Where would you go next...

What's your verdict on the massage seats...

In depth review of the new M135i:

carsfan2 wrote: »

@digiman, I see from the model 3 thread, you’ve taken the plunge and ordered. Fair play. I’ve been tempted but not brave enough.

Have they given you a trade in price for your 5 touring? I’ve the same car and would be interested to see what the offer is. PM if you prefer.

I've basically one reserved, can still pull out and you can even return the car within 7 days if you don't like it so I'm definitely not allin yet.

I've not got a trade in price yet, will get one in the next few weeks.

I asked a few BMW dealers here about M340i availability and nobody has any idea, one rang me back and said he didn't think it would be here this year even. In saying that I can see it being around 15k more than the Tesla so it's probably not a runner anyway.

I've decided I will get the blue one but I'm unsure about which interior colour to get, I think the white contrasts really well but was watching the youtube video below and Tiff Needell made a couple of comments about how the trim along the dash was reflecting the sunlight a lot, he's the first person I've heard mention it and I've watched quite a few videos on them but it's making me have 2nd thoughts. I think the black in them just makes them extremely plain on the inside!!

MarkN wrote: »

Was he on a press trip in California or anything? We get less sun here obviously. I'd whack on the sunglasses and enjoy the brighter interior if it were me.

Was somewhere in Europe, yeah it's not like we are blessed with great weather here every day.

carsfan2 wrote: »

I would go with the light interior.
Looks way better than the black.

I’m still not convinced by the whole Tesla experience. Even the way they have chopped and changed the model availability and colours sine the Irish launch doesn’t inspire confidence.
This doesn’t seem to bother all those on the model 3 thread some of whom seem almost to be in a sort of Tesla cult.
I am very happy with the 5 touring. I have to say it’s a brilliant all rounder but as ever I keep looking around anyway.
Just watched a few reviews of the BMW m135i which might be of interest. Just under 51k here for it before options.

Yeah, majority of people in that thread are EV people rather than car people. I'm probably somewhere in between who likes a fast car with good tech.

I was in Sandyford earlier and drove by the showroom and looked at the black model 3 they had there. It was parked right next to a Model S and it looked so short at the front and just nowhere near as good. It had the Aero wheels and it looks pretty **** to be honest. It really needs the red breaks and bigger wheels and is a totally different car then in my view.

Wailin wrote: »

Did you test drive the tesla before ordering one?

I test drove the Model S, was massively impressed with the power of the car, the regen breaking was very weird but I guess you get used to it.

I suspect that it will be 2 months or so before it arrives and will have plenty of time to test drive the model 3, if it's not my cup of tea then I can just cancel the order and no big deal.

carsfan2 wrote: »

I’m not mad about the looks without the 20” wheels. Would be better if you could delete the chrome too.

And the grey alloys looks so much better as well I think

Yeah just watched that. The change of xdrive technology is a biggie for me. Iv driven fast haldex and xdrive cars and xdrive is 100% a better drive with rear bias. Where haldex to me drove just like fwd with more traction available off the line. Sounds like that's what the new 135i is going to be like.

The golf R, a35/45, s3 and now BMW are all basically the exact same mechanically now with a different suit.

BMW had the rwd and 6 pot advantage before. I expected the change to 4 pot as that's the way things are going, but the fwd platform doesnt help at all.

most reviewers are saying the m135i is the faster car for covering ground but that the older model had the nicer engine. Interior is miles ahead on the new car and price wise it is a fair bit cheaper. At 51k here in Ireland It’s now essentially a golf r competitor where the old car was a fair bit more expensive.
Mat Watson obviously prefers the engine and gearbox in the older car but I bet 99% of the time you’ll never notice but you will notice the extra grip and confidence the 4 wheel drive gives you.
Steve sutcliffe who did the auto express review and is a good judge reckons it’s amost Audi rs3 pace for lot less money.

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/whats-going-on-bmw-future-strategy-products/

Good article here on future BMW stuff. Appears they are killing the 8 series coupe already. They made a some serious miscalculations on the electric car front and are paying the price.

Yes it’s a shame to cancel the 8 series after this one.
I think the company have gone into too many niches trying to be all things to all men and have lost their way as being great drivers cars.
Any chance you will get to review any BMW Mark?
Apparently they are doing voluntary redundancies in BMW Ireland and it is going to be further controlled from U.K. in future. Doesn’t say a lot for their confidence in the Irish market.

Interesting to read that the forthcoming 330e may well start at around 1k less than an equivalent 320d when you include the grants:

https://www.carsireland.ie/reviews/bmw/3-series/bmw-3-series-plug-in

Will also probably depend on what they do in the budget around tax changes on diesels and/or hybrids.