NICE BARGES VS HOT HATCHES

[Gally]

I'm sure a few folk on here have had the pleasure of driving both and some will probably have only driven the rattley tin can hot hatches as everyone loves!

I had the pleasure of driving quite a few big barges over the last month namely,
09' 535d m sport

58' 335d

09 A4 2.0 tdi s-line

09' A3 2.0 sportback tdi s-line.

A few mercs and one lexus IF also.

Oh how I loaved getting back in a smaller tin can after driving them pretty good distances maybe 30miles, 25miles ect... I really have fallen for barges in a big way.
The first bmw I drove had the semi-auto box and it was just a pleasure whafting up the road in peace and quiet, putting the foot down and it exploded into life imo.

Wonder if people have had the same experience?

Don't get me wrong I would never get rid of a hot hatch as I enjoy throwing things into nice dry corners every now and then but as a first car with a tin can as a 2nd I wouldn't think twice nowadays.

 

[W17GLE]

i'd hardly class my vectra in the same league as any of those cars but it is nice to have a big comfy car as a daily and a stripped out racer just for the odd day when you feel like a blast.

my 172 is completly gutted its got one bucket seat and its not even got a dashboard so there is no way i could use it daily. its nice to have a sensible car when you need to take friends out.

 

[Slammed172]

When i was a driver for a bodyshop, i had the fortunate job of driving all these cars (not just around the forecourt, lmao).

Love the 5 series's. Specially the 545i, world above the deisels.

3 series coupes were one of the best cars for a barge and would love one.

When i get in zee money, i will definally have a nice barge and a hot hatch.

Different days with different moods, i would get asked to pick up a CTR and then a Audi A6. And although the same performance, both are fun in different ways.

Could go on forever tbqh.

 

[W17GLE]

I kind of regret not buying a 530d but i was put off with running costs and the costs of parts. it was group 16 only did 30mpg and if anything had gone wrong it would have cost me a fortune to put right. Everytime i see one i still wish i had one though.

 

[Dave..]

2 cars is the way to do it, as said. I used to do all my week driving in the works freelander, and then evenings and weekends were for my clio. It was nice during the week, I could leave behind all the rattles and whines, and "oh f**k what was that noise" 's.

Now having sold the freelander, I'm having to use the clio daily, and I'll be missing the comfortable care free drive from the freelander.

 

[Herr Flick]

trafic van + clio ph1 172 stripped + range rover sport!
done

 

[Ian_182]

The 535D is the best of that bunch,father in law had one and it was so nice and quiet to drive but at the same time very fast.

 

[Justin]

535D for me please!

 

[Ian_182]

Oh and before people start talking b road cack,look what the 535D beats on a track...

BMW 535d 1.31.8
BMW 130 1.31.9
Ford Focus RS 1.32.2
Mazda 6 MPS 1.32.2
Lotus Esprit V8 1.32.5
Audi TT V6 1.32.7
MG ZT 1.33.0
Noble M12 GTO 1.33.1
Mercedes SL 55 AMG 1.33.2
Volkswagen Golf R32 1.33.2
Cadillac CTS 1.33.3
Honda Civic Type-R 1.33.5
Holden Monaro 1.33.9
Ford Mondeo ST220 1.34.5
Jaguar XKR 1.34.7
Ford Focus ST 1.34.9
Volvo S60R 1.35.0
Ferrari 575M 1.35.2
Vauxhall Vectra VXR 1.35.3
Our Car 1.35.4
Fiat 500 Abarth 1.35.5
Alfa 147 GTA 1.35.6
Lotus Elise 1.35.6
Aston Martin Vanquish 1.36.2
Renault Clio V6 1.36.2
Honda Civic Type R 1.36.5
Alfa Romeo Brera 1.36.9
Saab 95 Aero 1.37.9
Maserati 3200 GT 1.38.0
Alfa Romeo 8C

 

[seb]

i love barges.

 

[EllD90]

BM 130 is an impressive time! What track are the times for?

 

[gaz44]

Some sweet cars right there!Unfortunately, not all people can afford to run two cars so they have to do with one or the other. Finding the balance is the key!

Those times are bollox...Noble M12 getting whooped by a MG ZT and TT....okay! unless there are wet times in there. Also, what is "our car"?

 

[Addz]

Oh and before people start talking b road cack,look what the 535D beats on a track...

BMW 535d 1.31.8
BMW 130 1.31.9
Ford Focus RS 1.32.2
Mazda 6 MPS 1.32.2
Lotus Esprit V8 1.32.5
Audi TT V6 1.32.7
MG ZT 1.33.0
Noble M12 GTO 1.33.1
Mercedes SL 55 AMG 1.33.2
Volkswagen Golf R32 1.33.2
Cadillac CTS 1.33.3
Honda Civic Type-R 1.33.5
Holden Monaro 1.33.9
Ford Mondeo ST220 1.34.5
Jaguar XKR 1.34.7
Ford Focus ST 1.34.9
Volvo S60R 1.35.0
Ferrari 575M 1.35.2
Vauxhall Vectra VXR 1.35.3
Our Car 1.35.4
Fiat 500 Abarth 1.35.5
Alfa 147 GTA 1.35.6
Lotus Elise 1.35.6
Aston Martin Vanquish 1.36.2
Renault Clio V6 1.36.2
Honda Civic Type R 1.36.5
Alfa Romeo Brera 1.36.9
Saab 95 Aero 1.37.9
Maserati 3200 GT 1.38.0
Alfa Romeo 8C

i hope that was at least the v8 one

 

[JT182]

i hope that was at least the v8 one

I presume those lap times are from Top Gear. The v6 did it in the wet so don't worry!

Love big comfy cruisers, my Grandad has had a W12 VW Phaeton from new and it's as comfy as a sofa to be honest, lazy but effortless pace. Good value now as a second hand buy aswell, I bet he's lost about £40k on it since new!

As a young 'un I think my R26 is quite comfy, coming from a Clio Trophy anyway. 260bhp re-map, and can carry four mates in comfort. I have a throttle bodied/cammed 16v'd VTR stripped as a track toy so I definitely think two cars is for the best. Just wish the insurance was a grand cheaper on both! :dapprove:

 

[Merk]

Oh and before people start talking b road cack,look what the 535D beats on a track...

BMW 535d 1.31.8
BMW 130 1.31.9
Ford Focus RS 1.32.2
Mazda 6 MPS 1.32.2
Lotus Esprit V8 1.32.5
Audi TT V6 1.32.7
MG ZT 1.33.0
Noble M12 GTO 1.33.1
Mercedes SL 55 AMG 1.33.2
Volkswagen Golf R32 1.33.2
Cadillac CTS 1.33.3
Honda Civic Type-R 1.33.5
Holden Monaro 1.33.9
Ford Mondeo ST220 1.34.5
Jaguar XKR 1.34.7
Ford Focus ST 1.34.9
Volvo S60R 1.35.0
Ferrari 575M 1.35.2
Vauxhall Vectra VXR 1.35.3
Our Car 1.35.4
Fiat 500 Abarth 1.35.5
Alfa 147 GTA 1.35.6
Lotus Elise 1.35.6
Aston Martin Vanquish 1.36.2
Renault Clio V6 1.36.2
Honda Civic Type R 1.36.5
Alfa Romeo Brera 1.36.9
Saab 95 Aero 1.37.9
Maserati 3200 GT 1.38.0
Alfa Romeo 8C

I would also like to point out that the second CTR there is an EP3, the faster one is the Fn2..

Y'know cause i'm a slut n stuff.

 

[172Ben]

Barge is definately my next car. Nice comfy cruiser instead of, "Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarp"

 

[Bluebeard]

Hot hatches are good. For about a day. Then I get annoyed and want to get back in a comfy seat.

 

[Peperami]

Oh and before people start talking b road cack,look what the 535D beats on a track...

BMW 535d 1.31.8
BMW 130 1.31.9
Ford Focus RS 1.32.2
Mazda 6 MPS 1.32.2
Lotus Esprit V8 1.32.5
Audi TT V6 1.32.7
MG ZT 1.33.0
Noble M12 GTO 1.33.1
Mercedes SL 55 AMG 1.33.2
Volkswagen Golf R32 1.33.2
Cadillac CTS 1.33.3
Honda Civic Type-R 1.33.5
Holden Monaro 1.33.9
Ford Mondeo ST220 1.34.5
Jaguar XKR 1.34.7
Ford Focus ST 1.34.9
Volvo S60R 1.35.0
Ferrari 575M 1.35.2
Vauxhall Vectra VXR 1.35.3
Our Car 1.35.4
Fiat 500 Abarth 1.35.5
Alfa 147 GTA 1.35.6
Lotus Elise 1.35.6
Aston Martin Vanquish 1.36.2
Renault Clio V6 1.36.2
Honda Civic Type R 1.36.5
Alfa Romeo Brera 1.36.9
Saab 95 Aero 1.37.9
Maserati 3200 GT 1.38.0
Alfa Romeo 8C

It doesnt mean its 'fun' or spirited to drive, or that id rather be out playing in one when ive got a few spare hours and roads to explore though...

/b-road cack

 

[jamier27]

on another note how is a noble M12 slower than a MG ZT round a track....?? the mg even in 260brake V8 mod s turd

535d brute!

 

[jamie rigby]

Oh and before people start talking b road cack,look what the 535D beats on a track...

BMW 535d 1.31.8
BMW 130 1.31.9
Ford Focus RS 1.32.2
Mazda 6 MPS 1.32.2
Lotus Esprit V8 1.32.5
Audi TT V6 1.32.7
MG ZT 1.33.0
Noble M12 GTO 1.33.1
Mercedes SL 55 AMG 1.33.2
Volkswagen Golf R32 1.33.2
Cadillac CTS 1.33.3
Honda Civic Type-R 1.33.5
Holden Monaro 1.33.9
Ford Mondeo ST220 1.34.5
Jaguar XKR 1.34.7
Ford Focus ST 1.34.9
Volvo S60R 1.35.0
Ferrari 575M 1.35.2
Vauxhall Vectra VXR 1.35.3
Our Car 1.35.4
Fiat 500 Abarth 1.35.5
Alfa 147 GTA 1.35.6
Lotus Elise 1.35.6
Aston Martin Vanquish 1.36.2
Renault Clio V6 1.36.2
Honda Civic Type R 1.36.5
Alfa Romeo Brera 1.36.9
Saab 95 Aero 1.37.9
Maserati 3200 GT 1.38.0
Alfa Romeo 8C

hope thats all copied and pasted and you aint typed it all up lol

 

[gaz44]

If it's TG, what is "Our car"? It ain't the Suzuki!

 

[Brown.]

335, No one is ever old enough to have a 5 Series lol

 

[philmots]

535d awesome. getting affordable too now.

 

[Marcus---]

If it's TG, what is "Our car"? It ain't the Suzuki!

The renault espace thing they stripped out to beat the evo round the track?

 

[Poopensharten]

.

 

[Gally]

I'm 23 and I could have drove that 535d for the rest of my life! Semi auto was ace! Very quick changes!

 

[Fletcher]

I'm 28 now, and find myself taking the Hilux out more and more, as it's so easy and comfy to drive compared to the clio.

 

[riz]

didnt realise the 535 was such a weapon

 

[SC03OTT]

Barges are awsome. Mine is biggish...about A4 size, Love it. Don't regret not buying some sort of hot hatch. Really fancy an A4 3.0TDI next.

 

[gaz44]

Barges are awsome. Mine is biggish...about A4 size, Love it. Don't regret not buying some sort of hot hatch. Really fancy an A4 3.0TDI next.

The 3 litre diesels are schweet! And quite fast.

 

[jon_r]

Barges ftw tbh.

 

[rctempire]

Never driven a full barge. However i rekon it is similar to an estate.
Estates i really enjoy driving, think ill get one after the ZS packs in.