What car... Again... 6k available..

What car... Again... 6k available..

Author
Discussion

stedaley

Original Poster:

641 posts

125 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
quotequote all
CallorFold said:
You'll struggle to get into a Clio 200 for £6K, a tidy 197 F1 shouldn't be too hard to find though smile

I had the same £6K budget as you and ended up with a Clio 197 smile no regrets, it's a fantastic car.
What options were available on these?

stedaley

Original Poster:

641 posts

125 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
quotequote all
lewisf182 said:
£6k budget, without doubt the 130i. IMHO no hot hatch around that price backet can match it in speed, noise and over all specialness - RWD, 260hp, amazing straight 6 sound etc.

Running costs are extermely reasonable too as the 1 series in general is solid as is the N52 engine.

So many blown 4 pots at this price range, we've got decades of those to come so go straight 6 while you can.

Next on the list for me would by FN2 type R, been looking at these recently and the 2 litre howler appeals!
Do you have one of these? whats running costs like??

What are things to look for? options etc

Mr Tidy

22,398 posts

128 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
The 330i rides better & is a nicer place to be than the 130i I'd pick a three series over a 1 series every time as for top speeds there's nothing in it.
Well given that they both have a 155 mph limiter there wouldn't be anything in it would there?

But a 130i is going to get to the limiter quicker than a 330i, and most alternatives listed by the OP are more hot hatch focussed, which is something that the 330i certainly is not!

Also don't know what the issues are with BMW manual boxes - my Z4C box is just fine, and it's quicker than a 130i or 330i, but sadly probably out of budget unless Cat C/D or very leggy!





ZX10R NIN

27,635 posts

126 months

Friday 24th July 2015
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
Well given that they both have a 155 mph limiter there wouldn't be anything in it would there?

But a 130i is going to get to the limiter quicker than a 330i, and most alternatives listed by the OP are more hot hatch focussed, which is something that the 330i certainly is not!

Also don't know what the issues are with BMW manual boxes - my Z4C box is just fine, and it's quicker than a 130i or 330i, but sadly probably out of budget unless Cat C/D or very leggy!
I said the 3 series was a nicer place to be.

1 Series vs 3 series

0-60mph 5.2 vs 5.5 seconds

0-100mph 14.0 vs 13.9 seconds

0-150mph 48.8 vs 46.7 seconds

Mr Tidy

22,398 posts

128 months

Friday 24th July 2015
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
I said the 3 series was a nicer place to be.

1 Series vs 3 series

0-60mph 5.2 vs 5.5 seconds

0-100mph 14.0 vs 13.9 seconds

0-150mph 48.8 vs 46.7 seconds
330i may be a nicer place to be, but the OP never mentioned any "nice to be" criteria IIRC, so on PH where speed is supposed to matter 130i is surely a better option??

BTW your car at the meet-up this week wasn't lacking in speed when you left - nice one!thumbup

stedaley

Original Poster:

641 posts

125 months

Friday 24th July 2015
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
Well given that they both have a 155 mph limiter there wouldn't be anything in it would there?

But a 130i is going to get to the limiter quicker than a 330i, and most alternatives listed by the OP are more hot hatch focussed, which is something that the 330i certainly is not!

Also don't know what the issues are with BMW manual boxes - my Z4C box is just fine, and it's quicker than a 130i or 330i, but sadly probably out of budget unless Cat C/D or very leggy!
Z4 would be too small i think :/

And im open to all cars! Had a mate tell me Bout his 7series adventures!!

stedaley

Original Poster:

641 posts

125 months

Friday 24th July 2015
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
330i may be a nicer place to be, but the OP never mentioned any "nice to be" criteria IIRC, so on PH where speed is supposed to matter 130i is surely a better option??

BTW your car at the meet-up this week wasn't lacking in speed when you left - nice one!thumbup
Well it would help if it was a nice place to besmile

What are the running figures between the two cars?
My bmw mate has been selling me on the 330cd plus remap. 300bhp and 450nm...

123d is supposed to be a good all rounder?

Mr Tidy

22,398 posts

128 months

Friday 24th July 2015
quotequote all
Running cost wise I doubt there is anything to choose between 130i or 330i as the engine is the same, at least in early 330is - later 330is got the N53 engine to drop one tax band but they have issues with injectors and High Pressure Fuel Pumps.

And I don't think a 130i would be an unpleasant place to be - Help pleas Yonex (search his posts)!

If you even contemplate any diseasel please, please drive both alternatives before you decide - I had a 123d for over 6 years and competent as it was my 325ti is so much better to drive, and the Z4 is in a totally different world!



Edited by Mr Tidy on Friday 24th July 02:05

stedaley

Original Poster:

641 posts

125 months

Friday 24th July 2015
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
Running cost wise I doubt there is anything to choose between 130i or 330i as the engine is the same, at least in early 330is - later 330is got the N53 engine to drop one tax band but they have issues with injectors and High Pressure Fuel Pumps.

And I don't think a 130i would be an unpleasant place to be - Help pleas Yonex (search his posts)!

If you even contemplate any diseasel please, please drive both alternatives before you decide - I had a 123d for over 6 years and competent as it was my 325ti is so much better to drive, and the Z4 is in a totally different world!



Edited by Mr Tidy on Friday 24th July 02:05
I shall do!
I bet the z4 is lovely! But i need 4 seats frown

Ive heard the driving experience is better in petrol but the real world day to day is piped by the diesel, but im sure that everyone opinion is different.

I have a fiesta, a clio 197 and 200 to look at at evan halshaws,

But still on the hunt for a bmw to look at and no dealerships have any dc5s in, so the hunt continues!

Can you get good figures out of the z4 when you need them?


ZX10R NIN

27,635 posts

126 months

Friday 24th July 2015
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
330i may be a nicer place to be, but the OP never mentioned any "nice to be" criteria IIRC, so on PH where speed is supposed to matter 130i is surely a better option??

BTW your car at the meet-up this week wasn't lacking in speed when you left - nice one!thumbup
If it's down to speed from A-B then it's the Megane that wins it's won pretty much every hot hatch test.

Out of the two the BMW's the 330i is the fastest to 100 & 150mph so therefore according to your rules it will win.

As for the meet I was in a van lol the best thing there was the Aprilia RSV4 RF, but if you'd like to see speed I'll be heading to Cadwell Park on Saturday so feel free to tag (you'll have to drive as I will only have one seater) along & witness proper speed. thumbup



Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 24th July 19:09

Gompo

4,415 posts

259 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
I said the 3 series was a nicer place to be.

1 Series vs 3 series

0-60mph 5.2 vs 5.5 seconds

0-100mph 14.0 vs 13.9 seconds

0-150mph 48.8 vs 46.7 seconds
Where are you getting your stats from? I like having a resource for 0-100/150 etc. Cheers.

Butter Face

30,330 posts

161 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
quotequote all
I've got a lovely Premier EP3 for sale wink

christoferlloyd

1,343 posts

159 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
Running cost wise I doubt there is anything to choose between 130i or 330i as the engine is the same, at least in early 330is - later 330is got the N53 engine to drop one tax band but they have issues with injectors and High Pressure Fuel Pumps.

And I don't think a 130i would be an unpleasant place to be - Help pleas Yonex (search his posts)!

If you even contemplate any diseasel please, please drive both alternatives before you decide - I had a 123d for over 6 years and competent as it was my 325ti is so much better to drive, and the Z4 is in a totally different world!

Edited by Mr Tidy on Friday 24th July 02:05
I've got a 57 plate 130i and think it's a pretty nice place to be. Seats and driving position mean it's very comfortable - for me at least - while the wheel, gear stick and other materials all feel tactile and built to last. Better than most £6k hot hatches at least...

stedaley

Original Poster:

641 posts

125 months

Monday 27th July 2015
quotequote all
Butter Face said:
I've got a lovely Premier EP3 for sale wink
Whats the running like?
And got a link to it?

Blanchimont

4,076 posts

123 months

Monday 27th July 2015
quotequote all
Have you thought about something like an Abarth Grande Punto?

1.4 Turbo, 150hp or 180.
1100kgs
36mpg acheivable.
Left field.
Rare-ish.
fun to drive.
well equipped.
Should be able to pick up a good 155 for that, or even a higher mile EsseEsse with the 180hp.

Chicane-UK

3,861 posts

186 months

Monday 27th July 2015
quotequote all
I've previously always spent similar money to you on second hand cars but this time around decided to go the PCP route and put a deposit on a year old Fiesta ST.

Have to say it's been great for several reasons. Firstly the car is a gem, as just about every single review on the planet will confirm. Quick, great chassis, puts a smile on your face, not terrible fuel economy, but also good on a long run in terms of comfort and practicality, etc.

But also based on my previous experiences, you could plop down 7-8k on a used car and still run into expensive bills pretty quickly. At least this way you know what your outgoings are going to be each month and it makes it easier to plan, save, etc.

It does suck watching car finance come out of your account every month, no doubt about it but.. on balance I think it's not a bad way to go.

Martin_Hx

3,955 posts

199 months

Monday 27th July 2015
quotequote all
Any Type R flavor can kill you on insurance due to age/location. I've had mine since 2007 and only the last few years has it come down to normal car prices and im 32! I'd check that first as it may write them off your list completely!

Cracking fun to be had in them though smile IF you can find a decent non-chaved/abused example

lewisf182

2,089 posts

189 months

Monday 27th July 2015
quotequote all
stedaley said:
lewisf182 said:
£6k budget, without doubt the 130i. IMHO no hot hatch around that price backet can match it in speed, noise and over all specialness - RWD, 260hp, amazing straight 6 sound etc.

Running costs are extermely reasonable too as the 1 series in general is solid as is the N52 engine.

So many blown 4 pots at this price range, we've got decades of those to come so go straight 6 while you can.

Next on the list for me would by FN2 type R, been looking at these recently and the 2 litre howler appeals!
Do you have one of these? whats running costs like??

What are things to look for? options etc
Extremely reasonable tbh, especially at specialist indy garages. The 1 series in general is very reliable and the engine even more so. It's one of the reasons I bought it after lots of research, the Z4 is generally the same reliability wise, which is to say solid.

Most services cost me around £300 so it's about that a year, but obviously a big bill could come if a lot needs doing at once. Touch wood it's been nothing but supremely reliable since Dec 2013 and it's 10 years old this year.

Options wise it's up to you really and what you want, can go ultra basic with just cloth seats or full leather and extended leather on 07+ models. Sat nav is obviously a bit old but I think makes the interior look a bit more modern and makes navigating through other things much easier like service intervals.

What I do miss is cruise control, bluetooth and the top sound system.

Butter Face

30,330 posts

161 months

Monday 27th July 2015
quotequote all
stedaley said:
Butter Face said:
I've got a lovely Premier EP3 for sale wink
Whats the running like?
And got a link to it?
Sold it yesterday. Was mint and I priced it too damn cheaply! Ahhh well.