7kish budget, 1 series?
Discussion
tedman said:
Mazda 3 2.0 Sport would be a left-field choice to the German boxes. Handles very well and plenty of toys.
This 
both the 1.6 and 2.0 (petrols) are excellent engines, very willing and revvy, awesome fun to drive! especially with the sweet manual 'box. economy isnt too bad either (35-40mpg without too much effort)
That Mazda is a very good option but just as a personal taste thing I don't think I could have it. I feel like the mk6 golf is the only car in my budget that's sensible and that I really do like the look of. I'm planning to test drive one this weekend and see how it feels before taking my interest any further.
tedman said:
I have the 1.6 petrol and regret not getting the 2.0 
I wouldn't, there seems to be very little difference in real world performance from my experiences of both!The only real advantage of the 2.0 is the addition of a 6th gear, but the 1.6 manages fine even on the motorway without it.
Josh93 said:
That Mazda is a very good option but just as a personal taste thing I don't think I could have it. I feel like the mk6 golf is the only car in my budget that's sensible and that I really do like the look of. I'm planning to test drive one this weekend and see how it feels before taking my interest any further.
you really should test drive the mazda before ruling it out,if theres one local to you just go and drive it!
culpz said:
Typical PH comment. Recommend the fastest and biggest engine within budget despite the OP not making any sort of mention about wanting a performance oriented or a dynamically engaging car.
No. It was said as it is the only bullet proof version of the car he wants. Which I explained.
culpz said:
Typical PH comment. Recommend the fastest and biggest engine within budget despite the OP not making any sort of mention about wanting a performance oriented or a dynamically engaging car.
Almost as relevant as dismissing the 1 Series as you didn't like the completely different model you drove to the one the OP is considering? bodhi said:
Almost as relevant as dismissing the 1 Series as you didn't like the completely different model you drove to the one the OP is considering?
So he went for the 'not dull as ditchwater to drive and ultra fun' Audi instead. The reason I said the 130i is....
The OP was looking at a petrol 1 series.
The 118i and 120i have some issues with them, look at the thread on 320i problems on e90post.com forums.
The 130i depreciates less (now, used to depreciate a lot more, but with a £7k budget use that to your advantage), uses no more fuel, doesn't really cost any more to service and the insurance between a 120d and 130i is nothing for MOST owners.
Plus it is a bullet proof car, the NA straight six is one of BMWs most reliable set ups they have ever made.
I get the impression the OP is young and just sees things in black and white, bigger engine, most cost more to own, which simply isn't the case. All I was saying is just do some proper testing and research. If he is only 20 he may find the 130i is more expensive to insure, if he is 25 he might be surprised.
The thing is with insurance it is often the amount that are stolen that increases the insurance, and a lot more 120d's are stolen purely because a lot more are sold.
I couldn't own another VAG, that FWD chassis is just horrible, not sure how they manage to get it so wrong when others get it right, but they do. But then I suppose with such a small engine it will hide most of the issues with it.
culpz said:
I'd get anything BUT a 1 series tbh. Recently had a brand new 16 plate 118i M Sport as a hire car until my new A4 arrived. I nearly ordered the same car pretty much but the 2 Series and i'm glad i didn't. Felt cheap and nasty inside, the engine was rubbish, the manual gearbox and clutch was horrible, the controls for the whole car weren't intuitive; the list goes on.
I've never been keen on Beamers and I've driven a few now and they always disappoint. Think i'm more of a VW/Audi man. Each to their own but definitely try before you buy. My sister had an 06 116i and the interior was exactly the same apart from a few extra bits. I just can't fathom why you would get one over something VAG. My Scirocco felt more expensive, better built and a better car overall.
Can't relate to this at all. I've never been keen on Beamers and I've driven a few now and they always disappoint. Think i'm more of a VW/Audi man. Each to their own but definitely try before you buy. My sister had an 06 116i and the interior was exactly the same apart from a few extra bits. I just can't fathom why you would get one over something VAG. My Scirocco felt more expensive, better built and a better car overall.
gizlaroc said:
culpz said:
Typical PH comment. Recommend the fastest and biggest engine within budget despite the OP not making any sort of mention about wanting a performance oriented or a dynamically engaging car.
No. It was said as it is the only bullet proof version of the car he wants. Which I explained.
bodhi said:
culpz said:
Typical PH comment. Recommend the fastest and biggest engine within budget despite the OP not making any sort of mention about wanting a performance oriented or a dynamically engaging car.
Almost as relevant as dismissing the 1 Series as you didn't like the completely different model you drove to the one the OP is considering? I think the Golf in a posh frock option is really worth a look. The budget would get you something nice. I've always liked the 1 series and have come close to running a couple. Was underwhelmed every time I drove one and now the reliability is in question I'd not go there. The Civic is also a really good shout, I loved mine, but as you say a bit marmite for some. Volvo C30 perhaps?
Just got into a '59 118d manual 50k miles as a station car.
£30 tax.
45mpg and I rag it - it's slow.
Wife insisted on leather but the only one I could find has the "grey" which is really white and looks horrible but you don't really notice while sitting in it.
On run-flats so it doesn't really like going round corners.
Cruises at 85 leptons without much complaint.
If you know how BMWs work, then it's all fine - auto wipers, OBC options, tells you when the next service is due etc... also options like adjusting how the lights flash when you lock, 3-flash lane change signals, and home lighting are all nice.
However, if I could over-rule my better half, I would have a 130i M Sport in a heartbeat!
Things I miss:
Overtaking.
Heated seats.
Non-auto dimming rear view mirror is surprisingly annoying!
Sports seats - the leather is REALLY slippy!
Xenons. (Dipped beam regular lights is very dim.)
Some base.
£30 tax.
45mpg and I rag it - it's slow.
Wife insisted on leather but the only one I could find has the "grey" which is really white and looks horrible but you don't really notice while sitting in it.
On run-flats so it doesn't really like going round corners.
Cruises at 85 leptons without much complaint.
If you know how BMWs work, then it's all fine - auto wipers, OBC options, tells you when the next service is due etc... also options like adjusting how the lights flash when you lock, 3-flash lane change signals, and home lighting are all nice.
However, if I could over-rule my better half, I would have a 130i M Sport in a heartbeat!
Things I miss:
Overtaking.
Heated seats.
Non-auto dimming rear view mirror is surprisingly annoying!
Sports seats - the leather is REALLY slippy!
Xenons. (Dipped beam regular lights is very dim.)
Some base.
culpz said:
gizlaroc said:
culpz said:
Typical PH comment. Recommend the fastest and biggest engine within budget despite the OP not making any sort of mention about wanting a performance oriented or a dynamically engaging car.
No. It was said as it is the only bullet proof version of the car he wants. Which I explained.
Also, I presumed the fact he was looking at the BMW as an alternative to some mundane VAG thing meant that he was maybe thinking something that might be fun to drive was something to consider.
culpz said:
I was giving my opinion relating to the car OP was looking into. He kindly asked for other views and i was obliged to comment. Last time i checked that's what forum's are for? If you actually read what i put i specifically wrote "each to their own" I'm not forcing my opinion down people's throats unlike others might.
Unfortunately, you were the one who felt the need to make comment on other people simply 'giving their opinion' so you really can't go bleating on about it now. Why do you feel your opinion is any less forced than anyone else's? It is a forum, anything said is 'imho' of course, and that goes without saying, that is what forums are about.
When you start to criticise others opinions is when you come across as someone who thinks their opinion is the only one that matters, and that is a bit sad.
gizlaroc said:
walm said:
Things I miss:
Non-auto dimming rear view mirror is surprisingly annoying!
Buy one off eBay for £20, the wiring is there already, plug and play. Non-auto dimming rear view mirror is surprisingly annoying!
I am just a bit scared that it's all connected up with the remote locking sensor and rain sensor!
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