E46 328i Vs F30 328i – In Video

In the most recent ‘Trader Dreamer’ I compare the virtues of the brand new 328i to the model 13 years its senior. If you don’t want to take my conclusion alone, perhaps you should watch the two videos after the break. In one you’ll find Clarkson testing the 328i at its launch in 1998 on ‘old’ Top Gear. The other comes from Autocar, with Steve Sutcliffe testing the most recent model. See for yourself how much has changed in this expanse of time.

 The E46 & F30, both can skirt around a rocky outcrop but which would you have?

Trader Dreamer: BMW 328i E46

The embargo on reviews of the F30 BMW 3 series was lifted earlier this week, meaning that we can find out that once again the 3 series is top of its class. Hardly surprising as this has been the case for as long as I can remember. What is perhaps a little surprising is the engine in the new 328i, a name plate that we in Europe haven’t seen for 11 years. Under the bonnet you’ll find no 2.8 litre straight six, nothing of the sort in fact, the car has a 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder. The new car will set you back £28,080 before you start ticking boxes, but if you’re not keen on spending that sort of money a car with a lie on its boot lid, then perhaps consider the E46 328i. It’s not lying and it can be had for as little as £2,000.

Photo from aaronmarks

Trader Dreamer: Ford Scorpio

How do you follow up a V12 Ferrari in a series of blogs? Well perhaps something a bit more realistic. Something with half the cylinders but a top speed only 40mph adrift of the now £60k supercar. A car that offers more equipment than the Ferrari, better economy, more seats, and in facelift form, more exclusivity than the Testarossa? Yes it’s all sounding great you say, well, witness, the Ford Scorpio!

Photo from kenjonbro

Trader Dreamer: Ferrari 512TR

So I've gone a second Sunday without a Trader Dreamer, but to make up for it, here’s one about a true automotive hero. These days if you want a full on lary V12 supercar you must surely go to Lamborghini or Pagani. Yes Ferrari make the fully competitive 599, but it’s engine location gives it the appearance of a GT rather than Supercar. In this day and age it’s harder than ever to make a case for a V12 Supercar that’s so big you need a runway to fully explore its abilities, but if there’s one period of time where these vehicles were at home it was the excess of the 1980s.

Photo from daveoflogic

Missed Opportunity: Finnish Edition

 Finnish as in Finland the country that is. A country that makes itself known to me through two great industries; Valmet, who have made everything from assault rifles to Saabs, and Nokia, a company that brought mobile phones to the masses. For once I’m not going to write about cars, prepare for a phone blog.

Trader Dreamer: Honda FR-V

In 2000 the Fiat Multipla was launched to critical acclaim, its clever seating plan allowed 6 people to fit in a car that wasn’t massive like an Espace, and still had boot space with 6 occupants. It won Top Gear’s family car of the year award 4 years in a row, and in its launch year managed runner up in the ECOTY. With MPV’s very popular at the time, and Fiat bringing this new idea to the table, you could presume that it would be a sales hit. This however was not quite the case, currently there are 13252 registered on the road, compare this to the decidedly mediocre Fiat Stilo, which wasn’t winning any awards, but sold in more than twice the volume. Some reckon the car would have been more successful, if it were not for Chris Bangles controversial styling, and this is where the Honda FR-V comes in.

 

Picture from 'Imnop88a'