Santas Been :D

[DaiRees]

Not my cup of tea either, I'm sorry, I'm old too but a 3 series would be next to useless for me, even the touring. I know BMWs drive nicely but I don't think they're built particularly brilliantly, certainly no better than other equivalents on the market. I have cast the odd admiring glance in the direction of a 5 series touring but the prices are astronomical. IMHO BMW's certainly aren't that much better than the competition to justify the premium price tag.

Also the 3 series still hasn't shaken the "cock" image, even though the cocks migrated to Audis.

[OdinEidolon]

The problem I find with most BMW drivers is that they save for a lifetime to get their dream car and when they manage to buy one (and most do so not because they can really afford it) they find out how expensive it is to mantain one. The servicing is extremely expensive and the tyres are bloody unnecessary huge - and expensive - and do not last more than 15-20k miles tops. Thus they save on maintenance and buy crappy chinese used tyres and/or use a tyre well after the sensible limit and even after the legal limit. They often are more dangerous on the road than most other drivers because of this.
I am aware this is a huge generalization and as they say it, all generalizations are wrong.

[Welly]

I understand that a large proportion of BMW drivers are company drivers, they don't really 'choose' a BMW but almost have it thrown at them. I believe the strong residual value makes for cheap leasing deals for Businesses.

There was a case study a few years back, one of the regular car mags, they compared a 3 series to a Mondeo I think and I'm sure they proved it to be cheaper to run a BMW overall because of the high residual

(that could be bollocks but you can see the logic).

[sirwiggum]

I understand that a large proportion of BMW drivers are company drivers, they don't really 'choose' a BMW but almost have it thrown at them. I believe the strong residual value makes for cheap leasing deals for Businesses.

There was a case study a few years back, one of the regular car mags, they compared a 3 series to a Mondeo I think and I'm sure they proved it to be cheaper to run a BMW overall because of the high residual

(that could be bollocks but you can see the logic).

Its true. The company I last worked for (big and blue and an IT company) ran a company car scheme. Nearly all the managers got BMWs as they worked out cheaper than the equivalent Mondeo etc.
This is, as you say, residuals, but also the bavarians are clever and aim their engines at certain tax brackets (eg. certain emissions, engine sizes).

[OdinEidolon]

That residuals crap does not bother me, it's just plain self-sustaining bullshit. Nowadays selling a BMW is as difficult as selling a Citroen and even worse.
Also if I buy a new car I do so because I like it and I want to run it 'till the very end of it, at least 10 years. I understand the company's logic but for the normal chaps like me it cannot be applied.

[sirwiggum]

That residuals crap does not bother me, it's just plain self-sustaining bullshit. Nowadays selling a BMW is as difficult as selling a Citroen and even worse.
Also if I buy a new car I do so because I like it and I want to run it 'till the very end of it, at least 10 years. I understand the company's logic but for the normal chaps like me it cannot be applied.

If you are a private buyer who is not worried about end residuals, grand.

But these 3 serieseses and other small german cars, look at the dealer sticker / numberplate dealer and they are inevitably some sort of lease hire fleet.

Lease hire fleets spend up all night worrying about residuals. I mind about 11/12 years ago, the old man wanted a company C5, the company said no as the Xantia lost its value too quickly. He ended up with a 406.

Most private buyers want SUV jeeps and MPV vans, so that is why the "mainstream" saloon is struggling in the market.

[OdinEidolon]

That residuals crap does not bother me, it's just plain self-sustaining bullshit. Nowadays selling a BMW is as difficult as selling a Citroen and even worse.
Also if I buy a new car I do so because I like it and I want to run it 'till the very end of it, at least 10 years. I understand the company's logic but for the normal chaps like me it cannot be applied.

If you are a private buyer who is not worried about end residuals, grand.

But these 3 serieseses and other small german cars, look at the dealer sticker / numberplate dealer and they are inevitably some sort of lease hire fleet.

Lease hire fleets spend up all night worrying about residuals. I mind about 11/12 years ago, the old man wanted a company C5, the company said no as the Xantia lost its value too quickly. He ended up with a 406.

Most private buyers want SUV jeeps and MPV vans, so that is why the "mainstream" saloon is struggling in the market.

Well maybe the situation in UK and Ita is different, it's true that lots of 3 series are lease, but I'd say here the percentage does not go beyond 20%.

[lozz]

it dont bother me,
everyone can have alease car if they want one, idont give aflying fluck,
it makes cars cheaper to buy when iwant one,

[sirwiggum]

it dont bother me,
everyone can have alease car if they want one, idont give aflying fluck,
it makes cars cheaper to buy when iwant one,

not necessarily a good thing when in a few years time the only things on the used car market are 2nd hand 316is

[lozz]

There will never be a shortage of good secound hand motors mate,

Well idont think there will be anyway,
Other countrys have it worse off, iforget where it was but one country people there had to scrap there cars when they reach 3 years old,

they get put in containers and sent over here,

[steve_earwig]

I think that's Germany, with the type approval. They're left hookers so I don't think they'll make it to GB but there's loads here, where there's a high demand for status-symbol cars that nobody can afford to maintain

[OdinEidolon]

I don0t think that's true, used cars in Germany are as expensive as here in Italy for example, even more expensive. They definitely don't throw them away. I know that because as I live not that very far from Germany I looked there too when I was looking for my first car (the actual 406)

[Bailes1992]

This was cheaper to lease over a Ford Mondeo Titanium X Sport 2.2 TDCi Powershift Auto, it's only better on fuel, cheaper to tax, has better MPG, made better and drives hell of allot better.
And people wonder why 3 series are so popular.

[OdinEidolon]

This was cheaper to lease over a Ford Mondeo Titanium X Sport 2.2 TDCi Powershift Auto, it's only better on fuel, cheaper to tax, has better MPG, made better and drives hell of allot better.
And people wonder why 3 series are so popular.

Ah so this one's leased too?

[Bailes1992]

This was cheaper to lease over a Ford Mondeo Titanium X Sport 2.2 TDCi Powershift Auto, it's only better on fuel, cheaper to tax, has better MPG, made better and drives hell of allot better.
And people wonder why 3 series are so popular.

Ah so this one's leased too?

Yeah, my Old man can do upto 40k in a year. Everythings covered in one package, insurance, tyres, all maintenance etc etc. All he has to do it put the fuel in.