Another what car thread

[ScoobyChris]

Looking to replace our 57-plate 120d, which has served us well and been a great car, with a new/nearly new car in the coming months. We're planning to switch back to petrol as we only do around 10k miles these days. Budget is currently not set but I suspect the requirements will be self-limiting.

Requirements are a bit fussy at the moment as the good lady will be driving this as well:

- No bigger than the 1-series
- 5 doors (estate or hatch) and space for a baby seat in the back
- Reasonable performance (min 200bhp without remap/mods)
- Reasonable economy (35+ mpg)
- Reasonably fun/sporty to drive (I'd prefer RWD but it's not a deal breaker if the car is fun to drive)
- Relatively discreet and not highly desirable to low lifes (no bling spoilers, etc)
- Reliable (there'll be the safety net of warranty, but I'd prefer not to need it!)
- Available with a manual gearbox
- Not a Golf

Looking close to what I have, the BMW 125i M-Sport (the 4-cyl twin turbo) seems to tick all the boxes, but I'm a bit out of touch with other marques so any other suggestions that fit the bill welcome!

Thanks, Chris

[R2T2]

MK3 Focus ST?
Cost a bit of money, but look great, 5 doors and seem to match your requirements. 250 out of the box.

Leon Cupra?
Even more power, not a golf but shares the platform and has that amazing front diff everyone raves about.

Polo GTI?

New ones come with a manual, and I think about 200bhp - Old ones have a 1.4 tsi unit with 180, but DSG only.

[ScoobyChris]

Thanks for the reply and some interesting suggestions!

The Focus ST-3 definitely appeals and comes in at 21k on DTD so not too bad, but I think it might trip over the "discreet" requirement. Going to check one out in the flesh though...

Leon Cupra is a good call too - nice and understated with lots of power.

Polo I think may be a bit on the small side for us - does that use the same 1.4 engine that's in the Fabia vRS and had lots of issues?

Chris

[R2T2]

ScoobyChris said:

Thanks for the reply and some interesting suggestions!

The Focus ST-3 definitely appeals and comes in at 21k on DTD so not too bad, but I think it might trip over the "discreet" requirement. Going to check one out in the flesh though...

Leon Cupra is a good call too - nice and understated with lots of power.

Polo I think may be a bit on the small side for us - does that use the same 1.4 engine that's in the Fabia vRS and had lots of issues?

Chris

I think it did. However I think I read on here that from 2010 onwards they were ok? I may be wrong on that, might be worth checking.

The MK1 is getting on a bit, but still looks good, and a 1.8 with 225 should satisfy the power and economy requirements. And has more power than a MK5 GTI

[Ali_T]

Flame suit donned, but Alfa Giulietta QV? The pre 2015 manual? Budget for the Bilstein B12 kit and you have a simply wonderful little hot hatch.

[maurauth]

Mercedes A250? 2 litre turbo that provides nearly 210BHP?

IMO it's a nicer interior than the 1series and the exterior can be as discreet as you like- AMG Sport body kit, suspension etc or standard.

Available in 4WD or RWD.

Or go for the A45 AMG, depends if your mrs would mind driving a 355bhp car that does 0-60 in 4.2secs! In eco mode you should be able to return 35-40mpg as well.

Also IMO if you dont go for the lairy electric blue paint job it's quite a discreet looking AMG.

[SirSquidalot]

A class is 4WD of FWD

[tomsugden]

Have a drive of the new Audi S1. I had one on an extended weekend test drive, and it's superb. Very quick, reasonably economical, well kitted out, and handles like it's on rails. Did I mention it's very quick?

[ScoobyChris]

Some more excellent suggestions - thanks!

The Alfa hadn't been on my radar and I'm guessing the Bilstein kit you mention is to address the complaints about the handling in the reviews? Definitely worth a look though.

The Mercs are also good calls and they look very nice although it seems for anything above the A200 they're auto only unless I'm missing something?

I've found previous Audi's felt a bit numb to drive so I've tended to overlook them, but it sounds like you were impressed by it and it also has positive reviews (although Evo highlight lifeless steering ) so it's been added to the list to investigate further.

Thanks again!

Chris

Edited by ScoobyChris on Thursday 28th May 20:38

[maurauth]

SirSquidalot said:

A class is 4WD of FWD

My mistake, I was thinking of the AMG having "switchable" RWD.

[R2T2]

Most new cars have lifeless, electric steering. They're numb, but accurate.

[ging84]

maurauth said:

My mistake, I was thinking of the AMG having "switchable" RWD.

Is that real or something you made up?

[GreatGranny]

If you like the 1 series then, as you said, the 125i or 130i is the obvious choice.

What about the M135i?

They are hovering just above £20k or is that above budget?

This does look nice and 315 bhp :-)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[maurauth]

ging84 said:

maurauth said:

My mistake, I was thinking of the AMG having "switchable" RWD.

Is that real or something you made up?

The AWD will favour RWD depending upon situations and AFAIK there's settings in one of the various menus to adjust the drive %s so you can set it up to be mostly RWD. That's why I said "switchable" not switchable.

[anothernameitist]

Vauxhall Zafira

[ScoobyChris]

GreatGranny said:

If you like the 1 series then, as you said, the 125i or 130i is the obvious choice.

What about the M135i?

They are hovering just above £20k or is that above budget?

This does look nice and 315 bhp :-)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

The M135i was the car I started the search with but was worried it may not be discreet enough. However, debadging makes it look the same as a 114i M-Sport (just with two tail pipes) so I think it's definitely worth another look. Just have to convince the wife it's the right choice

Chris

[maurauth]

Debadge it before the wife sees it and just say you got a K&N filter to add the extra 200bhp

[Benbay001]

ScoobyChris said:

The M135i was the car I started the search with but was worried it may not be discreet enough. However, debadging makes it look the same as a 114i M-Sport (just with two tail pipes) so I think it's definitely worth another look. Just have to convince the wife it's the right choice

Chris

Dont debadge it. Rebadge it. Nobody could tell you it wasnt a 114i.

[MattHall91]

Benbay001 said:

ScoobyChris said:

The M135i was the car I started the search with but was worried it may not be discreet enough. However, debadging makes it look the same as a 114i M-Sport (just with two tail pipes) so I think it's definitely worth another look. Just have to convince the wife it's the right choice

Chris

Dont debadge it. Rebadge it. Nobody could tell you it wasnt a 114i.

Wheels are noticeably different, even for a non-petrolhead.

[ScoobyChris]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Spent last weekend visiting dealers and driving various cars and we've put down a deposit on a nearly new pre-facelift Focus ST-3 which, while not the fastest or the most competent handling, did surprisingly provide the most giggles per mile of the bunch with a "devil on your shoulder" attitude that made the drive the most enjoyable and memorable and even got my daughter's seal of approval (she became obsessed with BMW when I got the 120d!)

Pick it up Saturday ... can't wait

Chris