[rogerxp]

AAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

It's soooooooooooooooooo damn frustrating. If you've filtered through your search but still have lets say 6 pages to go through, you can no longer 'right click and open in new tab' the car you want to check out, hence leaving the results page where you left it.

You now have to click on each car, to see it's spec, then go back a page where it's defaulted back to 'highest price first', as opposed to the 'lowest price first' as I'd selected.

Then you have to re-sort the results then go to the page no. you were on before getting back to the last car you looked at.

Such a pain in the arse, especially when you're scanning through 6 pages of similar cars, but looking for the occassional one with xenons (an option that you can't filter on).

Anyway, got that off my chest...

...don't suppose there's a way to use the old and trusted system???

[M3-FAST]

Roger - hold down the 'CTRL' key as you click on 'VIEW DETAILS'

This will force it to open in a new tab leaving the results page intact - you can also then get multiple cars open at once

[rogerxp]

Paul, take this in the spirit of which it's meant, but, I think I love you .

I can feel my blood pressure reducing as I type .

Caveat - I don't love Paul really (just very very very grateful...)

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

Paul, take this in the spirit of which it's meant, but, I think I love you .

I can feel my blood pressure reducing as I type .

Caveat - I don't love Paul really (just very very very grateful...)

[davyk31]

If you hover over the boxes where it rates the specification of the car does it not give you a pop up showing the cars additional equipment.

Not sure how they rate the additional equipment though, seems to be a rating of 4 or 5 boxes, most get top if perhaps 4 out of 5 boxes but spec can vary widely.

[RagingKileak]

It is shite. Fact.

Nonetheless, its not as bad as Autotrader.co.uk

Matt

[TMP]

I do find it better compared to others....Audi is toss due to limited search filters. Saying that I have been pretty good and not looked for 9 months so things could have changed!
Agree, Autotrader is sooo poor.

Roger, is this changing the X3?

[kdiz]

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

Roger - hold down the 'CTRL' key as you click on 'VIEW DETAILS'

This will force it to open in a new tab leaving the results page intact - you can also then get multiple cars open at once

sweeeet, didn't think to do that.

On a side note, their site isnt too bad but very sluggish, could be easily made better.

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by davyk31

If you hover over the boxes where it rates the specification of the car does it not give you a pop up showing the cars additional equipment.

Ah, you're quite correct, maybe my earlier rant was a little harsh then, that's quite useful .

Originally Posted by TMP

Roger, is this changing the X3?

Yes mate, just thinking something more economical might be wise given the pretty tough year we're all about to have financially.

We average about 28mpg in it which isn't the worst thing in the world but when I see what these newer, more economical Beemer diesels are achieving, it does make you think.

I've considered a new X3 (av. 50mpg ) which I could get for similar money (admittedly with a balloon as opposed to full repayment like I've currently got) but it would be peasent spec which would be a bit of a shock compared to what we've got now. The more I look at the X1 (av. 53mpg for 2wd or 49mpg for 4wd) the more I think it's actually not a bad car if you can look past its ugliness. These are obviously cheaper and better deals to be had on them. Qashqai+2 considered, great spec, but they're not that economical. Freelander isn't great on juice either. So, the current favourite is an LCI 2.0d E91, these reach nearly 60mpg in manual guise , have more load space than an X1, and more around to choose from. Haven't really looked at Audi's yet as my head is already spinning and I'm not their greatest fan and know absolutely bog-all about Mercs.

It's a balancing act really between monthly finance (would like to reduce this a bit) and getting the best mpg but trying to not fall into the trap of changing for the sake of it, or getting carried away with spec, etc, so just taking my time and making a couple of enquiries.

Might just stick the X3 onto Autotrader and see what the interest is like (the spec & low mileage/owners, warranty, 12 months MOT, 6 months tax should help separate it from the rest). We'll see though. The wife isn't really taking my hints onboard .

Asked Bluebell for a trade-in figure at 9.30 this morning, whilst my car was their being MOT'd for them to look over, and no word back at all - what the fuck is wrong with these people ????

[rogerxp]

Grrrr, found another issue with the new site, take this car for example...

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/de...xMEEyMTk3MTU=#

The only place it seems you can find ALL of this cars spec is on the summary page having done a filtered search (and hovered over the 'spec rating' box) where the WHOLE spec pops up.

When you click the link above the list displayed ends at the 11th option (Media Package). If you click 'view pdf' is displays 15 options (up to Sun Protection Glass). However, when you hover over the spec rating box, all 16 options are listed (ending in Visibility Package).

Beware when you're looking at the spec of an AUC car .

[///ajd]

Know what you mean on these 'improved' sites - I've not really used autotrader since they ruined it.

Dealer had an X1, new X3 in the showroom together today. I thought the new X3 was an X5 at first glance - looks miles bigger than an X1 and really very very good looking. X1 still looks total poo to me.

Later on the day they put an X5 next to them. Still the daddy - made up my mind its the only thing to replace the 330d with - test drove an F10 530d as I was considering a 530d Tourer but while it was an impressive technology fest with cameras everywhere I was a bit underwhelmed to be honest and the rear space in an X5 seems miles better to me - no transmission tunnel etc. End of random post input....

[M3-FAST]

The X5 is a monster! But drives superbly well and would never guess it's size by driving it!

New X3 is virtually the same size as the old X5
New X1 is virtually the same size as the old X3

These cars just keep getting bigger and bigger!

[rogerxp]

The only other thing seriously tempting me is the new Volvo V60, it's gorgeous, good spec, but very new so not many around and hardly any bargains to be had (haven't actually tried yet so I'm guessing that). Reviews have been mixed but one said the luggage capacity was below it's competitors but it's way bigger than an E91 - I've not actually seen one so guessing it's 3 series size as opposes to 5 series???

[davyk31]

I kinda went through the same thoughts recently, had an E53 X5 which was a great vehicle, previously a 3.0D X3 and previously an E91. Bit worried about size and running costs of the X5 and looked at options. Considered a new X3 , look quite decent but at 40k for a 2.0d SE with a few essential options it didn't seem good value. Looked a bit at X1 as a nice size option and the 2.0d or 2.0D twin turbo seemed good options. Never could get onto the looks, interior quite poor and generally not for me, also prices quite high. Thought again about an E91 but wife not so keen, running costs good if going for a 2.0d but rear wheel drive issues and less practicality in boot space and ease of getting kids in were issues.

Looked at other makes like Q5 and XC60 but again extremely high price tags for 2.0 engines.

Then a brill spec 2008 3.0 twin turbo new shape X5 turned up with all the boxes ticked in terms of mileage , engine, colour, spec etc ....... that was love at first sight and it was bought in early November. Love it, great family car , and still for considerably less than the new X3 would have cost. Still have high running costs but not doing a huge mileage so can forgive it for now and I know we are driving the car that mosts suits our needs and wants.

[rogerxp]

I'm refusing to even look at the X5s. I'd love one but the running costs would erode the savings I'm attempting to make. Your comment about the space in an E91 surprises me (unless your talking rear seating room) as the luggage capacity is bigger than an X1 [E91 - 460 (1,385) vs X1 - 420 (1,350)]. Our current X3 is 480 (1,560) so not giving up much space in the E91 (except with seats down). Yes, I have a spreadsheet .

The new X3, though more roomy & economical, is just too much money.

[///ajd]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

I'm refusing to even look at the X5s. I'd love one but the running costs would erode the savings I'm attempting to make. Your comment about the space in an E91 surprises me (unless your talking rear seating room) as the luggage capacity is bigger than an X1 [E91 - 460 (1,385) vs X1 - 420 (1,350)]. Our current X3 is 480 (1,560) so not giving up much space in the E91 (except with seats down). Yes, I have a spreadsheet .

The new X3, though more roomy & economical, is just too much money.

From what point of view are X5 running costs high? I assume a smidge over 30mpg is easily achievable with spirited driving (as it was with my previous E53 X5s) - I get around 38mpg with the 330d, so not a big difference. For me mpg only gets painful once you head under 25mpg and towards 20mpg & below (note to self when I see a loaded £25k M5 Touring....).

2nd hand X5 vs new X3 no contest really - but the latter are nice.

You can get some nice X5 for 30-32k with low VED (under 225g) - I've started this thread on xbimmers, but it seems mainly US orientated. Any UK sites?

http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...30#post8625930

[davyk31]

If going for an X5 go for the 3.0sd, gets the lovely twin turbo engine for very little sacrifice in mpg and no difference in road tax. Not generally that much more expensive than a comparable 3.0d, maybe £1000 dearer approx.

To the OP comparing boot space in an X3 and an E91 is a massive difference. No height to use in the E91 especially if you don't want to go above rear seat level and not very usefully shaped. Boot in an X3 is much more usable and spacious than the E91 no matter what the figures say. X3 boot is actually bigger than an X5 either E53 or E70 but boots in them are just fine.

As regards mpg, yes my 3.0sd can do 30mpg driven spiritly on a run, round town will drop to low 20s if thats is the majority of your driving. Old model a bit easier to fuel, it could do 34-35 on a decent run, 25 around town but then the new model does of course have another 70 bhp approx.

[davyk31]

Just looking at ajd's post on the other site, getting a late 2007 registered 3.0d in the low emissions engine is extremely rare. Most low emission models were not on the road until early 2008. Also M sport not introduced until late 2007, again most were registered in 2008, they look a lot better than the SE with all the black unpainted plastic.

Mine is an 08 plate and has the user definable buttons for I drive.