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Post by Big Blue on Feb 7, 2024 14:28:18 GMT
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Post by Tim on Feb 7, 2024 15:03:40 GMT
What's the point of the black bit on the rear bumper of BMWs?
Is it meant to remove visual bulk?
I think it looks really crap on most of them, especially this and the 1 series.
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Post by PetrolEd on Feb 7, 2024 15:19:15 GMT
Nearly all BMW's need to bought in Black these days to disguise the terrible scoops. I don't particularly dislike the 5 Series, it was more the cost and poor engine choice offered.
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Post by racingteatray on Feb 7, 2024 18:07:01 GMT
And lo the £100k electric 5-series estate. It's not winning any design awards by the looks of things.
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Post by Martin on Feb 8, 2024 0:03:21 GMT
It looks better than the saloon, but thats a very low bar.
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Post by Grampa on Feb 12, 2024 13:47:08 GMT
I'm about as ambivolent about this as I would be about a washing machine
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Post by Big Blue on Feb 12, 2024 19:52:37 GMT
Well I am now fully of the opinion that the G31 is peak 5er Touring. Here's why:
No massage seats available on G61
No rear glass opening on G61
G61 530e slower than G31
G61 Front end irredeemably horrible, even though G31 is not Claudia Schiffer
Rear parcel shelf of G61 does not automatically move out of the way
G61 is even bigger than the G31, which is pretty enormous anyway.
There are lots of other reasons but these ones have jumped out at me on looking through the configurators in three countries (BMW UK is exceptionally restrictive, with that "iconic" chav grille only available on the M Sport Pro-chav version when Europe allows it to be added as an individual option). The interior colour ways and material offerings aren't exactly a choice either.
Basically the new model is theft-spec by the manufacturer and the idea of "customer options" seems to have become "we can sell it used easier" options even more as each model moves on.
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Post by racingteatray on Feb 12, 2024 21:34:57 GMT
No rear glass opening? That'll tick owners off - it's such a handy feature that one wonders why all estate cars don't have it.
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Post by Boxer6 on Feb 12, 2024 21:51:59 GMT
No rear glass opening? That'll tick owners off - it's such a handy feature that one wonders why all estate cars don't have it. Maybe. I can count on the fingers of one hand how often I've used it on mine in some 10 months of ownership! |
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Post by Big Blue on Feb 12, 2024 22:48:46 GMT
No rear glass opening? That'll tick owners off - it's such a handy feature that one wonders why all estate cars don't have it. Yep. This is especially important on long trips. When we pack the car we use every square millimetre of the boot, from storing things under the floor with the cover to closing the boot and then OPENING THE REAR GLASS to fill it up. This also means we can have an overnight case and the case with technology items ready to take out on stop overs. You can’t fill it as much if you’re trying to balance stuff to allow the boot to close. Lots of Europeans use their Kombi cars for long European breaks (ours are 5/6 weeks) and it’s why Europe is the biggest market for them. When you’ve had a usp for generations how the f__k you can justify the latest generation not having it is beyond my wit. Not only that: in multi-storey car parks I’m forever panic stricken that the electric boot will just mash itself into the underside of the floor above whereas the opening rear glass cover means that will not happen. I don’t need to do any counting or thought: I use the opening rear glass more than the full boot opening. |
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Post by Boxer6 on Feb 12, 2024 23:50:01 GMT
No rear glass opening? That'll tick owners off - it's such a handy feature that one wonders why all estate cars don't have it. Yep. This is especially important on long trips. When we pack the car we use every square millimetre of the boot, from storing things under the floor with the cover to closing the boot and then OPENING THE REAR GLASS to fill it up. This also means we can have an overnight case and the case with technology items ready to take out on stop overs. You can’t fill it as much if you’re trying to balance stuff to allow the boot to close. Lots of Europeans use their Kombi cars for long European breaks (ours are 5/6 weeks) and it’s why Europe is the biggest market for them. When you’ve had a usp for generations how the f__k you can justify the latest generation not having it is beyond my wit. Not only that: in multi-storey car parks I’m forever panic stricken that the electric boot will just mash itself into the underside of the floor above whereas the opening rear glass cover means that will not happen. I don’t need to do any counting or thought: I use the opening rear glass more than the full boot opening. I must admit, the times I have used it was to throw a foam model on top of the other stuff already packed when I've gone flying. Also need to make sure the load cover has been detached, which I forgot to do the first time I used it! |
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Post by PG on Feb 13, 2024 0:03:44 GMT
Never mind the looks and lack of style, yet again a new model is bigger than the one it replaces. Why???
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Post by Tim on Feb 13, 2024 8:37:43 GMT
Yep. This is especially important on long trips. When we pack the car we use every square millimetre of the boot, from storing things under the floor with the cover to closing the boot and then OPENING THE REAR GLASS to fill it up. This also means we can have an overnight case and the case with technology items ready to take out on stop overs. You can’t fill it as much if you’re trying to balance stuff to allow the boot to close. Lots of Europeans use their Kombi cars for long European breaks (ours are 5/6 weeks) and it’s why Europe is the biggest market for them. When you’ve had a usp for generations how the f__k you can justify the latest generation not having it is beyond my wit. Not only that: in multi-storey car parks I’m forever panic stricken that the electric boot will just mash itself into the underside of the floor above whereas the opening rear glass cover means that will not happen. I don’t need to do any counting or thought: I use the opening rear glass more than the full boot opening. I must admit, the times I have used it was to throw a foam model on top of the other stuff already packed when I've gone flying. Also need to make sure the load cover has been detached, which I forgot to do the first time I used it! We first had it on our original Stilo and I never used it because being a shortarse, and the Stilo being quite high, it was no good for me. It made much more sense on the various 3 series we had. |
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Post by racingteatray on Feb 13, 2024 15:16:19 GMT
I remember my sister saying that it's a godsend for dog owners - they had an X-Type estate that had one and she said the beauty of it was that it enabled them to access the boot to take things out or put things in with less risk of their labrador making an unscheduled bid for freedom.
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Post by johnc on Feb 13, 2024 16:50:54 GMT
There has been a lot of de-speccing by manufacturers and the introduction of cheaper materials. In our quest for an i-Pace replacement we went round a few dealers on Sunday for a look. We looked at Genesis which didn't excite in the looks department but the interiors feel really premium and would be a very comfortable place to spend time. Some of the prices on their used cars, many less than a year old were very impressive - c£29K for a 5,000 miles 5 seater spacious saloon with an interior made of proper hide and lots of leather and stitching visible on almost every surface.
We looked at the i5 but apart from being slab sided and huge, it didn't impart that feeling that it was a quality machine. The Hyundai IONIQ 6 felt every bit as good as the BMW in the things you touch and is considerably cheaper but not really on the want list.
The search goes on but we are taking a break to go to Marbella next week so things will have to wait. I still haven't heard from Porsche about business contract hire prices and Audi couldn't give me a figure on the Q4 e-tron 55 Sportsback with black pack and silver wheels - something wrong with their system apparently. Personally I think many manufacturers don't want to lease a car for 3 years and find that the used value has fallen through the floor when they get the car back - they all keep pushing PCP or contract purchase where some of that risk falls back on the customer by using lower GFVs.
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Post by racingteatray on Feb 13, 2024 23:36:02 GMT
I have to say that one of the things I really like about the Macan is how solid it feels - it has that general "hewn from rock" look and feel that Audis used to have in the early 2000s. Little things like the way the doors shut with a sort of expensive-sounding muffled "whumpf".
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Post by Martin on Feb 14, 2024 2:29:06 GMT
Reducing the spec and the quality at that price point is a poor show. The only positive I can think of is at least they are still making a big estate. Agree with the positive comments about the separate rear screen, I used it quite a lot on my 5 series, every time I wanted to drop a coat or small bag in as it was so easy with the load cover powering up out of the way. I agree with Racing about Porsche build and material quality, it’s a step up from both the 7 series and Range Rover for sure. But I can’t agree that any sort of door closing ‘whumph’, muffled or otherwise sounds expensive, soft close every time!  |
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Post by johnc on Feb 14, 2024 8:26:21 GMT
I have to say that one of the things I really like about the Macan is how solid it feels - it has that general "hewn from rock" look and feel that Audis used to have in the early 2000s. Little things like the way the doors shut with a sort of expensive-sounding muffled "whumpf". What do you think of the Macan in other respects? Does it handle well and feel connected to the road or is it still a bit SUV like, what does it sound like and is it better than the 440i was? Is there anything that disappoints or annoys? |
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Post by Martin on Feb 14, 2024 8:54:34 GMT
I know the question wasn’t to me John, but having had a good drive in one back to back with a Panamera, it still feels SUV like to drive. Not Range Rover like as it does handle nicely and feels pretty well tied down, but it’s not just the driving position that makes you think SUV. Nothing wrong with that and I did like it, but the Panamera was more enjoyable to drive quickly and I assume the M5 will be on another level again. Refinement and quality of the Panamera is a step up as well. . Despite the updates the interior still feels a bit dated, mine is hardly bang up to date as it was launched in 2017 (but it does have the latest 2022 infotainment) and I don’t understand why they’ve removed the shortcut buttons. Motorway refinement is OK and the gearbox is good but it felt a bit jerky at low speeds.
I felt the Panamera was well worth the extra £20k, which will end up being more than that as I’m sure it will be worth less in a couple of years time. I wouldn’t make a different decision if I was buying now. Unless there was a nice spec Turbo S available!
As always, the only way to really find out what it’s like is to drive it as we all have different tastes / requirements.
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Post by johnc on Feb 14, 2024 9:26:49 GMT
Thanks Martin. I will have to try one as long as it is anywhere apart from Glasgow Porsche - the only garage to make me feel as if I shouldn't be there because I couldn't afford it!
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Post by Martin on Feb 14, 2024 9:40:52 GMT
Thanks Martin. I will have to try one as long as it is anywhere apart from Glasgow Porsche - the only garage to make me feel as if I shouldn't be there because I couldn't afford it! Will make a nice change from trudging around dealerships looking at EVs! That’s poor to say the least. When we bought the Boxster, it was the cheapest car Porsche Silverstone had for sale and it felt like we were buying a new 911. Which is how it should be. You should have asked the salesperson what their personal car was…… |
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Post by PetrolEd on Feb 14, 2024 9:49:44 GMT
The search goes on but we are taking a break to go to Marbella next week so things will have to wait. I still haven't heard from Porsche about business contract hire prices and Audi couldn't give me a figure on the Q4 e-tron 55 Sportsback with black pack and silver wheels - something wrong with their system apparently. Personally I think many manufacturers don't want to lease a car for 3 years and find that the used value has fallen through the floor when they get the car back - they all keep pushing PCP or contract purchase where some of that risk falls back on the customer by using lower GFVs. I think dealers are particularly poor when it comes to Lease. For whatever reason they don't seem to have the quote tools at dealer level and therefore they leave lease to the third party brokers. I'm sure a Taycan Estate on BCH would be a bit of a steal with the new model coming out and a truck load of stock littering up the dealers. |
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Post by PetrolEd on Feb 14, 2024 9:54:32 GMT
I have to say that one of the things I really like about the Macan is how solid it feels - it has that general "hewn from rock" look and feel that Audis used to have in the early 2000s. Little things like the way the doors shut with a sort of expensive-sounding muffled "whumpf". What do you think of the Macan in other respects? Does it handle well and feel connected to the road or is it still a bit SUV like, what does it sound like and is it better than the 440i was? Is there anything that disappoints or annoys? From experience I'd say they drive like a jacked up Golf Gti. You can't get rid of the physics but Porsche have done a damn good job of making them handle very nicely. The ones I've driven have always been the 3.0 Petrol S as loan cars from the dealer. I imagine a GTS to be even better. |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Feb 14, 2024 10:24:43 GMT
I remember my sister saying that it's a godsend for dog owners - they had an X-Type estate that had one and she said the beauty of it was that it enabled them to access the boot to take things out or put things in with less risk of their labrador making an unscheduled bid for freedom. As a dog owner I agree - it's a lovely feature when you use it. Across all my Tourings I think I used it 3 times. |
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Post by PG on Feb 14, 2024 10:48:41 GMT
I remember my sister saying that it's a godsend for dog owners - they had an X-Type estate that had one and she said the beauty of it was that it enabled them to access the boot to take things out or put things in with less risk of their labrador making an unscheduled bid for freedom. As a dog owner I agree - it's a lovely feature when you use it. Across all my Tourings I think I used it 3 times. Yes, opening glass is very useful for dog owners. It should be mandatory on all lifting tailgates. Our dog was used to the side opening door in the Shogun and so sometimes when we open the Disco Sport door hatch (whether to put other stuff in or ask her to get out when ready) she just decamps herself when not supposed to. Now we have one of those seatbelt clips that fits onto the god guard and and clips onto her harness. So if she jumps out before we are ready she just hangs there with all four feet off the ground looking confused and slightly embarrassed. Then I left her back in. |
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Post by Big Blue on Aug 5, 2024 7:05:05 GMT
Well I’ll resurrect this having just had a first poke around one in the showroom when dropping Eva for service.
Looks-wise they are much better looking in the metal but colour sensitive, like all cars are. That was a pleasant surprise at least. W2.1 also likes the vegan pleather.
Interior, looks like a 5er. I think the upper door trims are a bit less plush than the stitched pleather ones on Eva but not cheap. You can see some cost cutting though.
Now the tailgate issues. The rear cover is manual whereas both the Gorilla and Eva have an electric one just like the new A5/S5 Avant has. The reason for this is that the rear hip-roofline gap is very shallow so the mechanism to allow the current arrangement is impossible. They could have a lateral motor but then the user would need to ensure the load was below the line - on Eva the cover would lower over an oversize option.
That shallow gap also negates the point of the glass opening. You’d pretty much get eff all extra in and might just as well put it in from the rear seats and then put in the luggage net (which is now much less framed and very much part of the cost cutting. The boot is much wider as there are no wheel arch incursions as the car rides higher due to the battery pack.
So overall I’d not chuck it out of the garage but having had Berry call me this week to remind me that I have just over a year on Eva I’ll probably just go for paying the balloon next September. Eva will have possibly 24-26k miles by then so still not far off just run in!
EtA: £61 for a brake fluid change at BMW in Zlín. No VAT. Bigger service next year. It will be back here.
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