Yes, I've commited the cardinal sin on an MG Rover forum, and have a BMW 525d M Sport.

And what an awesome car it is. I really can see what people see in it, and can only wonder what would have been, if BMW had held on a little longer. The 3.0 six-cylinder turbodiesel engine is a gem and would have been awesome in a 75.

But I guess by now, we would have seen the second generation Rover 75, if BMW had still been in charge.

The technology, the feel, the way it handles and drives, reminds me so much of my MG ZT. There is so much common DNA, that it is scary.

The only gripe ive ever had about quite a few of the premium german cars is that they are far to expensive. But then again, theyre worth what people are prepared to pay for them, not what they are really worth in nuts and bolts.

 

Sinners can always repent my son.

 

"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."

Luke Chaper 15, Verse 7

Regards

John :lol:

 

As penance say 6 million "Hail Marinas".

 

I'd rather have an S-Type...

 

While the S-Type has a fantastic engine and drivetrain in the diesel, the S-Type is just too old in this company, and is let down by outdated packaging. The new XF is a different matter altogether though

 

photos?!??

 

I think they look great too... was looking at one the other day in a car park.

Anyway surely this should be in other manufacturers chat?

 

Nope, I'm discussing the comparisons to the Rover 75 e668ecp

 

BMW diesels are superb so feel no guilt praising and enjoying it. It does make you wonder what on of BM's six-pot diesels would have been like in the RWD 75 - most likely a little too good as far as BMW would be concerned, no doubt.

 

I doubt they would have put one in a RWD 75, not one as powerful anyway or even bother making it RWD, they wouldn't advertise it either through fear of it wiping the floor with the 3-Series.

 

My mates just got one.......******* awesome machine to be honest. made me feel quite strange actually, it's German and it's a diseasel AND it's a BMW......and I still liked it :err: :err:

 

One thing surprised me - the BMW 5 Series has indicators - didn't know they were fitted - must be an optional extra

 

It seems B*W got the wrong end of the indicator stick (haha) and have started wiring them to turn on with the fog lights (so permanently!)

Anyone else nearly, or worse have, mistaken those orange side lights for indicators? I nearly did at a roundabout the other day but noticed the badge and stayed put!

You driven the XF, Ian?

 

Ian dude, how comes you've driven all these cars?!

If you don't mind me asking, what is your profession?

cheers
Ben

 

I asked him the other day :lol:

He's a :***: of a top magazine, hence why he drives all these cars

*EDIT* Editor in Chief of What Diesel Magazine

See thread http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=230836&page=2&highlight=ian

 

I asked him the other day :lol:

He's a writer of a top magazine, hence why he drives all these cars

See thread http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=230836&page=2&highlight=ian

I reckon he'd be a bit miffed if you call him a writer though :lol: bit of a step down

 

Yup, I'm Editor of What Diesel Magazine.

www.whatdiesel.co.uk

 

lol what a jammy *******!

I want that job!

 

It is rather good

 

Tell you what Ian if you like the 525d then you wanna try a e60 535d absolutly out of this world for a diesel imo

 

Yup, pretty sure it is, although I'm not sure anyone would need anymore than the 525d has, but I guess its all horses for courses.

 

I've just got to book a 535d now, I'm hooked on the 5 Series.

Still don't get the X3 and 1 Series though.

 

'Once you start down the Dark Side, forever will it dominate your destiny'!

However, BMW are still making cars and selling them in loads. In fact, I'm 'thinking' about a 3-series coupe or tourer myself in a couple of years time to replace the ZT-T as NAC (or SNAC is it?) have made a mountain out of getting MG back in production (alternatives inc X-Type; Accord; Passat; new Vectra).

All in all, it is pretty sad really that marques like MG keep getting screwed, and the Government is to nationalise Northern Rock! Would have made taking MGRover back under Public ownership for 6-12 months to sell it as a going concern look good value.

Sorry, having a moan.

 

No need to apologise ~ many Tru~Brits feel as you do and supported the company by actually buying new Rovers and MGs right until April 2005. In that respect, I am proud to plead gulity M'lud.

Trouble was, 'the few' were vastly outnumbered by those Brits who were glad to see the asset stripped remnants of the once proud company die.

Sadly, it's something modern Brits really excel at doing.

Regarding the Northern Rock scenario, I've listened to all the proactive angles except one over the past few months. That one being that if as has been intimated, by allowing Northern Rock to flounder and expire, like they did with the remnant MG-Rover, it could severely undermine the whole British Finance and Banking system. If that IS the case, ALL the remaining Banks should pay for such 'Insurance', not the taxpayers, to ensure their own continuing survival. They can certainly afford it. They've always had and have plenty of our money to do that and still pay reasonable dividends.

As I write this Ken Clarke (a former Tory Chancellor IIRC ) on Radio Five Live is now outlining the very fact described above ~ "Bank was Broke" his words, unlike far too many of his younger Johnny come lately current members of his party who have all the answers and continue to do what far too many Brits now do ~ Excel at getting those answers wrong!
.

 

The best article I have read thus far on this debacle is in the times:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/anatole_kaletsky/article3386753.ece

I think it is the only one I've read on the subject which brings up the question of why 6000 NR jobs should be saved and not 6000 other workers.

They won't of course, be saved, as the company is doomed and the Government is wrong to pretend they ever can be.