Where would you go next...

JoeA3

I’d echo everything carsfan said. I find him tedious at the best of times but that was his most bizarre effort yet.
Judging from his Instagram, he has a GTI Clubsport up next.

Wildly Boaring

carsfan2 wrote: »

My comment on the boot space was tongue in cheek! A nod to that criticism.

I'm stirring my coffee now

maddness

JoeA3 wrote: »

I’d echo everything carsfan said. I find him tedious at the best of times but that was his most bizarre effort yet.
Judging from his Instagram, he has a GTI Clubsport up next.

I can’t watch him at all, he hasn’t a clue.

Muppet Man

maddness wrote: »

he hasn’t a clue.

A little harsh to be honest. He's been working in the industry long enough to have the necessary knowledge and has an independent impartial voice which is essential.

He may have inconsistent personal views but saying he hasn't a clue is doing him a disservice. IMHO

maddness

Muppet Man wrote: »

A little harsh to be honest. He's been working in the industry long enough to have the necessary knowledge and has an independent impartial voice which is essential.

He may have inconsistent personal views but saying he hasn't a clue is doing him a disservice. IMHO

Perhaps it is harsh but I’ve just found him lacking knowledge on the few videos he has made. In saying that I’m a big car nerd so like the details!

Cyrus

maddness wrote: »

Perhaps it is harsh but I’ve just found him lacking knowledge on the few videos he has made. In saying that I’m a big car nerd so like the details!

I'd have to agree I wouldn't watch any more of his videos no redeeming qualities to them.

Marks are on a different level and he isn't long at it.

Bmw-driver.net old school massive:D

carsfan2

I don’t want this to turn into a Bob Flavin pile on( there’s already a thread on the ev forum that did that) as I enjoy some of his output but sometimes he is either badly informed or hasn’t done his research properly.
However He comes across as a genuinely nice fella and good craic. My teenage son says he can be very funny on Tik Tok apparently and I’d say he’s good company.

Mark’s reviews are far superior in my view as are cars Ireland. He’s better than the done deal lad though.

Cyrus

carsfan2 wrote: »

I don’t want this to turn into a Bob Flavin pile on( there’s already a thread on the ev forum that did that) as I enjoy some of his output but sometimes he is either badly informed or hasn’t done his research properly.
However He comes across as a genuinely nice fella and good craic. My teenage son says he can be very funny on Tik Tok apparently and I’d say he’s good company.

Mark’s reviews are far superior in my view as are cars Ireland. He’s better than the done deal lad though.

To be fair I don't know the fella and I can see he would be a good lad to go for a pint with !

Casati

carsfan2 wrote: »

I don’t want this to turn into a Bob Flavin pile on( there’s already a thread on the ev forum that did that) as I enjoy some of his output but sometimes he is either badly informed or hasn’t done his research properly.
However He comes across as a genuinely nice fella and good craic. My teenage son says he can be very funny on Tik Tok apparently and I’d say he’s good company.

Mark’s reviews are far superior in my view as are cars Ireland. He’s better than the done deal lad though.

I think Bob is brilliant. Its' easy to find fault with any reviewer but in general he knows his stuff. I know most M3 testers do an arguably pointless launch or track session, but I liked that Bob used it as platform to show up VRT for what it is. I for one would never buy M3 here with the taxes involved - but if I lived in the U.S. it would be on my shortlist.

Have a look for a review Bob did years ago on the Opel Insignia. He completely slated it. I was v. impressed with his honesty as most reviewers - including Nobbyoncars tend to be super polite and not call it for what it- for fear of never getting another press car.

This really puts me off a lot of reviews as lets face it not all cars are perfect but when the last time a reviewer said not to buy a car they were testing?

** To add in case it looks harsh I'm a big fan of Mark too and can see his style attract a big following

bazz26

I briefly had a chat with Bob at one of the boards motor meets @ Midway many years ago when he was only starting to get into the car review gig and found him to be a sound guy and good craic. He is not the most knowledgeable on cars for sure but I think he has an interest in them beyond the profession. Some of his reviews I don't agree with but if everyone agreed with everyone else's opinion then the world would be a boring place. I enjoy his Sunday Service on youtube too during lockdown and would listen to it on the tv in background while doing other things. I'm sure the likes of himself and MarkN put alot of work and time into their reviews that goes beyond a 15 min youtube video so hats off and fair play to them for doing so.

carsfan2

I don’t think any of us were attacking Bob personally. I’d say he’s a good man for a chat over a few pints alright.
It’s more like when you go to a car dealer and you know more about the product than he does or when the sales person gives you info that’s incorrect.very annoying!

I imagine it’s very difficult to make a living here from YouTube car reviews.
Mark would obviously know more about the revenue from that but fair play to Bob for following his interest.

mickdw

I find I can watch Bob even if its a car im not interested in because he will be adding something extra to the mix.
Marks reviews imo are more targeted and very informative if its a car im interested in.
The two of them working together is very interesting and Id like to see more of that.

MarkN

Bob is a good guy. Plenty of time for newbies which I find is always a good trait in people. I actually think the secret of getting people coming back for more can be to play the fool at times. The late Bill O'Herlihy was a master of it and I remember interviewing him about it - little grenades he called them. Appreciate it is a fine line though!

Thankfully, both our channels get the highest views of any car review channel in Ireland which tells me that punters prefer the independent stuff.

To have created something from scratch that you all have opinions on, good or bad is deadly.

Leonard Hofstadter

bazz26 wrote: »

I briefly had a chat with Bob at one of the boards motor meets @ Midway many years ago when he was only starting to get into the car review gig and found him to be a sound guy and good craic. He is not the most knowledgeable on cars for sure but I think he has an interest in them beyond the profession. Some of his reviews I don't agree with but if everyone agreed with everyone else's opinion then the world would be a boring place. I enjoy his Sunday Service on youtube too during lockdown and would listen to it on the tv in background while doing other things. I'm sure the likes of himself and MarkN put alot of work and time into their reviews that goes beyond a 15 min youtube video so hats off and fair play to them for doing so.

I agree with this. I met him at a motors meet a few years ago and found exactly the same as you.

I have to admire anyone who goes off and does something like this, it's not easy with Ireland being such a small market and the general public not really being interested in cars.

And frankly, more power to him for raising the VRT issue - because it is outrageous just how much even half decent cars cost here these days, it totally skews the market (though I accept that that's probably the point).

carsfan2

I’d love to see you and Bob do a video together just on the vrt issue Mark. Also on every review you guys do if you broke down the purchase price to show the vat and vrt it would illustrate how bad it is here.
By the way. Great clubsport review, especially the boot segment.
I think it’s the pick of the bunch here and apparently on pcp it’s the same monthly as regular gti due to better residual.

Mickiemcfist

As crap as the VRT issue is, I really don't think there's any value in the two lads collaborating in a VRT moan-fest. The greens are in government & if anything they'll probably get more votes next time around, someone has to subsidise the lads paying feck all tax on a 100k tesla & unfortunately its the petrol head.

We're a small subset of the voter base & an easy target, in the general public there won't be much sympathy for someone who can afford a 140k car. The reality is that 95% of people don't want more m3's on the road.

bazz26

Another 440i for sale, more reasonably priced than the one for sale in Morrison's recently, higher spec too:



https://www.carsireland.ie/2829554

Wailin

Any temptation to change from the 430d bazz?

bazz26

They would ride me on the trade-in no doubt.

Don't have my car up for sale but quite my accident I had someone interested in my car last month for their daughter and the money was good but they ended up wanting a SUV in the end.

bazz26

Then there is this from the dealer I bought the 430d from:

https://www.carsireland.ie/2824845

No doubt a great performer I'm not gone on the overall looks of the 1 Series though.

Leonard Hofstadter

bazz26 wrote: »

Another 440i for sale, more reasonably priced than the one for sale in Morrison's recently, higher spec too:

That's surprisingly decent value as those cars go, especially when one considers the price of a new 340i or 440i. Now if only I had a spare €42k....

carsfan2

I agree. I reckon that a good price for a car with that engine and spec with an approved two year warranty.
Considering you’d need close to 100k for a brand new m440i it’s not too bad.
I would have it over the 1 series too.

maddness

carsfan2 wrote: »

I agree. I reckon that a good price for a car with that engine and spec with an approved two year warranty.
Considering you’d need close to 100k for a brand new m440i it’s not too bad.
I would have it over the 1 series too.

I’d love that and would trade my M140 in for it but just couldn’t justify the cost to change at the moment.

carsfan2

To further illustrate the value of that 440i here's a m135i that's vastly overpriced in Limerick.

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/bmw/2-series/fpa/202104302022802?journey=Search


Also the seats and steering wheel wear doesn't match the mileage in the photos.
what's the carbon fibre piece in the boot? a spoiler or splitter or what?

Wailin

Wow, €42k for a 2016 235i! :rolleyes:

That's just nuts. Plus it has the older N55 engine as well.

That's at least 10k overpriced.

MetzgerMeister

carsfan2 wrote: »

what's the carbon fibre piece in the boot? a spoiler or splitter or what?

That's a carbon fibre boot lip spoiler.

James Bond Junior

Wailin wrote: »

Wow, €42k for a 2016 235i! :rolleyes:

That's just nuts. Plus it has the older N55 engine as well.

That's at least 10k overpriced.

Main dealers always charge nuts money.

bazz26

I enquired about the 440i and it's sold already. As expected the cost to change figure would have been comical. They said they got the full asking price for it and were very firm on that price. Looks like there is little to no discount on anything that's fun or fast now as they are in short supply and don't stay on forecourts long.

Casati

bazz26 wrote: »

I enquired about the 440i and it's sold already. As expected the cost to change figure would have been comical. They said they got the full asking price for it and were very firm on that price. Looks like there is little to no discount on anything that's fun or fast now as they are in short supply and don't stay on forecourts long.

Not surprised they got asking - but I'd have thought the cost to change wouldn't be bad as they could probably also get great money for yours?

bazz26

They would but they want their cake and eat it too.