Went test driving at Sytners this morning...
Discussion
Hello. This is my first post (ever) so apologies in advance if it's a bit rubbish. Just thought I would put down some entirely subjective thoughts on the cars I tested this morning.
I was a bit bored last week so I rang up Sytners and thought I would have a play. I've been carless since I had to sell my M635 (don't ask - one of the stupidest things I've ever done) but I've been thinking that it's about time I stuck my toes/leg/body back in the water of M-ownership.
So, this morning I drove an Alpina Roadster and an SMG M3 back to back - great fun. First impressions? Well the SMG system really is an acquired taste. It may change gear in 0.08 of a second (or so the salesman said) but it can't seem to do it particuarly smoothly and, for me, it took a lot of the fun away. This may be because I didn't have the right kind of roads to appreciate it, but I don't think I could live with it. The car was also on 19" wheels and the ride seemed really quite harsh (coming from an ex-M635 owner this is saying something). This was in contrast to the Alpina Roadster which was also on 19" rims but ran much smoother, even though you seemed to be sitting on the rear axle.
As for the Roadster - just amazing. The M3 was quick but the Roadster made it feel down right slow (all subjective of course)! The Roadster just seemed to take off whatever gear you were in or speed you were doing. The M3 did seem a bit tight (it had half the miles on the clock as the Alpina did) and it was noticeable that it didn't spin as freely to the red line.
I was a bit limited on the twisty stuff available on the test drive route but there didn't seem to be much in it to me, both cornered flat and were very direct, although the Roadster was slightly more wieldy (not too surprising given their respective sizes).
Overall I was impressed with the M3, a manual would certainly be my choice if I needed something practical, however, I don't (hurray!) and the Roadster certainly wins my vote. So much so that I think I shall be counting my pennies tonight to see if I can afford the nicely run-in one they have in black with the eye-straining red interior...
>>> Edited by sharkfan on Wednesday 16th March 18:05
I was a bit bored last week so I rang up Sytners and thought I would have a play. I've been carless since I had to sell my M635 (don't ask - one of the stupidest things I've ever done) but I've been thinking that it's about time I stuck my toes/leg/body back in the water of M-ownership.
So, this morning I drove an Alpina Roadster and an SMG M3 back to back - great fun. First impressions? Well the SMG system really is an acquired taste. It may change gear in 0.08 of a second (or so the salesman said) but it can't seem to do it particuarly smoothly and, for me, it took a lot of the fun away. This may be because I didn't have the right kind of roads to appreciate it, but I don't think I could live with it. The car was also on 19" wheels and the ride seemed really quite harsh (coming from an ex-M635 owner this is saying something). This was in contrast to the Alpina Roadster which was also on 19" rims but ran much smoother, even though you seemed to be sitting on the rear axle.
As for the Roadster - just amazing. The M3 was quick but the Roadster made it feel down right slow (all subjective of course)! The Roadster just seemed to take off whatever gear you were in or speed you were doing. The M3 did seem a bit tight (it had half the miles on the clock as the Alpina did) and it was noticeable that it didn't spin as freely to the red line.
I was a bit limited on the twisty stuff available on the test drive route but there didn't seem to be much in it to me, both cornered flat and were very direct, although the Roadster was slightly more wieldy (not too surprising given their respective sizes).
Overall I was impressed with the M3, a manual would certainly be my choice if I needed something practical, however, I don't (hurray!) and the Roadster certainly wins my vote. So much so that I think I shall be counting my pennies tonight to see if I can afford the nicely run-in one they have in black with the eye-straining red interior...
>>> Edited by sharkfan on Wednesday 16th March 18:05
Your thoughts on the Alpina Roadster concur with mine.
It really is a fantastic car. Alpina have done a great job with the engine. Cammy and a bit raw, it really does give the car massive character.
0-60 is about 5 seconds, so it goes well too !
A underrated car, the Alpina Roadster. You get big performance all mated to BMW ease of ownership and good service.
I note that Autocar magazine are running one as a staff car, and they absolutely ADORE it !
It is much , much more than a tarted up Z4.
It really is a fantastic car. Alpina have done a great job with the engine. Cammy and a bit raw, it really does give the car massive character.
0-60 is about 5 seconds, so it goes well too !
A underrated car, the Alpina Roadster. You get big performance all mated to BMW ease of ownership and good service.
I note that Autocar magazine are running one as a staff car, and they absolutely ADORE it !
It is much , much more than a tarted up Z4.
toppstuff said:
Your thoughts on the Alpina Roadster concur with mine.
It really is a fantastic car. Alpina have done a great job with the engine. Cammy and a bit raw, it really does give the car massive character.
0-60 is about 5 seconds, so it goes well too !
A underrated car, the Alpina Roadster. You get big performance all mated to BMW ease of ownership and good service.
I note that Autocar magazine are running one as a staff car, and they absolutely ADORE it !
It is much , much more than a tarted up Z4.
Just outve interest Topstuff what do you drive ?
If you're talking Sytners @ Upper Bank St Canary Wharf, then that Alpina Z4 looks yummy.
I walk past it every other day on the way to the gym.. and I must admit.. given how rapid this ///M Roadster is.. just how rapid would the Alpina be.
the cost is rather on the high side for that type of car.. but then again it is a newish motor.
Not one for me... but a nice car all the same.
I walk past it every other day on the way to the gym.. and I must admit.. given how rapid this ///M Roadster is.. just how rapid would the Alpina be.
the cost is rather on the high side for that type of car.. but then again it is a newish motor.
Not one for me... but a nice car all the same.
Juliann - The M3 had about 2.5k on it from memory. It just felt like it didn't spin as freely as the Alpina, but then again they are quite different engines so the comparison may not be entirely fair.
Jamie - The Sytners I went to was the one at Stratford (v.odd location) but I think it is linked to the Cheapside and Canary Wharf showrooms.
Jamie - The Sytners I went to was the one at Stratford (v.odd location) but I think it is linked to the Cheapside and Canary Wharf showrooms.
Broccers said:
Your thoughts on the Alpina Roadster concur with mine.
It really is a fantastic car. Alpina have done a great job with the engine. Cammy and a bit raw, it really does give the car massive character.
0-60 is about 5 seconds, so it goes well too !
A underrated car, the Alpina Roadster. You get big performance all mated to BMW ease of ownership and good service.
I note that Autocar magazine are running one as a staff car, and they absolutely ADORE it !
It is much , much more than a tarted up Z4.
Just outve interest Topstuff what do you drive ?
Cooper S Works at the moment.
Classic 911 being fixed as a "project".
Previous wheels include X5, 535i, 911 (996) , 993, and assorted old wrecks of character.
sharkfan said:
Jamie - The Sytners I went to was the one at Stratford (v.odd location) but I think it is linked to the Cheapside and Canary Wharf showrooms.
Ok, the one @ CW also has a Black Alpina Z4 in.. maybe the same one moved between sites.. or could be each one has one.
Didnt think they were that 'common' tho..
Still, lovely looking car.
Wonder how it would compare performance wise to the M Roadster
Must be the same one. Never driven a Z3M so I can't really comment. Certainly felt quicker than the M3 I tested, the M635 I used to have and the C2 2.7 my brother's father-in-law has. What's yours like on the road, they don't have traction control do they? I think I would have been rather more ginger with my right foot if the Alpina didn't have it (the warning light flashed away like mad whenever I put my foot down in anger).
Ps. Is yours the one up for sale in Docklands in the classifieds?
Ps. Is yours the one up for sale in Docklands in the classifieds?
sharkfan said:
Must be the same one. Never driven a Z3M so I can't really comment. Certainly felt quicker than the M3 I tested, the M635 I used to have and the C2 2.7 my brother's father-in-law has. What's yours like on the road, they don't have traction control do they? I think I would have been rather more ginger with my right foot if the Alpina didn't have it (the warning light flashed away like mad whenever I put my foot down in anger).
Ps. Is yours the one up for sale in Docklands in the classifieds?
Ya, I bought it when I sold the 911, wanted something that would still make me smile when I pressed the loud pedal, that could give me a tan, but wasnt going to be silly insurance (£4500 on the 911)
ITs a great little car, rapid and solid.. I just dont have a need to drive anymore, so it only gets the occasional use. Its done < 5000 miles since I've owned it.
NO TC, thats why I bought it
I used to have a GTO, and it was spoilt by the 4wd, 4ws, driver aid gubbins.. so I got a TVR, then a RWD 911 etc 
it grips wonderfully tho, but its not a 'rwd drifter' like the TVR was.. (but then neither was the 911) it just goes round corners intead of sliding..
Still, for the price, nothing could touch it, which is why I got it.
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