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In Reply to: Read posted by Jake M. on January 24, 2002 at 23:47:52:
I think you're right. I have been unable to recognize most of the verdicts given in car-magazines with the exception of CAR and Top Gear. After spending several weeks in doubt, driving between BMW, Audi and Jaguar garages, I found that I loved the 330's engine but it seemed too much like a go-cart for me to be able to relax on long drives. Furthermore I found the steering precise, yet very nervous. At speed the steering became almost too light. So even though I thought, Great Car! It had elements which simply were not right for my needs.
The Audi was, in my opinion, a lot more allround friendly comfortable to drive both at high speeds and fun on country roads. But. There is something about Audi which I find, well, boring I suppose. Not that I think lesser of the car for that reason, it is a great car, but it is also a very "safe" choice. I have never met anyone who has any strong opinions about Audi's. With BMW's you get, it's an arrogant and Nouveau Riche car. With Jag you get, its an old cigar-smoking man's car for people who live in villa's behind high fences, who believe that the "environment" is something you sail your yacht in. If you say Audi people think clean, clinical, nice, hmm. It doesn't spark any real emotions. And that's how I too feel about them, with the notable exception of the TT, which is without doubt a truly stunning car.
So I went and tried the x-type 3L Sport. Expecting, I should add, having read numerous articles about it, the steering wheel to come off in my hand and the radio to be stuck on Long Wave. I was positively surprised to find that that was not the case. I had my doubts about the Grey Stained "wood", which probably is wood, but this has been disguised perhaps a bit too well. I also found the clutch rather tricky to get on with at first, but after a few minutes everything was fine. My first impression when driving was the feeling that this was actually quite a big car. Bigger, I felt, than the 3-series, which I have later found is actually also the case, quite a lot bigger in fact. I had the car for two full days and I liked it. A lot. But, I was still going to go back and have another crack at the BMW. Same impression. Great car, but too nervous.
So, I had made up my mind. A 3-litre X-type Sport in Platinum. Had to wait 3 nail-biting months to get it and it finally arrived in late November. So I approached the car with the same, I hope the door doesn't fall off attitude as I had approached the test car, but it opened fine and closed again with a solid thud. I have now done 4000 Miles in it, taken it across Germany several times. I love it to bits! Even at 230 Kilometres per hour it seemed glued to the road and the steering wheel was reassuringly heavy. I have driven it hard on small roads and in the snow. So far there has not been a single problem. Not one. And if there was a problem I have absolute faith that the Dealer would deal with it quickly and professionally. I bought the x-type with open eyes, having read the reviews, having tested what I would refer to as the closest opposition, and I have not regrettet it for one second.
Peter
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