Where would you go next...

Diesel can be fun surely?

Riding a wave of torque, shoving you in the back, effortless thrust. I know there is probably a lot of weight up front but i guess the handling would be decent ?

They could have sorted the center arm rest for something that they are saying is professionaly valeted?? Really lets the car down and would make me research how it was owned and maintained especially at 32k and 171k kms

What's your opinion on the 5-series 520D m-sport G30 2017? Are they fairly reliable? I'm looking to buy one in the next few weeks. Those of you who own a G30 with the standard LED headlights, do you have any issues with poor visibility either on dips or full beams at night?

Also, what's your opinion on 520d xDrive vs 520d RWD? I like the thought of having more traction during rainy weather, I do mainly city driving with occasional long motorway trips. 530E is not an option due to the inability of home charging at the moment.

I intend to buy a 2017 m-sport with Harmen Kardon, comfort access, and enhanced Bluetooth. I would love the ICON adaptive headlights and/or adaptive cruise/lane assist but those are unicorn spec cars, especially with adaptive cruise. Prices range from 32-35k for 130-140k kilometres at BMW dealers.

When you say make sure there’s regular service history, would you consider the standard 18k miles service interval ok? I’m thinking of buying a 2017 420d that has been service 3 times in 60k miles and I just think that it’s not enough of a service history to be worth it.

Yeah I suppose. I’m just used to changing oil every 6 or 10k miles.

Hi lads,

I took the BMW i4 40 model for a decent spin last weekend.

Have to say , I like the exterior appearance. Car was m sport with pro pack so 19” alloys. I always thought the previous 4 series gran coupe was one of the best looking BMW’s and while this model isn’t quite as nice, it’s pretty good.

The interior is like a low slung 3 series with the exception of the new screen layout.

While it looks impressive, the lack of short cut and a/c buttons is a backwards step in my view as you are prodding the touchscreen and taking your eyes of the road for longer. I presume you get used to it but I’m not convinced.

the front of the car is plenty big but the rear is tight and the combination of privacy glass, black leather and black headliner made it feel claustrophobic.

boot is plenty big and easily accessible with the hatch back.

the car itself is a beautiful drive. Refinement is incredible. The car is quick and responsive at every speed. Handling and grip on twisty roads is brilliant. The car was on Michelin pilot sport tyres which must help but it disguised its weight very well generally with minimal body roll.

I left at 100% battery and about 440km of range showing and came back after 50km of mixed driving including illegal motorway speeds with 420km range left and 91% battery so I don’t think range would be a massive problem.

Availability is a problem though.

new orders now will be 12 months or more possibly less but definitely not this year. That is for the 40 model. If you want the m50 version you may not get it at all as allocations are 2 per dealer a year. You almost need a letter from your parish priest to secure one of these!

They are expensive especially when you add a few toys but not outrageous compared to Tesla model 3 which has jumped up in price and all cars in general are getting dearer anyway.

a 420d gran coupe is similar price and it would be a no brainer to go electric over one of them unless you’re plodding up and down motorways.

I’ve driven a few electric cars now, Tesla model 3, Hyundai ioniq 5, ID 4 and now this and they’re all great in their own ways so would be happy to go electric next.

Hi All,

Need help from y'all :)

Trying to decide my next car to purchase -

Currently driving a VW Golf 1.4 Petrol 80 bhp 2007 (Mk V). Bought it as a learner car in 2018 with an intention to upgrade after passing test, but it suited me for my usual town driving (currently living in Letterkenny, Donegal) weekend trips away (80-100 kms average) may be once a month and then occasional drive to Dublin maybe once every few months.

I kept it until now as it required minimum maintenance (one service a year).

I am now considering upgrading to something a bit better and newer (161 and after). My stretch budget (for premium badge - Audi, BMW, Merc) is 20k for automatics and 18k for manuals (Not considering hatchbacks only saloons) within 120k Kms. If I cant get a decent premium badge car, my budget is 15k I am considering Toyota or Honda or Mazda (kinda wanting to stay away from Renault and Dacia and Citroen etc.) - seeing some really good deals on Honda Grace Saloon and Toyota Corolla Fielder etc.

Would you advise which way should I go? No kids yet, just me and wife but planning on having kids soon - I have never driven hybrids - infact I have never really owned a car before the VW Golf

Please help - I want a reliable nice car which looks decent ! Any suggestions would be appreciated

Nice car alright, that price 😳

What's the plans for you at the moment carsfan? You'll be going fully electric anyway I'm guessing. Will you be hanging on to the 330e for another while yet?

That's pretty much a no brainer really carsfan, ordering a car with no obligation to buy when it arrives. Just get it in writing if you do change your mind and they don't uphold their promise!

You'd prefer the i4 40 over the 50 then? A lot of reviews I've read have said pretty much the same, it's the better option.

I'm not seeing too many of the 4 series around compared to when the previous gen was released. Its still very polarising in the looks department, although I do like it myself.

I'm still in the 540i, fantastic car. I've been considering selling it on and off for awhile, especially with it appreciating so much but I always fall back to the same predicament...what to replace it with as there's no good value out there in second hand cars.

Ive an i4 m50 ordered that was supposed to start production in May but every week I check it’s pushed back a week. Very frustrating, there are a couple of second hand 545e for sale that keep turning my head as well.

There is just very little out there either in 2nd hand or trying to get a new car, which means very little value out there.

Colm Quinn still looking for €70k for a 182 540i, total madness and it’s been for sale since Dec 2021 from what I can remember, if that was closer to €50k I’d buy it.

Picking up a 222 Renault Arkana S edition tomorrow. It Wouldn't make the "top gear cool wall" but its better specced than the 212 Qashqai I'm swapping it for and I do think they are a decent looking car. Full hybrid so as its almost all city driving we do it might save us a few quid plus lower tax as well. And because Renault have a lower APR than Nissan, our monthly repayments are less!

My retired father picking up his E tron today. Original etron, the bigger SUV. It will be his forever car I'd say after a lifetime of driving Hilux and Ford transits it will be some change for him. Funnily I don't think he will like it and the tech will annoy him. The first time his range is insufficient to do what he wants I reckon he will be annoyed with it, but he can borrow my A6 on those days we can do a swapsie.

Any word of an update to the E-tron coming out? It's been out at least 3 years now I think so must be some type of mid life-cycle update due shortly.