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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

2083.0. "New BMW Coupe Hot Hatch" by NEWOA::DALLISON () Mon May 17 1993 10:01

    
    Read an article about this beast which is due to be released in 1994
    (the car not the article). Its supposed to retail at "the same prive 
    as a Golf GTi" and is to capture the younger driver (?). The biggest
    engine size planned is a 1.8i 16v and BMW already have a couple of
    prototypes running.
    
    Now, providing this isn't a wind up from the media, this would be BMW's
    first hatch back I believe.
    
    There goes the neighbourhood.
    
    -Tony
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2083.1History repeating....UTROP1::BOSMAN_PMon May 17 1993 10:595
    Not so, BMW build a very nice 3-series "Touring" models in the
    seventies. These models were real 3-door versions and not stationcars,
    so 3-series hatchbacks have been around before!
     
    Peter
2083.2I'd love a 318i.Just like Steve Soper's.PEKING::ATKINSAPRC Vauxman.Mon May 17 1993 11:2017
    
    RE-2
    
    >>For the younger driver<<
    
    What a joke.
    
    The insurance scenario:
    
    
    Me:          Yes it's a quote 1.8i 16valve BMW.
    INsurance:   Do you have a small fortune tucked away?
    Me:          I'm affraid not!
    Insurance:   Goodbye then!
    
    Unless you regard young as being in your twenties!    :-)
    Andy..
2083.3KERNEL::MCGOWANMon May 17 1993 16:227
    re .1
    
    I've seen a 2002 touring with a hatchback, but never a 3 series.
    
    RU sure ?
    
    Pete
2083.4Quite nice actually.UTROP1::BOSMAN_PMon May 17 1993 18:2311
    Pete,
    
    Sorry, my fault. The 02-series being the archetype of the 3-series had
    me heaping them together. 
    The 2002 Ti was the hot-hatch of the day, albeit virtually unknown and
    not popular in its days. Some very smart bright orange cars can still
    be seen as circuit cars on Zandvoort circuit.
    Nowadays these hatches are the most sought after 02-items, save for the
    rare Turbo that is.                                 
    
    Peter
2083.5I feel better now I've said that...CHEFS::MARCHRMon May 17 1993 21:1917
    As long as this hot-hatch isn't front wheel drive - I don't care. 
    
    Up until now BMW have stuck with rear wheel drive not pandering to the
    lower skilled drivers need for a built in early warning system for loss
    of grip. 
    
    Rear wheel drive is the ultimate sporting configuration (4X4 just makes
    up for total driving inability) proven by the dominance of the BMWs in
    the BTCC series - even with a 10% weight penalty over front wheel
    drive.
    
    FLAME_OFF
    
    Crikey where did that come from ! Must have been the frustrations of
    working for Digital getting to me !
    
    8^)
2083.6What about when it is wet?TASTY::JEFFERYChildren need to learn about X in schoolMon May 17 1993 23:1712
>>  Rear wheel drive is the ultimate sporting configuration (4X4 just makes
>>  up for total driving inability) proven by the dominance of the BMWs in
>>  the BTCC series - even with a 10% weight penalty over front wheel
>>  drive.
    
    Hang on a minute. Didn't the Front Wheel Drive Renault 19 16Vs come 1st
    and 2nd place when it was raining in the BTCC series. Surely proof that
    when it comes to handling rather than raw power, the FWD R19 comes out
    very well compared to the RWD BMW's ???
    
    Mark Jeffery (purely unbiased, and waiting for his Renault 19 16V to
    arrive!)
2083.7CHEFS::MARCHRTue May 18 1993 14:121
    tyres
2083.8TASTY::JEFFERYChildren need to learn about X in schoolTue May 18 1993 23:147
Enigmatic to say the least!

Did the BMW's go round on their rims?

Must have cornered like they were on rails!

Mark.
2083.9ABACUS::SCHREIBER_GRelax...homebrew picks up on bad karmaWed May 19 1993 01:414
    Just saw an advert in the states for a 5 series bimmer wagon. 4 door
    with a rear hatch. Didn't like the looks much but it had a nifty
    double sunroof. Not two singles but one that had two panels that
    open up even over the rear passengers creating one VERY large opening.
2083.10TPLAB::SLOPERWed May 19 1993 19:3611
Re: .5

>Rear wheel drive is the ultimate sporting configuration (4X4 just makes
>up for total driving inability) proven by the dominance of the BMWs in
>the BTCC series - even with a 10% weight penalty over front wheel
>drive.

Do you think anybody's told Lancia?

Ian.
2083.11No signs of front drive in F1...CHEFS::MARCHRWed May 19 1993 21:172
    Front wheel drive just feels fast - makes you think you're going faster
    than you are. Italiens love that sort of thing.
2083.12TPLAB::SLOPERThu May 20 1993 13:189
	Having just returned from a drive around Italy, 
	I can assure you that the Italians have scant 
	regard for which set of wheels the power is 
	going through. On the Italian motorways they 
	seem to average around 180 kph. *But* they use 
	their mirrors and get out of your way.

	Ian.
2083.13Talking out of my a***!CHEFS::MARCHRThu May 20 1993 23:2512
    Actually I've never driven in Italy - so I'm totally unjustified in
    making assumptions, but my note was only semi serious.
    
    However people who visit Italy have one of two opinions about Italien
    driving IMHO, either:
    
    	1. "Mad drivers, worst in Europe, death wish driving"
    
    	2. "Never had so much fun, superb drivers, safe at high speed"
    
    I think I would go for No.2, based on what I've heard from drivers who I'd
    call confident, fast and safe. 
2083.14MAJORS::ALFORDlying Shipwrecked and comatose...Fri May 21 1993 13:106
The main thing I've noticed about a lot of italian drivers, is that they drive 
so close that it would be difficult to get a credit card between the cars !


(yes I have driven in Italy)
2083.15Only a fool breaks the two-second rule 8*)PEKING::SMITHRWThe Great Pyramid of BlokeFri May 21 1993 16:049
    ...especially on the autostrada.  I've been in rush-hour traffic around
    Firenze and watched the almost-pile-up that happens every time somebody
    sneezes or changes lanes a couple of miles away.  Unsophisticated.
    
    Naturally, I was leaving a bit of space in front of me, and having none
    of these problems.  And nobody tried to cut in on me, either...
    
    Richard
    
2083.16Very curteous (sp)VANTEN::MITCHELLD&quot;Management is opaque&quot;Fri May 21 1993 18:534
They will let you in a file of traffic but hoot if you
dont move quick enough.(N .italy)

		Fair enough
2083.17NEWOA::DALLISONCall me anything but late.Sat May 22 1993 05:258
    
    
    Jane,
    
    You mean they let Nova's on the Italian motorways ?
    
    8^)
    -tony
2083.18Five-a-SidePEKING::SMITHRWThe Great Pyramid of BlokeMon May 24 1993 16:429
    Italian motorways are less overwhelming than you might imagine.  For
    instance, they're only two lanes a side - like a dual carriageway with
    toll booths.  If you want high-concept Star Wars attack traffic, stick
    with the M4 (London end).  And if you want lots of lanes to get lost
    on, try the Belfast Urban Motorway (or BUM, as it is known).  Five
    lanes a side, widest in Europe when it was built.
    
    Richard
    
2083.19MAJORS::ALFORDlying Shipwrecked and comatose...Mon May 24 1993 17:288
Re: .17

>    You mean they let Nova's on the Italian motorways ?
    
I wouldn't know...I didn't have a Nova at the time :-)


They seem to let minis on them though !
2083.20TPLAB::SLOPERTue May 25 1993 16:3012
Re: .18

	The motorway from Venice to Milan, (and beyond),
is three lane. For most of it's length there's a minimum
speed limit on the two offside lanes. From memory I think
it was 90kph in the outside lane. I can't remember what 
it is in the middle lane.

	I calculated that Italians simply double all 
numbers on road signs, e.g. for minimum 90, read 180.

Ian.
2083.21Rat-holing ???AYOU35::WARRENTue May 25 1993 19:321
I hadn't realised that this topic was on European Motorways etc???
2083.22PEKING::SMITHRWThe Great Pyramid of BlokeTue May 25 1993 20:437
    re: -1
    
    By no means.  Anyone with anything to say about freeways is welcome to
    contribute.
    
    Richard
    
2083.23KERNEL::SHELLEYRTue May 25 1993 20:505
2083.24TPLAB::SLOPERWed May 26 1993 12:032
    Bob Marley bought a BMW because he liked the name.
2083.25Speed? Moi?NSDC::KENNEDY_CGoing places ....Wed May 26 1993 12:145
2083.26TPLAB::SLOPERWed May 26 1993 17:036
	I heard that the Swiss police have had a whole
	batch of speeding tickets printed with your name
	hard coded on them.

	Ian.
2083.27Hi!NSDC::KENNEDY_CGoing places ....Wed May 26 1993 18:415
    
    Bog off Sloper ....
    
    Just 'cause the Integrale can't keep up is no excuse ....
    
2083.28Go around the bend quicker in an Integrale.TPLAB::SLOPERWed May 26 1993 19:547

	My money's on the Integrale against your 
	Volkswagen up the Gotthard pass and down
	again.

	
2083.29Gonna hire a Jet?NSDC::KENNEDY_CGoing places ....Wed May 26 1993 20:306
    
    Well they used to be made by Audi, if a FIAT driver is interested. It's
    out of production now, as should be yours. When you can't keep up
    between Bevaix and St. Aubain, then the Gothard should be real fun.
    
    So, how much?