Changes on VW Configurator - new bundled 'Packs' added

[am1w]

On a different note, and wildly off topic (sorry James) but Asker, is that a normally acceptable discount off a BMW and easy to obtain?

When we bought our two BMW 330d M Sports in 2012, we negotiated a 25.5% discount on each of them.
Great BMW deals are usually available around Aug/Sept for Nov/Dec delivery. Generally 20%-25% is achievable.

The main thing is to spec your car and get it priced by one of the Brokers: Car Cow, Drive the Deal, Orange Wheels etc. Armed with this discounted price, go to the BMW Dealer and ask them to match it. They usually do.

M135i is a terrific car with a creamy 3 litre 6 cyl turbo. The 8sp ZF Auto is a star.

[Exonian]

Thanks Asker. 

However I just don't like auto boxes, I've had a few hired BMW's with the 8 speed and it just gets on my nerves changing gear every few seconds. I'll wait until we're all driving electric cars before I sell my soul to the DSG option (which probably won't even be an option by then). With Park Assist, The funny radar speed control thingy our Golfs have, DSG and high beam assist, lane assist and all that - we're only one step away from being complete passengers. I like to drive not just take my car for a 'bit of a steer' and will change gear when I want to not when a computer that can't see the bend ahead decides it might be a good idea as it might save me a smidgen of fuel.
Or put another way, I'm thick as pig poop and also too tight to pay extra for what I consider an unnecessary luxury that adds weight to the car, and more so that I drive about half a dozen vehicles in a week and I'd only get confused as all the others are manuals and I have enough trouble remembering which ones have a handbrake and which ones don't. So I'm forever driving a normal vehicle and prodding the brake pedal at traffic lights to put the electric handbrake on which just causes the car to lurch to a nosedive and then start rolling off again and in my Golf I'm forever fishing for a handbrake that's not there...

Hurry up VW and bring out a 1.0 turbo UP! so I can get one which would take care of 99% of my motoring needs for not too much money then I can hire something bigger on the odd occasion I need to.

[am1w]

Andy, I see where you are coming from.

Must admit I miss the regular handbrake which BMWs still have. But for how long will they provide this, I wonder?

Cars are being bought increasingly for the tech they provide and less and less for how they drive. With the advent of digital technology all that was dear and tactile with analogue was consigned to the dust bin of history rather rapidly. People find it difficult nowadays to read a map or find their way without the help of a sat nav.

How did the world function in the past without all these aids? It did and pretty well too. However, I am one of those who has embraced, in moderation, the new technology so long as it does not turn me into a modern day zombie.

[Misterp]

I heard a similar thing re the BMWs but never had a conversation with anyone about it. May do soon to see what's on offer.

[am1w]

I heard a similar thing re the BMWs but never had a conversation with anyone about it. May do soon to see what's on offer.

BMW is a great marque and the depth of engineering is very impressive. Some of the designs can be a bit challenging aesthetically and their manual gearboxes are pants. Their RRP might seem a bit high, but so are the discounts one can negotiate which makes them cheaper than some non-premium marques.

[Misterp]

I heard a similar thing re the BMWs but never had a conversation with anyone about it. May do soon to see what's on offer.

BMW is a great marque and the depth of engineering is very impressive. Some of the designs can be a bit challenging aesthetically and their manual gearboxes are pants. Their RRP might seem a bit high, but so are the discounts one can negotiate which makes them cheaper than some non-premium marques.

The Law Firm I work for the CEO has a fully loaded 530d absolute comfort. Much better than the equivalent Audi and Merc.

[Exonian]

Andy, I see where you are coming from.

Must admit I miss the regular handbrake which BMWs still have. But for how long will they provide this, I wonder?

Cars are being bought increasingly for the tech they provide and less and less for how they drive. With the advent of digital technology all that was dear and tactile with analogue was consigned to the dust bin of history rather rapidly. People find it difficult nowadays to read a map or find their way without the help of a sat nav.

How did the world function in the past without all these aids? It did and pretty well too. However, I am one of those who has embraced, in moderation, the new technology so long as it does not turn me into a modern day zombie.

Like you Asker, I find the technology fascinating and there are some huge advances in efficiency and safety that none of us would wish to be without but I do like to actually drive still.
In another generation of car or two when the engines have become so digitised then DSG or continuously variable transmissions will be our only choice for our go-faster milk floats...
Then I'll be ready.
And will probably just get a bus pass... (single decker buses only though, I don't want an Asker moment)

[monkeyhanger]

I heard a similar thing re the BMWs but never had a conversation with anyone about it. May do soon to see what's on offer.

Coast2coast cars (broker) seem to be offering the best BMW discounts right now - you'll get 24.5% off the higher echelons of the 3 and 5 series like 330D/335D X-drive/535D etc, the 4 series doesn't get nearly as big a discount.

[monkeyhanger]

Andy, I see where you are coming from.

Must admit I miss the regular handbrake which BMWs still have. But for how long will they provide this, I wonder?

Cars are being bought increasingly for the tech they provide and less and less for how they drive. With the advent of digital technology all that was dear and tactile with analogue was consigned to the dust bin of history rather rapidly. People find it difficult nowadays to read a map or find their way without the help of a sat nav.

How did the world function in the past without all these aids? It did and pretty well too. However, I am one of those who has embraced, in moderation, the new technology so long as it does not turn me into a modern day zombie.

Like you Asker, I find the technology fascinating and there are some huge advances in efficiency and safety that none of us would wish to be without but I do like to actually drive still.
In another generation of car or two when the engines have become so digitised then DSG or continuously variable transmissions will be our only choice for our go-faster milk floats...
Then I'll be ready.
And will probably just get a bus pass... (single decker buses only though, I don't want an Asker moment)

Love the ACC for the warning system, for that 1 in 100 time it alerts you quicker than you would have realised yourself, it could genuinely save a close call or actual bump. Electronic handbrake? Could happily live without it, the let-off when you pull away can sometimes be a little harsh, like its gripped a little too much. Never had excessive grab on the Scirocco which had the Ye-olde handle/lever plus the hill hold that let go after 2 seconds. My drive is on quite a gradient and very narrow between the pillars - we're talking 2 inches clearance either side of fully deployed wing mirrors. With that set-up, I want to crawl out of the drive between the pillars with use of a manual handbrake rather than go at a speed the auto-handbrake dictates.

Really like the variable steering too - I really missed that when I had the Skoda Superb courtesy car.

DSG is a step too far for me, really just steering the car and little else, if I lived in or commuted through a busy city centre I might feel differently though.

Very rarely park on the drive now - mainly when i'm giving the car the full G-techniq works and need to give it some shelter while doing so.

[am1w]

And will probably just get a bus pass... (single decker buses only though, I don't want an Asker moment)

Will I ever forget that fateful day in Jan a 4 years ago when I ripped my shoulder protecting my grandchild and tumbled down the stairs of a double decker which had to make an emergency stop in order not to run over a rather large American tourist on Westminster Bridge.