CIRCULATING IN WANGARATTA, BENALLA, MYRTLEFORD, BRIGHT, MT BEAUTY, BEECHWORTH, YACKANDANDAH, RUTHERGLEN, CHILTERN AND DISTRICTS
NORTH EAST
October 3, 2014
available online - wangarattachronicle.com.au
PRINTED FORTNIGHTLY — VOLUME 458
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BMW MM235i: Old M3 thrills for half the money.
BMW’s slinkier suit, with a bit of M magic T
he past few years has seen BMW have a few goes at the big-engine-small-car formula. Almost a decade ago it started with the fivedoor (and rather good) 130i. Then there was the almost-there 135i coupe which morphed into the 1 Series M, an absolute firecracker of a car but one that required a close working relationship with an orthopaedic surgeon. Then came the M135i hatch which is great to drive but scary to look at. Now we’ve got the M235i. A slinkier suit with BMW’s turbo straight six and a little bit of M magic. Sure, it has to live in the shadow of the M4, but it’s also half the price. Is this the car where it all comes together? At $79,390, there’s a fair amount of daylight between the M235i and the five-door M135i,
By PETER ANDERSON $15,000 of daylight to be precise. For the extra money you lose two passenger doors, some leg and headroom, a hatchback and the middle seat in the rear. You do get more boot space though and you also get a far more likeable face and posterior as well as another five kilowatts. Also standard are adaptive M suspension, electronic differential lock, M Sport brakes, front and rear parking sensors, M aero bits, bi-xenon headlights, heated exterior mirrors, auto wipers and headlights, M Sport steering wheel with paddles, stereo and cruise controls, satellite navigation, USB and Bluetooth. There’s also leather interior with electric sports seats up front, various M logos scattered around the place and a decent stereo. Our car also had the Advanced Parking
Package ($1300) which adds self-park and rear-view camera; Visibility Package ($1560), with adaptive headlights, anti-dazzle mirrors and high beam assist; Comfort Package ($3120) adding electric seat adjustment memory to your key as well as heating; a $2600 sunroof, a $500 DAB radio (which, curiously, is $300 on the 220i), Harmon Kardon stereo ($850) and $1485 for metallic paint. The M235i’s styling package is reasonably understated, perhaps to leave room for the M2. There’s new front and rear bumpers, a lowered stance and 18-inch alloys with split spokes. As with the 220i, it’s an elegant if not beautiful design and owes much to the 4 Series. Inside is standard 2, which means clean and functional. Four adults will fit happily, but those in the rear will want short trips.
The boot is a very good size, much larger than that in the 1 Series. Standard safety features include ABS, corner braking control, switchable dynamic and stability control, six airbags and dynamic braking lights. There is no specific ANCAP or EuroNCAP rating for the 2 Series, but the 1 on which it’s based received 5 stars. The big central screen can be split into two so you can run, say, maps and stereo side by side. Controlled with the big iDrive rotary controller on the console, it’s reasonably intuitive. The Harman Kardon stereo pushes out big bass and a good quality sound. USB connectivity is simple and the Bluetooth handsfree clear and loud. BMW’s 3.0-litre straight-six turbo sits under the bonnet, producing 240 kW and 450 Nm of torque.
Continued page 3
NORTH EAST
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October 3, 2014
CLASSIFIEDS T O Y O TA Av a l o n Grande 2000 V6 auto, immaculate condition, impressive luxury extras including soft leather seating, sunroof etc. Only elderly owners, RWC, reg (APO1QG) $4850. Ph (02) 6035 3853.
1983 Mercedes Benz 230E, silver, original leather upholstery, great condition, registered to June 2015 (ZDQ939), $2300. Ph 0419 295 352.
Selling your car has never been easier or cheaper!
HYUNDAI Excel GLX 5 door hatchback, 1.5 Efi twin cam motor, 5 speed manual, a/c, p/s. Drives good, looks great, 69,200km genuine, with TRIUMPH Sprint ST service books, April 1050cc, 12,000 k's, fac- 2015 reg, (PPD942), KTM 450exc 2009 tory sports pipe, heated $3450 RWC supplied. model, excellent condition, selling due to JULSV $ % 6 ¿EUHJODVV Ph 0418 579 368. working away and no panniers, gear-sack rack time to ride. Has heaps DQG EDJ )DQWDVWLF VSRUWV P R A D O G r a n d e of extras and always ga- ELNH DQG YHU\ FRPIRUW- 4000, V6, very good raged and serviced. 67 DEOH XS ORQJ GLVWDQFH c o n d i t i o n , s e r v i c e hours of riding, which WRXUHU 5:& UHJ . regular, new tyres, is around 2700km. It 3* ¿UP bullbar, reg till Dec, can be fully registered 0DQV¿HOG (YCO455). Interested for on road. Located buyers only, $22,000 in Benalla. $6500. Ph 2004 Astra CD, auto, 5 ono. Ph 0434 557 795. 0438 015 488. door hatch, silver. One owner, 130,000km, Toyota up to date service 1 9 9 2 record, good condition, Landcruiser GXL 80S, (SWS565), $4500 turbo diesel, done negiotable. Ph (03) 5721 271,000km, bullbar, driving lights, electric 6882. brakes, towbar, insect MAZDA 323 Hatch, COMMODORE VT, screen, twin batteries, one female owner, reg a u t o m a t i c , b r o n z e rear floor mats, seven no (CRO284) till 2/15, colour, 255,000km, 12 seats, turbo timer, radio, low 47,000kms, auto., months rego (YPR258), two way radio, rego aircond., power steer- new tyres, new brakes, to October 31, 2014 ing. This little car was $2500 obo. Ph 5725 (AJ62KF), done no only driven to church 1536 or 0467 549 228. bush work, all highway, reason for selling ill on Sundays and is in beaut cond., these low D E S I G N E R Va n , health, $16,000 ono. Ph kilometres are docu- model - Blue Gum, 5721 8479. mented in the service custom built, on/off road ERRNV *UHDW OLWWOH ¿UVW chassis, full height 5.5m, 9 4 V S S t a t e s m a n , car or runabout, RWC, 2012 1st rego 2011, new windscreen, just $2500, be quick won't Tare 1180, twin beds serviced, 17� wheels last. Ph 0407 505 040. innerspring mattress, with good tyres, RWC LMCT 11086. plenty of storage, m/ done 2 months ago, lots of money spent, 8 PEEWEE 90, four wave, lots of extras, months rego (RAM244), insurance paid to Feb stroke, 2005, excellent in very good condition condition, just serviced, 2015, rego paid to Jan for age, $2500 ono. Ph 2015, $28,500. Phone hardly used, $800. Ph 0401 437 587. Alex 0407 362 141. 0418 524 152.
SOLD
1989 MAZDA B2200 4 door ute rego, (FZU424). $2000. Ph (03) 5721 6824 or 0427 944 499.
JAYCO Starcraft 1999, rollout awning, annexe, 12 volt pump, radio/CD, battery pack, stored under cover. $15,000. Ph 0412 139 378. 2002 Nissan Pulsar Plus Special Edition, maroon, sedan. automatic. A/C. Power steer, cruise control, alloy wheels, spoiler, excellent economy - 1.8 Ltr 4 cylinder engine. Only 128k km’s Reg (RVG 025) good condition, will come with RWC. Regretful sale – upsizing due to growing family. $6000 ono. Please call Erin 0407 882 953
SOLD
DRZ400, 2002, Electric start, Rec-reg till May ’15. Many extras including Safari 20 litre tank, Gripper seat, lights for RWC. Price $2490 neg. Andrew, Wangaratta Ph 0409 950 455. HOLDEN Astra CD, 5 door hatch, 1.8ltr 5 speed, air-con, p/steer, p/windows, white with dark grey velour trim, d r ive s g o o d , RW C supplied, (WCM202), $4500 ono. Ph 0418 579 368.
NISSAN D22 3.2L 4x4 diesel tray, reg (XDT081), alum. tray, incl RWC, $9750. Ph 0428 573 075.
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October 3, 2014
Sportage is premium in everything but price T
he Sportage continues to star in the Kia cast on the Australian automotive stage with an enhanced range keeping this compact sport utility vehicle in the market spotlight. The South Korean manufacturer recently introduced upgrades across the European-sourced range, including engine and gearbox improvements and a value-for-money new Si Premium model. Available in two-wheel and all-wheel drive versions, the Si Premium stands at the head of the 2WD range sporting a standard six-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlamps, roof rails, reversing camera, leather and cloth trim seats, exterior mirror mounted indicators, LED daytime running lights and driver lumbar support. On the market at $29,990, plus on-road costs, the Kia Sportage Si Premium 2.0 GDi 2WD automatic was given a workout in a range of on-road situations in south-east Queensland. The designer’s pen has been at work on reshaping the already up-to-date looks of the existing Sportage. Among the changes are a new front grille, new LED rear lamp clusters, a revised range of alloy wheels with a choice of 16, 17 or 18-inch diameter, and a shark-fin roof antenna. The passenger cabin has been enhanced with greater use of softtouch materials across the dashboard and the upper door panels, a new instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch LCD display screen and powered driver’s seat. Across the petrol range the new Sportage benefits from an upgrade to the smooth and efficient 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol powerplant, the Si Premium making use of a sixspeed automatic transmission driving through the front wheels. Travellers can stay connected with standard Bluetooth with phone and
The Sportage Si Premium adds a further dimension to the modern and versatile Kia compact SUV range. media streaming and a trip computer. Further convenience is offered by keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers and cruise control. Safety is front and centre across the range, with six airbags, stability control with traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist on hand to keep things on an even keel. Hill-start assist and downhill brake control are also standard, along with disc brakes all round and active front head restraints. Projector headlamps have a cornering function. Much attention has been paid to reduction in noise, vibration and harshness with a new soundproof windscreen, incorporating a film between the glass laminations, while improvements to the front subframe, drivetrain and transmission mountings minimise vibration. It was a dark and stormy night, the Sportage was punting along a winding Gold Coast Hinterland road when a big
black dog loomed in the headlights. Responsive steering and efficient anti-skid braking had the vehicle rounding the bewildered hound with room to spare. The reverse could have been the result if the car had been going, well, in reverse. The reversing camera lacked any sort of useful definition behind the SUV in the dark on the tiny mirror-mounted screen. When taking off on a wet slope there was a spot of wheelspin between the hill-start assist letting go and traction control cutting in – minor bleats in generally competent behavior. The Kia Sportage Si Premium 2.0 GDi 2WD automatic gives the owner the comfort and convenience of a small SUV without the worry of clocking up the considerable costs of all-wheel drive fuel consumption. Customers also share in the Kia fiveyear unlimited kilometre warrant with capped price servicing over the same period.
BMW’s slinkier suit, M magic From page 1 This takes you from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds with the aid of the eight-speed ZF transmission that has had many, many words of praise heaped upon it over the past few years. BMW claims 7.6 litres per 100 km but if you get anywhere near that, you’re probably not really the M235i’s target market. We got 10.1 L/100km by keeping it in Eco Pro in heavy traffic and thrashing it mercilessly when given the opportunity. Your passengers will need a strong constitution because this is a proper driver’s car. While not as hairy-chested as the old M3 or 1M, it’ll certainly give both a run for their money while failing to drain your wallet as quickly. With adaptive suspension set to Sport (or Sport + if you like wiggly hips), your hands gripping the fat-rimmed slender-spoked wheel, you’ve got one of the best cars this side of $150,000 at your command. There’s a distinct difference to the way the M235i goes about the business of having fun when compared to its German rivals. The M235i is not a point-andshoot missile. It leaves a lot more up to the driver (should they want it), with purist rear-wheel drive and that deeper-lunged straight-six to its competitors’ four pots. You can drive the BMW sideways if that’s your thing, but it’s also extremely rewarding to dance it on the throttle, brakes and steering. A good drive in an M235i is always going to be more memorable simply because you can dial down the electronics and dial up your brainpower.
You’ll be working harder but having more fun - at lower speeds, too. The engine revs hard and smoothly for a turbo, the power delivery is linear and it’s an easy car to place in the corners. You can arrive in tight downhill corners with an incredible amount of speed and be very confident that turning the wheel will bring almost instant, griptastic response from the nose. Understeer is very, very hard to come by and the sticky Michelin tyres require a lot of provocation to squeal let alone slide wide. The electronic diff manages to bring the nose around and, if you fancy it, the tail, but it’s all controlled by the driver without digital killjoys stepping in too early or forcefully. Despite the adaptive damping, the ride is firm even in comfort or Eco Pro modes. Not teeth-rattling firm, not in any mode, but it’s certainly not as supple as the 220i’s basic setup. The question isn’t so much, “Why would you buy an M4 or an old M3?” because (a) there are a good many reasons to do so but also (b) the question is really “Why wouldn’t you buy an M235i?” Once you’ve gotten through the practical concerns of price and only two doors and the subjective considerations of style and taste, what you’re left with is a clear choice. The BMW M235i stands alone with its deeper breathing straight six and rear wheel drive dynamics and is almost as quick as its stablemates. It’s a car that is clearly made to drive, to put on a smile on your face and a bit of sweat on your brow.
BMW M235i: It’s an impressive car to drive.
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