[Desertnate]

Originally Posted by xdrive_320i

You are absolutely correct! The Guilia drove great and kept on pulling (even with the 4-cylinder). However, the 3-Series interior has more quality in terms of materials, fit, and finish. For that reason I would take the BMW unless the Alfa was advantageous price-wise.

The part I like the best is that I can tune my engine to match the output of the Alfa (or any tuned 328i) and there are mods you can do to improve handling feel (such as anti-roll bars) and most importantly, good tires.

I wonder if I'm the only one who would happily give up some interior quality for a better driving car that didn't have to be modded to get that way? I don't find BMW materials any better than some Mazda's, Toyota's, Genesis, or Honda/Acura's I've looked at lately.

[xdrive_320i]

Originally Posted by Desertnate

I wonder if I'm the only one who would happily give up some interior quality for a better driving car that didn't have to be modded to get that way? I don't find BMW materials any better than some Mazda's, Toyota's, Genesis, or Honda/Acura's I've looked at lately.

You know, I would not be surprised. I haven't driven any of the recent non-luxury brands but I know they've stepped up their quality game massively.

My opinion is the interior should feel quality, but it doesn't need to have tons of features. Track-ready hypercar interiors are the closest example I can think of, where there doesn't need to be many creature comforts, but the materials choice, fit, and finish are of a high standard.

The Alfa's interior had lots of plastic where the BMW interior featured leather which made the Alfa feel cheaper. For a given price, the car with the better interior is likely to win since I'd feel I'm getting more quality for my money.

[kickingcpass]

Honestly? A used Lexus RX. The BMW is great but I now find myself driving 20k+ a year with a kid starting sports. More room, cheaper to drive high miles, easy on my ass when I'm in it several hours a day.

[Randy Johnson]

Originally Posted by Desertnate

I'm going to change my answer a bit.

I made the mistake of driving an ND2 Miata on Friday. Wow, I liked that car. The light weight, great balance, short shifting manual gearbox, and amazing steering really won me over. I didn't even miss the fact is has nearly half the HP and torque of my F32.

I'm really starting to think I'd be happier in an ND2 Miata RF or one of the new FRS/BRZ's if they have truly solved the torque dip problem.

Now to see if I can live with loosing a semi-usable back seat and the trunk space.

I owned a Miata NC (2012). I loved the look of the car but it was just too small and underpowered. It was great for a couple of years but I wanted something bigger and more luxury. I spent about 8k modifying it which included a supercharger, exhaust, wheels and other supporting mods.

[Krzemien]

New X5, but in Europe its cost like 100k euro...

[fe7565]

Hyundai Tuscan

[Desertnate]

Originally Posted by Randy Johnson

I owned a Miata NC (2012). I loved the look of the car but it was just too small and underpowered. It was great for a couple of years but I wanted something bigger and more luxury. I spent about 8k modifying it which included a supercharger, exhaust, wheels and other supporting mods.

The new engine in the ND2 is a totally different animal by all accounts. Never driven a car on the old engine.

Some of the things you bring up are what's brought me to a point where I need to separate my fun car from my practical car. For daily driver purposes and travel, something mid-size, comfortable, yet well composed is in order. When I want to autocross, or go on a fun drive on the twisty backroads, a Miata or Toyoburu twin is where I'll turn.

[Randy Johnson]

Originally Posted by Desertnate

I wonder if I'm the only one who would happily give up some interior quality for a better driving car that didn't have to be modded to get that way? I don't find BMW materials any better than some Mazda's, Toyota's, Genesis, or Honda/Acura's I've looked at lately.

IMO BMW interior quality is already in line with most of the other major car manufactures top cars. I had an Acura TL Type-S that had an amazing interior. The infinity G37 was nice too. All the features and tech I wanted. BMW is newer so it has a little more. At this point in my life I would not want to give up any features I have in my current ride. I wouldn't mind having a weekend basher like a slingshot.

[dís_f30]

Arnage T

[RedBaron3]

Originally Posted by whatevs

AMG C63

Agree, C63s is a beast

[agentorange]

Jaguar XK or XJ.
Maserati Quattroporte or Gran Tourismo
Porsche Panamera

[AndrewGAmin]

G20

[tevren]

Either a 2008 B7 Audi S4 Avant, or a 2017+ Audi A4 allroad.

[Solidjake]

2017 GTI

[therealm3]

Mk7.5 golf R or an M2C if we had another car with 4 doors.

[J555]

Originally Posted by Desertnate

I wonder if I'm the only one who would happily give up some interior quality for a better driving car that didn't have to be modded to get that way? I don't find BMW materials any better than some Mazda's, Toyota's, Genesis, or Honda/Acura's I've looked at lately.

No. However, there are other reasons, why I strongly prefer F30. First of all, in terms of interior space, F30 is a class bigger car, at least (I can barely fit kids in the rear). The Veloce Q4 is really nice for 4-cylinder, but it's no comparison to 40i, and Alfa lacks similar engine. Lack of new tech, and assistants is another thing - Alfa is at least a generation behind Germans.

While Gulia is far far more reliable than previous Alfas, it's nowhere near to my car. The occasional electronic "ghosts" are no surprise, some small persisting issues and design flaws are PIA - as bonnet locks or fuel door, to name some. Quality of windows glass or paint is also bad. While leather inside feels certainly much better than standard F30, it wears badly. The dealer/authorized service network is very poor, and the quality of work done often bad. Fortunately, no big issues (engine, transmissions, etc.) so far.

One of the biggest benefits of owning F30 is the community, diy, tunings, mods, tools, and apps. Not a concern for most owners, but something that made me extremely satisfied with BMW.

Still, I really like Gulia, and some things (as steering and chassis) puts BMW to shame. Things went better with the recent refresh, but I consider Alfa a competition for Jag, not BMW (and easily understand, why many people here prefer the Jag).