The car was delivered exactly 12 months ago today, how time flies when you are having fun. In that time the car has covered 9392 miles, and has averaged 37.8mph with 36.6mpg. The relative economy still surprises me, the use of 99RON probably helps to some extent, and the hybrid element certainly does help with the coasting and stop/start. BMW really have got this bang on with the B58 engine. (Apologies for the dirty display, most unlike me!) To celebrate the anniversary I have given the car a decent clean inside and out, the display is now free from dust and finger prints. Since buying the Alfa my use of the G22 has declined significantly, it seems to be an expensive drive ornament, I have considered changing it for something cheaper and more performance oriented, possibly an M2 or even an E92 M3. However, a wee bit of sense has kicked in since then, I will use the car more often for work trips, leave the Alfa for the longer journeys, Oxford, Bognor, Cambridge etc. Maybe this time next year consider changing the BMW for something else, the M itch may very well have to be scratched at that point. It really is an excellent car, covers all the bases so well and with such little fuss. The xDrive is simply awesome, it can be a little tail happy when in Sport, and can then grip like made on a hard acceleration. The tech is superb, I shall update the safety camera option next week, may also consider the adaptive headlights if the sale is reasonable. Not sure how I've lived without a heated steering wheel, certainly a revelation to me. A must have for the next car. I've had to have the NS front wheel refurbished, had this done at Sytners, only a small nick but so annoying. Changed the centre caps for the floating versions, possibly a daft upgrade, but I do like them. Also added the BMW valve caps, still there 12 months on! The paintwork remains in excellent condition, I didn't go for a PPF coating in the end, so there are a few tiny chips on the front bumper, but I've touched them up as soon as I've noticed. I washed the car today and the paint is still smooth to the touch, the GuardX stuff seems to be holding out so far. Not as good on the leather though, there are a few water marks on the outside of the seats due to rain coming in when the doors are open, will look to get this remedied at some point. The sound in Sport is good, not as good as the F32 was, but this does have the lovely OPF fitted, so somewhat muted. I've looked at upgrades to the exhaust, but these are £2.5K+, so a lot of money for a little aural gain. All in all this is a tremendous car, it does everything so, so well. However, I haven't yet truly bonded with it, maybe it is too good? As an ownership experience it is fantastic, can't fault it at all, ticks pretty much all the boxes. But there is something a touch sterile about the car, there isn't the "edge" or "fizz" that makes me what to jump in and wring its neck. Oddly, the little Alfa does have this, which is odd as it is a 120bhp diesel with rattling trim, harsh suspension and only cost me £1400. Weird. I think this is the main reason why I have considered swapping it already, but then sense comes back and I realise that I need to re-assess how I view the car and how I use it, hence the decision to use it more for work driving. Looked great after a wash and dry, nothing too fancy or time-consuming as it is going to rain tonight/tomorrow, but felt that it deserved a clean. We shall take a trip out in the morning and burn some of that 99RON off..... So, 12 months and all is well. We shall see what the next 6-12 months bring.
A stunning looking car and surprised you’ve not gelled! Re the screen OCD, I overcame this with the fitment of a screen cover, initially opted for cheap but then reverted to quality Since this I’ve had no finger marks….. Mileage & mpg is impressive!
Perhaps a car that does everything too well but sounds like many cars these days in that it doesn't provide enough feedback for the enthusiastic driver for it to get under your skin. BMW do however do a great job of hiding their weight on their modern cars - for me it's the steering feel that lets them down. If I was lucky enough to be given the choice I'd be going Alpina over an M car which for me would be too "nervy" on British roads.
I can’t believe it’s been a year already! Amazing fuel economy for the power on offer. I do think cars in general have become more sterile and to access the performance & fun you need to drive them to a whole different level which is beyond safe and acceptable on public roads, which is a shame. Wish you many more miles of enjoyable driving in it until the replacement becomes clear.
I'd agree with the above. Having had an F90 M5 (immensely capable, but most of it unusable in the crowded south east if you valued your licence or life!), then a b9.5 RS4 avant (better at the boring stuff when you have a dog, and as it was less fast you did at least feel like occasionally it worked up a mild sweat) before an iPace (a great all rounder!), I'm now choosing to get me fun from a Mini JCW (softtop!) which I am hoping will give me a bit more fun within the constraints of the real world.
A great conversation about cars in general, somewhat Renault heavy in places, also an interesting insight into how older cars can provide more of a an engagement in the driving and ownership experience. Worth a watch.
I enjoyed that, partly as I liked M cars from that era when they were much less showy than they are now - and partly because he talks about some old French cars that I could relate to as my best friend at uni would sometimes turn up in his Dad's Renault 25 with the computer voice... and I had an Espace - although not a mark 1, it was a mark 2 grand espace!
32 mile round trip in the car today, the heated steering wheel and seats were very much a bonus! Plans to head out to the Long Mynd for a drive, walk and discover tomorrow. Hoping for a good road and decent weather.
Lovely drive over to Church Stretton today, parked up at the Carding Mill Valley (National Trust) car park, then went on a cracking circular walk up and over the waterfalls there. Gorgeous scenery in that area of Shropshire. Some decent roads as well, in-between 30mph zones there were some lovely sweeping left/right bends, very much enjoyed the rail like handling of the M440i. Driven as it should be driven I think. Obligatory car/scenery photo:
The Long Mynd is on the list of places to hike. The "lads" have talked about a weekend staying at Bishops Castle so can also take in our love of real ale with the great Three Tuns Brewery being in the town.
Spent a weekend mountain biking over there with some mates coming on 7yrs ago now. Was a fabulous weekend and some really great riding. Some gruelling uphills but equally lovely downhills which were challenging but not as terrifying as you get at some places in the Lakes. It’s firmly on my list of places to return soon enough.
