[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I will go test drive one tomorrow Dave (if i get time) and im very sure i will be very far from blown away from its oh so stunning drive and performance.

You may well be right.

If you are serious, take out a 1.8. It probably has the best all round poise. How the controls are balanced, the tactile precise feedback and chassis balance. This is different to grip and outright acceleration. Although a quick test drive is hardly the best way to experience it.

Don't rag it, if you are just looking at top trumps statistics, boy racing "foot to the floor" and badge snobbery, don't bother - you just won't "get it".

D.

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

You may well be right.

If you are serious, take out a 1.8. It probably has the best all round poise. How the controls are balanced, the tactile precise feedback and chassis balance. This is different to grip and outright acceleration. Although a quick test drive is hardly the best way to experience it.

Don't rag it, if you are just looking at top trumps statistics, boy racing "foot to the floor" and badge snobbery, don't bother - you just won't "get it".

D.

+1, well said Dave

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

You may well be right.

If you are serious, take out a 1.8. It probably has the best all round poise. How the controls are balanced, the tactile precise feedback and chassis balance. This is different to grip and outright acceleration. Although a quick test drive is hardly the best way to experience it.

Don't rag it, if you are just looking at top trumps statistics, boy racing "foot to the floor" and badge snobbery, don't bother - you just won't "get it".

D.

I work opposite a ford garage and I am tempted myself to go and test drive one myself. Dave are you a ford salesman or do you work for their marketing department?

[Gibbo]

I have just remembered an article in Autocar a couple of years ago about what some people who set-up cars, racing drivers actually drive. Forgot the guys name but he set-up Lotus Chassis for a living owned a diesel focus and said what a fantastic drivers car it was.

[DaveC]

Peter you can stay on account of you driving the coolest company vehicle ever. Hope the two new arrivals work out OK.

Me, well I may be behind the curve a bit but I think I'd like to get me one of them there 335d's

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

You may well be right.

If you are serious, take out a 1.8. It probably has the best all round poise. How the controls are balanced, the tactile precise feedback and chassis balance. This is different to grip and outright acceleration. Although a quick test drive is hardly the best way to experience it.

Don't rag it, if you are just looking at top trumps statistics, boy racing "foot to the floor" and badge snobbery, don't bother - you just won't "get it".

D.

Of all the various cars I've driven in 2007, one still sticks in my mind more than most others, and that's the Avis rental Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec manual. Not a lot of power, but what was there was willing and gave it enough shove to move about quite quickly. However, it was the steering, the balance through corners, the poise, the fact that I could corner really quite fast with the throttle balancing the positioning... Most amazing though was the suspension - it was the most compliant, absorbing, and delicately riding car of all, and on a bumpy back road it was a total revelation.

In fact, I like it so much that I've been seriously thinking of buying a second-hand one to use as a run around in London.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Gibbo, the Focus compared to a 335d aint a hot ford, its a cold soggy ford.

I would say that a focus ST3 could just about keep up with a 535d. The stats here suggest that to be the case:

http://www.fastestlaps.com/index.php...=45cf0ad1cb19d

It would struggle against a 335d or 335i (or even a 330i).

The 3 series still leads the way for handling, which is why it sets lap times way above it's peers.

Calling the ford 'soggy' is a little ridiculous though.

(oh ... my next car .. probably an e90 335i)

Edit: I was thinking about these sort of comparisons on my drive to the office. What we forget is that the magazines and TV programs concentrate on handling close to the limit (i.e. a car driven above 8/10ths of it's ability).

The 3 series has always been praised here, mainly because it approaches it's limits very progressively.

However the reality is that none of us drive around at above 8/10ths - if we did we would be in the hospital or jail.

So these handling comparisons are often a little useless for normal road use. What I like about BMW's is that they offer 'accessible' glimpses of their on-limit handling.

So in normal driving it is perfectly possible to do a cheeky tail out flick round an empty roundabout and enjoy the car without taking risks.

Front wheel drive cars, no matter how nimble they are, tend to be less fun at 8/10th's.

[peterg1965]

NFS, well put, you are a master with words!

[330cdsport]

My brother-in-law has a re-mapped focus ST3 (went from 210 to 230 bhp) and we tried it against my old 330cd sport (tuning boxed to about 245bhp)
He may have been unlucky and got a lower tuned stock car.

I was still able to slowly pass him from a standing start with me starting behind him. We were both quite disappointed in the Focus and were sure it would be quicker than the 330cd

We have not tried it against the remapped 335d - purely for embarrassment reasons

[dxb335d]

Dave i would ''get it'' i have grown up my whole driving life loving fords (since 01)

The old focus was a great handling car and im sure the new one is much better.

They should have made a 4x4 one with 300bhp, thats why i aint so keen on this luke warm ST.

They wont live with a 335d in a straightline no way. Id be very suprised if the stig was to drive a 335d and a ST the same day around bedford and finding the ST woudl be quicker.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Dave i would ''get it'' i have grown up my whole driving life loving fords (since 01)

The old focus was a great handling car and im sure the new one is much better.

They should have made a 4x4 one with 300bhp, thats why i aint so keen on this luke warm ST.

They wont live with a 335d in a straightline no way. Id be very suprised if the stig was to drive a 335d and a ST the same day around bedford and finding the ST woudl be quicker.

By your own words, it would appear that you simply don't "get it". I said try the 1.8. Listen to what others on here have said (you like listening to others' opinions so it should come easily to you)

I suppose I was aiming too high ...

"Whole driving" life for you = couple of years. Some of us were driving Fords since way before you were born.

D.

[dxb335d]

I will try both Dave, and the Audi R8. I will let you know what i think of each and everyone of them

[RockIt]

Just catching up with all these threads as I've been busy doing music stuff.

Next car...

Possibly 335i, or Audi S5, or maybe a used 997. If Mazda ever make the RX9 I could be seriously tempted...

Depends on cashflow as always.

[!Xoible]

my next car is Toyota Sienna


NOT

[NFS]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I will try both Dave, and the Audi R8. I will let you know what i think of each and everyone of them

Drive them by all means Carlos, but PLEASE don't tell us what you think of them

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by needforspeed

Drive them by all means Carlos, but PLEASE don't tell us what you think of them

Please tell us what you think of them and how scared the salesman looks when you take them out for a gentle test drive.

[I335]

My next car will be my 335i coupe - just ordered it but have to wait 'till April for it to come in!

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by I335

My next car will be my 335i coupe - just ordered it but have to wait 'till April for it to come in!

Good stuff, what spec have you gone for?

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Please tell us what you think of them and how scared the salesman looks when you take them out for a gentle test drive.

HAHA

I think i scared the salesman in the CSL i test drove, everytime i put my foot down he went quiet

[NFS]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

HAHA

I think i scared the salesman in the CSL i test drove, everytime i put my foot down he went quiet

Some people pray silently

[I335]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Good stuff, what spec have you gone for?

Well, the Barbera Red w/M6 reps really caught my eye, so that's what I'm going with. I'll be ordering the wheels soon, probably in 19's w/non-RFTs. In addition I ordered:
- 6spd manual
- Saddle interior w/light poplar
- Premium
- Cold Weather
- Sport
- Navi
- Ipod
- Illuminated door sills
- and I already purchased an M3 steering wheel & SSTT!

I'll also get a new shift knob, and possibly even a short shifter kit.

I have some time to change my order so I'm very close to adding Active Steering based on what I read on the forum, and I'm also thinking about Active Cruise, but AC is so expensive I'm not sure if it's worth it.

How's that sound? I suspect the color combo will be controversial on this board, but I really want something different...

Forgot to mention - I got comfort access too...

[Oli]

Could be a new S3 now for me - watch this space!!!!