Where would you go next...

Normally I change every 2 years or so and I have the 430d almost 2 years now, I do have the itch but I don't know what I'd go for right now. Very little choice out there though. The 430d has been great, hasn't cost me a penny outside of fuel and tax but it's coming up on 6 years old now and I've noticed that insurance has gone up this year with a few more insurance companies not willing to quote on a 3.0 litre engine. I'm not doing as much driving these days as I used do because I work from home but I live in the sticks so a car is still needed. However it won't be a diesel as it doesn't suit my usage these days and nothing electric I'd be interested in would be in the price range of what I'd be willing to spend at present. So that leaves with either petrol or a petrol hybrid of some sort. A 330i or 330e G20 would tick those boxes but the former is pretty rare here and the boot in the later is noticeably small compared to what I have now.

Was also thinking outside the BMW box and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloco appeals to me as it's a stunning car but was surprised at used prices of the few about. The other thing would be servicing and warranty work. No longer an Afla dealer in Limerick, nearest one is down in Cork, Alfa specialists seem be just as much a dying breed as their dealer network.

Regarding the new 4 Series/i4. I seen the M50 in Conlan's showroom a few months back. Had a good look around it but it was locked because it was sold. Certainly a big upgrade on my model regarding design and tech but I still couldn't get past that silly grill and noticed the car was taller than my own. Rear doors are still small and awkard for passengers though, just like mine.

The iX is hideous and a large EV propelled SUV that weighs 2.5 tonnes and takes up half the road just seems absurd and counter productive of where cars are supposed to be going regarding their environmental impact imo.

I’ve driven the ioniq 5 and agree thought it was lovely. They’ve had some big price rises though and the dual motor version is now 70k here. It makes a lot more sense in the lower trims.

I agree about the Alfa. Beautiful looking car but rare and not as cheap to buy secondhand as one might expect.

330e is a great car in my view and the touring gets over any boot size problems. I still love driving mine.

The car in Conlans was probably the portimao blue one they had I guess? Lovely car. I don't have much good to say about the iX, styling wise but I know 2 people that have them and both love them.

would you look at an Audi S5 sportback? Beautiful car to look at and if you do low mileage wouldn't cost the earth to run.

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/audi/s5/fpa/202207187908068?journey=Search

The 330e touring boot is really only the equivalent of a decent hatchback but it makes the car a lot more usable and I think looks better too but I am a fan of wagons over saloons.

that white one in Conlan’s is a nice car. I’m sure they would swap out the black wheels if you were doing a deal. im normally not a great fan of white cars but the mineral white on m sport looks great against the shadow line trim.

I don’t understand why you can’t get a silver m sport anymore. Always looks great in my view.

I've no interest in another 5 Series. I had 3 of them but they are just too big for what I want these days.

I wouldn't have much interest in SUVs and I personally find the X4 and X6 hidious looking. I'm not really sure what they are trying to be.

Between the silly asking prices of used cars and lack of choice in what I want I think I'll just keep what I have for now.

Not sure how things are in the Middle East but the price of everything has gone crazy over here now. Little to no value in anything.

Yep I just really fancied a change and couldn't think of what to go for....another 5 series or A6....just wasn't enough of an upgrade on my current A6 to justify the cost, would seem very familiar and just the same. Even if I went for the phev models. I toyed with 330e just to be a bit smaller and nimbler. But since I bought an e46 in early 2000s I've always driven Bmw and Audi saloons.

So in the end just went for something completely different stumbled upon a dealer order of 2 cupra born that were cancelled or unexpected or something, had the choice of 2 different ones, took a demo for a drive and bought on the spot, both are sold now.

Enjoyed the electric power delivery, I've driven a fair few different ones now and I know I like them buy funnily enough enjoyed the smaller footprint of the car compared to my A6, it felt more fun even though its just as heavy if not heavier but the weight is in the floor not in the nose.

Well down on luxury touches compared to my Audi but deposit is paid so no backing out now. Just hope promised delivery end of September materialises.

58kw. Claimed range up to 425kms. I do about 300 to 350kms a week

I realise I won't get 425kms from a single charge though.

Yep, much nicer looking than id3 inside and out in my opinion. I looked at id3 a while ago and was turned off by interior. This is way behind my A6 interior wise but I still bought it on the spot so its good enough for me for now

A well speced 545e:

https://www.carsireland.ie/3129981

Was it @digiman who was on the lookout for one of these?

I think 3.0 litre+ cars here just have a very limited market. Generally speaking, Irish drivers are not car lovers so the cheaper 530e will do the same job for most without the extra premium price tag.

Hoping to have the i4 by the end of Sept if all goes to plan

It’s an m50 in Portimao blue with Msports seats and the msport pack that has the 20” wheels. I think it would be comfort access I’ll miss the most, but I’ve also heard that it has been deleted from some orders recently anyway so may not have gotten it anyways. Looking forward to it coming now.

Did Ireland ever get the 520e, ie the detuned 530e? It seems to be very common on the Continente and I assumed it was a 1.6 petrol but is in fact the same 2.0 with a less powerful turbo.

Anyone have an x drive nct'd recently? I had mine done today, first nct on the car. I was a bit concerned about it being xdrive so left a note on the steering wheel stating so. But the tester still put it through the rolling brake test, both front and rear axles. Surely this is not OK on a 4WD car? I politely mentioned it to the tester afterwards and he explained that they'd gotten in new rollers for testing AWD cars and hybrids. But both axels were moving independent of each other so I don't see what the difference was! Can anyone explain this? Car was fine afterwards but I'm very curious about the rolling brake test on a AWD car.