Looking at replacing the families 325 BMW saloon for an estate/touring/sportswagon. Has to be diesel and return about 48mpg on the combined cycle. Suggestions please otherwise it may be a 320d or a Saab 9-3 Sportswagon........
My BMW 325 tds is the worst car I have ever owned. Fuel injection pump failed, £1,100 including labour, Window parted company with its winding mechanism, Heater blower failed, Electrical faults and numerous other annoying minor items which always seemed to start at £200 to put right. Gearbox fault is the latest which the computer diagnosis has thrown up. Never had this with the two 5 series previously. Must be unlucky car I guess.
New VW passats are ace Tdi is quick and economical,I have the previous shape petrol turbo but my dad had the diesel and it was fab,he now has the Saab vector 9-3 tdi also v.good,comfiest seats ever!
Think I would lean towards Soddim. Skodas are now very good in the way that Mercedes are very aren't. If the image thing grabs you then fine. Remember (With changing social values) that a Beemer owner is likely to be in one, if not both of the following: An area manager for a widget company or a complete tosser.
Sadly, the way that "brands" are driven, are now beginning to define their owners.
Before you ask, I had a Beemer once. 196 tech faults in three months.
Buy the Beemer, but forget the Raybans.
A happy and prosperous, etc.etc. to all, See you on the M4/M25.
Conan the allegedly pipe smoking V70 driver.
PS I spent half of last year with a friend explaining why a Beemer met its' match with a Volvo. Can't wait for one to run into the back end
Slightly edited to reflect the fact that Iooked again, but my thoughts of BMW are still as written. My apologies.
Last edited by Conan the Librarian; 31st Dec 2005 at 00:53.
OT I notice James Packer drives an Aston Martin. Been my experience all Brit cars are unreliable shiteboxes. Do you suppose he has a crew follow him around?
If you're fussed by badges, buy the BMW or you'll never forgive yourself.
If you really want the best car in the class, go for a Ford Mondeo estate. A real driver's car, better built than the BMW, more reliable and shed-loads of money left over to buy a small jet or something useful.
Mine is the B5 20v turbo Sport 2000my Not the most fun car I have owned but its great,I also have a mk2 golf gti-concours condition,but the passat is for when that won't start!
