Where would you go next...

bazz26 · 09-12-2020 12:20AM

carsfan2 wrote: »

Agreed on all this. Do you find the 4 series less refined or comfortable than the 5 was. Have you any regrets?

Some days I do then other days I don't to be honest.

As you said yourself previously the 4 Series doesn't have the refinement of the 5 Series. The cabin isn't as well insulated and your reminded more often that your still in a diesel car. There are also some annoying rattles from the rear boot trim that you normally get with lift backs or hatchbacks rather than a saloon. 4 Series suspension is harder too even with the adaptive suspension, you have to take care of speed ramps whereas the 5 Series would glide over them. On the plus side, the 4 Series is a more spirited drive, better looking, isn't a barge in the corners and has better acceleration due to the weight difference. It's also a doddle to park in relatively tight spaces that the 5 Series simply wouldn't fit. Overall though I cannot see myself in another 5 Series type car again before I retire and that's about 20 years away if I'm lucky. I've just moved on from them.

Were you offered a test drive in the 128ti or is your interest firmly on the m135i now? Will be hard enough to find one of those in the country to test drive and I'd really want to get the feel of one in the flesh myself before committing to buying one.

carsfan2 · 09-12-2020 09:39AM

bazz26 wrote: »

Some days I do then other days I don't to be honest.

As you said yourself previously the 4 Series doesn't have the refinement of the 5 Series. The cabin isn't as well insulated and your reminded more often that your still in a diesel car. There are also some annoying rattles from the rear boot trim that you normally get with lift backs or hatchbacks rather than a saloon. 4 Series suspension is harder too even with the adaptive suspension, you have to take care of speed ramps whereas the 5 Series would glide over them. On the plus side, the 4 Series is a more spirited drive, better looking, isn't a barge in the corners and has better acceleration due to the weight difference. It's also a doddle to park in relatively tight spaces that the 5 Series simply wouldn't fit. Overall though I cannot see myself in another 5 Series type car again before I retire and that's about 20 years away if I'm lucky. I've just moved on from them.

Were you offered a test drive in the 128ti or is your interest firmly on the m135i now? Will be hard enough to find one of those in the country to test drive and I'd really want to get the feel of one in the flesh myself before committing to buying one.

I have looked for test drive but there’s only one car in Ireland that BMW have and not sure if it’s registered yet. No 128ti but if I was going to go with the one series I think the 135i makes more sense. I don’t know, driving to work this morning I was very comfortable in the 5 and saying to myself why would I give up this for a 1 series!

ELM327 · 09-12-2020 10:52AM

on the m135i vs 128, there's only really one choice. The 128 is a detuned version of the m car, you'd have to go for the m135i surely.

Also worth noting, if it were my money, I'd be buying a slightly older m140i as these are 6cyl, RWD and faster than the new car.
https://www.carwow.co.uk/bmw/m135i

Wailin · 09-12-2020 11:29AM

Neither are M cars though.

09-12-2020 11:36AM

Wailin wrote: »

Neither are M cars though.

He didn't mention M cars

ELM327 wrote: »

............ the m car, you'd have to go for the m135i surely.

Also worth noting, if it were my money, I'd be buying a slightly older m140i as these are 6cyl, RWD and faster than the new car.
https://www.carwow.co.uk/bmw/m135i

bazz26 · 09-12-2020 11:39AM

I think the 128ti is more than just a detuned m135i. It hasn't X-drive so has a weight advantage, plus the chassis and suspension have been tweaked differently.

A good explanation of it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjndw5mGnII

ELM327 · 09-12-2020 12:01PM

Wailin wrote: »

Neither are M cars though.

I know.
I've been a bimmer fanboy for years, I'm familiar with the lexicon thanks :cool:

They are in that space between m sport branded cars (eg m sport 520d), and proper m cars like the m5 etc.

Same spot the X5 M50d occupies. Not a true M car, but closer than an m sport branded trim line car.

Wailin · 09-12-2020 12:55PM

M lites is the slightly cringeworthy term used a lot online.

ELM327 · 09-12-2020 01:10PM

Wailin wrote: »

M lites is the slightly cringeworthy term used a lot online.

Oh god. That's awful.

carsfan2 · 09-12-2020 02:59PM

Got quote today for 330e. Serious savings under the new vrt regime. Just under 50k for m sport and then 5k grant so 45k. 292hp in xtraboost mode.

Wailin · 09-12-2020 03:42PM

Definitely be worth a test drive carsfan at least. You get a lot more car for the money compared to a golf or 1 series. Depends on what you really want from the car and only you know that. Really impressive interior it must be said.

bazz26 · 09-12-2020 04:21PM

carsfan2 wrote: »

Got quote today for 330e. Serious savings under the new vrt regime. Just under 50k for m sport and then 5k grant so 45k. 292hp in xtraboost mode.

Was that the Touring or saloon? Are they still giving you 30k for your own against one?

carsfan2 · 09-12-2020 05:04PM

bazz26 wrote: »

Was that the Touring or saloon? Are they still giving you 30k for your own against one?

That’s saloon. Getting a price for touring bit I think it’s just over 2k more. Going to test drive one first. They’re humming and hawing over whether same offer on my own but I will see.
They’re definitely not as keen to sell me m135i though.

bazz26 · 09-12-2020 05:57PM

I'd say it could be down to a longer lead time from the factory on a m135i so don't want to risk you getting fed up and buying something else or maybe they are getting more incentives from BMW Ireland to shift a 330e? Did that price include any options or just a price for a base M Sport?

carsfan2 · 09-12-2020 06:35PM

1860 extra for touring over saloon.
Same lead time for everything apparently.
Prices have dropped as vrt has halved to 7 per cent from 14. The 2500 vrt relief is gone but the vrt drop is bigger so prices are lower.
The prices are for base m sport before extras. The packs are a bit cheaper than previously though as again less vrt so can get good spec for less than a base m135i.
There is more financial support from BMW for diesel and petrol models than hybrids they say which is why they are getting dodgy on trade in value they gave me against 135i and 128ti.

09-12-2020 08:01PM

You had the previous 330e but no lumbar support was an issue? Apart from that 330e was ticking all the boxes?

Buddy Bubs · 09-12-2020 08:15PM

carsfan2 wrote: »

1860 extra for touring over saloon.
Same lead time for everything apparently.
Prices have dropped as vrt has halved to 7 per cent from 14. The 2500 vrt relief is gone but the vrt drop is bigger so prices are lower.
The prices are for base m sport before extras. The packs are a bit cheaper than previously though as again less vrt so can get good spec for less than a base m135i.
There is more financial support from BMW for diesel and petrol models than hybrids they say which is why they are getting dodgy on trade in value they gave me against 135i and 128ti.

Wonder what effect this has on a6 phev? I priced up a diesel last week and got a nice price in my own car against it. The a6 has a 1500 price increase going into 2021 for the diesel. Now going to have to at least enquire about the a6 tfsi e after reading this. Its prob still going to be much dearer than diesel but seriously interested in the 299bhp combined (367 in the 55 model but doubt I'll be able to stretch to that) and electric only commuting to work. This defo brings a 330e into consideration now at 45k.

JoeA3 · 09-12-2020 08:24PM

Some good views / sounds of the 128ti in this video:

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

Buddy Bubs · 09-12-2020 08:38PM

I see bmw finance examples on their websites are for 48 month pcp now. Strange to exceed the warranty period but can always extend i suppose. How long before 60 month pcp are a thing I wonder?

carsfan2 · 09-12-2020 08:39PM

Augeo wrote: »

You had the previous 330e but no lumbar support was an issue? Apart from that 330e was ticking all the boxes?

Indeed, the seat killed my lower back and hip. I would get out of the car in the morning after driving to work in agony.
I have a test scheduled for Saturday and I would spec the comfort plus pack which gives memory seats with lumbar.
You’ve a good memory.

mickdw · 09-12-2020 08:49PM

Buddy Bubs wrote: »

I see bmw finance examples on their websites are for 48 month pcp now. Strange to exceed the warranty period but can always extend i suppose. How long before 60 month pcp are a thing I wonder?

Id rather see the uk style tiny deposit lease that you hand back at 3 years and start again but no room to hide the real cost there so we will probably get rising prices but hidden in stretched pcp.
Nothing wrong with a longer pcp in the case where equity may be zero at end - at least you would be knocking a longer term out of the disappearing deposit.

mickdw · 09-12-2020 09:01PM

carsfan2 wrote: »

Got quote today for 330e. Serious savings under the new vrt regime. Just under 50k for m sport and then 5k grant so 45k. 292hp in xtraboost mode.

Really

Bmw dont do themselves any favours with their website. Its all over the shop.

Buddy Bubs · 09-12-2020 09:11PM

mickdw wrote: »

Really

Bmw dont do themselves any favours with their website. Its all over the shop.

They all are, I can't seem to configure a car online at the moment. I go to UK sites and its a doddle, but ultimately useless

carsfan2 · 09-12-2020 09:31PM

mickdw wrote: »

Really

Bmw dont do themselves any favours with their website. Its all over the shop.

Yeah the configurator is completely wrong still. It is being updated apparently buy the dealers have the 2021 prices on their configurator. I have them driven mad building various 1 and 3 series.
It’s the same with Audi and merc websites though.

drunkmonkey · 09-12-2020 09:32PM

Buddy Bubs wrote: »

I see bmw finance examples on their websites are for 48 month pcp now. Strange to exceed the warranty period but can always extend i suppose. How long before 60 month pcp are a thing I wonder?

There selling it with a 5yr servicing plan probably why..

carsfan2 · 09-12-2020 09:50PM

JoeA3 wrote: »

Some good views / sounds of the 128ti in this video:

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

Nice noise from it and driving looks good. Such a pity the vrt has ruined it from a price perspective.

carsfan2 · 09-12-2020 09:52PM

Buddy Bubs wrote: »

I see bmw finance examples on their websites are for 48 month pcp now. Strange to exceed the warranty period but can always extend i suppose. How long before 60 month pcp are a thing I wonder?

You can do a 24 month pcp too I see. I wonder where that would leave you?
Just handing back I guess.

09-12-2020 10:38PM

carsfan2 wrote: »

Indeed, the seat killed my lower back and hip. I would get out of the car in the morning after driving to work in agony.
I have a test scheduled for Saturday and I would spec the comfort plus pack which gives memory seats with lumbar.
You’ve a good memory.

My sorento has no lumbar support also :pac:

10-12-2020 05:44PM

From figures up currently on 4 year PCP the GFMV is 35 to 38% ......... if you go into that accepting you'll have no equity at the end then it's fair enough IMO.

Back in 2016 I jotted down the following.........
BMW 420i SE Gran Coupe €45,350 GMFV €21,006 .... 36 month PCP

Now..... Finance based on 4 year PCP payment plan for 4 Series 420i M Sport.
On the road price €55,000...... GFMV €19,529.27 48 month PCP

€10k/annum all in (deposit, payments inc interest) to drive a 420i SE Gran Coupe for 4 years. Service pack included.

Cyrus · 10-12-2020 06:16PM

Augeo wrote: »

From figures up currently on 4 year PCP the GFMV is 35 to 38% ......... if you go into that accepting you'll have no equity at the end then it's fair enough IMO.

Back in 2016 I jotted down the following.........
BMW 420i SE Gran Coupe €45,350 GMFV €21,006 .... 36 month PCP

Now..... Finance based on 4 year PCP payment plan for 4 Series 420i M Sport.
On the road price €55,000...... GFMV €19,529.27 48 month PCP

€10k/annum all in (deposit, payments inc interest) to drive a 420i SE Gran Coupe for 4 years. Service pack included.

the difference in the GMFV is odd, basically make the 4 year deal a rental (as you illustrated)

not sure who would go for that. 4 years is a long time to be renting a car

Where would you go next...

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