[mikem]

Sorry to see it go Peter but needs must. The GL is HUGE !! We had 2 mini`s before the 1 series and they`re great fun to drive, it really will feel like a go-kart compared to the GL.

[scotw]

Anyone who takes the p**s gets run over in the GL! - OK

Wouldn't dream of it.

Didn't this bloke drive a mini with a fancy paintjob like yours?

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by scotw

Wouldn't dream of it.

Didn't this bloke drive a mini with a fancy paintjob like yours?

Firstly...it ain't 'my' Mini, it belongs to Mrs G, although muggins here pays for it

Secondly.... bellyroll

[Bumps]

Hey Pete sorry to hear the 335d is going but as you say needs must. Besides, my old shape Cooper S was the most fun car I've ever owned so on that front you won't regret it (I nearly said that it was the most fun I'd had in a car but I'd be lying and that's a completely different story). And like you say if anyone gives you any shit, run 'em over in the GL

OliH - 997. You bastard!!

Squeeze - that's what I hoped you'd say and I'm so pleased you're so chuffed with it. Brilliant Used M3s may even be in my financial reach by the time I change - I'm just not sure I could do the 15mpg thing in a daily driver. 25ish in a 911 I can cope with though. And the V8 Vantage - was never really that much of a fan but there are a few popping up around where I live and they look

I suppose on my side a used 6 series will also be in the ballpark but it just doesn't really appeal as much as the other choices I mentioned. The 2 that keep coming back again (with the TT as a close third) are the 996 and the 135i.....

[M3-FAST]

Mine is due for change June 09 - seriously giving the Nissan GT-R some thought.

There are other cars (boxster, Cayman, and others) but I need a back seat albeit a small one. Have my 8yr old lad every weekend so need the third seat but most of the time only need 2. The vert fits the bill size wise at the mo tho

[squeezebm]

Pete who wears the trousers

oh ok then mate you will be allowed to stay even if you now have a fecking MINI and a Merc bus


because your an alright bloke surprised you haven't gone for dodgy blue

[booforty]

Either 335i or most likely an Audi S5

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

Cheers Gordon!

I had a Mini Cooper overnight last night in order to allow my wife to have a try. The Mini was her idea in order that she can keep fuel costs under control. The Disco is costing a lot for the school run and trips to work for her. I actually quite liked the Cooper, it was nippy and well built, although the one the dealer lent me overnight was in Mellow Yellow My wife went out in it and liked the Mini although after years of driving big MPVs and 4x4s felt a little vulnerable sat in a small car close to the road! Anyway, upshot is that she INSISTED on an auto (she has been spoilt over the years!!), so I dutifully ordered a 1.6 Cooper with Chilli pack, 17" wheels and auto Colour is chilli red with black roof and black bonnet stripes. I also put the chrome driving lamps on the front and the dealer chucked in the tlc thingy. IMHO the auto spoils the fun, I didn't try one with auto box but apparently it has paddles so I can pretend I am back in the 335d At least I console myself that it is a BMW Mini!

Anyone who takes the p**s gets run over in the GL! - OK

Hi Peter,

The 335d did not last long, I think you change cars more often than me which is saying something. Can totally understand why you have/will be letting it go for the family mobile but with out being rude lets hold on a second and think of the facts.

Don't want to insult but,

a 5 month old will be worth say £33k trade in. (not being nosy into your business this is just an example.
a 12 month old car will be worth say £31.5. Therefore you have lost a shed load so to even it out you might as well run it for the yr as it will be the cheapest car you new car you can drive for the next 7 months.

Mini, I think will be great fun - auto I am not so sure but you have your reasons so fair enought BUT get the S. It will cost you hardly any more and if you don't you will only trade it in 6 months for one so it will cost you far more long term anyway.

Just my ideas did you find the 335d a bit dull after your hot ford? I can understand this as a hot hatch is a fun daily companion.

[DoctaM3]

X6 TT

[squeezebm]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Hi Peter,

The 335d did not last long, I think you change cars more often than me which is saying something. Can totally understand why you have/will be letting it go for the family mobile but with out being rude lets hold on a second and think of the facts.

Don't want to insult but,

a 5 month old will be worth say £33k trade in. (not being nosy into your business this is just an example.
a 12 month old car will be worth say £31.5. Therefore you have lost a shed load so to even it out you might as well run it for the yr as it will be the cheapest car you new car you can drive for the next 7 months.

Mini, I think will be great fun - auto I am not so sure but you have your reasons so fair enought BUT get the S. It will cost you hardly any more and if you don't you will only trade it in 6 months for one so it will cost you far more long term anyway.

Just my ideas did you find the 335d a bit dull after your hot ford? I can understand this as a hot hatch is a fun daily companion.

Gibbo,I "think" its just other stuff that has led to this blatant disregard to our friendship and i honestly think that it has nothing to do with a chav from essex now "owning" a 335d,although i am glad i got rid of mine

[Dave_3]

Hardly ran that one in Pete ... or the ST

D.

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by squeezebm

Pete who wears the trousers

oh ok then mate you will be allowed to stay even if you now have a fecking MINI and a Merc bus


because your an alright bloke surprised you haven't gone for dodgy blue

I wear the trousers (when she says I can ) No dodgy blue motors anymore

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Hi Peter,

The 335d did not last long, I think you change cars more often than me which is saying something. Can totally understand why you have/will be letting it go for the family mobile but with out being rude lets hold on a second and think of the facts.

Don't want to insult but,

a 5 month old will be worth say £33k trade in. (not being nosy into your business this is just an example.
a 12 month old car will be worth say £31.5. Therefore you have lost a shed load so to even it out you might as well run it for the yr as it will be the cheapest car you new car you can drive for the next 7 months.

Mini, I think will be great fun - auto I am not so sure but you have your reasons so fair enought BUT get the S. It will cost you hardly any more and if you don't you will only trade it in 6 months for one so it will cost you far more long term anyway.

Just my ideas did you find the 335d a bit dull after your hot ford? I can understand this as a hot hatch is a fun daily companion.

I know you speak sense Gibbo, I got a fair bit more for the 335d than you suggested. I lost more on a E91 320d M Sport in 8 months last year. It was a case of being too stretched having the GL and the 335d at the same time. I didn't foresee this issue happening 6/7 months ago - should have done but didn't! I was hoping to fob the wife off with an MPV of some sort after the Disco3 lease expires but she was having none of it, and actually we needed the space to get an electric wheelchair in the boot.

Mini - I agree the 'S' would have been better, and I would have not have gone for an auto - but I will not drive it too often.

The 335d was definately NOT dull after the ST3. In all honesty the 335d is probably the best car I have owned by a considerable margin. I am sure I will be back in a Beemer before too long. If I have my way it will be an M3 - not as an everyday driver but as an occasional/weekend drive.

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

I wear the trousers (when she says I can ) No dodgy blue motors anymore



I know you speak sense Gibbo, I got a fair bit more for the 335d than you suggested. I lost more on a E91 320d M Sport in 8 months last year. It was a case of being too stretched having the GL and the 335d at the same time. I didn't foresee this issue happening 6/7 months ago - should have done but didn't! I was hoping to fob the wife off with an MPV of some sort after the Disco3 lease expires but she was having none of it, and actually we needed the space to get an electric wheelchair in the boot.

Mini - I agree the 'S' would have been better, and I would have not have gone for an auto - but I will not drive it too often.

The 335d was definately NOT dull after the ST3. In all honesty the 335d is probably the best car I have owned by a considerable margin. I am sure I will be back in a Beemer before too long. If I have my way it will be an M3 - not as an everyday driver but as an occasional/weekend drive.

With both of them on the drive it's a lot tied up in highly depreciating assets so one of the other sounds sensible. I agree that the 335d is probably the best all round car I have ever owned but is also I feel removed at times as its so good. It may be time in life syndrome and rose tinted glasses but I feel as BMW have gone from E36 to 46 to 90x the cars are better but larger more luxurious and some of the driver magic has gone.

I will be interested to hear your thougts on the mini as it's on my shortlist of fun cars with the 135i. I have the brochures but I have not driven as if I do I will probably buy and I want to take my time and make sure that the next car I buy is not just whim but is right for me.

But, I do like the new mini lots. When my car was having warranty work done at Vines Gatwick I asked a senior technician what he thought of them. He said Mini v2 is far better build quality and he is very impressed so far.

Which style 17" alloys did you go for? I am a big fan of red at the moment especially on hot hatches and I like the stripes also.

For the extra money and it being an auto I still think the occasional drive will be nicer in the S, lower power engine autos hunt for gears where as a bit more power drive the gears. I think it's worth testing an Auto normal cooper to make sure you are not dissapointed and wish you had spent the extra £2k. plus you get xenons on the S with Chili pack.

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

With both of them on the drive it's a lot tied up in highly depreciating assets so one of the other sounds sensible. I agree that the 335d is probably the best all round car I have ever owned but is also I feel removed at times as its so good. It may be time in life syndrome and rose tinted glasses but I feel as BMW have gone from E36 to 46 to 90x the cars are better but larger more luxurious and some of the driver magic has gone.

I will be interested to hear your thougts on the mini as it's on my shortlist of fun cars with the 135i. I have the brochures but I have not driven as if I do I will probably buy and I want to take my time and make sure that the next car I buy is not just whim but is right for me.

But, I do like the new mini lots. When my car was having warranty work done at Vines Gatwick I asked a senior technician what he thought of them. He said Mini v2 is far better build quality and he is very impressed so far.

Which style 17" alloys did you go for? I am a big fan of red at the moment especially on hot hatches and I like the stripes also.

For the extra money and it being an auto I still think the occasional drive will be nicer in the S, lower power engine autos hunt for gears where as a bit more power drive the gears. I think it's worth testing an Auto normal cooper to make sure you are not dissapointed and wish you had spent the extra £2k. plus you get xenons on the S with Chili pack.

I agree your comments re 1 series coupe, the shape is growing on me and maybe next time (like next month probably ) I'll take a closer look! In my limited time in the Cooper I thought it was quite good. Not particularly fast (esp after the 335!) but it did seem to be well built and you were certainly more in touch with the driving experience. It is probably a good buy becuase they are alledgedly the least depreciating mainstream car, important in my case! I went for the 17" Flame spoke alloys, pic of a similar spec/colour car below (I specced the driving lamps too). I like the solid red and contratsing black roof/stripes. The alloys are the best ones in my opinion! It was a joy looking at the options list and speccing the car, everything is so 'cheap' compared to the BMW options list!



I think it will be dwarfed by this monster next to it on the drive!

[Gibbo]

Like the flame alloys, they would be my choice

Agree with the Low depreciation on the mini, you have done the right thing with chili and a couple of options is a sensible spec.

The GL is simply massive what engine, colour and options have you put on the beast!

[Z4 Beemer]

Not sure if MINI depreciation is quite as good as it was 4-5 years ago. I bought a new Cooper in 2002 for around £15K (quite high spec with tcl, chilli pack, 17" alloys, leather sports seats, climate control, alarm...) Sold exactly 2 years later for £12K. It was the lowest depreciating car I have ever owned.

[OhhaiAlex]

I want to wait for the new m3 or GTR

I also like the new A4

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Like the flame alloys, they would be my choice

Agree with the Low depreciation on the mini, you have done the right thing with chili and a couple of options is a sensible spec.

The GL is simply massive what engine, colour and options have you put on the beast!

Cheers Gibbo. Haven't seen the Flame alloys in the flesh but they look good in pictures. Interestingly the salesman said that the auto option was not a problem from a future desirability and resale perspective. There is always a market for auto Minis. Predicted PCP future values are actually less than manuals but he said that it wouldn't be an issue for him come resale and it would be valued the same as a manual.

GL had to be a stock car. My only stipulation was the factory running boards (needed to assist my son getting into the car) and we wanted a black car. The least specced car available was an Obsidian Black with upgrade black leather (as opposed to Artico - man made leather??), Reversing camera, side steps, 6CD, telephone pre wire, Memory package, burr walnut trim and easy pack tailgate (electric opening/closing). That lot added about £3700 to the 'basic' GL. Standard trim has COMAND, parktronic and loads more. I got dealer fit privacy glass in the deal and a couple of accessories. Total price was £56,652 without privacy and the accessories. We are driving it away for £40,200 With a GMFV of £33,100 after 2 years and a PCP at a APR 6%. We couldn't say no! I am only putting £1K into it, and I will have to pay for the wheelchair hoist - about £1200.

Sorry, to have hi-jacked Bumps' thread! No doubt he will get his own back on me ..eventually

[Oli]

You could put the Mini in the back of the GL!!!!

Have they mentioned your off road day yet?

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by OliH

You could put the Mini in the back of the GL!!!!

Have they mentioned your off road day yet?

Not yet Oli, but I will be talking to the dealer about it when I pick the car up!

[Hotcoupe]

Sorry to hear about the demise of the 335D Peter,but sometimes other things take priority,I'm sure you will eventually get the car of your dreams.
The mini is a good choice,although I'm not convinced about the fuel economy side of things.
It will of course depend on how it's used, but they certainly don't do well on short journeys.The other half (she who must be obeyed ) has a Cooper Cab with the chilli pack + loadsa other bits,lovely car to drive very chuckable (when she is not in it),and an involving experience, not the quickest of cars,but does what it says on the tin.
Would have preffered the 'S', but could not justify the extra £'s as it hardly gets used.
It's 3 yrs old next mth, just passed it's first MOT and has 7400 miles on the clock!
My 335D is barely 3 mths old and already has 5500 mls on it

Next car - Only just getting used to this one,I'll think about it next week

[dxb335d]

Squeez?


Petay, sorry the 335d has gone, she was a very nice car. Good luck for the future.


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