Where would you go next...

James Bond Junior

JoeA3 wrote: »

How about a 6 series GC Neil? It definitely ticks the "big and comfortable" box and its a really striking looking car with the right spec...

Very sterile cars, bring it for an extended test drive if considering one and don't be surprised to be disapointed.

Neilw

JoeA3 wrote: »

How about a 6 series GC Neil? It definitely ticks the "big and comfortable" box and its a really striking looking car with the right spec...

Not really liking them, the 7 series I like but they are very plain looking inside.
There’s a 435i advertised the last while that might interest me but the car isn’t in stock and there are no pics yet.

bazz26

Neilw wrote: »

Not really liking them, the 7 series I like but they are very plain looking inside.
There’s a 435i advertised the last while that might interest me but the car isn’t in stock and there are no pics yet.

Not a luxobarge but..

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2231495&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D10%26o%5B%5D%3D882%26f%3D1%26nn%3D22%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

drunkmonkey

He'd probably kill himself in that after an R and S3

Neilw

drunkmonkey wrote: »

He'd probably kill himself in that after an R and S3

No problem, I've owned rwd cars before...911, 3 litre Z4 coupe, Mx5.
I looked at that BMW on Tuesday, not a good looking car at all, very boring.

MarkN

I-Pace V e-tron

drunkmonkey

Diesel levels of torque, charging to 100%, they'll have the pitchforks waiting for you over in the EV thread.

MarkN

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Diesel levels of torque, charging to 100%, they'll have the pitchforks waiting for you over in the EV thread.

Ha ha! Well unlike a lot of them, I can compare it to the pulling power of a 640d which has immense levels of the stuff

Amazing cars though, they deserve full credit.

Mickiemcfist

MarkN wrote: »

Ha ha! Well unlike a lot of them, I can compare it to the pulling power of a 640d which has immense levels of the stuff

Amazing cars though, they deserve full credit.

Were the passengers a choice for the video or a stipulation to take the car? Pity you couldn't take the cars on your usual routes! Ev's do seem to be hitting a critical mass of practicality now.

MarkN

The thing is, the show was open to the public so I wasn’t there in any sort of official capacity, to them I was just a randomer who was walking around who happened to have a camera so I suppose the brands are going to want to have someone in the car with members of the public taking the cars off for a test drive. Hoping to have the e-tron for a week when it goes on press fleet though.

carsfan2

There’s a group test of the jag, Audi and model x in this months Top Gear magazine.
Think Audi wins. They add up the cost of charging the cars in the uk and the savings compared to paying for fuel weren’t as much as you would expect.
Couple that with high depreciation and rapid obsolescence with improved technology coming on stream, you’d be brave or have the company paying to buy one.

bazz26

For anyone who was interested in renting the BMW First Fleet Experience cars. I rang them today to see what dates were available and it looks like the program is coming to an end so no more booking being taken going forward. The current cars are scheduled to go back and be sold on through the dealer network. The M2 is booked out until the end of May at which time it will return to BMW and the 440i and X3 M40i seem to be going back sooner. Apparently the uptake wasn't what BMW Ireland had anticipated so they reckon BMW probably won't continue with replacing the current cars with other models. I guess there wasn't enough serious interest to make it financially worth their while offering these cars here.

A bit gutted now that I didn't book one long before now but there you go. In fairness the guy I was talking to on the phone was sound and very apologetic. They gave me 3 months free subscription for my troubles anyway.

James Bond Junior

bazz26 wrote: »

For anyone who was interested in renting the BMW First Fleet Experience cars. I rang them today to see what dates were available and it looks like the program is coming to an end so no more booking being taken going forward. The current cars are scheduled to go back and be sold on through the dealer network. The M2 is booked out until the end of May at which time it will return to BMW and the 440i and X3 M40i seem to be going back sooner. Apparently the uptake wasn't what BMW Ireland had anticipated so they reckon BMW probably won't continue with replacing the current cars with other models. I guess there wasn't enough serious interest to make it financially worth their while offering these cars here.

A bit gutted now that I didn't book one long before now but there you go. In fairness the guy I was talking to on the phone was sound and very apologetic. They gave me 3 months free subscription for my troubles anyway.

At least they are still running the bmw mondello days even if it is scandalously expensive.

bazz26

Yeah I guess but I wouldn't really be a track day person myself though.

MarkN

Not a petrol BMW but you can rent a Tesla for a day or longer. No sure when they will go live though, at the moment only a Leaf and Kona are available.

https://www.ufodrive.com/en/

James Bond Junior

bazz26 wrote: »

Yeah I guess but I wouldn't really be a track day person myself though.

Nor would I but I got a session as a gift.

Leonard Hofstadter

bazz26 wrote: »

For anyone who was interested in renting the BMW First Fleet Experience cars. I rang them today to see what dates were available and it looks like the program is coming to an end so no more booking being taken going forward. The current cars are scheduled to go back and be sold on through the dealer network. The M2 is booked out until the end of May at which time it will return to BMW and the 440i and X3 M40i seem to be going back sooner. Apparently the uptake wasn't what BMW Ireland had anticipated so they reckon BMW probably won't continue with replacing the current cars with other models. I guess there wasn't enough serious interest to make it financially worth their while offering these cars here.

A bit gutted now that I didn't book one long before now but there you go. In fairness the guy I was talking to on the phone was sound and very apologetic. They gave me 3 months free subscription for my troubles anyway.

That's really disappointing to hear, it was literally the only reason I signed up to BMW First. I was really excited about driving the M2 and 440i in particular.

bazz26

Yep, disappointing is an understatement.

James Bond Junior

bazz26 wrote: »

Yep, disappointing is an understatement.

I know it isn't the best solution but I have rented a 340i as well as an S5 on turo when in America. If going to a city like NYC they are easy enough to get a hold of. I know you are in America with work the odd time Bazz, bare it in mind.

carsfan2

bazz26 wrote: »

For anyone who was interested in renting the BMW First Fleet Experience cars. I rang them today to see what dates were available and it looks like the program is coming to an end so no more booking being taken going forward. The current cars are scheduled to go back and be sold on through the dealer network. The M2 is booked out until the end of May at which time it will return to BMW and the 440i and X3 M40i seem to be going back sooner. Apparently the uptake wasn't what BMW Ireland had anticipated so they reckon BMW probably won't continue with replacing the current cars with other models. I guess there wasn't enough serious interest to make it financially worth their while offering these cars here.

A bit gutted now that I didn't book one long before now but there you go. In fairness the guy I was talking to on the phone was sound and very apologetic. They gave me 3 months free subscription for my troubles anyway.

That’s a pity, though I wonder how much they will be looking for them as approved used cars considering their history.

I don’t think they promote BMW first or this rental scheme enough for it to be widely known about and to be a success.

bazz26

carsfan2 wrote: »

That’s a pity, though I wonder how much they will be looking for them as approved used cars considering their history.

I don’t think they promote BMW first or this rental scheme enough for it to be widely known about and to be a success.

The thing is that this was always going to be a non profit making scheme when all things are considered. It would only ever appeal to enthusiasts and even at that I'd say the pickup/return of the car in only one location throughout the entire country would limit the appeal a bit further. It did for me anyway as it involved having to take a day off work on the Friday to drive 2 hours up to collect it and then the Monday to return it again. Not as much hassle for me during the summer as I was going to schedule it during my summer vacation time anyway. But maybe the timing of running the scheme wasn't the best decision either, surely the uptake during the summer months would have been a bit higher too? I'd also say things like tyres, etc must be costing BMW a fortune on those cars because let's face it people renting them ain't really going to be worried about the cost of replacing them unless they bring a car back with bald tyres.

Regarding selling them on, I'd say they will replace any parts open to high wear alright and look for top dollar on forecourts for these cars to recoup as much of the cost as possible. They are niche models so I think they will sit on them until the right buyer comes along and pays the going rate for them.

ambro25

ambro25 wrote: »

Thanks MarkN.

Well, the sleeper aspect ("older man type") appeals to me, considering it's the unruly version (3litre V6 supercharged, 340 horses, all to the rear), plus it's the right size for us (family of 3). And I'm in my mid40s

I don't like my cars 'too' large (E class would be the top end in that respect), and SUVs are completely out (I'd make the one exception for a Macan, but that is still too muchly atm).

I've been driving RWD exclusively for the last 7 years, and the handling didn't disappoint or worry me during the test drive.

Update: the deed is done

bazz26

bazz26 wrote: »

.............

Regarding selling them on, I'd say they will replace any parts open to high wear alright and look for top dollar on forecourts for these cars to recoup as much of the cost as possible. They are niche models so I think they will sit on them until the right buyer comes along and pays the going rate for them.

I'd say they'll replace nothing that isn't due/needing replacement ......... unless the discs are badly lipped they won't be replaced for example.......unless the pads are really close to the metal they won't be either.
Brake fluid etc etc only changed if the computer says to change it :pac:

Wailin

ambro25 wrote: »

Update: the deed is done

Lovely motor, very classy. Best of luck with it.

ambro25

Wailin wrote: »

Lovely motor, very classy. Best of luck with it.

Thanks much.

The dealer I got it from in Belgium specialises in "slightly more exotic than the norm" (a tall order this close to Luxembourg) and had some much more serious motors in stock, so I blagged a short test drive of an F-Type S to "compare and contrast": I didn't dare ask about the 4C, still less the AMG GT :pac:

MarkN

Love it!!

digiman

Does anyone know how to retrieve the VIN from a registration number? Ive already bought a car tell report and fully expected it to have it but it only gave a few of the letters and it will verify it for you if you already know it.

carsfan2

Maybe ask on the motors chat thread on the main forum. I vaguely remember someone mentioning something about this before. There’s lots of knowledge generally there.
Ask the dealer or seller?

carsfan2

Spent the weekend in Munich and dragged the family to the BMW welt and museum. Factory tour wasn’t available.
The welt basically a giant showroom for all things BMW, mini, Rolls Royce.
Very impressive and found myself really liking x4 m40d surprisingly. A car I’d never really had any enthusiasm for. Could see myself in a second hand one down the line.
Rolls Royce cullinan suv is just awful though.
The museum very interesting too.

terrydel

carsfan2 wrote: »

That’s a pity, though I wonder how much they will be looking for them as approved used cars considering their history.

I don’t think they promote BMW first or this rental scheme enough for it to be widely known about and to be a success.

I remember many years ago working for an insurance company and they launched a bmw/mini branded insurance product sold thru the dealers to people buying new or used (I think?) cars. The uptake was abysmal, I'm not sure they sold more than a handful of these policies, if that.
Maybe bmw here are just really **** at this type of stuff!