[shark]

Seem to be more of them on the road and more to the point there is one at a good price I am thinking of getting

[lagerstarfish]

Do you want people writing "I wish my wife was as dirty as this car" (followed by "she is") and "also available in white" on your car when there is a weeks worth of road grime on the vehicle?

Are you happy to wash it every week?

Are you a hairdresser?

If you can answer yes to any of these then a white car is fine.

[Paul B]

Is it a:
Honda Integra Type R
Honda Civic Type R
Nissan Skyline GTR

if its fast, from that side of the world and followed by an 'R', you might get away with it, possibly.

[shark]

Do you want people writing "I wish my wife was as dirty as this car" (followed by "she is")

Err yes

[shark]

Is it a:
Honda Integra Type R
Honda Civic Type R
Nissan Skyline GTR
Japanese, fast and followed by an R of sorts?

if its fast, from that side of the world and followed by an 'R', you might get away with it, possibly.

Errr no. It's dawning on me why this car is cheap now

[Paul B]

its not a Volvo D5 is it? Performance stats 

[dave]

white cars shout beauty therapist, or middle-aged divorcee. Or someone who wants to be washing their car every other day.

[Jaspersharpe]

white cars shout beauty therapist, or middle-aged divorcee. Or someone who wants to be washing their car every other day.

Or this guy........

http://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,13301.msg308362.html#msg308362

[shark]

Or this guy........

http://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,13301.msg308362.html#msg308362

  "...Car also inspected with lighting and 3m sungun as well to try and find defects.."   

[shark]

its not a Volvo D5 is it? Performance stats 

520 Diesel which has a similar BHP to my 330D but 50+mpg

[SA Chris]

I would avoid a white car, there's always problems with paint fading.

[aLICErOBERTSfANkLUB]

I would avoid a white car, there's always problems with paint fading.

But it doesn't show up the dirt like a black one does.

[Paul B]

I'd want some real life analysis of BMW economy figures. My folks had a 123d Msport and it came nowhere near its figures during the lease period, unlike the A3 2.0 Tdi they had before which averaged 62 MPG over its 3 year lease. No change in driving etc. The stop and start technology seemed ridiculous to me too, despite their obvious gains in starter technology, once its cut out the engine just doesn't fire quick enough when you bring the clutch up. It can of course be turned off.

[mrjonathanr]

BMWs won't cope with snow or ice.  (BTW the push ignition seems fine to me, it's the uncontrollable rear end on icy surfaces I'm not so keen on). Are you planning to drive it in the winter?

[shark]

BMWs won't cope with snow or ice.  (BTW the push ignition seems fine to me, it's the uncontrollable rear end on icy surfaces I'm not so keen on). Are you planning to drive it in the winter?

I've had one for 9 years. It's a pain but I can live with it as it's such a pleasure the rest of the year.

[mrjonathanr]

They're very good cars, no question. So are lots of other cars though. Personally I find the rear wheel drive off-putting, but if you're ok with that, and don't mind the colour, you should go for it.

[Paul B]

BMWs won't cope with snow or ice.  (BTW the push ignition seems fine to me, it's the uncontrollable rear end on icy surfaces I'm not so keen on). Are you planning to drive it in the winter?

Its not the push button start thats the annoyance (although given most don't have keyless/proximity start I can't really see the problem of using it), its the put it in neutral and the engine cuts out nonsense. That linked to the fact that it doesn't fire until you bring the clutch up 30% in gear makes for pretty sluggish standing starts.

[mrjonathanr]

Its not the push button start thats the annoyance .... its the put it in neutral and the engine cuts out nonsense.

I agree. Switch it off.

[tomtom]

White cars are ace. Cooler (temp wise) in summer, scratches and chips dont show and they don't look dirty as quickly as people think. They just get kind of grubby looking then stay like that... Plus in a 5 series estate people will double take you and wonder if you're the 5-0.

But I'd eat a pair of lagers' 2 week vintage gruds if you get 50 to the gallon.. Ignoring the hopelessy optimsitic trip computer mpg thingy I get that from my 320d on a long run sticking to 70 and barely touching the noisy pedal.. 40-45 is normal... Ask Plattsy..

Besides, you're 10% more likely to crash a non white car according to the SCIENCE.. http://www.monash.edu.au/muarc/reports/muarc263.pdf
FACT with stats and all sorts (mind you it was carried out in Oz..) though I think we need our resident stats expert to verify the study

[Plattsy]

  from the 2 litre BM diesel 40 is probably more realistic.

Didn't used to like white cars but then bought one and had it until it was 18 years old. Giving it a good polish would make it gleam like new so I'm not convinced by the white paint fading issue.

Also not sure the line "won't cope in snow and ice" is true either. More challenging and not as good as FWD but nowhere near impossible. Germans and Austrians love the BMs and they get plenty of snow. If you're concerned get a set of winter wheels (read cheap) and stick some winter tyres on them and put them on when needed. Although when on a trip to Achnasheen over Christmas a couple of years ago I had no real problems on the snow except for one time I had to push it out of some deep overnight snow in a car park. This was an effort but then when I'm pushing it backwards and my good lady has it first gear perhaps we're not making things easy for me. 

On icey surfaces with standard tyres you could be in a Landy defender and still end up in a hedge or not get up a hill.

OP - Take it for a drive and if you like it buy it.

[Bubba]

Also not sure the line "won't cope in snow and ice" is true either. More challenging and not as good as FWD but nowhere near impossible. Germans and Austrians love the BMs and they get plenty of snow.

It's worth noting that euro Beemers also get the 4wd xDrive option that we don't get over here...yet. 

I think white can look great and is very safe from a visibility point of view - I'd have one.

[ianv]

Get some flashing blue lights for it and your sorted 

[ducko]

white cars are slick (dont listen too the stubborn old men) and stay alot cleaner than black cars do! 

[blacky]

I wish i could afford one of those bad boys. BMW are streets ahead of VAG in terms of blending performance/economy/emissions. Get it!! White is definitely a cool colour for that car.

What sort of economy do you get out of the 330d on a daily basis? I've been considering a 330cd sport in the future.

[lagerstarfish]

I'd eat a pair of lagers' 2 week vintage gruds

they're in the post

[Jim]

I get that from my 320d on a long run sticking to 70 and barely touching the noisy pedal.. 40-45 is normal... Ask Plattsy..

Seriously? thats pretty shit MPG, I can get that in my 2.5 tdi quattro

[ducko]

im affraid too say that bmw are miles behind VW on the economy side,
blue motions cars are wicked on fuel and the golf diesel still has pkenty of poke when you need it,
i drive a polo 1.4tdi daily returns 60+mpg and has shed loads of torque for such a small engine

[mrjonathanr]

Also not sure the line "won't cope in snow and ice" is true either.

I am. Traction is a joke compared to many other makes. It doesn't mean you can't drive on snow, just you are not as safe and where traction is at its limit on a front w. drive you/I won't be going anywhere in the BM.

[Plattsy]

Also not sure the line "won't cope in snow and ice" is true either. More challenging and not as good as FWD but nowhere near impossible. Germans and Austrians love the BMs and they get plenty of snow.

It's worth noting that euro Beemers also get the 4wd xDrive option that we don't get over here...yet.

True since 2005 or something.

I get that from my 320d on a long run sticking to 70 and barely touching the noisy pedal.. 40-45 is normal... Ask Plattsy..

Seriously? thats pretty shit MPG, I can get that in my 2.5 tdi quattro

Depends what Audi you have but the 320 and 2.5tdi are running about the same power. This is probably simplifying things though.

Also not sure the line "won't cope in snow and ice" is true either.

It doesn't mean you can't drive on snow,

Glad we agree. 

[shark]

What sort of economy do you get out of the 330d on a daily basis? I've been considering a 330cd sport in the future.

The MPG counter packed in some time ago but I guesstimate 30mpg. The current models/engines will be far more fuel efficient.   

[tomtom]

im affraid too say that bmw are miles behind VW on the economy side,
blue motions cars are wicked on fuel and the golf diesel still has pkenty of poke when you need it,
i drive a polo 1.4tdi daily returns 60+mpg and has shed loads of torque for such a small engine

The 2l BMW diesel engine is a good lump, used by many other manufacturers (land rover, ford..) with good efficiency and performance (minimal turbo lag and almost petrol like power curve). But, a 3 series BMW ways shit loads more than a polo, fabia or golf.. And lugging nearly two tonnes of steel around is going to use more derv.. Mines fine as I mainly do long runs, so get 50 mpg all the time.. When I do loads of accelerate decelerate city shizzle it drops loads.. Economy when the engine is cold and well warmed up (1/2 hour) is very different too..

Jim, 2,5 Audi figures sound good.. Is that from the trip comp or worked out?

[SA Chris]

I'm not convinced by the white paint fading issue.

That was a joke btw.

[Wipey Why]

Is it a:
Honda Integra Type R
Honda Civic Type R
Nissan Skyline GTR

if its fast, from that side of the world and followed by an 'R', you might get away with it, possibly.

 

There are a few BMWs in our office fleet and we tend to find the economy depends largely on how you drive it. To achieve the "official" figure you generally have to nurse it.

I have the stop start function on my Cooper S and I am still not used to it. The engine will re-start as soon as you dip the clutch but if you try and pull away quickly it is a little hesitant. I have sometimes resorted to switching it off.

Whilst I agree it is not as easy to make progress in a RWD when compared with a FWD car in the snow and ice you may find that adjusting your driving style will help massively. Being smooth and gentle with the controls and learning to apply opposite lock when necessary can do wonders (and also be massively fun).

[rginns]

If it's under 5 years old, white cars are good, it's when they get older that white cars look shit. I don't have much trouble cleaning mine, just need to put it through the carwash every now and then, non?

[GCW]

I had a white Scooby for many years.

The colour wasn't the reason I bought it.

[Paul B]

520 Diesel which has a similar BHP to my 330D but 50+mpg

It might be worth also looking at the torque figures and where they occur in the rev range as despite the same power output I'd be surprised if the lower capacity engne was delivering the torque in the same manner.

[blacky]

I wish i could afford one of those bad boys. BMW are streets ahead of VAG in terms of blending performance/economy/emissions.

I just compared the stats for the new 2.0d A6 and the 520d and it appears I'm talking .

[Jim]

im affraid too say that bmw are miles behind VW on the economy side,
blue motions cars are wicked on fuel and the golf diesel still has pkenty of poke when you need it,
i drive a polo 1.4tdi daily returns 60+mpg and has shed loads of torque for such a small engine

The 2l BMW diesel engine is a good lump, used by many other manufacturers (land rover, ford..) with good efficiency and performance (minimal turbo lag and almost petrol like power curve). But, a 3 series BMW ways shit loads more than a polo, fabia or golf.. And lugging nearly two tonnes of steel around is going to use more derv.. Mines fine as I mainly do long runs, so get 50 mpg all the time.. When I do loads of accelerate decelerate city shizzle it drops loads.. Economy when the engine is cold and well warmed up (1/2 hour) is very different too..

Jim, 2,5 Audi figures sound good.. Is that from the trip comp or worked out?

from trip computer, although I have done proper calculations before and the computer was correct. bearing in mind this is doing 70mph, half hour+ run on motorway in the summer, can get just over 40mpg. If I do 60 I can nearly scrape 50mpg's and cruising at 80-90mph returns about 35mpg but this is with permanent 4 wheel drive.

[ep]

I personally think the line between a white car looking good or not is a difficult one. I decided two years ago that a white a4 estate was the best colour available and chose that option. When its clean it looks pretty cool with the led bling and big wheels etc.
Downside is that it takes ages to clean, as you have to do it afew times until you end up with no streaks, that might be because i'm too stingy to buy a pressure washer which would make life a lot easier. Taking it to the car wash doesnt help either as you still end up with streaks, and you might as well have not bothered, as such I tend not use to the car wash-which is a pain in the winter months as with all estates the back end gets filthy, meaning you get filthy while putting things in and out of the boot. Although at least every 6 months it'll get properly cleaned by the garage during the service.

The other thing is, the bigger white cars eg a6 and 5 series in my opnion dont quite look as good as the medium to small ones. Mind you Ive seen the new 5 series estate in our village and it looks pretty good, Autocar are running one as a long term at the moment and they reckon the 520d is the pick of the lot.

[andyd]

Blacky.
Stop considering cars that you can only fit one or two pads in and take one for the team

[mark s]

I always expect a jcb private number on white cars especially vauxhalls.look like they not been painted.as paul said its the old racing colour for jap rockets.reminds me,top gear this week and the gtr flying the test track

[Nibile]

there you go: this is cool, crass and suspect.

[Plattsy]

Just cool.

[Bubba]

I wouldn't say no to this, despite many thinking Porsches to be hairdresser/city trader/etc posemobiles:

[Jaspersharpe]

I always expect a jcb private number on white cars especially vauxhalls.look like they not been painted.as paul said its the old racing colour for jap rockets.reminds me,top gear this week and the gtr flying the test track

 

[Wipey Why]

I wouldn't say no to this, despite many thinking Porsches to be hairdresser/city trader/etc posemobiles:

I saw one of these in the metal at Goodwood FoS. It would probably look awesome in any colour, including poo brown (but then again I do have a soft spot for 911s)

[Wipey Why]

 

(Yes, I know you wouldn't get a pad in it and it is not even road legal, but it is white and I think it is cool)

[Plattsy]

A bit of SCIENCE regarding 320d fuel efficiency. J36 of the M1 to Notthingham City Centre and back. Using cruise control where possible and occasionally bending certain limits.
97.8 miles - 9.03 lites = 49.24mpg

Back on topic. Herbie the original cool white car.

[Norton Sharley]

More 320d real life fuel economy - trip to Font and back and driving round whilst there last year from Sheffield = 1200 miles @ average 45 mpg (at about 80-90 average on motorway).  'Normal' combined urban and motorway figure = 42 mpg.

I'd expect a 520d to do a bit less even if the newer model and would think a 2 litre would be under-powered - a 320 is hardly quick.

[magpie]

I think most white cars look like they are Transformers, you could take this as a positive or negative. [/girl'spointofview]

[tommytwotone]

Just seen one of these badboys down the road - so ugly!

[Jaspersharpe]

BMWs lowest point so far.

Is it stuck in that photo as I recall the cunts on Top Gear saying it wasn't even designed to go off road?

[tommytwotone]

A slightly cooler option if you want a white car...

[tomtom]

A good friend had an integrale. Expensive to maintain, but probably the scariest experience in my life was exiting a roundabout at 80+ in a large 4 wheel drift (in the dry) pantshittingly fast. First and second gears were near useless, but third went from 40-c.100 in one incredible blast..

[Paul B]

A good friend had an integrale. Expensive to maintain, but probably the scariest experience in my life was exiting a roundabout at 80+ in a large 4 wheel drift (in the dry) pantshittingly fast. First and second gears were near useless, but third went from 40-c.100 in one incredible blast..

Made even more so by sitting where the wheel is meant to be I bet! Overtaking can't be easy.

[BB]

Other cool white cars inlude the mostly white 959


The ridiculously cool 917K


The vaginal lodestone. Fire up the quatro