and the fact that it is rear wheel drive... 99.999% of BMW drivers wouldn't even know they had rear wheel drive until they discover they cant drive it in the snow. I'm sure boardsies drive their Beemers, but the vast majority don't & wouldn't know a dynamic driving experience if it kidnapped them and drove them to Nuremberg... Its a badge thing...

Scortho

pred racer wrote: »

From the last motors meet where 70% of the cars were either Bmw or Alfa, with Bmw being in the vast majority. I was just wondering.........

1. Did you consider the other, or any other marque when deciding what to buy?
2. Would you buy and drive the other marque out of choice.
3. If a Bmw/alfa was not available, what would you buy?

1. Yes...a 1.4 vw golf because it was a golf.:o
A mini cooper. A hyundai coupe:eek:
Then I saw a gtv and was like I want one of those but none that I liked came up for sale. I also started to go out on drives for the fun of it (there isnt that much fun in a polo) but just enjoyed driving so knew i wanted something fast.
About 2 months before I bought the 156, I found out I could get insured on a 156 v6 so changed my search for one instead.:D
In total it took me two years to finally take the plunge and buy an alfa.
Wish Id done it sooner.

2. Yes.
Bmw car of choice would be an e34 m5. I dont think Id go for anything less to be honest.

3. Jap import :pac:



Or lancia delta integrale:cool:

dgt

Doesn't bother me I have both here :pac:

Buuut to answer the q's:

pred racer wrote: »

1. Did you consider the other, or any other marque when deciding what to buy?
2. Would you buy and drive the other marque out of choice.
3. If a Bmw/alfa was not available, what would you buy?

• Nope, I had my mind made up what I wanted to buy. I did consider an old E class when buying the E34 though..... Then saw sense
• Yes. Very much yes. And vice versa
• A Fiat, Ford or more Peugeot 406's :pac:

listermint

Bluefoam wrote: »

100% Alfa, I've had a 147 & a 159, my Dad had two 164's, my Mum had a 146 & 156, my little brother had a 146. It's in the genes. My Old Man has had a couple of BMW's recently & I like them, but there's an enjoyment from owning an Alfa that you can't get from a BMW.

+ I don't buy the bull**** about the BMW driving dynamic and the fact that it is rear wheel drive... 99.999% of BMW drivers wouldn't even know they had rear wheel drive until they discover they cant drive it in the snow. I'm sure boardsies drive their Beemers, but the vast majority don't & wouldn't know a dynamic driving experience if it kidnapped them and drove them to Nuremberg... Its a badge thing...

And the vast amount of alfa drivers buy alfas why?

I despise when people make generic assumptions based on nothing really. Poor commentary.

To answer your questions op my last two cars have been E46 because I love the shape and body styling and how solid they feel on the road. I bought the M3 because we'll.....


I would have no issues buying an alfa in fact looked at the 159 and the brera as I love the styling.

If BMW or alfa were not available I'd look around at other solid vehicles who's styling and road handling caught my fancy.

Loved my previous 323Fs however had a BA and an astina

rocky

pred racer wrote: »

From the last motors meet where 70% of the cars were either Bmw or Alfa, with Bmw being in the vast majority. I was just wondering.........

1. Did you consider the other, or any other marque when deciding what to buy?
2. Would you buy and drive the other marque out of choice.
3. If a Bmw/alfa was not available, what would you buy?

1. no. I test drove a Lexus GS and an S80, but both were very meh in comparison

2. probably not.

3. bicycle.

HandsomeDan

Had a alfa gt for a week on loan and was surprised with how it compared to the e90. It felt at least a generation behind in terms of everything really.

At the mo, if it were an non-badge car, I might have a look at the 508. I keep noticing these around strangely. And bob flavin gave it a shocking good review on his video blog.

bear1

The main reason I'd be hesitant in buying a BMW is because they are absolutely everywhere, I like standing out and as Alfas are not as common then I believe it makes more of a statement about who I am.

1) No, I saw a Blue Vela 156 in Waterford parked in the sun and decided I wanted one (the next week I was driving home in a 2.4 JTD 156 in Blue Vela )

2) If I were to buy a BMW, then I'd like the 530d - a very good looking car IMO

3) I'd go for a Fiat, more than likely the Punto Abarth or...... a Lancia Thema 8.32:

For those that dont know http://www.autoscout24.it/Details.aspx?id=238803420&asrc=st

Gumbo

pred racer wrote: »

1. Did you consider the other, or any other marque when deciding what to buy?
2. Would you buy and drive the other marque out of choice.
3. If a Bmw/alfa was not available, what would you buy?

1. Yes. Golf GTi, Volvo S60, Audi A6, VRS and many others. Ive owned many other marques othe than BMW over the years, so im not loyal to any one brand, but sometimes budget decides, and within that budget the BMW won hands down. I ended up with an LCI 535d.
   
2. Yes, no problem, depending on what my needs are at that time.
   
3. Audi, VW, Ford.......Don't know until i soemthing that catches my eye.

Sleepy

Don't own either but preference would be for an Alfa. I'd have more faith in the BMW's engineering but, by and large, it's down to looks.

I'd see the Alfa as the broke but sexy girl with a dirty streak whilst the Beamer is the good looking school-teacher.

1) Don't own either but looked at both when buying my last car. Definite preference was for Alfa however.
2) I'd buy a beamer if it was the best car to meet my needs and available within my price-range but, this being Ireland, it's rarely the case. I don't see much value in BMW's in bangernomics price ranges. (can be great value in terms of luxobarges but for purest "do the job as cheaply as possible" bangernomics, what's out there sub 2k tends to have had the ****e driven out of it or have been poorly maintained. Both a nightmare in a car with high parts costs. Basically, the premium the Irish motorists put on BMW puts them out of contention for me rather than the cars themselves.
3) I'm in a Mondeo atm and like it but if spending a bit more on a car, I like the Volvo S60.

Eric Cartman

The e38 7 series is as good as cars get as far as im concerned , it has looks, power, great handling and all the fancy features you could want.

If bmw didnt exist I would be going down the list of luxobarges to the S class or XJ8 and the ls430 down at the end

Supergurrier

I bought my car not for the badge but because some nut case in ford decided to bore out and shoehorn a mighty T5 into a 1250kg 3 door hatchback.

Looking forward next time around I want a super saloon estate when I change in 2015 or so B7 S4/E39 M5 or the like, although what I would really love is a 1st generation Vauxhall monaro with some holden badge decals (wouldn't rule out a 2nd gen supercharged one either)

But CBA to change until I'm in the position to get one of those.

Badge means nothing its more the whole package

MetzgerMeister

pred racer wrote: »

1. Did you consider the other, or any other marque when deciding what to buy?

I didn't consider buying an Alfa as my choice each time when getting a new car is getting the most powerful car I can afford to run and yes, tax is a big enough consideration. I chose the 335i because of the power, the looks and the modernity of it. I do like older cars but I'd be hard-pushed to chose an older interior over a newish one.

Must also say that I was considering another RX8, the new R3 version but power won again

pred racer wrote: »

2. Would you buy and drive the other marque out of choice.

If I was to ever buy a diesel, the 159 and GT would be on my radar. I'm (despite what the dopes here may think :P ) not a badge snob. I would usually appreciate a car for what it is rather than the badge it wears.

pred racer wrote: »

3. If a Bmw/alfa was not available, what would you buy?

Mazda RX8, Audi S4, Nissan GT-R ( :pac: ),

Cleveland Hot Pocket

I considered many marques, from Chrysler to Jag (as the many threads pre Olga's purchase would show)

I would not have bought an alfa, but after driving scortho's my mind has changed.

The reason I wanted a BMW was because I wanted something fast - with high BHP and torque - and RWD.

99.9% of BMW owners may not know about RWD but I use it daily!

Matt Simis

Bluefoam wrote: »

+ I don't buy the bull**** about the BMW driving dynamic and the fact that it is rear wheel drive... 99.999% of BMW drivers wouldn't even know they had rear wheel drive until they discover they cant drive it in the snow. I'm sure boardsies drive their Beemers, but the vast majority don't & wouldn't know a dynamic driving experience if it kidnapped them and drove them to Nuremberg... Its a badge thing...

Not only is that not true ("99%", BMW have done research on it and only 1 Series owners come close at like 70% not actually knowing its RWD) but its entirely irrelevant what you think the common man understands or not isnt it? What has that got to do with the car, its power train or driving experience. Nothing at all.


I like Alfa's, owned one, would consider an AWD or mythical RWD one again, but the FWD Alfa's are still just FWD cars. What spiritual essence you feel is marketing. Or torque steer.

PS: Had Nissans, VWs, Audi's, a Porsche, an Alfa (2.4JTD 5pot too), Subaru's and BMW's.

HandsomeDan wrote: »

Had a alfa gt for a week on loan and was surprised with how it compared to the e90. It felt at least a generation behind in terms of everything really.

Thats odd as its actually 2 generations behind.
The Alfa GT is based on the Alfa 156, not the 159.


I'd really like to tune some performance back into a 3.2V6 Brera AWD.. even if the engine is a weak ass GM unit and not an Alfa engine at all.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Also as an aside, I'm currently on the lookout for an alfa v6 as a weekend car.

I'd love to get an alfa 75 and drop in a v6, since the 75s were (afaik) the last of the RWD alfas?

Matt Simis

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Also as an aside, I'm currently on the lookout for an alfa v6 as a weekend car.

I'd love to get an alfa 75 and drop in a v6, since the 75s were (afaik) the last of the RWD alfas?

May not be RWD, but grab one of those cheap 156GTA's when they come up again on DD!

Zubeneschamali

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

I'd love to get an alfa 75 and drop in a v6

Why not just buy one that Alfa built with a V6?

Voodoomelon

Funny thing with me is that when I was younger, I was into all kinds of cars and wanted to own everything under the sun. I always liked Alfas years back as they were always well appointed inside, same for Lexus models. I liked anything with a beautiful interior and sporty exterior and still do, but it always came down to big saloons, XJs, 166s, Ss, 7s, A8s, LS models etc. I'd make a stretch to large luxury/coupes too, CLs, XKs, etc.

I only own a BMW because of the particular model I wanted, not to say I wouldn't get another but i'd never look at anything smaller, 1/3/4 series etc. Having so much space now, its disheartening sitting in anything smaller.

I do love the idea of a CL/6 series/XK as a next car, to me its not about the brand or range, its about a particular model.

YbFocus

pred racer wrote: »

1. Did you consider the other, or any other marque when deciding what to buy?
2. Would you buy and drive the other marque out of choice.
3. If a Bmw/alfa was not available, what would you buy?

Great questions Pred

1. Yep plenty of other machines, it had to be diesel with the mileage.
As my first car with a proper bit of power I had looked at many quick diesels.
VRs, 530d, an A6 such as Kaisers etc. But I love e60's so that was it!
I never considered Alfa, I always loved their looks but was of the opinion that
they were madly unreliable (word of mouth crap). Now, after being on here for
a while, I think I would definitely consider one

2. Yes as above I would definitely consider them now, I'm not a badge snob, just
like the cars themselves, they're a nice place to be when your travelling for a
good while each day.

3. Well I've had Ford's and Vw's before, liked my VW ownership. I think an
Octavia VRs or equivalent.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Why not just buy one that Alfa built with a V6?

I'd love to, but at 10k sterling + exchange rate + vrt + shipping/transport it just aint worth it. That's e39 M5 money.

Facts are I could get two alfas for 2-3k here total (max) and make one good one.

Sure there's a 75 for sale on DD for less than a grand.

pred racer

Sleepy wrote: »

2) I'd buy a beamer if it was the best car to meet my needs and available within my price-range but, this being Ireland, it's rarely the case. I don't see much value in BMW's in bangernomics price ranges. (can be great value in terms of luxobarges but for purest "do the job as cheaply as possible" bangernomics, what's out there sub 2k tends to have had the ****e driven out of it or have been poorly maintained. Both a nightmare in a car with high parts costs. Basically, the premium the Irish motorists put on BMW puts them out of contention for me rather than the cars themselves.
.

This would be my reason for never buying a Bmw,(thanks sleepy;) )

(the same goes for Vw except their interiors are horrible too! And honda)

When I bought my 159 2 yrs ago it cost 8.5kish what would I have gotten in jan 2012 for 8.5k in a bmw 520d?

Thanks for all the answers, keep them coming. it proves what I thought, that (on here at least) people are buying their cars with an open mind.

To add another question, are there any out and out Bmw Fanbois here? (not judging just asking) because there are a couple of Alfa diehards (you know who you are)

2 pages in and not one "Bmw drivers are pricks" or "sur dem Alfa's 'll break yer hart" comments! Who'd have thought

Btw I love the alfa bashing and the banter Iget from my (mostly german car driving) mates, Its very enjoyable.

None of them ever refuse the keys though:cool:

Cleveland Hot Pocket

pred racer wrote: »

This would be my reason for never buying a Bmw,(thanks sleepy;) )

(the same goes for Vw except their interiors are horrible too! And honda)

When I bought my 159 2 yrs ago it cost 8.5kish what would I have gotten in jan 2012 for 8.5k in a bmw 520d?

Thanks for all the answers, keep them coming. it proves what I thought, that (on here at least) people are buying their cars with an open mind.

To add another question, are there any out and out Bmw Fanbois here? (not judging just asking) because there are a couple of Alfa diehards (you know who you are)

2 pages in and not one "Bmw drivers are pricks" or "sur dem Alfa's 'll break yer hart" comments! Who'd have thought

Btw I love the alfa bashing and the banter Iget from my (mostly german car driving) mates, Its very enjoyable.

None of them ever refuse the keys though:cool:

>.>

Just going to get there before anyone suggests my name for this, and point out that I did change my opinion somewhat after midway!

YbFocus

No I'm nowhere near a fan boy either, this is my first BMW and I'm not sure what my next car will be, although I really do like them and how they drive!

R.O.R

1. I bought the BMW, because I wanted an E60 M-Sport. Always admired them on the road, and still do whenever another passes.

2. I wouldn't consider a 159 instead. I've driven quite a few and the seats don't suit me. Seat goes too far under my knees to be comfortable. Have the extending bit on the BMW Sports Seats out one notch, which is perfect - the standard seat on the Alfa is longer than that. That's the only reason I wouldn't buy an Alfa.

3. A6 C7 S-Line quattro. Volvo D4/D5 S60/V60/V70

dissed doc

Bluefoam wrote: »

but the vast majority don't & wouldn't know a dynamic driving experience if it kidnapped them and drove them to Nuremberg... Its a badge thing...

Nürburg

Amusing condescension fail

Cleveland Hot Pocket

dissed doc wrote: »

Nürburg

Amusing condescension fail

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg



Perhaps you mean the region, referred to as "Nürnberg"?


Actually now I see you are referring to an unrelated city called Nürburg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%BCrburg


So, good sir, I guess there was a condenscension fail, but the fail was yours!

cabb8ge

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg



Perhaps you mean the region, referred to as "Nürnberg"?


Actually now I see you are referring to an unrelated city called Nürburg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%BCrburg


So, good sir, I guess there was a condenscension fail, but the fail was yours!

Perhaps he mean........The Nürburgring is a motorsports complex around the village of Nürburg, I 100% sure that the case in fact.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

cabb8ge wrote: »

Perhaps he mean........The Nürburgring is a motorsports complex around the village of Nürburg, I 100% sure that the case in fact.

But that not relate to matter at hand.

cabb8ge

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

But that not relate to matter at hand.

maybe not in your head

Cleveland Hot Pocket

cabb8ge wrote: »

maybe not in your head

Or on thread

Maybe only it is on the patch related

Fiona

1. Did you consider the other, or any other marque when deciding what to buy?

No, at the time I wanted a BMW, it was a car I always wanted to own so I bit the bullet and went and got one.

2. Would you buy and drive the other marque out of choice.

I would never say never. I do like the look of them so who knows. Either way with both you need to be prepared to put your hand in your pocket to maintain them. End of!


3. If a Bmw/alfa was not available, what would you buy?

Based on my current motoring, some thing cheap, reliable and easy to maintain.

As my motoring needs have changed I have come to realise that perhaps your car needs to change along with your needs.

My first BMW was a modest 318ci, just something to learn the ropes with, and it was grand for what I needed it for, then I got greedy and wanted something a little more quirky and invested in a E30 325.

That suited my needs for a while but then my motoring circumstances changed drastically and I was doing 600km per week and quite clearly the car I had whilst comfortable to drive was just too expensive to maintain so it's back in storage until my commute reduces.

So my theory is there is lots from every brand of car out there that people need at different points in their lives, so you all need to get a big shed, trade insurance and lots of spare money to tax many cars :p:p:p:p

I am currently using 2 cars at the moment, Vauxhall Omega and Toyota Corrolla.

I bought the Omega as a nice cruiser for my commute but quite frankly I don't trust it after the turbo blew so I am holding onto my trusty Toyota for the foreseeable future!!!

YbFocus

Boys I think ye are both misunderstanding each other, ones talking about a factory in nurnberg, the other is taking about nurburg's nordeschleife!

RobAMerc

pred racer wrote: »

From the last motors meet where 70% of the cars were either Bmw or Alfa, with Bmw being in the vast majority. I was just wondering.........

1. Did you consider the other, or any other marque when deciding what to buy?
2. Would you buy and drive the other marque out of choice.
3. If a Bmw/alfa was not available, what would you buy?

I was going to answer these till I realised its the same question repeated 3 times over.
Are you suggesting that because I own a BMW now I would only ever buy a BMW?
Is this "poll" only for people who have only ever had 1 car ?

power pants

cant help but wonder if threads like this is why the more informative mechanics now stay away from this forum? :pac:

Cleveland Hot Pocket

power pants wrote: »

cant help but wonder if threads like this is why the more informative mechanics now stay away from this forum? :pac:

There's always one!

thecomedian

I've only had mine a few months and it's my first BMW as well. I had Audis, Volvos and a few others. I looked at a few different cars before I got this one but I wanted to get a BMW at some stage.

The next car will depend on the distance I will be from work.

Hotwheels

I've been buying Fiat/Alfa Romeo for 14 years and i'm on my third 159 and I hope to change in the new year and I'm going back to petrol as I don't do big miles anymore, and my choice, well its likely be the Octivia RS Estate, shock Horror!!

IMO I think its a case of two different camps, both driving what they would consider a drivers car..

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Hotwheels wrote: »

I've been buying Fiat/Alfa Romeo for 14 years and i'm on my third 159 and I hope to change in the new year and I'm going back to petrol as I don't do big miles anymore, and my choice, well its likely be the Octivia RS Estate, shock Horror!!

IMO I think its a case of two different camps, both driving what they would consider a drivers car..

FWD and Driver's car does not compute:D

Supergurrier

It has just come to my attention my brother has become an Alfa 156 1.8 t spark owner. (His vectra got stolen and was found unrepairable)

Complete with faded non metallic red paint.

Must blag a spin when I go home

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Supergurrier wrote: »

It has just come to my attention my brother has become an Alfa 156 1.8 t spark owner. (His vectra got stolen and was found unrepairable)

Complete with faded non metallic red paint.

Must blag a spin when I go home

If the badges are also faded then it is a perfect Alfa!

Supergurrier

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

If the badges are also faded then it is a perfect Alfa!

If it has no spoiler hubcaps and cloth seats it will be the perfect Irish 156

pred racer

RobAMerc wrote: »

I was going to answer these till I realised its the same question repeated 3 times over.
Are you suggesting that because I own a BMW now I would only ever buy a BMW?
Is this "poll" only for people who have only ever had 1 car ?

Not at all, and if it came across like that its only my bad writing to blame!

I was just interested to see others thought processes when buying a car that I would probably never buy (for reasons mentioned further back) and wondering if they considered the car that I did buy and absolutely love.

I dont actually care what anyone drives, (the more variety the better Imo)
The only reason I framed the questions as alfa vs Bmw was that there is a good natured rivalry there already and those two brands formed the majority of the last meet.

Does that clear it up any?

CianRyan

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Diesel and Driver's car does not compute:D

FYP, you are in no position.

Scortho

Supergurrier wrote: »

If it has no spoiler hubcaps and cloth seats it will be the perfect Irish 156

Spoiler looks crap on the 156.

td2008

Considered an alfa then bought an m3 :cool:

Actually really liked the look of the gt a few years ago, was a bit out of budget at the time

the Brera is gorgeous aswell

outside bmw & alfa I'd say a 350z

pred racer

Scortho wrote: »

Spoiler looks epic on the 156.

Fixed your post there mate :P

Scortho

pred racer wrote: »

Fixed your post there mate :P

Different strokes for different folks.
I can't stand them.
The only spoiler that's anyway nice is the lip spoiler but not for me.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Scortho wrote: »

Different strokes for different folks.
I can't stand them.
The only spoiler that's anyway nice is the lip spoiler but not for me.

Spoiler on the rear of an fwd car
Yeah... that makes sense !

Cleveland Hot Pocket

CianRyan wrote: »

FYP, you are in no position.

Now now, come sit in olga and come for a spin with me and I'll show ya "not a drivers car because it's diesel"

MetzgerMeister

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Now now, come sit in olga and come for a spin with me and I'll show ya "not a drivers car because it's diesel"

He's dead right though so ammm........whisht! :P