[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Wise man. 99% of the bitching we all do about that and a variety of other topics goes out the window in a DD situation. In my not so humble opinion most folks could save themselves some $ and actually have a more enjoyable DD experience if they went down a bit in car. 340 vs M3, S5 vs RS5, etc.

Of course. And most people talking track related options would almost immediately wad up an Ariel/Caterham or Radical.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Is awd better or worse than a one wheel drive BMW? Having had a 135i, X1 35i and 328i, I'd take awd over BMW's stupid eDiff any day. The X1 was a heavy thing, but it put power down better than either rwd one. Negate all this if talking M cars, but my wife hates the harsh ride of the F80.

The open diff is retarded. I can't believe you have to pay for an LSD.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Wise man. 99% of the bitching we all do about that and a variety of other topics goes out the window in a DD situation. In my not so humble opinion most folks could save themselves some $ and actually have a more enjoyable DD experience if they went down a bit in car. 340 vs M3, S5 vs RS5, etc.

98% of owners won't even get anywhere near the cars limits. 99% of owners won't go anywhere near a track.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

And you knew perfectly well that VW/Audi would never let us have an S4 or RS4 Avant ever again.

Yes, BUT - it was rumored and I tied up $500 in fully refundable money just in case. Dad is a wagon junkie and we are out of options he's had them all. He's also not at a stage in his life where he has the luxury of waiting for things. So when there's even a rumor of a rumor of a hot new wagon, I plunk down $500 that I can always get back.

Now if we really want to talk sexy wagons the Panamera is the new king of the hill, but he'd never let me buy him that.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Yes, BUT - it was rumored and I tied up $500 in fully refundable money just in case. Dad is a wagon junkie and we are out of options he's had them all. He's also not at a stage in his life where he has the luxury of waiting for things. So when there's even a rumor of a rumor of a hot new wagon, I plunk down $500 that I can always get back.

Now if we really want to talk sexy wagons the Panamera is the new king of the hill, but he'd never let me buy him that.

Was just about to post a pic. So unspeakably hot.

[Red Bread]

I'd be so conflicted if they brought the RS4 Avant over here. I'd want one so badly, but just can't do automatics. But that's what the wife's car is for...

Still kicking myself for not trading her automatic 135i on a 1M, she totally could have figured out the third pedal overnight.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

98% of owners won't even get anywhere near the cars limits. 99% of owners won't go anywhere near a track.

I posed that very question to a few of the instructors at the performance center. Their candid response after a hot lap in an M3 was a LOT of people waste a LOT of money on cars they never come close to using to their potential.

As my father once so eloquently stated when I suggested he get an M5 then Dinan the hell out of it, "don't pay for 8" of pussy when you've got 4" of dick."

In other words, don't waste a ton of dough on something you can't use.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Was just about to post a pic. So unspeakably hot.

All I really need / want for dad would be a Dinan Stage 2 340i xDrive wagon. Since we can't have that we're stuck exploring less ideal alternatives.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

All I really need / want for dad would be a Dinan Stage 2 340i xDrive wagon. Since we can't have that we're stuck exploring less ideal alternatives.

I have a friend that works for MBUSA who sadly doesn't seem to be able to bring one of these in.

[img]http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Images/...ercamg-011.jpg[/img]

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

I have a friend that works for MBUSA who sadly doesn't seem to be able to bring one of these in.

[img]http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Images/...ercamg-011.jpg[/img]

Yeah that would DEF be on the short list of options. In all honesty a C43 would probably be better. The E is nice but just too big, and I am not fond of any of the G-whatever shit (G-Wagon obvs excluded).

Volvo is redoing the 60 lineup next year with that Chinese dough, so those will be nice albeit low on power. 4-cyl and maybe just a turbo not the turbo / super combo that's on the 90.

Also looked at the new Jag wagon, aside from dad amusing himself calling it the "Jagon" we weren't impressed. The SUV they made is really nice but too tall for him.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Yeah that would DEF be on the short list of options. In all honesty a C43 would probably be better. The E is nice but just too big, and I am not fond of any of the G-whatever shit (G-Wagon obvs excluded).

Volvo is redoing the 60 lineup next year with that Chinese dough, so those will be nice albeit low on power. 4-cyl and maybe just a turbo not the turbo / super combo that's on the 90.

Also looked at the new Jag wagon, aside from dad amusing himself calling it the "Jagon" we weren't impressed. The SUV they made is really nice but too tall for him.

[Flyingscotsman]

Drove a Quattro Audi A4 recently, and I really didn't like the steering.. slow and not enough self centring. For me it ruined the car. Okay, it wasn't an S/RS, but I'm sure the traits would be the same in even an RS model, even if they had a quicker rack in it. They do look lovely though...

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Flyingscotsman

Drove a Quattro Audi A4 recently, and I really didn't like the steering.. slow and not enough self centring. For me it ruined the car. Okay, it wasn't an S/RS, but I'm sure the traits would be the same in even an RS model, even if they had a quicker rack in it. They do look lovely though...

Is the tuning between the 3 series the same as an M3? Why is it fair to assume the steering is tuned the same between A/S/RS models? Also a rediculous assumption.

[Alfisti]

WHat didn't you like about the jag wagon?

I drive a 9-3 wagon that will be replaced one day.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

WHat didn't you like about the jag wagon?

I drive a 9-3 wagon that will be replaced one day.

Take my wagon reviews with a grain of salt, I have a lot of concerns aside from just performance and handling. The Jag in particular the size and shape of the front door made getting in and out for dad difficult. Ride height is also a chief concern. Only once we get the old man concerns out of the way do we then turn our attention to driving dynamics.

If you are looking at pure wagons and not SUV / Crossover / whatever in a reasonable price range I'd encourage you to look at the BMW knowing you can Dinan it if needed, the Allroad is nice, the Jag is worth driving (but bigger) and the same for the Volvo V90. Based on your 9-3 history (we had those too) if you want something on the smaller side the 2019 V60 will be worth waiting for. The V90 is BIG. So in smaller wagons BMW, Audi, Volvo will all be around $55K nicely equipped.

[Red Bread]

What BMW? The G21 is unlikely to make it here in any form, not even the stupid 328iX auto we're stuck with now.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

What BMW? The G21 is unlikely to make it here in any form, not even the stupid 328iX auto we're stuck with now.

Ah, well that's another problem now isn't it? I haven't been actively following BMW wagon pipeline since ours is just now a year old and if we stay with BMW we will just keep that one.

[BEM-S4]

Since we started out talking about sexy coupes before transitioning topics, you guys see this thing yet? Wow.

http://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/151...th-volvo-bones

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Since we started out talking about sexy coupes before transitioning topics, you guys see this thing yet? Wow.

http://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/151...th-volvo-bones

Yep. Damn shame it's a hybrid that'll become an EV ... and the direct-to-consumer Polestar model won't fly in the U.S., so we'll never see it, at least in the short term, unless the states cave to Tesla's sales model or U.S. Volvo dealers break the model's mold and install Polestar dealerships.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Take my wagon reviews with a grain of salt, I have a lot of concerns aside from just performance and handling. The Jag in particular the size and shape of the front door made getting in and out for dad difficult. Ride height is also a chief concern. Only once we get the old man concerns out of the way do we then turn our attention to driving dynamics.

If you are looking at pure wagons and not SUV / Crossover / whatever in a reasonable price range I'd encourage you to look at the BMW knowing you can Dinan it if needed, the Allroad is nice, the Jag is worth driving (but bigger) and the same for the Volvo V90. Based on your 9-3 history (we had those too) if you want something on the smaller side the 2019 V60 will be worth waiting for. The V90 is BIG. So in smaller wagons BMW, Audi, Volvo will all be around $55K nicely equipped.

Thanks. Looking at smaller than 9-3 with some performance, open to used as it's just a (very short) commuter not family car.

Thinking old X1 with Dinan 35i might be a go. Wish Allroad had a proper engine ffs.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Thinking old X1 with Dinan 35i might be a go. Wish Allroad had a proper engine ffs.

That old X1 with the nice engine in it is a great car. I test drove one again a few months ago. Short commute I wouldn't bother looking at things like the Macan or anything too crazy, you'd barely get the thing up to speed before you were at the office.

Hell, if I had a really short commute and wanted to save a few bucks the GTI would be on my very short list. If I weren't toying with the idea of getting a B5 S4 as a winter beater, I'd be looking seriously for a Sport model with plaid seats before the weather gets bad.

[Alfisti]

It's a bit of a mid life present to myself. The mrs drives the X3 for family duty so my next car can be a bit silly as I mostly use it to do a 8km commute.

Regardless, i'd like some serious power just because ... well why the fuck not? But yeah i think full blown sports car will be a hassle so half pregnant, Allroad or old X1, appears the solution.

I am likely still a few years away though and the old X1 will be long in the tooth. My 9-3 only has 100,000Km and still runs like new so changing it out makes zero sense.