Where would you go next...

MarkN · 19-01-2019 09:15AM

I signed up to the BMW first thing a few months ago for the free trial. They don’t exactly spam you with email anyway, I haven’t received much, perhaps it’s as it’s the fully free trial but there’s very limited options to click in the portal.

Now, this I like. €53k for the 330i M-Sport, I’m not certain what over and above options this car has, gesture for example but that’s a small price, not sure if the M style leather seats are standard. It's 17 months old as it's a pre production car, there was one or two bits of harsh plastic and tape stuck in places.

mickdw · 19-01-2019 11:11AM

MarkN wrote: »

I signed up to the BMW first thing a few months ago for the free trial. They don’t exactly spam you with email anyway, I haven’t received much, perhaps it’s as it’s the fully free trial but there’s very limited options to click in the portal.

Now, this I like. €53k for the 330i M-Sport, I’m not certain what over and above options this car has, gesture for example but that’s a small price, not sure if the M style leather seats are standard. It's 17 months old as it's a pre production car, there was one or two bits of harsh plastic and tape stuck in places.

330i pricing is not a huge jump over the 320d .
It's a nice car for sure.

MarkN · 19-01-2019 11:40AM

Yeh it really is close, obviously the 2.0L engine is part of that.

JoeA3 · 19-01-2019 12:06PM

The 330i looks a very interesting proposition for sure. It should be capable performer too. I wonder will Irish punters take to it though, I expect the diesels to still dominate sales.

And how would the residuals fare on a used petrol (non “M”) BMW. They’ve been truely terrible for the last decade at least! I bet dealers will still be steering customers into the 320d.

And then there’s the 330e. That could be an interesting alternative to the 330i.

carsfan2 · 19-01-2019 12:13PM

I specced up a 330i on the configurator and after m sport plus pack and a couple of other essentials it was 62k and rising.
I reckon the 330e will be better. It also will have an over boost in sports mode giving an extra 45 Bhp from 252bhp bringing power to almost 300.
I have a hankering for a used m340i in a few years as it could be my last combustion engine car as I have a feeling we will all be going electric sooner or later.

Neilw · 19-01-2019 12:13PM

MarkN wrote: »

Yeh it really is close, obviously the 2.0L engine is part of that.

Ah lads, since when is a 330i a 2 litre four cylinder?

What model has a straight 6 these days?

MarkN · 19-01-2019 12:19PM

340/540i are straight six now

They’ve a lovely grey M2 in Duffy’s for 65k down from 80, think it’s a 2018. Decent residuals compared to a lot if someone was brave enough!

mickdw · 19-01-2019 12:29PM

But if one was trying to trade in that 2018 m2, the figure would be under 50k I'd say.

MarkN · 19-01-2019 12:33PM

Oh you’d have to hang onto it for a good 5 years I’d say but it’s interesting to see the likes of a well minded e92 M3 still going for strong money.

digiman · 19-01-2019 12:56PM

Looks like a beautiful car, looking forward to test driving one, especially the m340i

Neilw · 19-01-2019 01:21PM

MarkN wrote: »

340/540i are straight six now

They’ve a lovely grey M2 in Duffy’s for 65k down from 80, think it’s a 2018. Decent residuals compared to a lot if someone was brave enough!

M2 isn't getting good reports, supposed to be a handful to drive in any sort of damp conditions...and not in a good way.

MarkN · 19-01-2019 01:39PM

Not sure about that, could be down to tyres. Most seem to claim it’s the purist BMW in decades. Spoke to a former rally driver who works with BMW in their connected drive section now and he said he’d have one over any other BMW.

carsfan2 · 19-01-2019 01:54PM

The new M2 competition is apparently a vast improvement. New engine in it, lot more torque, better suspension set up and a completely different experience according to all the reviews I’ve read and seen.

Neilw · 19-01-2019 02:10PM

MarkN wrote: »

Not sure about that, could be down to tyres. Most seem to claim it’s the purist BMW in decades. Spoke to a former rally driver who works with BMW in their connected drive section now and he said he’d have one over any other BMW.

Definitely not tyres, I know of a few recent M cars that have been moved on just because they are too nervous and skittish in poor weather, M2, M4.

I love the look of the M2 and would have a used one in a heartbeat but the reports on the handling side just put me off.
There’s a beautiful blue one for sale and I know the previous owner looked after it, really low miles too but I wouldn’t take the chance of not liking it if I bought one.

Neilw · 19-01-2019 02:12PM

carsfan2 wrote: »

The new M2 competition is apparently a vast improvement. New engine in it, lot more torque, better suspension set up and a completely different experience according to all the reviews I’ve read and seen.

Pity they are €100k with a couple of options, the depreciation must be shocking in the first few years.
Beautiful car though.

MarkN · 19-01-2019 02:18PM

Neilw wrote: »

Definitely not tyres, I know of a few recent M cars that have been moved on just because they are too nervous and skittish in poor weather, M2, M4.

I love the look of the M2 and would have a used one in a heartbeat but the reports on the handling side just put me off.
There’s a beautiful blue one for sale and I know the previous owner looked after it, really low miles too but I wouldn’t take the chance of not liking it if I bought one.

Wow, wasn’t aware.

Wailin · 19-01-2019 03:07PM

Neilw wrote: »

Definitely not tyres, I know of a few recent M cars that have been moved on just because they are too nervous and skittish in poor weather, M2, M4.

I love the look of the M2 and would have a used one in a heartbeat but the reports on the handling side just put me off.
There’s a beautiful blue one for sale and I know the previous owner looked after it, really low miles too but I wouldn’t take the chance of not liking it if I bought one.

Trying to drive any high powered rear wheel drive hard in damp conditions is asking for trouble. It's about having common sense. Any review I've seen of the M2 has lauded the handling and it's supposed to be fabulous on the track.

carsfan2 · 19-01-2019 03:18PM

The next m3/4 will have all wheel drive apparently that can be turned off same as current m5. There will also be a manual rear wheel drive also for purists according to this months Car magazine.
For me something like a “m lite” 340i would be preferable as I’m guessing much easier to live with but loads of pace and handling when required.

JoeA3 · 19-01-2019 03:22PM

Anyone interested in the M2, have a look at Joe Achilles videos on YouTube. He bought a Competition a couple of months ago. Class looking thing.
His videos are a bit cringe, but some great shots of his car!

JoeA3 · 19-01-2019 03:28PM

MarkN wrote: »

Wow, wasn’t aware.

Yeah the guy who had that M2 traded it for an RS3! I don’t think he ever settled with the BMW, despite mostly only using on short commutes in Dublin.

Neilw · 19-01-2019 03:45PM

Wailin wrote: »

Trying to drive any high powered rear wheel drive hard in damp conditions is asking for trouble. It's about having common sense. Any review I've seen of the M2 has lauded the handling and it's supposed to be fabulous on the track.

I've had some performance rear wheel drive cars that were perfectly fine to drive in damp conditions.
Speaking to owners of M2/4's they are just too unpredictable in bad weather.
A car isn't much use if you can't use it or are afraid of it biting you in damp conditions.

bazz26 · 19-01-2019 03:56PM

Regarding the M cars available to rent through BMW First. You also have to put down something like a €1500 security deposit up front along with the rental price. I'd imagine availability of these cars might be difficult too. I'd imagine BMW Ireland probably only have 1 or possibly 2 examples of each distributed throughout the Irish dealer network.

I'm in the US at the moment and M cars are pretty common or normal here but unfortunately in Ireland these cars are really only for those who have a lot of money to own or rent them. Anyone who likes their cars here really does get shafted for the privilege.

carsfan2 · 19-01-2019 06:33PM

regarding the cars available on BMW first, I guess there is only one of each car.
A deposit is fair enough really and to be expected.
it is painful sometimes to see on the BMW forums how cheap and well equipped the US market is and how accessible the M cars are.
Here you are decadent if it's not a 20d model!

MarkN · 22-01-2019 11:07PM

This is unreal.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/20802681

Wildly Boaring · 22-01-2019 11:14PM

Hubba hubba

Love the phone

MarkN · 22-01-2019 11:16PM

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Hubba hubba

Love the phone

Love the road tax

mickdw · 22-01-2019 11:20PM

You could always do a review on that....
Let us know if they are still as good as remembered.

Heres Johnny · 22-01-2019 11:23PM

What are the e34 like compared to an e39? I had e39 530i and 525i loved them both.

MarkN · 22-01-2019 11:28PM

Never driven one, a mate’s Dad had one in the 90s and it always impressed me as a teenager. I’d imagine they’re a bit rawer and more driver focused but like an E30, without a lot of safety features compared to these days. I also don’t have access to a garage easily and something like that might draw the wrong attention.

Heres Johnny · 22-01-2019 11:56PM

I recently drove an e36 325i estate and it was very rough to drive. Might take a lot of getting used to a real raw drivers car again coming from an a6 c7 and f10 5 series in the house. Didn't like it personally but think it had been stiffened up and suspension dropped. E34 unmolested might still be a comfortable machine.

Where would you go next...

Comments