Driven - Tuned BMW 1M
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 23,298
Likes: 831
From: Nottingham
A short commute? Hmm nottm to soho.
Admittedly I only drive 20miles
The gearbox is a gnarly old bast, compared to the s2000 it is wank, but I'm learning to live with it.
I had 30mpg showing the other day. Albeit at 50 in 6th
Admittedly I only drive 20miles
The gearbox is a gnarly old bast, compared to the s2000 it is wank, but I'm learning to live with it.
I had 30mpg showing the other day. Albeit at 50 in 6th
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 500
Likes: 1
From: Kent, UK
I had a new model M135i on demo for a week. Second only in my all-time mentalest cars driven list to Kitesurfer's turbo'd S.
Unfortunately it was an auto, which is a bit faster than the manual, but robs you of a bit of control. The auto 'box is undeniably good, but the combination of 320hp and kick-down is seriously strenuous on the neck muscles.
I had the Active Hybrid 3 after that. It's probably the most complete piece of engineering I've ever driven - 300+hp, 30 mpg when spanking it home from work and runs on its own leccy charge at 30-40mph with nothing more than the straight-six purr to tell you it had swapped back from battery to petrol power. But at almost £50k it should be that good!
I've driven a load of the latest 1's, 3's and 5's and they're all bloody good to be honest.
I've got a Cooper S on the go at the moment. I know I shouldn't confess this, but I was looking forward to driving it because I've still got a big soft spot for buzzy hot hatches, but the combination of stiff suspension, and wide, ultra-low profile Bridgestone run-flats - the perfect storm for rubbish tyres in my humble opinion - totally ruins it. If you think an S2000 has issues in the wet (I don't, for what it's worth) take a drive in a Cooper S - one minute it's grippy and predictable, then it just goes completely numb, apart from the tram-lining. When will they give up on that run flat nonsense?
Unfortunately it was an auto, which is a bit faster than the manual, but robs you of a bit of control. The auto 'box is undeniably good, but the combination of 320hp and kick-down is seriously strenuous on the neck muscles.
I had the Active Hybrid 3 after that. It's probably the most complete piece of engineering I've ever driven - 300+hp, 30 mpg when spanking it home from work and runs on its own leccy charge at 30-40mph with nothing more than the straight-six purr to tell you it had swapped back from battery to petrol power. But at almost £50k it should be that good!
I've driven a load of the latest 1's, 3's and 5's and they're all bloody good to be honest.
I've got a Cooper S on the go at the moment. I know I shouldn't confess this, but I was looking forward to driving it because I've still got a big soft spot for buzzy hot hatches, but the combination of stiff suspension, and wide, ultra-low profile Bridgestone run-flats - the perfect storm for rubbish tyres in my humble opinion - totally ruins it. If you think an S2000 has issues in the wet (I don't, for what it's worth) take a drive in a Cooper S - one minute it's grippy and predictable, then it just goes completely numb, apart from the tram-lining. When will they give up on that run flat nonsense?
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,445
Likes: 7
From: Plymouth
And just for the record, the N54 never had any turbo issues.
The early wastegates occasionally develop a rattle at tickover, but its not a biggie and can be fixed.
Never heard of any of the little Mitsi snails giving up the ghost, still haven't.
Having gone to 80k and 420bhp which got used every single drive, its a solid lump - ditto N55 of course.
The only major issue is one that affects many other direct injections (Audi et al) and its carbon build up on the intake structures.
A real PITA but I expect a rework of the breathers will/has sorted it to some degree.
The M135i on a 3+23 lease is pretty cheap.
The M3 even cheaper
Steve
The early wastegates occasionally develop a rattle at tickover, but its not a biggie and can be fixed.
Never heard of any of the little Mitsi snails giving up the ghost, still haven't.
Having gone to 80k and 420bhp which got used every single drive, its a solid lump - ditto N55 of course.
The only major issue is one that affects many other direct injections (Audi et al) and its carbon build up on the intake structures.
A real PITA but I expect a rework of the breathers will/has sorted it to some degree.
The M135i on a 3+23 lease is pretty cheap.
The M3 even cheaper
Steve
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 23,298
Likes: 831
From: Nottingham
The runout M3s are bargains. I've pondered swapping mine for new and I never buy new. Some great deals on AUC ATM so clearly weak demand.
Older M3s, e46s etc are worth feg all though. A lot of car for the money IMHO
Older M3s, e46s etc are worth feg all though. A lot of car for the money IMHO
Banned
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 31,739
Likes: 69
From: Survivalist enclave
And just for the record, the N54 never had any turbo issues.
The early wastegates occasionally develop a rattle at tickover, but its not a biggie and can be fixed.
Never heard of any of the little Mitsi snails giving up the ghost, still haven't.
Having gone to 80k and 420bhp which got used every single drive, its a solid lump - ditto N55 of course.
The only major issue is one that affects many other direct injections (Audi et al) and its carbon build up on the intake structures.
A real PITA but I expect a rework of the breathers will/has sorted it to some degree.
The M135i on a 3+23 lease is pretty cheap.
The M3 even cheaper
Steve
The early wastegates occasionally develop a rattle at tickover, but its not a biggie and can be fixed.
Never heard of any of the little Mitsi snails giving up the ghost, still haven't.
Having gone to 80k and 420bhp which got used every single drive, its a solid lump - ditto N55 of course.
The only major issue is one that affects many other direct injections (Audi et al) and its carbon build up on the intake structures.
A real PITA but I expect a rework of the breathers will/has sorted it to some degree.
The M135i on a 3+23 lease is pretty cheap.
The M3 even cheaper
Steve
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,445
Likes: 7
From: Plymouth
I just picked up a new style E Class saloon for delivery next month (hopefully).
£412 inc VAT a month over two years on 3+23 and 25k miles p/a with a couple of options to boot.
Thats £5,500 a year all in, to have it on the drive. The company pays me a lot more than that to leave the CC scheme.
I expect that's a lot cheaper than buying it. The residuals will be interesting at the end.
Bad luck if you just bought the runout E Class. Same deal above was only £290 pcm for that.
Take one over three years and average mileage and its yours for about £250pcm.
You cant buy it for that
Astonishing.
There were M3s about last month for under £450pcm on a two year personal lease.
There is little sense buying modern cars now unless you have a lot of cash, and then its often more expensive.
When I look had at what I have borrowed/financed over the years, almost everything would have been cheaper to rent.
The only exception being this Megane,just no great deals on them, this one was cheap used. Very cheap.
Borrowing money at great expense just to buy a new deprecating asset is a bit daft in the cold light of day.
You can lease a new car cheaper than borrowing money for a used car quite often.
£412 inc VAT a month over two years on 3+23 and 25k miles p/a with a couple of options to boot.
Thats £5,500 a year all in, to have it on the drive. The company pays me a lot more than that to leave the CC scheme.
I expect that's a lot cheaper than buying it. The residuals will be interesting at the end.
Bad luck if you just bought the runout E Class. Same deal above was only £290 pcm for that.
Take one over three years and average mileage and its yours for about £250pcm.
You cant buy it for that
Astonishing.
There were M3s about last month for under £450pcm on a two year personal lease.
There is little sense buying modern cars now unless you have a lot of cash, and then its often more expensive.
When I look had at what I have borrowed/financed over the years, almost everything would have been cheaper to rent.
The only exception being this Megane,just no great deals on them, this one was cheap used. Very cheap.
Borrowing money at great expense just to buy a new deprecating asset is a bit daft in the cold light of day.
You can lease a new car cheaper than borrowing money for a used car quite often.
Banned
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 31,739
Likes: 69
From: Survivalist enclave
The £10K estimate will be interesting. I'd say it's optimistic if previous M residuals are anything to go by. Then add the fuel, tax, insurance, some tyres, servicing and a few ad hoc non-warranty fixes and you can see well over £20K for the three year ownership experience. Not saying that's a good or a bad thing as it's all down to personal circumstances and priorities. The weird thing is that I find the more I can afford it the less I can stomach it. Another symptom of old age I suppose.