11-11-2012, 02:25am
It's been a while, waiting for certain things to align just so, but will be finally ordering this week. Planning a modest spec aimed at longevity and minimal issues since we'll likely hold onto it for 5yrs or so:
Firenze TD4 Pure manual
Tech pack
Rear camera
Front parking sensors
Ebony headliner
Towbar (for bike rack, not towing)
Roof rails
Also looking at Clearview pack and possibly power folding mirrors too.
We had an extended test drive last week (18hrs overnight) that answered most of our questions about drivability. Was a little surprised at how much of the road surface was transmitted into the cabin, it was a little more jiggly on poor surfaces than expected. Also ran into an issue with Bluetooth audio streaming on the iPhone when plugged into the USB and not being able to navigate music on the phone. Suspect I'll sort that out eventually.
All up it was a blast. We've driven an X3 in much the same way but this brought a bigger smile. It felt go-cartish and toylike, almost hard to behave responsibly in
the handling was great, the td4 has 'enough' power to pose a risk to points on our license at a reasonable price point and pointing it into bends the steering felt reasonably direct if a bit numb. Long drives are going to be a pleasure and it isn't any harder to drive in the city than our current car.
Delivery near end of March.
Oh and yes the TD4 is still showing as available in Australia. If it changes we just go to the SD4 with everything the same.
Firenze TD4 Pure manual
Tech pack
Rear camera
Front parking sensors
Ebony headliner
Towbar (for bike rack, not towing)
Roof rails
Also looking at Clearview pack and possibly power folding mirrors too.
We had an extended test drive last week (18hrs overnight) that answered most of our questions about drivability. Was a little surprised at how much of the road surface was transmitted into the cabin, it was a little more jiggly on poor surfaces than expected. Also ran into an issue with Bluetooth audio streaming on the iPhone when plugged into the USB and not being able to navigate music on the phone. Suspect I'll sort that out eventually.
All up it was a blast. We've driven an X3 in much the same way but this brought a bigger smile. It felt go-cartish and toylike, almost hard to behave responsibly in
the handling was great, the td4 has 'enough' power to pose a risk to points on our license at a reasonable price point and pointing it into bends the steering felt reasonably direct if a bit numb. Long drives are going to be a pleasure and it isn't any harder to drive in the city than our current car. Delivery near end of March.
Oh and yes the TD4 is still showing as available in Australia. If it changes we just go to the SD4 with everything the same.