Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

that we keep for 10 years

That's how to make it work so you avoid depreciation being the big expense. So long as things don't fall off it too much you'll win.

We bought Mrs Hefty's 2002 Sharan as a stop-gap for £1500 and decided to never service it and see what happened at each MoT with a view to throwing it away at the first big bill. We've had it 4 years and c. 20,000 miles and it's never needed a single repair. I did take pity on it and change the oil and filter once, but otherwise it's cost little more than a couple of hundred a year in depreciation and the odd tyre.

Bloody thing. It's hateful.

I've pretty much had [fun car] + a banger for my entire driving life. I have only ever sold one car on that has been roadworthy.

this will be the first proper car i have bought as a runaround and if i'm honest the thought of spending that much on a car that will be worth half that in three years makes me feel a bit ill.

that said, of all of the cars in the 20ish year old bracket that i would be looking at as a banger, i can't think of a single one that appeals. fuck, when i was twenty, the selection of bangers was so much cooler - little japs coupes, late kingswoods/early commodores, minis etc...

90s cars are 95% poo on a stick

I had an 2008/9 A3 sportback with the 1.4 tsi in it, great, really enjoyed having it and pretty much the only useful petrol version for day to day use over any of the diesels. The 2.0tsi is obviously quicker but around town/low speed torque surge I would say they are damn similar and economy/company car tax band etc are all much more favourable.

Just got my wheels back from refurb, look awesome, going to slap some wax on them so they look alright for a while as tend to not wash the car much (its not prize, only panel without a dint is NSF wing).

And got 3/5 of the way through a compression test. 460/465/465psi (which are very good for a 230k motor thats never been took apart) last two couldn't get the tool in due to thermostat housing so having to pull the injectors. Its at least one of those two that are suspect.

There must be some good diesel hatchbacks in a similar price range? Or is that something you're not interested in @hoops

A3 with the 2.0TDI Quattro engine would be nice...

Want 3dr hatchback, (more space than scirocco though), petrol engine, fast, fun. Dont want it to look to shouty. Low key is best.

I have 177ps TDi scirocco at the mo, and am bored of diesel, and not being able to fit anything in through the tiny bootlid (and horrible stiff ride).

Dealer im going to also has RS3 and S3 in stock, so will have a go in them too. RS3 is pricey though, and fuel costs would be a punch in the guts. Will still take it out for a spin for LOLS though. I think they are both a bit too shouty for me though.

s3 ride is stiff as fuck, too.

Ruddy bloody gorgeous! Perfect wheels too

Surprised myself yesterday by really liking the new 5-door Mini. Used to be a hatchback purist but I'm loving the mini-estate look of this new breed of sportbacks

Cheers!

The wheels are the standard ones rather than the 16" Evo 1 alloys which some of them have, but I'm not fussed about that. I'm still trying to get the less-than-perfect bits sorted but the garage who quoted for the work haven't got back to me.

Any other recommended MB specialists this side of London?

If not, there's this mystical guy in High Wycombe who apparently knows 190s inside out and charges half the price of most garages for labour and even less for parts. Might be worth a trek.

I use a guy in Leicester exclusively- if you find a real marque/model specialist it is worth it.

Fair enough, High Wycombe suddenly seems a lot closer.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a locksmith/person who can make me a spare car key as well? I seem to be avoided like the plague by companies at the moment and the two specialists I've requested quotes from haven't replied either, which is a shame as one is apparently based just around the corner (but doesn't have a premises you can visit).

Do normal locksmiths do it, and can they provide fancy looking keys?

Timpsons etc will do it.

Standard 109 key? No transponder or anything?

RS3 was great fun, but pricey for a secondhand 12 plate. Felt a bit dated inside too. Fuel cost would be crazy.

S3 was really nice. Handled very well, and wasn't overly slower than the RS3. Had a stupid sound actor thingy that made it sound like a touring car on the inside though. Was bright red though, and had garish red/black leather seats (why would somebody spec that kind of shit!?).

M135i was great. Seemed almost as quick as the RS3. 8 speed M performance box was ace. Sounded great. A little underwhelming on the inside. Was much less in your face than the audi's which I liked. And the cheapest, and the newest/lowest mileage.

Think I'm gonna get the Bimmer.

It's the right choice.

8 speed gearbox sounds like a pain in the arse though. Never stop changing gear!

Auto, innit.

The 8 speed zf auto box is one of the best gearboxes out there,

Good choice @hoops

yep, BMW. Although, have to ask... you were worried/annoyed about lack of hatch space in the rocco – how's the 135's boot? can't be much larger, although I guess the aperture would be?
Also, what's the ride like?

good work spaghetti...

i drove three mk5 golfs this morning. 2.0tfsi manual and dsg and a 2.o tdi dsg.

do you get used to the delay... SURGE of the DSG? normal pottering around in was ace, but with 200bhp, the surge is a little interesting

Boot is marginally bigger, main thing is access to the boot. The boot lid on the rococo is retarded. Ride is much nicer, having smaller 18 inch wheels with thicker rubber is a big bonus too. 19's are retarded.
Thinking about it, most aspects of the scirocco are retarded....

Yeah, the gear drop surge with the DSG is pretty annoying. You do get used to it, but it still takes you by surprise sometimes. It always gets me when I accelerate hard when coming on to the motorway.

Deposit paid on Bimmer.
Now to deal with knobhead VW dealer.

Are auto gearboxes not a bit boring? I wouldn't mind clutchless with flappy steering wheel paddles.