Like your best comfy suit...

M

Maniac

Elite
So the poor Z has been sat on the drive for weeks now, other than a quick drive to charge the battery up a bit. Today as it was a nice morning, I took the Z into work rather than the Merc. I'd forgotten how good the Z makes me feel. Like my best comfy suit. I'm so glad I didn't chop it in. Not only does the car just wrap around me, the N54 engine and DCT gearbox combo are fantastic, something I'd forgotten. Effortless torque and seamless gear changes.

The Merc is, while lovely, leaving me cold to the point after only having it a couple of months if the figures are reasonable I'm considering returning it. Given the discount I got, it may be do-able and I'm just waiting to hear back from Merc.

I think I should have bought a practical classic or banger rather than have gone down the prestige route again. Sadly the Merc is quite dull to drive, awkward to operate any tech (they've a long way to go), plus niggles like motorway wind noise on the doors and jerky gearbox are really irritating.

Buyers remorse... offset somewhat with relief I didn't chop in the Z. Perhaps I'll warm to the Merc in time if they solve the issues, but at this point... its not happenin' for me.
 
I'm slightly concerned of the potential dreariness we've got coming in October if this is the way your Merc is heading.
Sorry to hear of the niggles and that you haven't bonded as well as first thought. That is a shame given it was a brand new car.

However I am very pleased to read that the Z4 has been given a run and that you're still enjoying it. It's too lovely to trade in and definitely worth hanging on to! :thumbsup:
 
Wyldie85 said:
I'm slightly concerned of the potential dreariness we've got coming in October if this is the way your Merc is heading.
Sorry to hear of the niggles and that you haven't bonded as well as first thought. That is a shame given it was a brand new car.

However I am very pleased to read that the Z4 has been given a run and that you're still enjoying it. It's too lovely to trade in and definitely worth hanging on to! :thumbsup:
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I wouldn't worry, the Merc really is nice. Its just a bit soulless to me. I think you said you were going diesel? I've not heard of any transmission complaints on diesels. It seems related to the C200 petrol, some sort of software patch is coming in a few months I've been told. After all the homogenisation malarkey. As for the wind noise, that seems to be luck of the draw and I thought it normal until my other half I caught playing with the window switches as if the window wasn't closed.

We'll see.... But yes, that 6 year old Z was nice to get back into, made me smile, which hasn't happened for a while due to a lot going on recently.
 
Well I guess the 3 series we have now is hardly full of character so hopefully it won't be too different than that!

Yes we've got the diesel/hybrid thing which after lots of reading seems a bit pointless as it only uses the electric motor for very slow driving and for short amounts of time! Oh well...

You'll have to just ensure you use the Z4 a bit more to ensure those those smiles keep coming! :)
 
22C today. Left the Merc on the drive, took the Z to the office, business meetings. Have a burned bald spot, loved the torque and sound. Back at home realising I'm lucky to have it.
 
I can empathise totally Gary
I called in a local car supermarket today , considering chopping our X3 in for something newer & more considerate at the pumps :oops: looked at almost new Mercs,BM,s & Audis all around £22k/£25k & got in my van laughing out loud :D X3 is paid for & id rather pay extra for the woeful MPg than take finance for the woeful offerings at what i think is silly money .
My son recently sold his 2006 Golf GTi with 122k for sub £5k that thrilled me more
Worryingly i am being drawn to the ugly duckling :o

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201505093324555/sort/default/maximum-age/up_to_9_years_old/maximum-mileage/up_to_90000_miles/channel/cars/postcode/ox12ep/body-type/hatchback/model/5_series/price-from/4000/page/1/radius/1501/make/bmw/usedcars/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p
 
I drove the 200 petrol auto,last week.It was a sport model.I thought it rode smoothly and pulled well in all gears.I thought it was a good match for our Audi avant .I didn't do any motorway driving so can't comment on the wind noise,but on ordinary roads it seemed fine.Perhaps I don't have high expectations as I don't drive enthusiastically,just potter,but I thought it ticked all the boxes,and with an offer so good I think it will be difficult to find anything to match it.It's streets ahead of a 3 series touring and the A4 avant.
 
My second car is an old k11 Nissan micra, paid £800 for it 3 years ago with 38k on the clock & the only expense so far has been a rear silencer last week at £25.
I can live with that & it saves the zed in darkest winter :?
Regards
 
Like Maniac, I took the Zed to work today and left the family wagon at home (F11 5 Series)

Driving today in shirt sleeves, roof down with 300bhp was a pleasure. My usual journey to work is 11 miles of which 10 are empty motorway. ( i did de-tour 8 miles today to drop the Boy off at school and we managed to grab a 'father & son' cafe breakfast on the way too which was nice)

However, I think the big difference is the fact that its a change. I only have to drive the Zed every day for a week or so and it becomes normal. I love my 5 series and am aware that I take it for granted as it too has become normal. I think it is the fact that you can jump into something different that makes you appreciate it on the odd occasion.

If I drove my Zed 200 miles on a rainy wet motorway everyday, I would crave the luxury and comfort of my 5 series.

We are privileged at our stage in life, (although through hard work) that we are able to choose which car we take to work every morning and able to enjoy the contrast.
 
Yep - 100% agree with the above.

Over the years I have been an absolute bandit for changing cars every 3 to 6 months. After having a new car for a couple of months the honeymoon wore off & the search for the next one started - every time I was thinking that the new car would be 'the one'.

After lots of nice cars, I finally got a 35is a couple of years ago & for all it's faults really love it - but new the boredom & occasional impracticality would kill it off for me in 6 months max.

So within a week I also picked up a totally different comfort wagon (merc s class) so I could alternate & switch every couple of days.

Did the trick - after 2 years still got the same 2 cars, and still appreciate them both for what they are & not feeling any desire for a switch.

Happy days :)

Matt
 
matsmith749 said:
Yep - 100% agree with the above.Matt
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Thanks :thumbsup:

I dare anyone to drive their wife's 'run around' for 2 weeks and then get back in your own car...It will feel like new again and keep your savings in the bank...
 
I drive an insignia rep mobile during the day which don't get me wrong is the most comfy long distance motor I've ever had ,however , if I drive 300 miles I'm knackered and stressed ,then come home and jump in the Zed roof down ,total transformation, :driving: I have a smile on my face , :D I absolutely love it ,the best seating set up I've ever known , better than my insignia which is good ,
 
I've been working in North Wales alot recently at the moment im driving around in a Van even with the 4-5 hour drive back home i can still get in the Z and not want to get out of it!
 
I've been deliberately driving my E46 330D Sport over the last 4 days. Got back in the zed to go to jujitsu ladt night and boy did it feel special. The E46 has to go though, and Red will then be my daily driver. Even then I might borrow the wife's Volvo on occasion.
 
Its funny. My kids sit in my 5 series, M sport and moan about either the music, the temperature, or "I feel sick -it's like a boat", etc or like yesterday I take them to school in the Zed and they say nothing much and take it for granted.

Occasionally, they may go out with a mate and get a lift in their Parents cars. They soon come home saying " Ugghh, the car was a tip Dad. It smelt and it had cloth seats, no bluetooth, no USB connection, or Air -con, etc... It was really noisy and slow...

I do just sit and smile to myself, as it's then they realise how lucky and spoilt they are !
 
mr wilks said:
Worryingly i am being drawn to the ugly duckling :o

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201505093324555/sort/default/maximum-age/up_to_9_years_old/maximum-mileage/up_to_90000_miles/channel/cars/postcode/ox12ep/body-type/hatchback/model/5_series/price-from/4000/page/1/radius/1501/make/bmw/usedcars/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p
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I think these are under rated and make a great buy if you want something big, comfy, well equipped and reasomably frugal in 530D form too. Slightly ugly duckling looks but the cabin space, finish (and legroom) is fab.
 
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