Yumcha

Nice read from Pistonheads on the BMW wagons: https://www.pistonheads.com/features...-touring/43419

mrmako

I like that Alpina.

Yumcha

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

mrmako

Arteon Shooting Brake, R Wagon? Sign me up for one. But nearly $70K for a 300 HP, AWD, DSG equipped wagon. Yikes. Looks great though.

Arteon Shooting Brake

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

That's including VAT though.

mrmako

Yes. Right now, the German government is giving people a break, a 16% VAT until the end of the year, then it goes back to 19%. Depending on where you live in the US of A, your sales tax will be 6-9%, plus bullshit fees. At least when Germans quote a price, that's it. TuV (inspection) is included for the first three years (new car, it's waived).

F-C

So my A4 Avant is totaled.

Car is certainly repairable, but the damage is too extensive & expensive. Basically one side of the car is all messed up.

Yumcha

Oh damn. Are you okay?

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

I'm sorry, are you ok?

Replacement?

F-C

Was the wife who was driving, but she's fine. She ran off the road avoiding wildlife. Every panel on the left side of the car including the hood, roof, and rear spoiler needs to be fixed.

Cost to repair is more than what the car is worth.

It was a beauty.

F-C

I wish...

Wifey wants a Mini.

Yumcha

This is nice...

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Glad she is ok. My Wife loves this 2016 Paceman.

Chief F1 Fan

. . . . not unless you own this you're not.





https://www.topgear.com/car-news/ret...s-royce-estate

mrmako

Why a Mini? Their leases are not great (brother did two), and you'll always want more room. Admittedly, they drive a bit like a go kart.

F-C

My other car is an MDX, so real need for another big car.

What's wrong with the Mini lease? Just relatively expensive?

Yumcha

Yikes. Well...she's okay. Sorry about the car.

Yumcha

One vote for the MINI Clubman 4-doorer. Having owned a Countryman before, the extra boot in the Clubman will be more welcome IMO.

F-C

Thanks. If the car was a person, it'd be just scratches and bruises, so no big deal. But I guess you can't put Neosporin on sheet metal.

mrmako

It was a bit expensive, and the mileage was a bit low if I remember right (8 or 10K I think). It may have changed, it's been a few years.

mrmako

You can configure a BMW Alpina in Germany. The B5 Wagon starts at ~$125K and goes up quite a bit once you put some features on it.

Alpina Configurator

Must be nice to have that kind of money.

Yumcha

Alpina B5 Touring...

F-C

Went to check out the Minis. I felt even the Clubman was small in the second row, but the Countryman was surprisingly spacious.

Yumcha

K, wasn't sure about the rear room for you space-wise. FWIW, we bought the Countryman because we were expecting our first (and only) kid and it was my wife's vehicle of choice for her needs as a new Mom and etc.

It worked out just fine but sometimes, we found the trunk space just a tad too little.

F-C

Like I said, my other car is an MDX, so don't need a second big car. The replacement for the Avant will be purely for running errands and busy work.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Hate to say it, but have you thought about a Civic hatch?

Yumcha

Then, my "disclaimer" on the Countryman's boot is a non-issue whatsoever then. Test drive it. It basically drives like a BMW X1 to me.

00TL-P3.2

I drove a couple Minis before we bought the Merc.
IMO, and because there were no manuals on the lot except JCWs, the Mini Cooper S (I drove a Cooper S 4door & a Clubman) was underpowered. Really didn't have the same zing that the '1G' supercharged & 2G turbo Minis did.
Left feeling a bit disappointed with it, though the sales guys were hyping the Dinan tunes for them.

Yumcha

I found the Countryman S All4 we had quite peppy.

It was a nimble "little" thing for us and a nice change-of-pace from the FX50.

00TL-P3.2

Nimble, just not quick, IMO.
The last Coopers I drove prior were a '04 SC Cooper S & both a 08-09ish Cooper S & JCW Clubman.

The 2018 Cooper S 4 door just didn't have the same feel, largely due to the lack of a manual, I imagine.

Girl in our HR dept at work has a base 4 door (2019 I think) & she loves it.

nist7

This is definitely a higher on the list for our next potential replacement vehicle for upgrading the daily....drive-ability and style of a sedan/hatch, with enough cargo space and room on the inside for 90% of our needs.

Wife is looking more into EVs as a next daily car but I'm not sold on them just yet with current battery tech...even the hybrids like Prius....still can be obsolete/outdated in 10 years when you need to redo the hybrid battery. A highly efficienct old school 4-popper with turbos (make sure the turbo/oil dilution issue is all figured out...I assume with these honda turbo motors) that will last 20+ years and get great ICE/old-school efficiency

F-C

Maybe should have been clearer on my requirements:

1. AWD - Due to my very very steep driveway. I used to get stuck going up the driveway during the winter in my TSX. A4 Avant performed brilliantly.
2. Not too big. Already have an MDX. Wifey will probably be the primary driver, she needs something easy to find parking with. Also, in a few years, my first born will be ready for a driver's permit and *gulp* she'll probably use this car for practice.
3. Not too big, but still needs 5 doors.
4. Lease most likely.

Trying to convince my wife on an Alfa Romeo Giulia. But thinking about my first born using a Giulia for practice and I'm
Mini Countryman and maybe even a BMW 228 Gran Coupe might be the leading contender now.

oonowindoo

Dont think BMW 228i GC is a 5 door... just FYI.

Give Mazda 3 or CX-30 a try... unless she really wants that BMW badge.

My GF prefers her non turbo CX30 over my 340i. In some aspect, i agree and that is a car that costs less than 50% of what my MSRP is.

00TL-P3.2

Guessing you mean Stelvio, not Guilia, if the 5-door is a requirement.
Have seen a few on the road here (but not a lot, and 1 was on a flatbed tow :what) but it's a very nice looking little SUV.

mrmako

Have you looked at the Subaru Crosstrek? May not be very sporty, but it fits the AWD and not too big with 5 doors?

F-C

Sorry, 4 or 5 doors.

Just can't get over the Subaru styling. Certainly the practical choice though.

Yumcha

Yumcha

mrmako