Another Co Car Questions thread! (A4 cabriolet thoughts?)
Discussion
Like another poster on this forum I am soon to change my company car & have narrowed it down to 3 cars from a never ending list.
They are as follows
1/. BMW 320D SE
2/. LEXUS IS 220D (Not SE)
3/. AUDI A4 2.0 TDI CABRIOLET Sport.
The questions I have are on the Audi as the salesman at my Audi dealer is crap!
What is this car like to drive / own?
Is it suitable as a 2+2? (mostly children but occasional adult)
The biggest drawback for me when I went to look at one was that to get access to the rear seat not only did I have to tilt the back but I also had to slide the seat using the catch under the seat at the front.
Are the seats not supposed to slide forward automatically when the back is tilted or do you have to put up with this & then trying to get seat back into position every time you want to get access to the back?
My head says go for sensible BMW option but heart says A4 cab could be fun car to own especially when someone else is paying.
All comments appreciated
H
They are as follows
1/. BMW 320D SE
2/. LEXUS IS 220D (Not SE)
3/. AUDI A4 2.0 TDI CABRIOLET Sport.
The questions I have are on the Audi as the salesman at my Audi dealer is crap!
What is this car like to drive / own?
Is it suitable as a 2+2? (mostly children but occasional adult)
The biggest drawback for me when I went to look at one was that to get access to the rear seat not only did I have to tilt the back but I also had to slide the seat using the catch under the seat at the front.
Are the seats not supposed to slide forward automatically when the back is tilted or do you have to put up with this & then trying to get seat back into position every time you want to get access to the back?
My head says go for sensible BMW option but heart says A4 cab could be fun car to own especially when someone else is paying.
All comments appreciated
H
I'd whole-heartedly agree with alfaspiderman2 - the BMW is by far the better option.
I had an A4 3.0 quattro sport convertible (after trading in a BMW 330d against it) - worst decision I have made in a very long time. The A4 cab was slow, incredibly thirsty (I was only getting about 22 mpg - my 911C4 gave me 25 mpg!!) and not a lot of fun to drive.
I could fit my kids in the back (3 and 7) but there's not a lot of space back there for adults, especially if the driver is 6ft+. And yes, you do have to mess with the position of the seats every time you crank them forward - that annoyed me too!
Don't get me wrong, with the hood down on a sunny day it's a pleasant place to sit, but for the other 350 days of the year you'll be putting up with a heavier car, with a noisier cabin and frankly awful rear visibility... Try parallel parking one on a dark, wet, cold winter's night and you'll be kicking yourself for not getting the BMW!!!
Ok, so the BMW (in my opinion) isn't that gorgeous a car to look at, but given you'r going to spend more time *in* the car than looking at it from the outside, then the head should prevail over the heart this time round... Pick the BMW and learn from my mistake!
All the best
I had an A4 3.0 quattro sport convertible (after trading in a BMW 330d against it) - worst decision I have made in a very long time. The A4 cab was slow, incredibly thirsty (I was only getting about 22 mpg - my 911C4 gave me 25 mpg!!) and not a lot of fun to drive.
I could fit my kids in the back (3 and 7) but there's not a lot of space back there for adults, especially if the driver is 6ft+. And yes, you do have to mess with the position of the seats every time you crank them forward - that annoyed me too!
Don't get me wrong, with the hood down on a sunny day it's a pleasant place to sit, but for the other 350 days of the year you'll be putting up with a heavier car, with a noisier cabin and frankly awful rear visibility... Try parallel parking one on a dark, wet, cold winter's night and you'll be kicking yourself for not getting the BMW!!!
Ok, so the BMW (in my opinion) isn't that gorgeous a car to look at, but given you'r going to spend more time *in* the car than looking at it from the outside, then the head should prevail over the heart this time round... Pick the BMW and learn from my mistake!
All the best
Ooops forgot to mention, anything over 30-40 m.p.h. with the hood down means it is pretty noisy/cold/windy in the back seats for any passengers. My kids found the novelty of driving about with the hood down soon wore off and I ended up being one of those annoying cabriolet drivers that drove with the hood up even on reasonably warm, dry days.
Thanks for the comments on the Audi it was an outsider anyway & as I have a Tuscan for those elusive summer days I think i'll stick with a saloon.
Went to test the Lexus yesterday & until I drove it I though that would be the one! The equipment level is superb far superior to the BMW & the interior is fantastic
even the looks are growing on me. Then I drove it 
oh dear! If only I could transplant the engine & gearbox from my Honda Accord Diesel then it would be a perfect car.
The gearbox is terrible very notchy & the car feels far slower than it's claimed 0-60 time! shame really as they have thought of everything else with this car except the engine & gearbox which I feel are quite important!
H
Went to test the Lexus yesterday & until I drove it I though that would be the one! The equipment level is superb far superior to the BMW & the interior is fantastic
even the looks are growing on me. Then I drove it oh dear! If only I could transplant the engine & gearbox from my Honda Accord Diesel then it would be a perfect car. The gearbox is terrible very notchy & the car feels far slower than it's claimed 0-60 time! shame really as they have thought of everything else with this car except the engine & gearbox which I feel are quite important!
H
didn't realise that you had a TVR as well
that makes the choice even more straightforward
out of interest, how do you find life with a 'boring' company car and the TVR for weekends?
I'm facing the choice now of company Mondeo TDCi type thingy + fun weekend car (Elise type) OR something more interesting as the company car to cover both bases e.g 330I Sport or R32
leaning towards the latter because I just can't see myself putting up with driving a boring car all week just so as I can have a bit of fun at the weekends
that makes the choice even more straightforward
out of interest, how do you find life with a 'boring' company car and the TVR for weekends?
I'm facing the choice now of company Mondeo TDCi type thingy + fun weekend car (Elise type) OR something more interesting as the company car to cover both bases e.g 330I Sport or R32
leaning towards the latter because I just can't see myself putting up with driving a boring car all week just so as I can have a bit of fun at the weekends
alfaspiderman2 said:
didn't realise that you had a TVR as well
that makes the choice even more straightforward
out of interest, how do you find life with a 'boring' company car and the TVR for weekends?
I'm facing the choice now of company Mondeo TDCi type thingy + fun weekend car (Elise type) OR something more interesting as the company car to cover both bases e.g 330I Sport or R32
leaning towards the latter because I just can't see myself putting up with driving a boring car all week just so as I can have a bit of fun at the weekends
that makes the choice even more straightforward
out of interest, how do you find life with a 'boring' company car and the TVR for weekends?
I'm facing the choice now of company Mondeo TDCi type thingy + fun weekend car (Elise type) OR something more interesting as the company car to cover both bases e.g 330I Sport or R32
leaning towards the latter because I just can't see myself putting up with driving a boring car all week just so as I can have a bit of fun at the weekends
I actually find it better to have comfort & refinement in the week as when the sun shines you never tire of getting out the fun (read fast!)car. The Honda has been fantastic has all the toys & is suprisingly good to drive for a diesel it is soon time though to change & it looks like the BMW is winning unless I can steal the engine / gearbox from the Honda & put in the Lexus
H
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