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[Viral_Jim]

So, after placing an order waaay back in April, I finally collected the Omega's replacement at the weekend. To say I'm happy with it is a total understatement, looks great (to me) goes like hell and is a riot to drive.




On reflection I could have gone with  the Coupe as both the wife and the dog were feeling pretty sick when I took them out in it (and I hadn't even got out of town at that point!). The ride is sporty but not uncomfortable, I would never go to a full-on M-car as my daily driver, not on british roads anyway! The ZF 8-speed box is a triumph, in comfort mode its genuinely hard to spot the gear changes unless you give it the berries and the downchanges are immediate when asked for.

I took the car down to the Brecon Beacons over the weekend to put her through her paces - wonderfully enjoyable day, despite the attentions of an unmarked police motorcyclist. Honestly, he followed me for that long I thought he was coming home for tea!

Now, I just need to move the Omega on.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

I suppose BMW, who in all fairness doggedly stick to rear-drive and (mostly) straight 6 engines up front do offer the traditional/proper/older driver an experience that's being diluted every year. Glad you're happy with it, I bet it is actually a riot to drive.

Being a pedant I've never been much interested in that, or any BMW. I prefer yours to the 'Mk 1' 1 Series, also wouldn't say no to having the 2-door saloon they do, reminds me of the old 2000s/3 series back int'day. I can imagine it feels a lot lighter and sprightly than the old barge of an Omega. Glad you're happy, keep us updated with your experiences 

[tunnie]

Very nice, is that a m140i  - Bet it does indeed shift.

I would have gone BMW myself but F10/11 520d's in Spec, age, miles I wanted were out of my reach. Hope it serves you well 

[Viral_Jim]

Being a pedant I've never been much interested in that, or any BMW. I prefer yours to the 'Mk 1' 1 Series, also wouldn't say no to having the 2-door saloon they do,

Cheers, yes, I got my first grad job at the time when every bloke was buying the Mk1 1'er and every girl was buying the "new" mini and the interiors on both left me seriously underwhelmed. Its only of late that I think anything less than a 5 series has actually become a nice place to be! That said, I still wouldn't pick a 1'er with a black interior, they all seem to come with a black headlining, which, combined with dark dash and black seats makes it feel like you're sitting in a coal house!

Very nice, is that a m140i  - Bet it does indeed shift.

I would have gone BMW myself but F10/11 520d's in Spec, age, miles I wanted were out of my reach. Hope it serves you well 

It is indeed. I suspect its got about 50bhp more than anyone reasonably needs in a car that size. It is a hoot though!

Funny you should say that, I spent about 6 months looking for a F11 535i Touring before finally giving up and deciding, like you, that I didn't need a particularly practical car. Price-wise they were in reach if used (I'm not buying a £50k car new thats for sure!) but rare as hens teeth, particularly with my lengthy list of "must haves". 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

So, after placing an order waaay back in April, I finally collected the Omega's replacement at the weekend. To say I'm happy with it is a total understatement, looks great (to me) goes like hell and is a riot to drive.




On reflection I could have gone with  the Coupe as both the wife and the dog were feeling pretty sick when I took them out in it (and I hadn't even got out of town at that point!). The ride is sporty but not uncomfortable, I would never go to a full-on M-car as my daily driver, not on british roads anyway! The ZF 8-speed box is a triumph, in comfort mode its genuinely hard to spot the gear changes unless you give it the berries and the downchanges are immediate when asked for.

I took the car down to the Brecon Beacons over the weekend to put her through her paces - wonderfully enjoyable day, despite the attentions of an unmarked police motorcyclist. Honestly, he followed me for that long I thought he was coming home for tea!

Now, I just need to move the Omega on.

A selection of larger photographs would be good.

Looks a nice car. What year is it?
I believe my car may use the same ZF 8 speed box. Not a great box in my opinion.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Ooops sorry. I've just seen it's brand new.

[Viral_Jim]

Yes, I was too busy driving it at the weekend to photograph it, and by Monday it was pretty grubby outside   . You can click on the 1 photo for a larger version, but I'll try and take some more!

Re. the 'box, it is indeed the sam, although different software, what do you find not so great about it?

Perhaps the extra 150 horses and mountains of torque are its undoing in your particular application   

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Yes, I was too busy driving it at the weekend to photograph it, and by Monday it was pretty grubby outside   . You can click on the 1 photo for a larger version, but I'll try and take some more!

Re. the 'box, it is indeed the sam, although different software, what do you find not so great about it?

Perhaps the extra 150 horses and mountains of torque are its undoing in your particular application   

Three, or four (like in the Omega) is too few in my view. This leaves gaps in the acceleration curve.

Eight seems unnecessary, changing gears when there is no real need. The older XFR's have a 6 speed box which many prefer. The top two gears (7th and 8th) take the form of an inter-planetary overdrive and are probably there for reasons of Co2 and economy. I believe 8th gears pulls something like 47 MPH for each 1000 RPM.

Changes are pretty smooth generally but at full bore you are more aware of them.   (Probably built into the software)

Better than a 'fancy pants' double clutch jobbie like Tunnie has?.......I have no experience so couldn't say.

 

[Viral_Jim]

All fair points! Its what enables new cars to hit 60 in less than 5 seconds but still get upto 40mpg on a run. I hasten to add that in my case, the MPG has stuck resolutely to 22.5mpg on both tanks of fuel its had in it so far. 

I think you are right on the changes being a software "feature". In sport and the gearbox set to auto, I barely notice the changes, using the paddles however sends a "thunk" down the drivetrain with every change. I think this is probably meant to immitate the DCT 'box in the proper M-cars, personally I don't think it adds anything. 6 is probably the right number of gears, but then again I think the 6-sp ZF is the same one that's in the C5 RS6 and seems to be made of cheese. So probably a lucky escape on that score!

SWMBO's car has the DSG thingy, on the move its a very nice box, in town and for manoeuvres such as reversing onto the drive (on a steep incline) the proper slush box has a clear advantage in smoothness. I don't know what the DSG would be like in a performance application (110bhp and 1200cc doesnt count!), but I'm guessing just as competent.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Very nice, is that a m140i  - Bet it does indeed shift.

I would have gone BMW myself but F10/11 520d's in Spec, age, miles I wanted were out of my reach. Hope it serves you well 

2.0 diesel BMW is a complete and utter dog of a lump.......throws chains, eats flywheels the works.....nightmare thing!

[Nick W]

Very nice, is that a m140i  - Bet it does indeed shift.

I would have gone BMW myself but F10/11 520d's in Spec, age, miles I wanted were out of my reach. Hope it serves you well 

2.0 diesel BMW is a complete and utter dog of a lump.......throws chains, eats flywheels the works.....nightmare thing!

It doesn't take long for those things to happen either. I recovered several timing chain failures on sub 10,000 mile engines. Fitting the chain at the back of the engine wasn't the brightest design choice either.

[Viral_Jim]

I had seen some stuff about that on the BMW forums I knock around on. But IMHO, if you have bought a BMW and it doesn't have a line of 6 cylinders in front of you and super unleaded in the tank, you're doing it all wrong 

[tunnie]

Very nice, is that a m140i  - Bet it does indeed shift.

I would have gone BMW myself but F10/11 520d's in Spec, age, miles I wanted were out of my reach. Hope it serves you well 

2.0 diesel BMW is a complete and utter dog of a lump.......throws chains, eats flywheels the works.....nightmare thing!

Good job I did not get one then 

Your thoughts on the VW 2.0 TDi? I'm actually scared to ask....

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Very nice, is that a m140i  - Bet it does indeed shift.

I would have gone BMW myself but F10/11 520d's in Spec, age, miles I wanted were out of my reach. Hope it serves you well 

2.0 diesel BMW is a complete and utter dog of a lump.......throws chains, eats flywheels the works.....nightmare thing!

Good job I did not get one then 

Your thoughts on the VW 2.0 TDi? I'm actually scared to ask....

I'm sure Mark will like it.

[tunnie]

Very nice, is that a m140i  - Bet it does indeed shift.

I would have gone BMW myself but F10/11 520d's in Spec, age, miles I wanted were out of my reach. Hope it serves you well 

2.0 diesel BMW is a complete and utter dog of a lump.......throws chains, eats flywheels the works.....nightmare thing!

Good job I did not get one then 

Your thoughts on the VW 2.0 TDi? I'm actually scared to ask....

I'm sure Mark will like it.

In a nutshell I think he will say it's no way near as good as the old 1.9's - Has similar issues to all common rail diesels.

It has cambelt though, so he must be happy at that