[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by RobUK

I was thinking back to when I was a kid and I started to notice some cars had a 'discs' warning sticker on the back. I now figure it meant "I can stop a lot quicker than you so back off". My brother had a Wolseley 1500 which must have had drum brakes... and crossply tyres!

And automatics had a an auto badge to warn you that the torque converter might take some time getting the thing rolling....

[Alscoob]

Originally Posted by doncarlyon

Its hard to work out how some people manage to accelerate at such a pathetic pace. Sometimes you have to brake immediately after pulling away to avoid going into the back of them

You need to come to Norfolk mate, many time the traffic is nearly stationary and all because of those sheep who follow the car in front, who's following the car in front etc.. even thought it's 20ph below the speed limit

...and that's why you need a 3 litre so you can get passed the old duffers!!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by RobUK

I was thinking back to when I was a kid and I started to notice some cars had a 'discs' warning sticker on the back. I now figure it meant "I can stop a lot quicker than you so back off". My brother had a Wolseley 1500 which must have had drum brakes... and crossply tyres!

Don't forget the improvement in braking power, if your front drum brakes had 'double' leading shoes.

My Cortina GT was pretty 'advanced' with its standard front disc brakes and a servo (which I had added). Very powerful brakes for the period.

[goodbyalfa]

Final update then, as this morning I finally got mine back.

I got used to the lack of power. Joining the motorway from a slip road at around 50mph is hard going, but for general tootling around it just gradually puts on the speed. It rides pretty well, with light yet positive steering. Build quality was good. The 1 series look grew on me, a bit like fungus... The blue colour (not EBII) I really liked. The 53 mpg was very good, despite the lack of sympathy it got from me.
Overall, after having driven it for 2.5 days, my verdict was a decent effort by BMW. I think a 118d would be even better.
The only caveat, and it is a giant big caveat, is that I decided to look up how much it would cost to buy the car I was driving, with all its options. It came out at over £33,500 for a bottom of the range 1 series OTR. Too much.