A full day of test drives approaching..

[fredgroves]

I've just noticed the OP's signature:

Daily driver - looking for a Mk6 Golf GT TDi, GTi or maybe Scirocco TDi.
Weekend fun - E46 BMW 330ci Coupe Individual - Estoril Blue, Black Leather, Xenons, Harman Kardon etc etc.  it's never getting sold !
In my garage & dry stored - low mileage portofino blue 1997 Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo, being preserved for a rainy day !

So you've got 2 cars already...one being a BMW 330... and your Mrs has a A1....

Errr ok

[drisser]

No the E46 BMW was sold last week - at a £500 profit 

becoming quite collectable the older BMW's I think but I don't use it much..

Only keeping my Fiat Coupe.  Bear in mind the BMW cost £6k and the Fiat £2k, which is what most people spend on a PCP contract in a couple of years !

[am1w]

Something else to think about... A DTUK box on a 330d X-Drive will give just over 300bhp and 660Nm (486ft lb)!

And lose your warranty. Not worth it IMO.

Anyway, the 330d xDrive is a seriously fast car, 0-62mph in 5.3s. Midrange acceleration is phenomenal with all that Diesel torque. The car is fast enough but the handling is a bit roll-y poll-y.

Driven the RS3. A bit wooden and nose heavy compared to the R, but accelerative performance is in another league. It feels like a battering ram. The 5cyl engine is a peach. Ride is a touch hard on our broken tarmac even in comfort mode. Car looks fantastic and is beautifully put together. Love it except for the price.

The R is also a seriously fast car and its ride and handling are spot on IMO.

GTI/GTD feel and are slow in comparison to the above. Scrabbling FWD cars.

[MAW73]

Deals starting to be had now on the RS3 by the sounds of things.

£4k deposit and 8k x 48 mths is £420 pcm, GFV - nearly 23K, on a 40k spec car 

[am1w]

Deals starting to be had now on the RS3 by the sounds of things.

£4k deposit and 8k x 48 mths is £420 pcm, GFV - nearly 23K, on a 40k spec car 

Are you getting one, Martin? 

[monkeyhanger]

You can add at least £150 a month on to that £420pm figure when you add some spec to get the equipment list to a reasonable level, but on the basic figure, you can see how strong the residuals are and the effect they#re having on it. Looks like a basic RS3 can be had for around the same monthly cost as a basic S3.

[MAW73]

Deals starting to be had now on the RS3 by the sounds of things.

£4k deposit and 8k x 48 mths is £420 pcm, GFV - nearly 23K, on a 40k spec car 

Are you getting one, Martin? 

No Asker not joining the Audi club mate.

I posted the above figures as one of the members on the babybmw forum is buying one.

http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=75810

[drisser]

RS3 residuals do look amazing - 60% after 3 years.. 

As you say if you go silly on options it will blow it out of the water - the best I could get away with is -

Metallic Paint
Titanium finish wheels
Tech pack
Comfort Pack
Sunroof
Red Calipers
5 year warranty for resale

£45,465.  Maybe a bit of discount of £2500 if lucky = about £43k.  Still quite hefty. 

Out of interest I checked the insurance last night and an RS3 wasn't much higher than a BMW 330D and only £20 a year more than an S3..

Driving one tomorrow at 3 so should be nice to compare that to the others..

[MAW73]

After much mulling over prices, specs, performance etc I have finally arrived at a shortlist for this Saturday to try and make a final decision in my search for " sensible, fast, every day fun, reliable" performance.

I am going to give the R a 2nd chance despite not being moved at all with my first experience.. So the plan is ..

Golf GTi PP. looking cheap and good value in this list..
Golf R .. Ticks boxes but not really enough cylinders really..
Audi S3 .. Nicely made, solid residuals, fast, bit safe ?
Audi RS3... Can't really see me affording one, but a drive might tempt me.. Residuals look cast iron.
BMW 330d.. Much debated already, ticks a lot of boxes, boring to look at..great deals..
BMW m235i.. Haven't driven a 2, but depending on price might be an option.. RS3 performance nearly,  more than 4 cylinders..

Am hoping to drive all 6 on Saturday if I can fix it up.. Should be intriguing.. Not sure I can get in an RS3 at short notice but will see.

Watch this space will post a full back to back review hopefully..

Well worth giving Tony Lewis from BMW Berry Heathrow for a price on BMW.

18% should be achievable on the 330d and 12% off the M235i.

tony.lewis@berry.bmw-net.co.uk

Ps check this thread out for an idea of the current price people are paying for the M135i / M235i.

http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=74703&p=968248&hilit=m235i+discount#p966878

[drisser]

Thanks

already have some great deals on the table for 330d / xdrive of around £10k off a £43k car - choice of about 4 cars they can get

haven't yet spoken to anyone about 235 but thanks for the info..