Showing blog posts for April 2011

I've been up in our new sister company's offices in Newcastle this week helping build the directory of garages. If you're a garage or service centre and would like to list on Who Can Fix My Car, please call us on 0191 269 6875.

Mini have released plans for their most opulent car ever, "The Goodwood", a name with true motoring heritage! It will be officially unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. Only 1,000 will be made with prices starting at around £40,000. It comes with a luxiourious interior including a walnut burr wood finish on the dashboard and doors, as well as corn silk leather covering the majority of the surfaces. On the outside there are subtle aluminium badges with "MINI inspired by Goodwood" logos. Most importantly its engine has stayed the same, the 181bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol from the Cooper S, available with a six-speed manual as standard or an optional six-ratio automatic gearbox. The Goodwood is expected to go on sale at the start of 2012.

Another car set to be unveiled is the Audi Q3 compact 4x4 which will go up against the BMW X3 and the forthcoming Range Rover Evoque. It will be available to buy in three turbocharged 2-litre engine options, 168 and 208bhp in petrol guise and the diesel being 138bhp. Prices will start at £25,000 and it will be released in the UK from November.

Could the BMW X6 have a new rival? Peugeot have brought out pictures of their SxC concept vehicle which will also be making its debut in China next week. Designed in Shanghai, it measures 4.87m long, 1.61m high and 2.04m wide - that's just a few mm shorter, but wider and lower than it's potential rival. Even if the car does go into production its unknown whether it will reach European Shores.

Have a good weekend

The time had finally come: my daily sports car enjoyment was coming to an end...well more-or-less. The arrival of Reginald, the bull-dog puppy in late January had meant that the M3 would no longer provide enough practicality for transporting myself, girlfriend and new four-legged companion. Coupled with that, I was beginning to become increasingly frustrated with the minute fuel tank on the BMW and its insatiable appetite for 95 RON. Having owned an E46 M3 and 997 C2S in the past, I was no stranger to grimacing at the pump, but the frequency that was involved during E90 M3 ownership was fairly alarming – especially for a relatively modern piece of engineering. You accept the cost of running these cars when you dive in at purchase, but the relentless £75 fill-ups just act as a constant reminder of your cash pouring from the nozzle, into said car, and then straight out of those meaty quad exhausts.

So what was it to be: the front-runners were the Audi Q5 (3.0TDi) with all extras ticked, a diesel Range Rover Sport, or a 335d BMW Estate. Having used a Range Rover during the ravages of 2010’s winter months (see December blog: Chelsea Tractor to Alpine Monster), I was convinced that its 4x4 credentials were unrivalled – and it was a strong contender, despite the questionable WAG image. The Audi offered a sportier alternative but, for me, the styling lacked the authoritative purpose that the Range Rover oozes. Whilst the BMW Estate was a good all-rounder, I knew deep down I wanted something different, and I had become a little tired of the dreary 3-series cockpit. Additionally, I wanted to something that instilled some degree of confidence in harsh winter conditions; the M3 was truly woeful during the snow, and I just do not have the time or patience to think about winter-tyre options.

Without singling out exactly where it happened, I had a disastrous sales experience at my local Land Rover dealership: two visits, zero follow-up from disinterested staff and I seemed to know more about the cars than the salesman – not a ringing endorsement – they never even managed to engineer a test-drive. In any case, I began to realise the Mark 2 RR Sports commanded prices in the mid £40ks which was going to be a bit of a reach, but the updated interiors were considerably smarter than the original cars which still harked back to Land Rover’s agricultural roots.

Trading out of the M3 into a low mileage 335d Estate, and having to pay a few thousand quid was just too unpalatable to contemplate. So, this left me with a trip to Audi. The Q5 was certainly adequate and given all the eventualities it covers, I could see why the dealer network had a groaning waiting list for new build slots. However my interest was piqued by another car residing in their showroom, one I had not considered due to rarity and potential running costs: the RS4 Avant. The long-time nemesis of the car I was parting company with was something of an enigma to me. I had perpetually rubbished it over the years, such was my loyalty to the M3 and had never even set foot in one. But here it was: all the practicality I needed, the famed Quattro platform, the stealth looks, V8 performance and an exquisite exhaust note to boot. I had lived in the South of France over a decade ago as a student and among the usual Italian exotica that howled around the mountain roads, the bright blue RS2 was not an uncommon site. A Porsche/Audi collaboration – at the time, every petrol-head yearned for one. The RS4 represented its spiritual successor and is gradually carving out a cult following – at least, that was my argument!

A quick calculation and I could switch from the M3 into the RS by paying a nominal amount, at the same time reducing the mileage between the M3 and the Audi by 10k. A quick test-drive and I was ready to trade. The Audi emitted an electric, throaty warble from its trademark oval exhausts and as soon as the starter button was pressed, thoughts of diesel 4x4s were quickly jettisoned. The switch gear was much smoother than the M3’s, which was a big factor given I do a lot of urban driving and I immediately had more confidence when executing quick, green-to-amber shifts than in the BMW. The huge, winged bucket-seats are more than a novelty and encourage a more upright, straighter driving position with better all-round back support. The car’s build quality is excellent and the only thing it lacks is a few bits of technology here and there: after-market Bluetooth, iPod connectivity were thrown in with the purchase, but can be found on some models. The most pleasantly surprising aspect of RS4 ownership versus the M3 has been the relative frugality with regards to fuel consumption. On a long motorway run I could just about squeeze out a 300 mile tank, whereas the Audi seems to be delivering this and more under mixed conditions. It might not have the same street-cred as the BMW but it is more of a connoisseur’s choice, and the respectful nods of those “in the know” is equally as rewarding for those badge followers among us.

BMW's luxury M5 Saloon Car is back! This is the 5th version generation of the car which will be unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. The super-saloon comes with a 552bhp twin-turbo V8 engine, seven-speed dual-clutch box, goes 0-60mph in 4.5 sec (top speed 155mph - limited) and has a 25% better fuel economy than the current model. Prices will start at £75k and it will be available to buy in November.

Another car set to be unveiled is the new Mercedes A Class, I think it's visually stunning and looks like something Alfa Romeo would be proud of! It will be interesting to see how it competes against the Mini, the car will be powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, no word yet on price.

Finally with Jeremy Clarkson being in the news a lot this week I thought it was only right to post this, I warn you the following video is a bit like Marmite, you'll either love it or hate it!

Have a good weekend.

Monday saw the launch of our fantastic sister site WhoCanFixMyCar.com, the basic premise is if you need a service or if you've got a broken down car and you are worried that you might be getting charged over the odds by your nearest garage you can post your problem and garages in your local area can pitch you a price. If you are a garage or a mechanic and are interested in signing up please call 0191 269 6875, the full site will launch in a couple of a weeks.

Porsche have unveiled the Panamera Turbo S, costing a hefty £122,630, 20k more than the standard Panamera. What's the difference between the two of them? Well you get an extra 49bhp, Porsche's Dynamic Chassis Control system which stops the car from rolling and the car goes 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, 0.4 seconds quicker. Top speed is 191 mph, only 3 faster and the fuel economy remains the same at 24.6mpg.

With the Royal Wedding rapidly approaching BMW have decided to get in on the act, the German car maker have brought out a BMW M3 Royal Edition, no word yet on price.

Finally this week RIP to Edward Stobart who built up his father's Eddie Stobart lorry empire and ran it for more than 30 years, becoming the best know haulage company in the country in the process. Edward was only 56 and died after suffering "heart problems."

Have a good weekend!