I picked this up at the start of the week as a replacement for Mrs Lyons. The Golf was such a hard car to replace as it did everything so well. She absolutely loved it and it felt like I was selling one of the kids when I got rid of it. Her only requirements were a jeep and something a bit special, so I quickly ignored her and started looking for a 435D. Having the Tiguan already I just didn’t think we needed 2 jeeps, but in hindsight it’s safer just to do what you’re told rather than trying to sway them in another direction.
I got the train to London from Chester on Monday to pick up an Esotril 435D Gran Coupe. The pressure was on as we’d been trying to manage on 1 car for 2 weeks, and Monday was my last trip to England with work before I moved to a site at home. I landed at the BM dealer and straight away saw the bodywork was terrible. I deliberated briefly what to do, but my A7 had been painted badly before I got it, and I hated it every day so I did the sensible thing and walked away. Complete handling as I had to then get the train back up and get myself a hotel.
The only other contender was this X3, which was only an hour away from Liverpool. I’d been speaking to the dealer on Monday before opting to go for the 435, so I knew it was 100%. I got a hire car on Tuesday morning and drove up the road and luckily all was as described when I arrived.
It’s a 2015 30D M Sport. I’ve never been a massive fan of the looks of an X3, which is part of the reason I kept ignoring them in the search. But the more I look at this the more I like it, the silver, wheels and Xenons all make it better looking. It goes very well too, it can fairly move for a diesel jeep. A million times nicer to drive than the X5 too, no tram lining.
My only requirements were Xenons and pro nav. I think they look terrible with the halogen lights. This one is pretty well spec’d;
Professional nav
Head up display
M Sport Plus (Harman Kardon, 20’s and Xenons)
Visibility pack (adaptive headlights, LED fog lights and high beam assist)
Speed limit display
The only 2 things I would’ve liked were a rear camera and electric seats. There were literally zero with electric seats though, I’ve no idea why they were so rare.
A few minor plans, nothing too major;
Rear camera retrofit (ordered)
Black grills
Touch up a few chips
Dent in rear door
Replace centre caps
Paint wheel hubs
Other than that, just drive and enjoy!
I got the train to London from Chester on Monday to pick up an Esotril 435D Gran Coupe. The pressure was on as we’d been trying to manage on 1 car for 2 weeks, and Monday was my last trip to England with work before I moved to a site at home. I landed at the BM dealer and straight away saw the bodywork was terrible. I deliberated briefly what to do, but my A7 had been painted badly before I got it, and I hated it every day so I did the sensible thing and walked away. Complete handling as I had to then get the train back up and get myself a hotel.
The only other contender was this X3, which was only an hour away from Liverpool. I’d been speaking to the dealer on Monday before opting to go for the 435, so I knew it was 100%. I got a hire car on Tuesday morning and drove up the road and luckily all was as described when I arrived.
It’s a 2015 30D M Sport. I’ve never been a massive fan of the looks of an X3, which is part of the reason I kept ignoring them in the search. But the more I look at this the more I like it, the silver, wheels and Xenons all make it better looking. It goes very well too, it can fairly move for a diesel jeep. A million times nicer to drive than the X5 too, no tram lining.
My only requirements were Xenons and pro nav. I think they look terrible with the halogen lights. This one is pretty well spec’d;
Professional nav
Head up display
M Sport Plus (Harman Kardon, 20’s and Xenons)
Visibility pack (adaptive headlights, LED fog lights and high beam assist)
Speed limit display
The only 2 things I would’ve liked were a rear camera and electric seats. There were literally zero with electric seats though, I’ve no idea why they were so rare.
A few minor plans, nothing too major;
Rear camera retrofit (ordered)
Black grills
Touch up a few chips
Dent in rear door
Replace centre caps
Paint wheel hubs
Other than that, just drive and enjoy!
.