7kish budget, 1 series?
Discussion
There's a lot of good comments and suggestions for me to read through, I'm looking deeper into all of the cars mentioned and the volvo c30 for example was one I completely missed. I'm being exceptionally fussy with regards to looks which is annoying me to a degree but I can't really help it.
I've spotted a few mk6s with decent trim/age/condition that may be worth a look but as I haven't spent a lot of time looking through golf ads it's harder to spot a bargain. One I have my eyes on at the moment is this though: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I've spotted a few mk6s with decent trim/age/condition that may be worth a look but as I haven't spent a lot of time looking through golf ads it's harder to spot a bargain. One I have my eyes on at the moment is this though: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
That looks nice enough.
Have you considered a Merc?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Have you considered a Merc?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Josh93 said:
The problem is, the more I read the more I'm put off by the initial charm of the 1 series. At this moment I'm thinking it would probably be more suitable if i scraped the idea and moved on to the more rounded and far more sensible mk6 golf (1.4 TSI).
I suggest you read up more on the mk6 1.4 TSI problems , you'll probably be back to square one!Edited by Josh93 on Thursday 28th April 10:23
I bought a 2011 Golf Match 1.4 TSI (turbo'd not twin charged) last Sept. At less than 5 years old and with 55k on the clock I needed a new water pump. Also intermittently, after being driven for about 20mins a very unsettling knocking sound is clearly heard when within the cab at idle. I'll be getting rid before the end of this year, hopefully before the chain tensioners start playing up.
You may want to look at mk7 belt driven TSI's instead.
Edited by eztiger328 on Friday 29th April 13:07
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.
gizlaroc said:
That looks nice enough.
Have you considered a Merc?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I'm terrified of merc running costs to be honest, plus I'm not a fan of any within my budget.Have you considered a Merc?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
eztiger328 said:
I suggest you read up more on the mk6 1.4 TSI problems , you'll probably be back to square one!
I bought a 2011 Golf Match 1.4 TSI (turbo'd not twin charged) last Sept. At less than 5 years old and with 55k on the clock I needed a new water pump. Also intermittently, after being driven for about 20mins a very unsettling knocking sound is clearly heard when within the cab at idle. I'll be getting rid before the end of this year, hopefully before the chain tensioners start playing up.
You may want to look at mk7 belt driven TSI's instead.
Yeah I saw some bad stuff, it's frustrating because there's so few cars I like. The newest Mazda3 is stunning but quite comfortably out of my budget and my only other real alternatives that I like the look of at this moment are the 1L ecoboost fiesta and the polo TSI. Perhaps the newest focus coming in as an outsider but I think the back is ugly and is perhaps a bit too sluggish and with the 1L ecoboost engineI bought a 2011 Golf Match 1.4 TSI (turbo'd not twin charged) last Sept. At less than 5 years old and with 55k on the clock I needed a new water pump. Also intermittently, after being driven for about 20mins a very unsettling knocking sound is clearly heard when within the cab at idle. I'll be getting rid before the end of this year, hopefully before the chain tensioners start playing up.
You may want to look at mk7 belt driven TSI's instead.
Edited by eztiger328 on Friday 29th April 13:07
I've had both the 1 and 3 series and think they were both great. I agree the 3 seems better inside marginally, but overall they are the same car. Drive the same and feel the same. Don't rule out the diesels. Great mpg both on motorway and around town. All have been solid and needed next to nothing compared the vag cars I've had. I currently have a 2007 e90 and a 2009 scirocco. Currently in the process of selling the scirocco (2.0 petrol) and looking for either another 1 or 3.
Run flats are a pain , but can be swapped out cheap enough to standard tyres. Never had an traction issues in the snow, just drive them properly and you'll manage to just fine on the 4 really cold days we have a year.
Budget can get a nice m sport in either 1 or 3 series.
They have been so reliable. Took a 120d from 70k to 140k no issues over a 4 year period. The 3 has gone from 65 and is about to go over 100k in the space of 3 years. Between them both I've only ever needs a water pump on the 3 series cost £200 to sort.
For a 10 year old car, it still feels solid with no rattles or strange noises.
I'll be sticking with diesels as I've had less issues compared to patrols over the years
Run flats are a pain , but can be swapped out cheap enough to standard tyres. Never had an traction issues in the snow, just drive them properly and you'll manage to just fine on the 4 really cold days we have a year.
Budget can get a nice m sport in either 1 or 3 series.
They have been so reliable. Took a 120d from 70k to 140k no issues over a 4 year period. The 3 has gone from 65 and is about to go over 100k in the space of 3 years. Between them both I've only ever needs a water pump on the 3 series cost £200 to sort.
For a 10 year old car, it still feels solid with no rattles or strange noises.
I'll be sticking with diesels as I've had less issues compared to patrols over the years
Josh93 said:
Yeah I saw some bad stuff, it's frustrating because there's so few cars I like. The newest Mazda3 is stunning but quite comfortably out of my budget and my only other real alternatives that I like the look of at this moment are the 1L ecoboost fiesta and the polo TSI. Perhaps the newest focus coming in as an outsider but I think the back is ugly and is perhaps a bit too sluggish and with the 1L ecoboost engine
When my Golf was in at the dealer for the water pump I had a 2015 1.2 TSI Polo blue motion as a courtesy car. Apart from the horrible pedals It was actually quite a nice little car, quite pokey for a 1.2 and not that different to my 1.4 in performance. My mum has either a 1 or 1.2 eco boost Fiesta. Terrible car in comparison to the Polo in all respects.
gizlaroc said:
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.
The OP also wrote that he was looking at alternatives to the BMW. That sust have hurt knowing someone else wasn't gonna buy your chosen brand so you had to warn them off. But that's okay; it's me that's the sad one at the end of the day
One of the best options for the money has already been mentioned, the mazda 3 2.0 sport.
You could also look at a guilietta 1.4TB or even the Mito cloverleaf with the same 170bhp engine for your 7k.
With regards to the 1 series, personally, i would never buy a 4cyl BMW, don't see the point. May as well buy a much newer different make without paying the BMW premium. Its not like they are a higher quality these days and, certainly in the case of the 1 series, not better looking either. However, with the 130i you have one of the greatest 6 cyl engines ever fitted to a reasonably priced road car which makes one of these worth buying, even though they look a bit iffy.
It also means they will be sought after in the future and be worth shed loads more than 116/118/120 variants which will all depreciate to sub 1000, then be scrapped because no-one will be interested in them. This makes a 130i actually cheaper to run than a 118i over a few years.
You could also look at a guilietta 1.4TB or even the Mito cloverleaf with the same 170bhp engine for your 7k.
With regards to the 1 series, personally, i would never buy a 4cyl BMW, don't see the point. May as well buy a much newer different make without paying the BMW premium. Its not like they are a higher quality these days and, certainly in the case of the 1 series, not better looking either. However, with the 130i you have one of the greatest 6 cyl engines ever fitted to a reasonably priced road car which makes one of these worth buying, even though they look a bit iffy.
It also means they will be sought after in the future and be worth shed loads more than 116/118/120 variants which will all depreciate to sub 1000, then be scrapped because no-one will be interested in them. This makes a 130i actually cheaper to run than a 118i over a few years.
culpz said:
Ohhhhh double reply sweet! All you've done is assume since you wrote on this thread. You seem to be a full on BMW fanboy despite owning several VAG cars aswell as beamers. You come across as a bit of a know-it-all.
Judging him by your own standards. You really don't have to be a fanboy (no idea what that actually means) to know that the 130i is the default choice for petrol 1st gen 1-series as it happens to be bullet proof. You don't appreciate the USPs of the 1-series and prefer a Scirocco ? That is fine but that doesn't mean that others don't have an ever so slightly more in-depth understanding of cars in general.culpz said:
Ohhhhh double reply sweet! All you've done is assume since you wrote on this thread. You seem to be a full on BMW fanboy despite owning several VAG cars aswell as beamers. You come across as a bit of a know-it-all.
The OP also wrote that he was looking at alternatives to the BMW. That sust have hurt knowing someone else wasn't gonna buy your chosen brand so you had to warn them off. But that's okay; it's me that's the sad one at the end of the day
I don't even own a BMW. I just appreciate they do some things better than other marques. As a boring every day car they tend to make it more fun than many others. The OP also wrote that he was looking at alternatives to the BMW. That sust have hurt knowing someone else wasn't gonna buy your chosen brand so you had to warn them off. But that's okay; it's me that's the sad one at the end of the day
Post up your car history, I would be interested to see where your VAG vs BMW knowledge comes from?
All I know is from 30 odd VAG and BMWs that I would never recommend a VAG to anyone.
I await your reply with great interest.
ITP said:
One of the best options for the money has already been mentioned, the mazda 3 2.0 sport.
You could also look at a guilietta 1.4TB or even the Mito cloverleaf with the same 170bhp engine for your 7k.
With regards to the 1 series, personally, i would never buy a 4cyl BMW, don't see the point. May as well buy a much newer different make without paying the BMW premium. Its not like they are a higher quality these days and, certainly in the case of the 1 series, not better looking either. However, with the 130i you have one of the greatest 6 cyl engines ever fitted to a reasonably priced road car which makes one of these worth buying, even though they look a bit iffy.
It also means they will be sought after in the future and be worth shed loads more than 116/118/120 variants which will all depreciate to sub 1000, then be scrapped because no-one will be interested in them. This makes a 130i actually cheaper to run than a 118i over a few years.
Ooooh, good call. A mate just bought a Brera (sp?) which is a really good looking car and he seems to love it. I wouldn't mind having a go in one of the 3.2 V6s at some point. You could also look at a guilietta 1.4TB or even the Mito cloverleaf with the same 170bhp engine for your 7k.
With regards to the 1 series, personally, i would never buy a 4cyl BMW, don't see the point. May as well buy a much newer different make without paying the BMW premium. Its not like they are a higher quality these days and, certainly in the case of the 1 series, not better looking either. However, with the 130i you have one of the greatest 6 cyl engines ever fitted to a reasonably priced road car which makes one of these worth buying, even though they look a bit iffy.
It also means they will be sought after in the future and be worth shed loads more than 116/118/120 variants which will all depreciate to sub 1000, then be scrapped because no-one will be interested in them. This makes a 130i actually cheaper to run than a 118i over a few years.
I wouldn't write the 4cyl BMWs off, they can be great fun, but they have issues.
Culz, I am not knocking your choice of car by the way, I actually really like the newer 1.4tfsi, and I like the new A4. I would happily have one as a work car or my family wagon in avant form.
But looking at a £7k car, the MK6 Golf with the 1.6 engine vs a 1 series would not be a good choice imho.
I have owned a few motors and hand on heart the 1 series was one of my favourites, I kept our 120d for two and half years and when we looked to replace it after 6 moths of looking we swapped for a.........123d.
They are stunning every day car when you get to know them, incredibly capable, and really really fun.
It sat on the drive along with lots of other decent cars, from M3 and an E46 CSL, 335i, MKV GTi, 3.2 A6, 535d and an S4, sometimes along side them, and sometimes the others were meant to replace it, but it kept there doing a grand job. Even on a 4000 mile Euro trip I took the keys to the mapped 123d over the 335i, and I think that says a lot about just how good the little 1 series is.
I don't want to get into an argument with someone on here, so let's agree to disagree?
But looking at a £7k car, the MK6 Golf with the 1.6 engine vs a 1 series would not be a good choice imho.
I have owned a few motors and hand on heart the 1 series was one of my favourites, I kept our 120d for two and half years and when we looked to replace it after 6 moths of looking we swapped for a.........123d.
They are stunning every day car when you get to know them, incredibly capable, and really really fun.
It sat on the drive along with lots of other decent cars, from M3 and an E46 CSL, 335i, MKV GTi, 3.2 A6, 535d and an S4, sometimes along side them, and sometimes the others were meant to replace it, but it kept there doing a grand job. Even on a 4000 mile Euro trip I took the keys to the mapped 123d over the 335i, and I think that says a lot about just how good the little 1 series is.
I don't want to get into an argument with someone on here, so let's agree to disagree?
Avoid - AT ALL COSTS - anything the the N45/43/46 engine. They're s
t. The N43 is the worst, utterly dreadful reliability. Many don't get much past 30-40k.
Either a 120d or a 130i. Pre '57 cars have the old M47 diesel, not a bad old tub. But M47 118d cars have a weak diff. 120d's have the bigger diff. Later ones are the N47 (google N47 timing chain) but they all have the 120d big diff. Great cars if you get a good one. The 123d is really nice to drive.
Four cyl petrol = don't bother.
t. The N43 is the worst, utterly dreadful reliability. Many don't get much past 30-40k.Either a 120d or a 130i. Pre '57 cars have the old M47 diesel, not a bad old tub. But M47 118d cars have a weak diff. 120d's have the bigger diff. Later ones are the N47 (google N47 timing chain) but they all have the 120d big diff. Great cars if you get a good one. The 123d is really nice to drive.
Four cyl petrol = don't bother.
I'm seeing a lot of love for the 130i but the fact is that it's over my already stretched budget even when i extend to 8k so it's not an option, which means the whole 1 series idea is sadly out of the window with the 120d being potentially under used because I can't predict my mileage at the moment. I'm still open to suggestions to offset the golf but i'm struggling and trawling through a million options is so frustrating haha. Maybe I should just give up and get a ecoboost fiesta
OP, I hope you find something that suits you.
My local BMW indy told me to avoid any 4 cylinder BMW, especially the petrol ones (and he is ex-Sytner so has some experience of them!
I had a 2007 123d that I bought in Jan 08 pre-registered and kept for 6 and a half years and 81K miles. I sold it because I was no longer doing business miles, fancied a change and was a bit worried about the cam-chain issues. Since then BMW seem to be picking up the tab if it has full S/H, which mine did.
It was a great car - other than servicing and tyres it only had a battery and a starter motor (and I think the letting the stop/start operate may have contributed). It was still on original wiper blades and brakes when I sold it (in June 2014 for £6,600).
But I replaced it with a Z4 Coupe (same N52 engine as the 130i) and realised what I had been missing all those years! It is a fantastic engine, and pretty economical for the performance it offers (but you don't have to use) - mine is averaging over 32 mpg.
I was so pleased with the straight 6 petrol experience that when I bought a daily driver 18 months ago I got a 325ti Compact! I wouldn't even consider another 4 cylinder BMW.
In your position I would only be looking at 130i, 125i, 325i or 330i.
If insurance isn't a huge expense, why not try one (and maybe a 118i or 120i for comparison purposes)and see what you think - you don't have to buy it!
My local BMW indy told me to avoid any 4 cylinder BMW, especially the petrol ones (and he is ex-Sytner so has some experience of them!
I had a 2007 123d that I bought in Jan 08 pre-registered and kept for 6 and a half years and 81K miles. I sold it because I was no longer doing business miles, fancied a change and was a bit worried about the cam-chain issues. Since then BMW seem to be picking up the tab if it has full S/H, which mine did.
It was a great car - other than servicing and tyres it only had a battery and a starter motor (and I think the letting the stop/start operate may have contributed). It was still on original wiper blades and brakes when I sold it (in June 2014 for £6,600).
But I replaced it with a Z4 Coupe (same N52 engine as the 130i) and realised what I had been missing all those years! It is a fantastic engine, and pretty economical for the performance it offers (but you don't have to use) - mine is averaging over 32 mpg.
I was so pleased with the straight 6 petrol experience that when I bought a daily driver 18 months ago I got a 325ti Compact! I wouldn't even consider another 4 cylinder BMW.
In your position I would only be looking at 130i, 125i, 325i or 330i.
If insurance isn't a huge expense, why not try one (and maybe a 118i or 120i for comparison purposes)and see what you think - you don't have to buy 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.
From what I can see that's not why it was recommended at all - More to do with common faults on the smaller engines and running costs ie. fuel not being that different day to day. Can't see a 116i being comfortable on the motorway due to it being sat at a few thousand RPM to keep up with the traffic.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff