[vij]

Originally Posted by Berry

We should definitely create a new thread. Please do it Balan.

This is my last post "off topic"


Androdev - you might want to have a look at the Mini Countryman, I saw it parked at the BMW dealership the other day. Looks very robust with ample GC. Should cost you similar to the highline 3 , the only problem as far as I am concerned is it is Petrol only.

Grossly overpriced is the Countryman. X1 has a better badge value and is also the better car - whats more the X1 costs less too.

[Berry]

Originally Posted by vij

Grossly overpriced is the Countryman. X1 has a better badge value and is also the better car - whats more the X1 costs less too.

Mini has a different brand proposition to offer altogether and it will turn more heads on the street than the X1 and if you compare the exclusive 20d with the Mini Countryman then they are quite similarly priced. The CE variants of both 3 & X1 are worthless IMO, I would rather buy the Superb or the Passat for that price if I ever have to.

[androdev]

Update: X1 is ruled out. In its current avtar, it doesn't make a good family car due to its harsh ride and NVH levels.

Next up:

New X3. Will TD during this weekend.

Used E60 530D (only because 530D in any generation is my dream car) but GC worries me. Found one 530D highline at 30+L for a Dec-2008, 55K with 5yrs+1lakh km BSI.

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by androdev

New X3. Will TD during this weekend.

I feel X3 probably will please you. Very well appointed interiors, comfortable and does not have the bulk of X5. And your GC concerns will get addressed too.

[shankar.balan]

The Countryman is an iconic vehicle in its own way. There is no way that it has less "badge" value than the X1. At best they can be said to be on par.

Incidentally performance-wise, there was a shoot out between the Countryman and the Yeti and the Yeti walked away with the honours!

Originally Posted by vij

Grossly overpriced is the Countryman. X1 has a better badge value and is also the better car - whats more the X1 costs less too.

[vij]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

The Countryman is an iconic vehicle in its own way. There is no way that it has less "badge" value than the X1. At best they can be said to be on par.

Incidentally performance-wise, there was a shoot out between the Countryman and the Yeti and the Yeti walked away with the honours!

IMO the Countryman borrows the fame of the little brother - mini cooper. Thats about it for me(badge wise). Yeti ofcourse is a unique proposition - brilliant. I wish they had taken care of the rear looks - I like it from all angles except for the rear. I am considering the Yeti too.

[shankar.balan]

Yes thats right I agree. The same way that the X1 borrows some fame at least from its iconic bigger brothers the M3 and so on...

Originally Posted by vij

IMO I think the Countryman borrows the fame of the little brother - mini cooper. Thats about it for me.

[androdev]

Originally Posted by vb-san

I feel X3 probably will please you. Very well appointed interiors, comfortable and does not have the bulk of X5. And your GC concerns will get addressed too.

Agree with X3, just that anything beyond 40L will require my head to be examined Let us see. If the TD turns out to be 'impressive', then I will give it some serious thought.

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by androdev

Update: X1 is ruled out. In its current avtar, it doesn't make a good family car due to its harsh ride and NVH levels.

Next up:

New X3. Will TD during this weekend.

Used E60 530D (only because 530D in any generation is my dream car) but GC worries me. Found one 530D highline at 30+L for a Dec-2008, 55K with 5yrs+1lakh km BSI.

Now I can see your next car being the X3. Its got brilliant dynamics and it will leave you impressed for sure. Though since you have always wanted a fast car, why not get the X3 3.0d

For an E60 530d I am sure you can get a much less run car than that for a similar price. Personally 55k is too much for me, and I would only buy a car under 25k kms if used.

[androdev]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Now I can see your next car being the X3. Its got brilliant dynamics and it will leave you impressed for sure. Though since you have always wanted a fast car, why not get the X3 3.0d

For an E60 530d I am sure you can get a much less run car than that for a similar price. Personally 55k is too much for me, and I would only buy a car under 25k kms if used.

X3 3.0 is well over 60L in Bangalore. I went through the same experience while buying 520. When it really comes to putting your money where your moth is, spending 10L difference just for engine is such a hard decision. The 520D, X3 2.0 are not like corp editions - they got all the goodies minus the engine. I guess BMW wants say buy our 3 liters if you truly love our engines above all else or you are just way too loaded that you don't giveadamn.

Case for a 5 series is very weak. Just don't want to be worried about the ground-clearance.

[jkdas]

Hope this thread helps. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/luxury...-thoughts.html

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by androdev

X3 3.0 is well over 60L in Bangalore. I went through the same experience while buying 520. When it really comes to putting your money where your moth is, spending 10L difference just for engine is such a hard decision. The 520D, X3 2.0 are not like corp editions - they got all the goodies minus the engine. I guess BMW wants say buy our 3 liters if you truly love our engines above all else or you are just way too loaded that you don't giveadamn.

Case for a 5 series is very weak. Just don't want to be worried about the ground-clearance.

Well its not just the engine, there are a couple of features here and there which add to the feel good factor. Though I think the difference of 10l comes with the on road price, and is lower when it comes to the ex showroom.

What your 520d went through was a freak incident, I don't think you really need to worry that much especially since this is going to be a city car?

[androdev]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Well its not just the engine, there are a couple of features here and there which add to the feel good factor. Though I think the difference of 10l comes with the on road price, and is lower when it comes to the ex showroom.

What your 520d went through was a freak incident, I don't think you really need to worry that much especially since this is going to be a city car?

I agree the features are more in 3.0 and if 2.0 did not have xenons, panoramic sunroof, iDrive, etc. I would have considered 3.0. Does 3.0 come with Navigation as standard? NAV+HUD would be an awesome feature.

Also I am no fan of this auto start/stop feature - can this be turned off permanently?

I need this car mainly for vacation travel apart from helping me maintain that elusive calmness in the super chaotic Bangalore traffic. Lot of vacation spots have very poor last mile connectivity.

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by androdev

I agree the features are more in 3.0 and if 2.0 did not have xenons, panoramic sunroof, iDrive, etc. I would have considered 3.0. Does 3.0 come with Navigation as standard? NAV+HUD would be an awesome feature.

Also I am no fan of this auto start/stop feature - can this be turned off permanently?

I need this car mainly for vacation travel apart from helping me maintain that elusive calmness in the super chaotic Bangalore traffic. Lot of vacation spots have very poor last mile connectivity.

All the 3.0 X3 has over the 2.0 is the BRILLIANT engine, performance which will leave many many cars for dust. Also a bigger Idrive screen, sports steering wheel with paddles, a different body kit, 18" rims, and an automatic tailgate.

Considering it will be for vacation travel the X3 makes sense since its got loads of clearance and the xdrive is pretty good for most situations. The X1 and Q3 would be a little small for a vacation car.

The start stop I don't think can be turned of permanently.

Also if the X3 is turning out expensive, there is the Audi Q5 base model at some 35l ex showroom. Worth a look.

[Berry]

MODS : please delete this post of mine.