Try a G29 day

[ronk]

The dealer has loaned me a car for the day - looking to hook me I suppose!
It’s an M40i - first impressions of the car are favourable.
The ride is more comfortable and it seems to stick better but perhaps it’s because there isn’t Bridgestones.

Performance seems better than my 35is

I’ve done 20 miles and stopped for a coffee and collected a stone in the disc / calliper - I reversed an it seems to have dislodged itself.

 

[Jim S]

That colour combination works for me ...... very nice indeed. Enjoy the rest of your test drive.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, those black grilles don't look so bad on a white car.

But you've already had the stone in a brake issue. I hope the rest of the day went better!

 

[ronk]

Overall the day went very well - apart from the stone in the brake issue.

That aside, I was very impressed with the car - the performance was tremendous. Although the same (ish) numbers on paper as my current 35is the car seemed faster and more willing to rev. It would squirm away from a start when pushed but in a controllable and entertaining manner.

Being dumped in the car with only limited tuition, I found the e settings less intuitive but have no doubt that sitting down with the book and getting the settings sorted they will be fine. I seems there are loads and loads of potential settings - I was able to pair the iPhone by intuition and a bit of previous knowledge of the idrive.

I didn't particularly like the credit card key but I think this is an in the wallet / emergency thing?

I found the rear vision was a little more restricted with the hood up (Only to try as it was a sunny top down day) and the rear haunch seemed much higher so that reversing out of a parking bay the view is not as good - but as theres a good rear view camera with a good side view (peripheral) this wasn't a show stopper.

The HUD is good. Better than the version in my 335 - The speed limit flashes when it changes and the current speed changes to red if exceeding that limit.

The Hardon Karmen sound was good but not better than the Pro Version in my current car - but I'm old so you younger fellas might disagree!

One thing that did strike me was the amount of grip in the corners - I noticed that the car was on Michelin non- Runflats and have to eat a slice of humble pie at this point as I always considered the Bridgestone RFT as acceptable - Even my wife sitting in the passengers seat noticed how glued it seemed to be an how much less crashing over the bumps - much more compliant. (The current car also has Adaptive suspension)
Whatever happens with the car purchase, Im having some new Michelin rubber.


I have to say that my overall first impressions are very very positive and it is a general improvement to an already good car and would definitely buy - The downside is it looks like my cost to change, it is £28k - and for a car that isn't yet three years old with less than 9k Miles I just cannot bring myself to chuck that much dosh down the pan!

A very enjoyable day out in a very nice car - Im sure that in a couple of years or so when I consider I've had some value out of my current car, I will be buying.

 

[Nictrix]

The Hardon Karmen sound was good

:lol: Fnaar :lol:
Harman Kardon

 

[buzyg]

Can't say no to a top down day of motoring, in any proper Zed. 8)

 

[ronk]

The Hardon Karmen sound was good

:lol: Fnaar :lol:
Harman Kardon

Freudian slip!
But it’s going to be difficult to say anything else now.

 

[ronk]

I’ve just looked at the used / low mileage demonstrators - three months old and down to £40k ish that’s from £53k leaving the showroom

 

[dr_john]

I’ve just looked at the used / low mileage demonstrators - three months old and down to £40k ish that’s from £53k leaving the showroom

I think you are slowly getting hooked Ron....

 

[ronk]

Trying hard not to

 

[Mr Tidy]

Well it sounds like you liked it.

Not it's just a question of how much you want one! :lol:

 

[dr_john]

Make sure you get the technology package at least, HUD and Hardon( ) Kardon sound system.

 

[ronk]

That Hardon Karmen name is going to stick!

The car was certainly filled with more toys - the rear camera and HUD

 

[ronk]

I’ve decided I’m going to stick with the current 35is - as suggested, I was very much wavering towards buying
I’ve pondered long and hard but when I put the numbers into a spread sheet, to my alarm, realised what the current car would have me :-

£656 / Month depreciation
£2.67 / Mile depreciation
(Based on dealers trade in offer)

As much as I would like an M40i - I just could not even start to justify it.
I reckon the dealer will no doubt jiggle the numbers but he won’t be able to reduce them by any significant amount.

The Cost / Mile will always look high for a low miles car but the monthly depreciation was the significant number for me.

 

[Cees Klumper]

You discovered why I only buy my cars well-used. At 95K miles I bought my 35i for 12K GBP. I reckon I will easily get another 100-150K miles out of it. Well, actually I intend to keep it forever, alongside my 69 Mercedes 280 SL which I rebuilt the engine on. Irrespective, the PO's depreciation for the first 95K miles was 35 thousand. Mine will be less than 10 thousand.
Over the decades of buying and driving cars like this well-used, I am saving ... wait for it... about 235 thousand GBP, in depreciation, higher insurance, and cost of capital (constantly some 30 thousand less tied up), net of higher maintenance costs. The cars I buy always still look and feel good as new, because that is how well-built cars are these days.