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

Amazing, can confirm that they're all really sound people.

I'm tempted, even if the 335i wagon might be boat-like round that tight track. Let me check with the powers that be if I'm allowed to come out to play...

I'll beat your lap time in a van ;)

Any idea sources of cheap ulez compliant vans or are they a myth? Hiring a van seems difficult after getting my driving licence stolen.

Here's a vid of my mate with the same engine as in the VXR8 in his MX5 at Llandow last year

https://youtu.be/FJMTHjRmgz4?si=dGeTsOj9sxC8I6Wt

Mini Cooper clubman, yay or nay?

We fancied one, but less practical than a hatchback unfortunately.

Prince engine, know what could happen.

Ask how much oil they have topped up between services? Get an honest answer.

Yeah damn, that’s not amazing is it.
We don’t have pets or kids but do want just that bit more space. Partner really likes it.

I want an estate of something, but she doesn’t like big cars

Celebrating the Outback passing another ITV (mot), with no issues. Here's to a other year of drinking petrol like a fish.

Isn't it consuming cocaine like a shark ;)

My mk6 2011 GTI blew the master cylinder for the clutch. Between that, the headliner falling down and the stuck e-brake cable, I figured time to give it up.

Down payment on a 2024 blue golf R with the 6MT placed.

Now to wait until September.

anyone help?

I've started using my 2011 523i again but I've remembered that my heating doesn't blow warm air so need to fix before winter. Initially thought it could be the thermostat but the temperature rises on the dash. From google it could be fuses or heater control valve.

Any ideas of the order you would check/ replace?

Fuses.

Congratulations on your new tablet.

Lol yeah we'll see about that part. I spent time in the new GTI and it's totally fine. Nice in fact. But first let's suppose it's as terrible as everyone says...

...name an alternative?

Check the fuse first as that's easy enough, then coolant level, then the valve that lets warm coolant into the heater matrix

thanks

will do (there's a few I think) coolant level is fine as had the serpentine belt come off and take the hose with it so had to replace and top up. By valve I assume you mean the heater control valve?

Anyone had a BMW 225XE? Seems like it would be a forum-centric choice... German-Jazz if you will?

Nahguavkire Jr. is on the way and my wife is keen to change her car to something more family friendly for buggy space etc.

Currently she has a Mercedes W176 A180.

Frontrunners at the moment are as follows:
BMW 225XE F45 / F46
Mercedes W246 / W247 B180 (would prefer B250 but just none available over here...)
Mercedes W205 C350e Wagon (wife is less keen on this as they're all extremely high mileage over here...)
Volvo XC60 might also be in contention.

Is it an SUV, if so await the hate.

It is not.

It's a PHEV MPV... I always hated how they look but they've sort of grown on me... basically a Honda Jazz with a BMW face transplant?

220bhp and AWD though so should make for an enjoyable drive?

Did you bleed the system after? There could be an air lock and the heater is the highest point

We have one, exactly that model! It's nice to drive as family appropriate cars go.

Note that the PHEV model isn't much of an MPV though, as the lower space needed in the back is given to batteries instead of extra seats

Ah cool, good feedback!
It's baby no.1 on the way at the moment so space should be ok I think.
How has it been for reliability and general build quality / wear and tear stuff?
I'm generally more interested in older cars but kind of have the idea in my head that newer stuff like this can be a bit disposable at times?

We've had ours 4 or 5 years now? It's 2018 and we got it 1 year from new from BMW direct, have had no issues at all. The battery range for the electric has prob dropped a bit, is the one thing I would note, but build quality is great and it works for us with 2 kids (now 2&6) - it is not really possible to use all 5 seats when you have child seats in place.

We've done all servicing etc with BMW which is fine - Croydon are actually pretty good service and reachable from where we are SE.

Overall we're really happy with it though, would recommend

The heating's never worked since I've owned it. I'm going to try and bleed as the process didn't work as I think I had a low battery and its got an electric water pump