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

i think I would have a lot of fun with that.

not seriously in the market but wonder what they have set the reserve at.

On a similar note, I've noticed loads of 2 series about and I always ask myself "have BMW just given up?"
Honestly the most depressing looking BMW I've ever seen.

2 of my SIL had these, one had the pre FL and then I had an awkward scenario where I went to get something out of the other's boot and she had a brochure for the FL version with a salesman's card stapled to it and I spent about 5 mins ranting about how terrible they were before she told me she'd just put a deposit down and made an order.

One now has a 3 series touring and the other a 5 series touring so I feel like my work is done.

£3k seems to be about right for that sort of mileage. Just checked and it's not a huge amount more for the Rallye, which is probably more likely to become collectable

Yeah that is wretched . I'm sure there are way cooler and more practical people movers out there, if that's yer bag, probably made by Renault

This is one of the main reasons behind the rise of Tesla stock over the last 12 months. Legacy auto manufacturers continue to release sub-par electric cars using their old production methods and outsourced battery tech.

Few years ago I was hammering on about ‘the big ones’ taking their time and then Annihilating Tesla when electric gained traction.

Totally wrong on that. Most exciting electrification outside of Tesla are conversions.

Let’s hope bikes don’t go the same way.

That was a very late, direct response to the MPV category as well as emissions regulations (started the move towards FWD cars for them). It's a fucking awful, drab thing for people that just don't care anymore.

They're repeating the same mistakes for EVs; late to market, poor execution etc.

I went out and bought a 2015 Toyota Taraga for a client on Tuesday, horrible thing but she's gonna love it... Doesn't seem to be a lot of choice in that section of the market...

Mr2 MK3 with the celica 190 engine.

Ha, oh god. A bit like when I found out my brother had just dropped 10k(!!!!!) on an Auris, without really doing any reading beyond which type reviews that say it's economical and reliable. I felt fairly gutted for him when he discovered that it's not much fun to drive compared to his old Civic. And it's a white Auris ffs.

My other brother has fun cars at least.

It's a fucking awful, drab thing for people that just don't care anymore.

Absolutely, the definition of "I don't give a shit about what car I own".

I like those. It is an odd retro throwback to the brief time a decade or two back when carmakers/buyers went for practical* rather than endless sporty/aggressive/SUV bollocks.

I can't imagine why you'd pay BMW money if you wanted a boring practical car though, unless someone else was paying for it.

(* I have sick cravings for a Mercedes Vaneo)

Not sure I'd be able to look past a tarted up van if I wanted an MPV. Who doesn't love driving vans?

It's a fucking awful, drab thing for people that just don't care anymore.

completely agree. appeal hugely to people who are essentially just waiting to die

One of my main gripes is the tiny rear windows that you seem to get with cars like that. The design tapers towards the back so the rear windows are small and the car looks like its awkwardly leaning forward.

If that's what you want, just buy a Skoda Yeti/Roomster or a Berlingo IMO.

I just can't see myself landing on an MPV when either a large estate or a small van could be options either side.

appeal hugely to people who are essentially just waiting to die

Big lol, would rep.

appeal hugely to people who are essentially just waiting to die

#hondajazz?

The Gti6 is actually a far better car than the 205 gti. Their value is creeping up but I doubt they will ever attain cult status.

And that one will need a bit of work to be right. Factor in a rear beam rebuild and new lower control arms to make the car drive how it should. And the clutch shudder will be a new clutch and skim the flywheel.

people that just don't care anymore.

I assumed that before, but after two of my SIL owned them, they had very good reasons.

You live in suburbia or the countryside, your kids play sports so you're often sharing pick up and drop off with other parents so you need more space to put all their dirty kit and you need 6 or 7 seats in total. You don't want a 7 seater SUV or estate because the 2 extra seats take up the load space and you need both.

BMW is the only non van based premium manufacturer in the MPV line up.

I think that actually people who buy them are making a choice instead of a Focus S Max or a Zafira, so they do care a bit otherwise they'd just go for the cheapest option.

Ah, hadn't clocked they were 7 seaters! Still, just have fewer kids and get a nicer car instead.

I think that they do have a cult following, they are just not yet fashionable.

I can't believe I'm defending a BMW MPV but I think that's an easy thing to say if you don't fit this profile.

You live in suburbia or the countryside, your kids play sports so you're often sharing pick up and drop off with other parents so you need more space to put all their dirty kit and you need 6 or 7 seats in total. You don't want a 7 seater SUV or estate because the 2 extra seats take up the load space and you need both.

Which makes up a bigger % of the UK population than you might think.

I'm not disappointed in the 2 series buyers, I'm disappointed in BMW.
They could make anything and people would buy it, but should they?