Well, after nearly two years of happy ownership, and mostly on impulse I've replaced the Clio.
It was a shame to see it go as it was a great drive and gorgeous looking, really well looked after, too. It's a shame I couldn't justify keeping it but with a weekend toy already there wasn't a place for it. My wife was tempted but "didn't fancy my hand-my-down"!
I picked it up 20 months and 12K from new and put 22K of mainly motorway miles. As it was mainly a commuting car, I only had a few really memorable drives, the best being our trip to (and mostly around) the Loire valley in January '13. The roads down there were epic, and I was so glad I had the 200 instead of some sensible euro-box, even with a 1 year old in the back. (for those of you without kids, it's not the baby or baby-seat that takes the space, it's the 2 tonnes of paraphernalia).
So, whilst I had the chance (and I doubt I'll have another) I took some snaps of my collection of cars (it's officially a 'collection' if you have more than 2!)
If it's possible to feel sorry for a car....
It's not often in life you get the chance for these sorts of photos (well, not in my life...)
I will miss the LY, and other touches that made the 200 look special.
As for my thoughts of the 135? It's certainly quick, quite brutal tbh. It took a bit of getting used to using an auto-box and come to terms with becoming the lazy-fat-American type of driver that I would have previously felt superior to. I'm starting to try the paddles a bit more when in Sport, it's a bit like learning to drive again. What I like the best though is the Jekyll and Hyde nature. It'll do low 40's mpg in eco on the motorway, press a switch and it's quite hard core.
Things I preferred with the Clio - the colour, the looks (the 1 series looks handsome at best), the handling felt smallish-car neat, the price!. The BM - the sound, the straight line performance, rear wheel drive, the gadgets, the refinement the rest of the time, 5 doors.
Thing I'll miss the most - I felt happy to call myself an RS Clio driver, I'm not sure I feel like a BMW owner or much affinity with other owners.
Anyway, another chapter ends in my car ownership and I'm relishing the next one.
If anyone is in the Worcester area (I can't be arsed with postage) I've got a genuine cargo net, Halfords spare bulb kit and best of all an unused RS detailing kit in it's case if anyone would like to make a small contribution to my beer fund. PM if they're any use.
And if the next owner of LN60XAK makes it over here - you've bought a cracking car.....
It was a shame to see it go as it was a great drive and gorgeous looking, really well looked after, too. It's a shame I couldn't justify keeping it but with a weekend toy already there wasn't a place for it. My wife was tempted but "didn't fancy my hand-my-down"!
I picked it up 20 months and 12K from new and put 22K of mainly motorway miles. As it was mainly a commuting car, I only had a few really memorable drives, the best being our trip to (and mostly around) the Loire valley in January '13. The roads down there were epic, and I was so glad I had the 200 instead of some sensible euro-box, even with a 1 year old in the back. (for those of you without kids, it's not the baby or baby-seat that takes the space, it's the 2 tonnes of paraphernalia).
So, whilst I had the chance (and I doubt I'll have another) I took some snaps of my collection of cars (it's officially a 'collection' if you have more than 2!)
If it's possible to feel sorry for a car....
It's not often in life you get the chance for these sorts of photos (well, not in my life...)
I will miss the LY, and other touches that made the 200 look special.
As for my thoughts of the 135? It's certainly quick, quite brutal tbh. It took a bit of getting used to using an auto-box and come to terms with becoming the lazy-fat-American type of driver that I would have previously felt superior to. I'm starting to try the paddles a bit more when in Sport, it's a bit like learning to drive again. What I like the best though is the Jekyll and Hyde nature. It'll do low 40's mpg in eco on the motorway, press a switch and it's quite hard core.
Things I preferred with the Clio - the colour, the looks (the 1 series looks handsome at best), the handling felt smallish-car neat, the price!. The BM - the sound, the straight line performance, rear wheel drive, the gadgets, the refinement the rest of the time, 5 doors.
Thing I'll miss the most - I felt happy to call myself an RS Clio driver, I'm not sure I feel like a BMW owner or much affinity with other owners.
Anyway, another chapter ends in my car ownership and I'm relishing the next one.
If anyone is in the Worcester area (I can't be arsed with postage) I've got a genuine cargo net, Halfords spare bulb kit and best of all an unused RS detailing kit in it's case if anyone would like to make a small contribution to my beer fund. PM if they're any use.
And if the next owner of LN60XAK makes it over here - you've bought a cracking car.....
