Where would you go next...

carsfan2

bazz26 wrote: »

Would you though? Most 530e for sale here seem to be a sea of basic company rep spec. It's not cheap for sure but you know how it works, dealers will always look for more for something with desirable extras. Hard enough to find a similar spec 530e in the UK too, yeah there are a glut of cheaper rep spec ones in drab colours but I'd say that one will sell all the same as Beshoffs seem to rotate stock fairly regularly.

I agree most 530e available seem to be company purchases from the U.K. where spec is poor to reduce bik taxes when they were new.
That example is lovely alright and I do agree beshoffs will have no trouble selling it as it has nice spec and looks good.

I think Mickdw has been trying to buy a 530e with a good spec for a while now and hasn’t found suitable example for this reason.

mickdw

I'm just too tight!
We all saw examples here of 2018 m sport landed for 33k.
It's possible but when you go looking for plus pack and camera which is still little spec wise, the choice is very limited at that kind of money.
If you want to get full radar cruise and self parking which I would have expected to be common if not standard at this stage, the price sky rockets.
I was happy to go for just the plus pack with camera but its still hard enough to get and then you have to give them what they are asking or you just get the PFO not to mention the ones who won't sell a car to Ireland. It's hard work importing.

drunkmonkey

maddness wrote: »

Interior looks great but it’s one hell of an ugly car made even worse with the nasty grey paint.

The M135i is a nice car up close, I didn't think I'd like it at all based on pictures, if BMW hadn't their usual terrible trade in prices i'd be taking delivery of one in the next few weeks.
Instead the Mrs has robbed my car and I've caught myself looking at raptors recently as in inbetweener while waiting to see the Mustang Mach E.

maddness

drunkmonkey wrote: »

The M135i is a nice car up close, I didn't think I'd like it at all based on pictures, if BMW hadn't their usual terrible trade in prices i'd be taking delivery of one in the next few weeks.
Instead the Mrs has robbed my car and I've caught myself looking at raptors recently as in inbetweener while waiting to see the Mustang Mach E.

I don’t know about their latest cars and I’m a big BMW fanboy. They ruined the 7 with the new grill, the X7 is just hideous and the 1 series and the new 2 series Gran Coupe are just too fussy. Each to their I suppose.

vintagevrs

Anyone have any experience with one of these? The 2l petrol one seems to offer a lot.


https://www.usedcarsni.com/2017-Alfa-Romeo-Giulia-2-0-TB-280-Veloce-4dr-Auto-262000371

carsfan2

The veloce model you posted gets great reviews.

I have no experience of them beyond sitting in the showroom in one and being put off by the quality of the interior. I was too chicken to even consider driving one in case I got sucked in by the drive.

Are you considering one?

Landed on Irish plates that'd be circa €35k+?

vintagevrs

Closer to 40 with vrt and nox. Vrt is 9k, didn't check nox but prob another few hundred.

I like the styling, I know and like the 8 speed box, petrol, rwd and decent power.

I haven't sat in one though. Surprised about the quality being a let down, they look well in the photos and videos I have watched.

There's no pretence of value there at the guts of €40k. You'd want to be fairly sure it's your thing as getting rid of it might be challenging.

Makes a new one look value.... https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Alfa-Romeo/Giulia-GIULIA-VELOCE-280-BHP-LEATHER-ALLOYS-8-SPEED-AUTO-/201812173315229

bazz26

There is a 182 for sale here asking 45k and I'm sure there is wiggle room on that price:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2443352&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D3%26o%5B%5D%3D2258%26f%3D1%26g%3D0

Cannot see much in the way of saving in importing a 2017 if it's costing 40k.

vintagevrs

In the description I laughed at limited shift differential. Wanted to see what else the q2 pack adds (paddles, diff and active suspension) and turns out Alfa Ireland called it a limited shift differential in their product guide...

drunkmonkey

Just watching 6underground and the green one is cool. You can buy that colour now...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkQpAZUd-eU

carsfan2

I much prefer the wheels on the Irish car, very like the quadrifoglio wheels.
I haven’t any first hand knowledge but have a feeling that the Alfa could be a great buy and a very enjoyable car to own. However I hate a car with a cheap feeling interior as this is what you interact with everyday and poor user interface as the Alfa apparently has. They have recently facelifted it and the stelvio and didn’t change the exterior but upgraded the interior quality and put in a larger screen and better system apparently.
I know every car depreciates but have a feeling the Alfa is worse than others in a small market like ours.

6 underground, I couldn’t watch that movie, gave up after the car chase with that Alfa at the start.

zweton

bazz26 wrote: »

There is a 182 for sale here asking 45k and I'm sure there is wiggle room on that price:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2443352&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D3%26o%5B%5D%3D2258%26f%3D1%26g%3D0

Cannot see much in the way of saving in importing a 2017 if it's costing 40k.

My god that's gorgeous.

Wailin

vintagevrs wrote: »

Anyone have any experience with one of these? The 2l petrol one seems to offer a lot.


https://www.usedcarsni.com/2017-Alfa-Romeo-Giulia-2-0-TB-280-Veloce-4dr-Auto-262000371

I think you'd regret that tbh. One of the best looking cars out there....but a lot of issues with them. Interior is cheap and not as fast as you'd expect either (actually slower than your 330d). Plus the 3 series is as good to drive according to a few online reviews.

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/alfa-romeo/giulia-2016/


It is a stunning looking car though.

ordinaryfella

Giving serious considerations to getting an e93 3 series over the next couple of months. I’m set on petrol, and I do love a convertible. From doing some research it looks like a late 2008 or later 330 is the sweet spot for performance, reliability and cheaper tax. But there’s none for sale in Ireland, and going to the uk is an option but once you factor in all the costs it ups the price a fair bit. However there are a number of 335s for sale in Ireland, for probably less money than a landed 330.

Anyone offer experience on ownership costs, from looking at forums in the US/UK you get the impression the 335 is a money pit.

Wailin

Impressive review and drive of the M340i. I saw photos of that particular interior trim and thought meh, but looks very upmarket in the high res video footage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy5qI1GBE9A

carsfan2

ordinaryfella wrote: »

Giving serious considerations to getting an e93 3 series over the next couple of months. I’m set on petrol, and I do love a convertible. From doing some research it looks like a late 2008 or later 330 is the sweet spot for performance, reliability and cheaper tax. But there’s none for sale in Ireland, and going to the uk is an option but once you factor in all the costs it ups the price a fair bit. However there are a number of 335s for sale in Ireland, for probably less money than a landed 330.

Anyone offer experience on ownership costs, from looking at forums in the US/UK you get the impression the 335 is a money pit.

I'm pretty sure Metzgermeister and Fitzgeme both had 335 coupes.
it might be worth asking them? I am pretty sure they do cost a fair bit if things go wrong and they are complex machines.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

ordinaryfella wrote: »

Giving serious considerations to getting an e93 3 series over the next couple of months. I’m set on petrol, and I do love a convertible. From doing some research it looks like a late 2008 or later 330 is the sweet spot for performance, reliability and cheaper tax. But there’s none for sale in Ireland, and going to the uk is an option but once you factor in all the costs it ups the price a fair bit. However there are a number of 335s for sale in Ireland, for probably less money than a landed 330.

Anyone offer experience on ownership costs, from looking at forums in the US/UK you get the impression the 335 is a money pit.

Early e92/93/90 335i are a tricky beast. I had one. Great car, very fast at the time, good sound, good ZF gearbox (you want an auto suits the engine much better). Suspension even on non msport ones is msport hard, very hard ride. I loved the car. Bought nearly new just before the recession...genius move.

The bad bits are that they are prone to a number of known issues.
Turbo failures - expensive fix.
High pressure fuel pump failures - not that expensive.
Injector issues - they had Bosch injectors made of butter, all failed, can be expensive.
Waste gate rattle - annoying more than anything else.
The interior seatbelt butlers all break.
Coil packs go - but a service item really.

They go cheap for a reason, they can be expensive to fix out or warranty if you are not into wrenching yourself. The power is also by todays standards quite moderate for the tax and insurance. Everyone I know that purchased one on the cheap sunk big cash into it. As much as I hate to say this....this is not the best BMW to go for.

carsfan2

Wailin wrote: »

Impressive review and drive of the M340i. I saw photos of that particular interior trim and thought meh, but looks very upmarket in the high res video footage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy5qI1GBE9A

Really enjoy this guy’s reviews.
Love the way he gets in and just floors it then chats away at 150mph passing trucks etc.
He does some very nice cars.

Consensus on piston heads forum is that these are already being heavily discounted in the U.K. and will drop in value like a stone so hopefully might be an affordable fast daily in a couple of years if we can still import reasonably at that stage.
The only one up for sale here is still on Carzone.

Wailin

Yes his reviews are great. I watched his one on the 330i a few months back and he rated that pretty highly too. But he didn't particularly like the M135i, especially at high speeds on the auto bahn.

An Ard Ri

I have a 2010 E92 330i, which i imported from the UK over 3 years ago. It had 12,000 miles when imported and now has 33,000 miles.

It is a very reliabale car. Bar normal servicing there have only been a few minor issues i.e. sensors. As its quite law mileage, i haven't done much with the car. The previous owner fitted a OEM performance exhaust and diffuser as well as black grille and some interior improvements.

I think the car may have originally been a BMW UK car. It has a high spec and auto. Very fast and great to drive. €750 per year to tax. If you buy from a main dealer, there is a 1 year AUC warranty which is valid in Ireland.

The highest mpg i got was 38 mpg on a trip to Kerry. City driving will return 21-23 mpg.

Things to look out for:
Service history
ABS module. It was a common fault. I had it done under warranty.
Any recalls, such as the one for the wiring in the heater
The shadowline trim fades. But this can be wrapped at about €150
Injectors will go on these cars after time. I think Injector 1 will have to be replaced on mine soon. These are not cheap.
Run a diagnostic check on the car first
VRT was high when i bought it
If buying in UK a cartell or motor check is a must

They are a rare enough car in Ireland. So you are better going to the UK.

ordinaryfella wrote: »

Giving serious considerations to getting an e93 3 series over the next couple of months. I’m set on petrol, and I do love a convertible. From doing some research it looks like a late 2008 or later 330 is the sweet spot for performance, reliability and cheaper tax. But there’s none for sale in Ireland, and going to the uk is an option but once you factor in all the costs it ups the price a fair bit. However there are a number of 335s for sale in Ireland, for probably less money than a landed 330.

Anyone offer experience on ownership costs, from looking at forums in the US/UK you get the impression the 335 is a money pit.

ordinaryfella

Thanks, that's super helpful info. Think I was trying to talk myself into a bad idea with the 335. I'll be buying around April/May, but might pm you then An Ard Ri if that's cool.

An Ard Ri

No problem

ordinaryfella wrote: »

Thanks, that's super helpful info. Think I was trying to talk myself into a bad idea with the 335. I'll be buying around April/May, but might pm you then An Ard Ri if that's cool.

Andrewf20

The n52 3 litre is a super engine, the best I ever experienced in fact. I drove a 330i and z4 3.0si and the 272/265bhp power plant was miles ahead of the 325i engine. I'd steer towards that over a 335i for the na simplicity although in fairness I never drove a 335i.

I did find the e92 to be a very heavy car though. It's felt very numb and weighty in the bends. Best to test drive yourselves because opinions can be very split on that model.

There was a guy selling a lovely light blue 330i coupe on carzone. It was up for a good while but I think is gone now.

ordinaryfella

I'm really after an e93, which is heavier again. I know you don't get to use a convertible too much in this weather but I love it when you do. We currently have 2 cars, but don't really have the space. Feel like the e93 will be a good compromise.

I'll be coming from a mk3 mr2, so I will definitely have to set my expectations for how nimble it will be.

carsfan2

@digiman,
Any update on the Tesla 3 ?
I’d be really interested to hear your review of life with one so far.

digiman

I will get time over the weekend hopefully to write up something on it, but so far loving it

MetzgerMeister

Having owned an E92 335i, I would advise that you do your homework before buying one. They can be money pits but if you find one that has at least had the turbos replaced then it's not so bad. The HPFP isn't a huge issue here but ideally you're looking for one that has had the turbos and injectors replaced.

MarkN

digiman wrote: »

I will get time over the weekend hopefully to write up something on it, but so far loving it

Let me know if you want to make a video in it!