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Post by Tim on Dec 21, 2020 10:48:22 GMT
Yesterday we popped into the local Ford dealer to check out a 2018 Focus ST-3. Despite it being white (we'd choose blue or black) the outside received the Mrs Tim seal of approval for being chrome free. Inside wasn't quite so successful. The car had a flat battery so she couldn't adjust the seat (although the salesman had gone to get a jumper pack without actually mentioning that's what he was doing!), the dashboard and door plastics were deemed 'low rent' and she took offence at the satin finish trim around the gear lever cover and air vents, despite me pointing out that our 320 has a huge swathe of aluminium across the centre console and in front of the passenger. In addition, on closer inspection the elephant hide plastic and the smooth stuff around the heater/stereo controls on the BMW are pretty much the same as the Focus it's just that BMW manage to break it up a bit better. Anyway we might go back in the new year for a proper look and test drive. www.cuparford.co.uk/vehicle-details/Used-FORD-FOCUS-2-0-ST-3-250PS-5-door-WHITE-Manual-Petrol-reg=SM18GUO-id=1398637In the meantime late last night (about 10:30!) she decided that we should review Autotrader. Somehow that entailed looking at BMW 3 series, Touring preferred for looks alone, and with a budget up to £25k. This from someone who has considered selling our house of 11 months - 'the last time we're moving' - and moving to somewhere smaller and cheaper in order to live almost mortgage free because she says she hates being in debt! Since she's a short arse with a bad back she did say she'd prefer electric seats. After looking at a few 3s and me explaining that really you have to look in detail through each advert to find electric seats and that the easiest way to do that was to look at 4 series with a 3 litre engine she homed in on this. www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012147076358?postcode=ky155un&model=4%20SERIES&sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&aggregatedTrim=440i&price-to=25000&colour=Grey&make=BMW&radius=1500&include-delivery-option=on&page=1It appears to have hit a lot of branches as it fell down the option tree. I'd be quite happy in it although we both agree the chrome grille is unacceptable but for some reason the silver on the dash is ok! So while the timing isn't quite right for now the correct choice of car might've been arrived at. As a final twist, however, she reminded me that when she starts her new job next February and once Covid restrictions are removed she will be based at a nearby large hospital with all the attendant parking concerns of either a tight multi-storey or a packed overflow so actually we should probably consider something cheaper at which point she briefly looked at Kia Cee'd GTs as one of her friends has one. Fortunately the Cee'd didn't find favour either! Women, eh! |
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Post by Martin on Dec 21, 2020 11:06:43 GMT
So while the timing isn't quite right for now the correct choice of car might've been arrived at. As you've narrowed it down to a 3.0 4 series, what about Racings GC if he sells that? |
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Post by Roadrunner on Dec 21, 2020 11:14:19 GMT
A 3.0 4 Series, whether the grey coupe or Jonny's GC, is clearly the perfect answer to many questions, including which car you should choose to replace the 320.
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Post by Tim on Dec 21, 2020 11:14:57 GMT
So while the timing isn't quite right for now the correct choice of car might've been arrived at. As you've narrowed it down to a 3.0 4 series, what about Racings GC if he sells that? We both know that Racing isn't going to be allowed to sell it  Plus it will fail on the 'slutty' red leather criteria (did I forget to mention that one?) and it's a London car! ETA The concern she has about parking is a genuine one, we don't want the car getting regularly bashed by other doors. However the answer may be parked on our drive in the form of my brother-in-law's E39 530d. It has a few issues so wouldn't be appropriate for her first few weeks in case it failed to get her to work or meetings but it could be called into play once she felt comfortable with the breakdown jeopardy game! |
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Post by Martin on Dec 21, 2020 11:17:47 GMT
As you've narrowed it down to a 3.0 4 series, what about Racings GC if he sells that? We both know that Racing isn't going to be allowed to sell it Plus it will fail on the 'slutty' red leather criteria (did I forget to mention that one?) and it's a London car! We do, but having a ready buyer might help him out! It doesn't have silver plastic trim so that's another benefit, but the brown interior could be a hard sell for you, especially if Mrs Tim wants red. |
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Post by johnc on Dec 21, 2020 11:21:01 GMT
That 440i is almost identical to the spec of my old 435D
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Post by Tim on Dec 21, 2020 17:16:41 GMT
Hmmm, danger
Mrs Tim is currently back at the garage collecting the 320 and has just phoned me with some questions as she's talking to a salesperson.
My wallet is now extremely worried!
In other news, aside form the rust the 320 has a broken spring as well.
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Post by Martin on Dec 21, 2020 17:40:49 GMT
Hmmm, danger Mrs Tim is currently back at the garage collecting the 320 and has just phoned me with some questions as she's talking to a salesperson. My wallet is now extremely worried! In other news, aside form the rust the 320 has a broken spring as well. That's positive danger though! Unless she comes back with a 218d Tourer, but I don't think there's much chance of that. |
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Post by johnc on Dec 21, 2020 18:03:18 GMT
Hmmm, danger Mrs Tim is currently back at the garage collecting the 320 and has just phoned me with some questions as she's talking to a salesperson. My wallet is now extremely worried! In other news, aside form the rust the 320 has a broken spring as well. I don't consider that danger, I consider it refreshing that you are now being given active encouragement and a mandate to make a purchase! |
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Post by Tim on Dec 21, 2020 18:07:25 GMT
Hmmm, danger Mrs Tim is currently back at the garage collecting the 320 and has just phoned me with some questions as she's talking to a salesperson. My wallet is now extremely worried! In other news, aside form the rust the 320 has a broken spring as well. That's positive danger though! Unless she comes back with a 218d Tourer, but I don't think there's much chance of that. Definitely not a 218d! She was enquiring about this - I'm not sure it's a great deal, it doesn't have heated seats! usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202011256467850?quoteref=e619c971-6315-443e-8e4c-45cdd449554cand then she rang me about this usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202009304414300?quoteref=669281f9-69cb-48e0-afb2-836922713d1aI might've sworn when I saw the onterior on that! However at these prices then I'd go for the 440i I linked to earlier (I sent her the link so maybe she'll show it to the sales person). Anyway she says that more than anything it's to see what they'd give us for the 320 and just how much we'd be paying to get a car at around £25k. |
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Post by Tim on Dec 21, 2020 18:09:36 GMT
Hmmm, danger Mrs Tim is currently back at the garage collecting the 320 and has just phoned me with some questions as she's talking to a salesperson. My wallet is now extremely worried! In other news, aside form the rust the 320 has a broken spring as well. I don't consider that danger, I consider it refreshing that you are now being given active encouragement and a mandate to make a purchase! It's only a danger in that I don't think we're quite ready to by anything yet. She said last night that it'd be great if we could keep the 320 at least another year and now she's looking at buying something. Still, the seal has been broken, as it were. Now she's looked at a car and enquired about finance there's no going back now It's never boring here |
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Post by Martin on Dec 21, 2020 18:16:42 GMT
That 320i looks awfully expensive for a fairly basic (engine and spec) 2 year old / old shape 3 series? The 5 series would look better without black wheels and that interior is actually quite nice, it's what my Dad has on his 630d (but he has comfort seats). Takes some looking after though. If you've got equity in the 320d and are looking at spending £25k, it would be a lot cheaper to use a bank loan (3% APR max) rather than BMW finance. |
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Post by Tim on Dec 21, 2020 18:25:50 GMT
That 320i looks awfully expensive for a fairly basic (engine and spec) 2 year old / old shape 3 series? The 5 series would look better without black wheels and that interior is actually quite nice, it's what my Dad has on his 630d (but he has comfort seats). Takes some looking after though. If you've got equity in the 320d and are looking at spending £25k, it would be a lot cheaper to use a bank loan (3% APR max) rather than BMW finance. Yeah I wasn't particularly impressed by the 3 and forgot about the wheels on the 5. I'm a bit suspicious that a low mileage, 2 year old 5 series has had the wheels resprayed. Aren't those wheels normally silver? |
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Post by Tim on Dec 21, 2020 18:29:06 GMT
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Post by johnc on Dec 21, 2020 20:46:43 GMT
Do you want a saloon rather than a coupe. There are a few 440i coupes under £25K now. Mind you the new 4 series is being discounted already so if you wait 6 months they might pay you to take one!
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Dec 21, 2020 21:16:31 GMT
All Shadow Editions have heated seats. |
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Post by Martin on Dec 21, 2020 21:25:34 GMT
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Post by PetrolEd on Dec 21, 2020 22:46:52 GMT
Yesterday we popped into the local Ford dealer to check out a 2018 Focus ST-3. Despite it being white (we'd choose blue or black) the outside received the Mrs Tim seal of approval for being chrome free. Inside wasn't quite so successful. The car had a flat battery so she couldn't adjust the seat (although the salesman had gone to get a jumper pack without actually mentioning that's what he was doing!), the dashboard and door plastics were deemed 'low rent' and she took offence at the satin finish trim around the gear lever cover and air vents, despite me pointing out that our 320 has a huge swathe of aluminium across the centre console and in front of the passenger. In addition, on closer inspection the elephant hide plastic and the smooth stuff around the heater/stereo controls on the BMW are pretty much the same as the Focus it's just that BMW manage to break it up a bit better. Anyway we might go back in the new year for a proper look and test drive. www.cuparford.co.uk/vehicle-details/Used-FORD-FOCUS-2-0-ST-3-250PS-5-door-WHITE-Manual-Petrol-reg=SM18GUO-id=1398637In the meantime late last night (about 10:30!) she decided that we should review Autotrader. Somehow that entailed looking at BMW 3 series, Touring preferred for looks alone, and with a budget up to £25k. This from someone who has considered selling our house of 11 months - 'the last time we're moving' - and moving to somewhere smaller and cheaper in order to live almost mortgage free because she says she hates being in debt! Since she's a short arse with a bad back she did say she'd prefer electric seats. After looking at a few 3s and me explaining that really you have to look in detail through each advert to find electric seats and that the easiest way to do that was to look at 4 series with a 3 litre engine she homed in on this. www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012147076358?postcode=ky155un&model=4%20SERIES&sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&aggregatedTrim=440i&price-to=25000&colour=Grey&make=BMW&radius=1500&include-delivery-option=on&page=1It appears to have hit a lot of branches as it fell down the option tree. I'd be quite happy in it although we both agree the chrome grille is unacceptable but for some reason the silver on the dash is ok! So while the timing isn't quite right for now the correct choice of car might've been arrived at. As a final twist, however, she reminded me that when she starts her new job next February and once Covid restrictions are removed she will be based at a nearby large hospital with all the attendant parking concerns of either a tight multi-storey or a packed overflow so actually we should probably consider something cheaper at which point she briefly looked at Kia Cee'd GTs as one of her friends has one. Fortunately the Cee'd didn't find favour either! Women, eh! What surprises me most about the 2 cars posted is the supposed premium BMW seems to suffer worse depreciation then a "volume" Focus. Have you looked at a Kia Stinger? The 3.0 has a lot of appeal. |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Dec 21, 2020 23:11:07 GMT
Yeah it does. Shadow Editions have everything thrown at them. It’ll have a heated steering wheel as well. I’ve had about 6 of them and they’ve all been identically specced. |
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Post by Roadrunner on Dec 21, 2020 23:46:53 GMT
What surprises me most about the 2 cars posted is the supposed premium BMW seems to suffer worse depreciation then a "volume" Focus. Have you looked at a Kia Stinger? The 3.0 has a lot of appeal. Good call. I have always liked those. |
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Post by Martin on Dec 21, 2020 23:54:11 GMT
Yeah it does. Shadow Editions have everything thrown at them. It’ll have a heated steering wheel as well. I’ve had about 6 of them and they’ve all been identically specced. Cant see the switches for the heated seats.  |
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Post by Roadrunner on Dec 21, 2020 23:54:14 GMT
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Post by Martin on Dec 22, 2020 0:00:43 GMT
Yeah it does. Shadow Editions have everything thrown at them. It’ll have a heated steering wheel as well. I’ve had about 6 of them and they’ve all been identically specced. It was bugging me because the car Tim linked doesn’t have them, so I googled a price list and the Shadow Edition doesn't have heated seats or a heated wheel as standard. The cars you’ve had must all have been fitted with the comfort pack which includes: Interior Comfort package ZIC Comprises: – 248 Steering wheel heating – 493 Extended Storage – 494 Seat heating, front – 4AE Armrest front, sliding Extended storage is std so the pack cost a bit less on the Shadow Edition. Edit: Worth finding one with Professional Nav as well, the basic Nav screen looks....errrr....basic, with too much black plastic either side. |
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Post by Tim on Dec 22, 2020 8:53:20 GMT
Well, the way I feel this morning a BMW is definitely NOT on the list as a replacement.
Even though Mrs Tim spent another couple of hours going through 4 series coupes on Autotrader last night.
As an aside why is it that companies like Honda, Hyundai and no doubt others have a huge gap in their range between a 130BHP Civic and a 300BHP Type R?
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Post by johnc on Dec 22, 2020 8:53:34 GMT
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Post by johnc on Dec 22, 2020 9:03:24 GMT
Don't know what happened in the post above. I tried to edit it and it now won't let me!
What has turned you against the BMW Tim?
I too think the Stinger is a lot of car for the money. All the toys and much newer than an equivalent BMW. Does it also have the 7 year warranty?
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Post by Tim on Dec 22, 2020 9:19:48 GMT
Don't know what happened in the post above. I tried to edit it and it now won't let me! What has turned you against the BMW Tim?I too think the Stinger is a lot of car for the money. All the toys and much newer than an equivalent BMW. Does it also have the 7 year warranty? I've started a thread. Now I'm thinking about it I don't think the hassle and complication this car has brought recently has been worth it for a run of the mill 2 litre diesel family type car. Maybe I could forgive it if it was an M3 but the dealer I used for servicing (John Clark in Dundee) has been average at best, it's had the transfer box issue (fair enough it's an xDrive so could be avoided but it's a complication) the rust has now pissed me right off and at 123k miles I have no confidence in its ability to soldier on without dropping some big bill for a load of suspension, clutch, etc. |
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Post by Tim on Dec 22, 2020 9:26:42 GMT
Yesterday we popped into the local Ford dealer to check out a 2018 Focus ST-3. Despite it being white (we'd choose blue or black) the outside received the Mrs Tim seal of approval for being chrome free. Inside wasn't quite so successful. The car had a flat battery so she couldn't adjust the seat (although the salesman had gone to get a jumper pack without actually mentioning that's what he was doing!), the dashboard and door plastics were deemed 'low rent' and she took offence at the satin finish trim around the gear lever cover and air vents, despite me pointing out that our 320 has a huge swathe of aluminium across the centre console and in front of the passenger. In addition, on closer inspection the elephant hide plastic and the smooth stuff around the heater/stereo controls on the BMW are pretty much the same as the Focus it's just that BMW manage to break it up a bit better. Anyway we might go back in the new year for a proper look and test drive. www.cuparford.co.uk/vehicle-details/Used-FORD-FOCUS-2-0-ST-3-250PS-5-door-WHITE-Manual-Petrol-reg=SM18GUO-id=1398637In the meantime late last night (about 10:30!) she decided that we should review Autotrader. Somehow that entailed looking at BMW 3 series, Touring preferred for looks alone, and with a budget up to £25k. This from someone who has considered selling our house of 11 months - 'the last time we're moving' - and moving to somewhere smaller and cheaper in order to live almost mortgage free because she says she hates being in debt! Since she's a short arse with a bad back she did say she'd prefer electric seats. After looking at a few 3s and me explaining that really you have to look in detail through each advert to find electric seats and that the easiest way to do that was to look at 4 series with a 3 litre engine she homed in on this. www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012147076358?postcode=ky155un&model=4%20SERIES&sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&aggregatedTrim=440i&price-to=25000&colour=Grey&make=BMW&radius=1500&include-delivery-option=on&page=1It appears to have hit a lot of branches as it fell down the option tree. I'd be quite happy in it although we both agree the chrome grille is unacceptable but for some reason the silver on the dash is ok! So while the timing isn't quite right for now the correct choice of car might've been arrived at. As a final twist, however, she reminded me that when she starts her new job next February and once Covid restrictions are removed she will be based at a nearby large hospital with all the attendant parking concerns of either a tight multi-storey or a packed overflow so actually we should probably consider something cheaper at which point she briefly looked at Kia Cee'd GTs as one of her friends has one. Fortunately the Cee'd didn't find favour either! Women, eh!
Have you looked at a Kia Stinger? The 3.0 has a lot of appeal. Missed this! When looking at 4 series on Autotrader last night a couple of brand new 320d saloons popped up in the unsolicited ads at the bottom of the page and were discounted (!) to around £47k. That's utterly insane for a 2 litre diesel family car. I really don't think there's much 'premium' about BMWs (or any of the other marques like that) any more - I expect that they're made of largely the same materials as everything else and since they're now selling in such huge volumes there's no way they can maintain high used prices. I think where they score is better interior design - as I said the plastics in the Focus are no worse than those in my BMW, it's just easier to see them in the Ford. |
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Post by ChrisM on Dec 22, 2020 11:10:18 GMT
What has turned you against the BMW Tim? ..... the rust has now pissed me right off and at 123k miles I have no confidence in its ability to soldier on without dropping some big bill for a load of suspension, clutch, etc. Stu had similar concerns over his red V60, hence he got rid. Complex cars do not usually go on "for ever" without needing expensive work at some stage, or stages, of their lives |
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Post by Tim on Dec 22, 2020 11:24:46 GMT
Totally agree Chris but currently have absolutely zero idea what to look at!
Mrs Tim bemoaned the fact Fiat don't do something like the Punto Mk2 HGT anymore (500s are a definite no) and even suggested buying a top-notch Fiat Coupe to be used daily!!
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