To not understand what you get for your money with a posh car?

[pinkyponk67]

One of my friends recently bought a 5 series BMW. Friend is dithering between Audi A6 and a 5 series as well. I dont quite see what the attraction is?

I drive a Ford S Max (2 years old) and it is a great car to drive, seems very luxurious and solidly built, with all mod cons. Man from the independent garage remarked to me what a good car it was (and that was after I had paid for the service!).

Friend 2 is spending a lot more money on her 2nd hand Audi/Beemer than we did on the S Max. (I realise not exactly the same type of car). But I really don't see what you get for your extra money apart from the posh badge with a "prestige" car brand- am I missing something?

[flowery]

AIBU to be mightily peeved that my new Audi doesn't come with the magic text-to-de-ice windscreen?

[TheFallenNinja]

Drive one, then you'll know

[bureni]

Just go for a Volvo, they do not need to be told to de- ice the windscreen or mirrors, they know it needs done.

[theodorakisses]

comfort, style, safety, not having gaffer tape holding the bumper on, not embarrassing your kids. I grew up with a Lada then a Citroen 2CV as family cars. I would never do that to my family. Or what about not being dead in a serious accident? That ranks fairly high with me as well.

[bureni]

Yes, safety and practicality are my main priorities when buying a car which is why I always drive Volvos and certainly would not buy a German built car. I do love the old Citroen 2CV though, super practical little wagons.

[cathpip]

My dh has just brought a mercedes e class, yes he is a mercedes snob (always has been) but he does a lot of miles, he put 175000 miles on his last car in 6 years. Just out of interest he had been pricing up cars over the last 2 months and as mercedes are bringing out a new style e class they were doing seriously good deals, you could not buy a Golf or a Citroen Picasso for the monthly payback price that he is paying for his luxury car.....

[theodorakisses]

I hate Citroen 2CVs. They bought it brand new from the factory and it never, ever, ever started. Not once. I had to push it down a busy road every morning and was always late for school. When I'm rich enough I am going to buy one and slowly torture it to death.

[theodorakisses]

And what about automatics? After being in the Middle east for 12 years I would never have a manual, why would you?

[atthewelles]

I think 'not embarassing my kids' would be pretty low on my list when choosing how much to spend on my car. Safety, useful extras and practicality yes, but not that.

[SaraBellumHertz]

Re safety I did totally reconsider my choice of BMW the first time I had to drive it in the snow. TOTAL. FECKIN. DISASTER

[lurkerspeaks]

I went from (allegedly) prestige brand to Ford and when I change the Ford I will willingly head back up market.

The Ford is fine - it goes from A-B, it is cheap to run and it is quite pleasant to drive. What marks it out is the totally shit cabin quality (nasty plastic galore) and really poor design - an example would be that the second charging point for electrical goods in in the centre console. The ipod in socket is in the glove compartment. If I get in the car long haul and my ipod isn't fully charged I end up in wire spaghetti. It drives me mad.

In addition isofix is an optional no cost extra on ford. WTF doesn't want isofix? Even if you don't have kids it doesn't do you any harm to have it. All the premium marques have it as standard.

[lurkerspeaks]

Oh and I know a lot of non posh cars do too. This seems to be a Ford area of weakness.

[IfNotNowThenWhen]

I always thought the point of having kids was to embarrass them as much as possible...?

Anyway, I am reading this with interest while watching Top Gear...and I don't even have a car!

[IfNotNowThenWhen]

When I do get a car I was thinking- would it be better to go for a newish Micra or an old Mini?
I do think Minis are nice to drive, but there is something a bit smug about the way they look to me.
(An Audi is not ever going to happen!)

[AnEventfulEvening]

I had a skoda fabia and a fiesta which both got me through snow without problems for years. New car is yet to be tested but has done ok on ice so far.

I did not laugh as I passed all the Mercs, Audis and BMWs with snow unfriendly wheels and front wheel drive that had got stuck. Much

[CommanderShepard]

I drive a Skoda Superb estate which is exactly the same build spec as the Audi A6, just with slightly different cosmetics and - oh yes - about half the price.

I would never consider an Audi having been put off by the sales rep who suggested my only contribution to the purchase of a new car should be choosing the colour. Pathetic.

[charlieandlola]

Can you really text a Bmw to start it defrosting ?
Brilliant !
Must look at an X5 when our xc90 dies.
Mind you, my focus in 1999 has heated windscreens

[Bunbaker]

"WTF doesn't want isofix?"

I don't and nor do most people I know. I am past that stage in my life and so are my friends and family. I don't know anyone close to me with a baby.

[sydlexic]

Goes fast, stops fast, comfortable, safe particularly if the worst happens.
Easy to drive, easy to reverse and park.

i have never repaired a BMW, never broken down in a BMW.

[LadyFlumpalot]

My car was posh in her day (she's 13 now) and for the money you get 6v's 2.5 litres, 279 horses and a heck of a lot of torque pounds.

[WileyRoadRunner]

BMWs with snow unfriendly wheels and front wheel drive that had got stuck.

I think you'll find its rear wheel drive that causes issues in the snow!

[AnEventfulEvening]

Whichever it is! I forget. They are shit in show!

[WileyRoadRunner]

Sorry wasn't meant to sound picky it just tickled me for some odd reason.

I remember when I had a C4 Picasso I know, I know and my neighbour in his BMW told me "you'll never get up there love". He threw his now shovel on the ground as I merrily manoeuvred around his stuck 3 series.

[SaraBellumHertz]

anevent beyond shit

Ten years ago I had to abandon mine in islington (hardly rural ) and get a bus because the bus could cope with two inches of snow but my 25k car couldn't.

[pinkyponk67]

Yes my friend with the 5 series has had a nightmare trying to drive it in snow because its rear wheel drive. What is the point of rear wheel drive? She used to have an Audi but got rid as it was always breaking down....