Clarkson

What's happening in the wider BMW scene? Gossip and news about forthcoming models. Plus off-topic chat.
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Neal(2.8Roadster)
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Post by Neal(2.8Roadster) »

DavidO wrote:
..... But he never fails to mention that he has one though ????
Wouldn't we all????? 8-) 8-)
Yes, good point :lol:

I am probably just jealous (especially as I bet he got a GREAT discount on it !) :(
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Andre_z_3000
Joined: Thu 01 Apr, 2004 09:19
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  Z3 roadster 1.8 TU

Post by Andre_z_3000 »

Just saw the review of the x3, harsh, but I thought it was pretty funny. To be honest though I'd agree with a lot of what he said, as in these types of 'lite' suvs are total rubbish offroad, really no point as they say, and yes, the styling of the x3 isn't up to that of the x5. But you know, it's a bimmer, it's a suv, it'll sell like hotcakes anyway. Mind you that obstacle course wouldn't have been easy in even a Landcruiser, let alone a little x3.

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Bryn
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Post by Bryn »

Everyone has their own opinions and it has been interesting reading them. I wonder if people will still love the X5's styling when they extend it and give it 7 seats? only time will tell.

I watched the Top Gear feature and found it amusing, i mean, i drive a lot of Landrovers off road in my line of work and i would be very dubious about doing some of the things they were (it is very embarrassing getting stuck especially having trained as an off road driver :joker: :joker:) . One things for sure, it has not put me off buying one and i can't wait to take delivery.

I didn't pay the extortionate stealer's price for the full sports body kit to ruin it by taking it off road!! I am going to be more worried about the first stone chip :roll:
'MC' MarkC
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Re: Resale values

Post by 'MC' MarkC »

Phil wrote:what effect might his comments have or have had on the resale value of our Zs.
I don't remember Clarkson commenting specifically on the Z3, other than to disagree with Needell, after the article Tiff did praising the M Coupe. As a result of which, the Coupe was awarded Top Gear's Best Handling CotY 2000 (i think). That shouldn't do the Zed's residuals too much harm eh?!
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ogII
Joined: Tue 03 Feb, 2004 22:14
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  Z3 roadster 1.9i
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Post by ogII »

Changing tack slightly could it be that Clarkson is right?

A lot of his comments about BMW (and Audi) relate to the "me2" herd who want a "beemer" just because everyone else wants/has one, irrespective of whether the model in question is good, bad or indifferent or even whether they can afford it.

Personally I know the 3 series is good but I'd never buy one as I can't stand the image thrust upon it. (I suppose I could put Skoda badges on one, after all the back end of the three series estate has a resemblance to the Octavia)

Maybe that is the problem with modern cars, there is generally no such thing as a truelly bad mainstream car anymore and it is left to image alone to decide demand and resale values. The X3 is a good example - As previous people have said, why buy the tractor when you get space by buying a someone elses mini-mpv or a touring. Maybe that will be the next niche they fill, the 3 series B-Max, or TouringVan.
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spokey
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Post by spokey »

ogII wrote:Maybe that is the problem with modern cars, there is generally no such thing as a truelly bad mainstream car anymore ...
I take it you haven't driven a Vauxhall Zafira lately? Or an Astra? Or a Mondeo?
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
'MC' MarkC
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Post by 'MC' MarkC »

...or a Corsa (I think that's most of the Vauxhall range covered :!::lol: ).
ACS susp., exhaust, wheels, short-shift +decat (Supersprint)+CF intake with K&N, remapped ECU, Strong-strutt. Piranha carbon-metallic clutch, EBC Grooved & Dimpled+Redstuff Ceramics. ACS pedals, gearknob & handbrake, stick-on plates.
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Robin
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Post by Robin »

spokey wrote: I take it you haven't driven a Vauxhall Zafira lately? Or an Astra? Or a Mondeo?
I understand that Vauxhall reliability is not good.
However I've had three Mondeos from new over the last 8 years. All been very reliable, good value for money cars with excellent handling.
Last edited by Robin on Thu 12 Aug, 2004 09:26, edited 1 time in total.
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spokey
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Post by spokey »

I have driven two, albeit briefly. The first one drove well, but rattled so much it nearly drove me insane, the second was better built but no fun at all to drive. :head:
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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Robin
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Post by Robin »

Spokey I've driven a 318 & it didn't seem to be anymore fun than a 1.8 Mondeo.
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'MC' MarkC
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Post by 'MC' MarkC »

I had the (1.2) Corsa for a couple of weeks last month while the MC was having some work done. It understeered regardless of steering/ throttle/ brake inputs, and generally had as much feel as a woman with no hands.

The day before I took it back, I checked the tyre pressures. Oops. They were the same all round, which meant the rear tyres were 6lbs underinflated, according to the handbook :!: It felt initially better, but I took it back without the opportunity to give it a second chance through the twisties.

My father-in-laws Mondeo wallows through the bends with as much finesse as a running hippo, but I suppose it is an estate.

Maybe I've just been spoiled (or wise in choice of purchase) in BMWs for the last 10yrs.
ACS susp., exhaust, wheels, short-shift +decat (Supersprint)+CF intake with K&N, remapped ECU, Strong-strutt. Piranha carbon-metallic clutch, EBC Grooved & Dimpled+Redstuff Ceramics. ACS pedals, gearknob & handbrake, stick-on plates.
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Robin
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Post by Robin »

mbmwx It occurred to me yesterday the price I paid for my 1999 M// is five times what I'm asking for my 1999 Mondeo !!!!
So the M// bloody well ought to handle better for what is costs :evil:
Naturally of course it does & so is great fun but there does seem to be a diminishing law of returns as the price increases.
Whilst I noticed my 2.8 wallowed & skipped I didn't have that problem with my Mondeos. Perhaps your father in law needs new shocks ?
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spokey
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Post by spokey »

Robin wrote:Perhaps your father in law needs new shocks ?
That's a rather personal observation, isn't it? :lol:
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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Robin
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Post by Robin »

Uh um errr 'for his Mondeo' I mean :lol: :lol:
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spokey
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Post by spokey »

Robin wrote:Spokey I've driven a 318 & it didn't seem to be anymore fun than a 1.8 Mondeo.
Ah well, different strokes for different folks. Maybe it's just the way I drive! :lol:

I've owned a E36 316i that was more fun any Mondeo I've ever seen. As was my old E34 520i. And a 118d is definitely and absolutely more fun than a Mondeo. :D
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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Robin
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Post by Robin »

Must admit I didn't get a chance to put the 318 through it's paces in any twistys. It was just a straight drive across town in someone else's car.
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Larri
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Post by Larri »

Robin wrote:mbmwx It occurred to me yesterday the price I paid for my 1999 M// is five times what I'm asking for my 1999 Mondeo !!!!
So the M// bloody well ought to handle better for what is costs :evil:
Robin you cannot - CANNOT compare a mondeo to a ZM in any way shape or form....jeez :roll:
Larri ......Va Va Vrooooom!
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DavidO
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Post by DavidO »

Some years ago I owned a so called RS Mondeo 2.0 (full body kit, recaros, big alloys etc, only minor performance tweaks)

It may have been a Dagenham dustbin, but it did have one very redeeming feature - A form of active suspension (surprisingly no longer produced by Ford) - Independently controlled electronic dampers with automatic sensors which significantly stiffened each corner independently if they detected hard cornering or braking. Body roll was almost non existent, it was an absolute joy to drive, and it would annihalate my Z3 on the twisties.
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Robin
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Post by Robin »

Larri I did say/ wrote: So the M// bloody well ought to handle better for what is costs :evil:
Naturally of course it does & so is great fun
David that's interesting. Shame they ditched the active control. Trying to keep costs down I guess & make their money out of high volume stuff.
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Giles
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Post by Giles »

MODERATORS PLEA

Please can we try to keep threads on-topic. This thread has been split from a previous topic once before already and I really don't want to do it again!

Feel free to discuss whatever you desire, but please can you start NEW subject threads rather than diluting existing topics.

Thank you
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stu
Joined: Fri 10 Oct, 2003 17:49
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Clarkson loved the Mondeo

Post by stu »

and I loved my '95 V6 when it was new.

It's now a pile of scrap.

I now have a '95 3 series with 195k on the clock (and counting).

You get what you pay for - mostly. :mrgreen:

Handling? Depends where you live/roads in your area. Handling perceptions passed by people who have no concept of what each others driving styles is like makes me :lol:

At Cadwell & Croft I passed CSL's, Boxster S's etc., but that doesn't mean my Z3 handles better. I'm sure it's quite the opposite. I know (safely) what the car does and I drive according to the characteristics, which includes changing lines & braking points etc. to get the best from it. Drove Charlotte too and due to the ACS suspension, F&R strong struts, I reckon it'd be 3-5 seconds quicker around Croft due to the surface condition killing the standard car's suspension.

Going back to the Clarkson/X3 thing, depends what you're looking for from your wheels surely. Me? I love my X3 which seats 4 very well, pulls my huge trailer for karting very well and carries all the kit in the boot. For a day job it cruises at 90 just fine, handles like a sports saloon (ask JC) and will depreciate pretty well - oh, and I know I could tank the pants off a 'pub jockey' in an MZ3 anyday, just so long as I can pick the roads to suit the car 8-) .
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