garcon magnifique Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Going to look at a car tomorrow. In keeping with my tendencies it's rather rare (allbeit a familiar shape). Thing is, it doesn't have a few of the things to which I have become accustomed - sat nav, auto box, full leather, sunroof. And I have a nagging worry I might start to miss them in six months or so... However, it looks fantastic, it's genuinely sporting yet practical, and to top it all off will go around 15 miles further to every gallon than my current car. So, would you keep your creature comforts and look for something else in a while, or would you sacrifice a few of them to own one of your dream marques? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparticus Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 You only live once so drive the dream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Go for it I say, if you want to be sensible then buy a bus pass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixit Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Come on then. Give us a clue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4_sat Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Forester Ttb? Impreza 22b Sti? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Come on then. Give us a clue? [/ QUOTE ] It's German. Its alloys will be a bugger to clean. They have a UK sales target of around 100 a year for this model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Forester Ttb? Impreza 22b Sti? [/ QUOTE ] I think the Forester would probably return around 15 miles to the gallon less than the Legacy! 22b - some available at very tempting prices now, but it was never the car it should've been and definitely a for 20k miles a year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Hmm I would have said Alpina, but the autobox & sat nav rule that out... 100 you say? Hmm.... Is it one of these? Or is it a Weissman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4_sat Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Alpina of some sort? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 You're warmer than you think.... (No, not the daft bike... ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4_sat Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Alpina D3? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Alpina D3? [/ QUOTE ] He da man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Problem_Child Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Drive the dream! Who needs luxuries anyway? Is it a Bitter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Bitter? Good call! Maybe when I've had a few more bonuses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4_sat Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Yaay, I'm the man! There's an Alpina B10 Touring parked near mine now. Bloody nice though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Alpina D3? [/ QUOTE ] He da man! [/ QUOTE ] Hehe I did think that and did acknowledge that it was the only non-auto Alpina. I got quite excited about one a few months back because I think they look fantastic, especially in that blue. For £27k they're great value for an Alpina too - I think in the end the ultimate lack of absolute power was the turn off. Should have started with a 330d base You going to High Wycombe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 They have a demo in Sytner City Canary Wharf tomorrow. Will be around anytime from 11 onwards if anyone wants a nosey. It could probably do with a bit more power, and on paper it ain't as quick as a 330d, but 300lb/ft of torque at 2000 revs sounds rather addictive, and the rarity element is a big pull for me. It also serves as a bit of a compromise I guess, i.e. something a little special that I needn't worry too much about piling the miles on (only around 20k a year, but enough to put me off the fuel bills of an S4 for example...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Surely that's tbe best of both worlds mate? Luxury and sporting? I always thought the Alpina's were faily well specced, certainly not going to be like going from current to a Westfield is it p.s. I'm envious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
encee Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Very hard question, this one mate, and I can see why you`re in a quandry. I haven`t voted (sorry), because I just couldn`t decide. My only worry would be that you may get used to the looks in time, and although they don`t actually diminish, I feel that the general "wow" feeling, from when you first buy a car, can start to wear off. If that becomes the case, will you not start to resent the fact that you no longer have the luxuries you once had, and have, in fact, come to rely on ? (The Alpina does look fantastic, by the way.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 To be honest I'd say no and get a 325d M Sport instead. Its less than £2500 more than a 320d and has a great noise and 195bhp and loads of torque to boot. Its very high on my list for a new mortor for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] If that becomes the case, will you not start to resent the fact that you no longer have the luxuries you once had, and have, in fact, come to rely on ? [/ QUOTE ] That's a very good question. In terms of looks, or 'wow' factor, it is - after all - just a 3 series. If I'm honest, I doubt I'd keep it longer than two years anyway, so I guess if the wow factor fades and I start hankering after the luxuries it'll just mean swapping again 6 months earlier than planned... I seem to have been on an eternal quest for a car that gives me the best of both. All the good stuff like style and toys, day to day practicality, and genuine preformance ability. I would never have thought a 2 litre diesel would enter into that equation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] To be honest I'd say no and get a 325d M Sport instead. Its less than £2500 more than a 320d and has a great noise and 195bhp and loads of torque to boot. Its very high on my list for a new mortor for me. [/ QUOTE ] The thing is, the D3 matches the 325d's performance (200bhp and 302lb/ft), betters its economy (45mpg mixed), and doesn't have a BMW badge on it! (On the other hand, the 325d will be more refined, and you don't have to pay two grand for the privilege of specifying any extras... ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] and doesn't have a BMW badge on it! [/ QUOTE ] Are you sure..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 OK, it does on the outside, but it's Alpina all the way inside! (I think you might be able to specify Alpina exterior badges too... though possibly not on this model) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Very true, but I'd rather have the straight 6 rattle than the ... 4 cylinder drown of total non joy. I've driven a 320d and it just left me cold, wasn't the power that was the issue it was the noise, rattle etc. it just left me cold. I quite like the look of the M Sport kit with the 18" alloys to be honest and they also do a very nice blue. Not that I've been looking with 18 months to go on my car you understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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