Well, yesterday I went to a BMW dealership in North Wales to test drive the new BMW M135 X-Drive as well as the X2 M 35i.
Both cars were in BMW Misano Blue and running 19" alloys, and to be honest looked superb - both of them. I test drove the X2 first and as expected it accelerated like a train, and being AWD (like the R), not a hint of wheel spin (was was a 20 plate ex demonstrator). I then jumped into the M135 and to be honest, immediately that suited me better (and the wife liked it better). Performance similar (as you would expect) to the X2. The 1 series was a 69 plate item on their used car slot with no options other than the M135i plus pack it would seem.
Upon concluding both drives we pondered them. I discounted the X2 almost straight away. Firstly the rear visibility was awful with an almost tunnel like rear screen. For a car that lists at over £47k, I was also very disappointed and amazed that for such a relatively large car, it only comes with rear parking sensors - no front and no camera (that's part of a pack). Also I found the steering just too light and not much self centring, and coming out of the Golf with it's 2.5 turns lock to lock, the X2 by contrast was something like 3.5 turns with result in a lot of wheels turning when manoeuvring. Also, again for a car of this price, Electric folding mirrors are an option and not standard ? Also, I don't think I'm really ready for an SUV yet.
The M135 was better as parking sensors front and rear are standard as are folding mirrors and the interior layout suited me better. There's a decent amount of kit as standard but unfortunately no active cruise control, lane assist, rear assist etc, as that is part of a £1000 driver aid pack, otherwise spec seems pretty similar to most performance golfs i.e. 18" alloys, auto lights and wipers folding mirrors, excellent sport seats, heated seat, dual climate control etc.
The problem for me is that I like my toys, and I wouldn't have wanted to give up much that my GTI has, but I quickly found that most of the "individual" items I wanted, are contained in expensive packs and not available individually. For instance if you want just the sound system, then it's part of the M135i plus pack (at £1500) - to be fair does also include 19" alloys and sun protection glass. Another example is that if you want comfort access (keyless), it's in another £1500 Comfort Pack II (combined with electric seats, steering wheel heating, and electric tailgate). Don't get me wrong, as a combined price these packs are probably good value for money if you want / need all the features of the pack (sadly I didn't). I wanted a rear camera (like the GTI) and yes, you've guessed it Tech Pack I at....£1500 ?
So when specifying the car with the options I wanted (most of which were contained in packs), I quickly ended up at over £44k. Despite haggling over the price for a while, I also found the BMW dealer far less ready to give big discounts that I'm used to at VW. The thing however that concerned me, is that on BMW's official used car web site, there are plenty of M135i's some of which are only months old, and being listed at £7-£9K off list, which makes a new one very pricey considering how much they seem to depreciate in just 6 months ? So I've scrapped the idea of a new one, and will perhaps look to find a used one in my colour and spec choice (or as near to it as possible).
I will say though, these are very nicely made cars and ooze quality and certainly makes the interior on the MK7 or 7.5 Golf look lower rent, but to be fair the Golf is an 8 year old design. TBH, can't see how the new MK8 is going to compete with these ? The infotainment system in particular is superb with both I-drive and touchscreen capability and a really nice 10" wide screen. In my opinion however, one area where the MK7.5 beats the M135i is the digital dash. Sure we all moan that the VW unit could have been easily made to do more, but compared to the system in the BMW, which frankly is plain ugly and not at all easy or clear to look at, and much less configurable than those in the Golf's.
Interestingly on the way back, (75 mile trip), the GTI did once again put a smile on my face and was very quiet and civilised and certainly quick enough for most uses, and did make me wonder why I was ever thinking of changing in the 1st place. I think it's a case of "grass is greener" as I've been with VW exclusively now for 15 years, and part of me I think just wanted a change. I'll keep you posted if things change.
The BMW pricing is always a mystery as you seem to always get good deals through brokers, and seen many say they got some great discount at dealers, but on my company lease system they are very pricey with only the car within reach and without many of the desired packs also. In contrast the VW seemingly fly under the radar as 'Golfs' and my TCR was well within my band with no stretch whatsoever.
In terms of packs, then you can see why they do it, its an easier build for them, and they also sell things folk do not want!
At outset of my change looked at the A35 AMG and it was within my band, and if wanted items individually it likely would have remained so, but there was items on the third pack that wanted and the combination of packs obliterated my band completely - likely wanted only 50% of what options would have ended up with.
They might think they selling more, but they also will lose buyers like your good self, so its self defeating also to enforce packs.
If I was buying I would go for a nearly new with all the packs bought by someone else, its a buyers market at the moment given the economy and likely that most folk are going to be just a little bit more careful with expenditure, I would certainly be a little more cautious and not stretching to reach a car where my history has always been to stretch given my love for a decent and enjoyable ride.
Already getting myself set to purchase the TCR outright as not really liking where cars are going, and which would also be a decent saving for me.
Second hand cars might be the norm for me, especially given the really good experience we had with wife's A1 S Line Black Edition, 2 years old, immaculate with stupidly low mileage and main dealer cover for fraction of the book price (we stuck out for a good discount), it was really like picking up a new car. We had that car 2.5 years now. We could have bought it new, nobody would know different, we just did not pay anywhere near new money. Might take some time, you stick to guns on price, mileage and specs without compromise. I was in position to, took 2 months looking, but was worth time.
