New 1 Series - few questions
Discussion
Hi,
Im looking at potentially buying one of the new 1 Series, been in talks about a 118i just wondering if this is a good choice? Price is gonna be the main factor and I do want a petrol, wont be doing enough mileage for a diesel really and tbh, they just dont feel the same for me.
Secondly, not sure on the 3 or 5 door. I dont need the 5 doors and I prefer the look of the 3 door. However, one of the big problems im having with my current car (Scirocco) is that the doors are so long and heavy, if I park it in an average parking bay with a car either side, I really struggle to get out. Im quite short so the seat is quite far forward, which I dont think helps. Cant be bothered to keep adjusting the seat every time I get in and out!
Anyone know how long the doors are on the 3 and 5 door version? Cant seem to find the dimensions with the doors open to compare to the Scirocco.
Any other comments and remarks appreciated!
Im looking at potentially buying one of the new 1 Series, been in talks about a 118i just wondering if this is a good choice? Price is gonna be the main factor and I do want a petrol, wont be doing enough mileage for a diesel really and tbh, they just dont feel the same for me.
Secondly, not sure on the 3 or 5 door. I dont need the 5 doors and I prefer the look of the 3 door. However, one of the big problems im having with my current car (Scirocco) is that the doors are so long and heavy, if I park it in an average parking bay with a car either side, I really struggle to get out. Im quite short so the seat is quite far forward, which I dont think helps. Cant be bothered to keep adjusting the seat every time I get in and out!
Anyone know how long the doors are on the 3 and 5 door version? Cant seem to find the dimensions with the doors open to compare to the Scirocco.
Any other comments and remarks appreciated!
Can't comment on a 118i (other than is it still made ?) but can re 3 or 5 door.
I have had 2 Golfs that were 3 door and numerous other 3 door cars - all seem to have heavier wider doors than 5 door versions. I have been looking at 1 series recently and I think 5 door is the way to go. Most seem to go for 5 door. More flexible and the looks of the 1 series are not the greatest so unlike my Golf's which looked far cooler in 3 door guise the 1 series is not affected.
The seat issue is also a total pain I can relate to and having a door to open to just chuck a coat on the seat is a surprising luxury after 3 door cars !
I have had 2 Golfs that were 3 door and numerous other 3 door cars - all seem to have heavier wider doors than 5 door versions. I have been looking at 1 series recently and I think 5 door is the way to go. Most seem to go for 5 door. More flexible and the looks of the 1 series are not the greatest so unlike my Golf's which looked far cooler in 3 door guise the 1 series is not affected.
The seat issue is also a total pain I can relate to and having a door to open to just chuck a coat on the seat is a surprising luxury after 3 door cars !
I've got last years shape 118i - 5-door, MSport, Black.
I'd highly recommend it. If it's similar to last years, the 118i engine is actually a 1.6 motor. However, it's turbo'd and really goes well.
Infact, it's a really fun car to drive. If I want to drive long distances I use my 320d touring. Compared to that, the 118 feels nimble and really nippy.
I actually prefer the 5 door to the 3 door. I've had 3 series coupes in the past and often found the doors a pain, especially in tight car park spaces.
IMHO, the 5 door still looks just as sleek as the 3 door and offers a load more functionality. If you want to take passengers, load the back seats with shopping or whatever, 5 doors is the way to go.
In summary, I don't think you can go wrong with the 118i. It's fun, fast enough for normal stuff, sounds good and (if you go for the M-Sport - which you should) looks fantastic.
I'd highly recommend it. If it's similar to last years, the 118i engine is actually a 1.6 motor. However, it's turbo'd and really goes well.
Infact, it's a really fun car to drive. If I want to drive long distances I use my 320d touring. Compared to that, the 118 feels nimble and really nippy.
I actually prefer the 5 door to the 3 door. I've had 3 series coupes in the past and often found the doors a pain, especially in tight car park spaces.
IMHO, the 5 door still looks just as sleek as the 3 door and offers a load more functionality. If you want to take passengers, load the back seats with shopping or whatever, 5 doors is the way to go.
In summary, I don't think you can go wrong with the 118i. It's fun, fast enough for normal stuff, sounds good and (if you go for the M-Sport - which you should) looks fantastic.
Going back a few years we bought a Golf for my then wife; we decided to go for 3 doors instead of 5 (only two of us, didn't think we really needed the extra doors) and it was the worst £500 (or whatever the difference was) that I've ever saved in my life! As others have said, you have the disadvantage of needing wider gaps to open the doors properly (so annoying in tight car park spaces) and it was quite surprising how often we carried people in the back (usually ageing parents for whom the more difficult entry/exit wasn't exactly great). This sort of inconvenience is arguably worthwhile if the car's a good looking coupe but in something like a Golf or a 1-Series hatchback I'd now go 5 door every time!
Edited by JNW1 on Thursday 9th July 09:27
am I right in saying the sirocco doesn't have pilarless doors? Apparently if you double click the unlock button on the (pilarless) BMW it will lower the windows when the door is opened to allow for easier access. I'm expecting a 3 door 1 series next month so will test the theory out then.
Goatex said:
am I right in saying the sirocco doesn't have pilarless doors? Apparently if you double click the unlock button on the (pilarless) BMW it will lower the windows when the door is opened to allow for easier access. I'm expecting a 3 door 1 series next month so will test the theory out then.
Not sure if the current 1 Series has opening rear windows but on my facelift 1sr Generation 5 door 1 Series that function opened all the windows, as it does on my E46 Compact (sunroof too if you have one)!Not too sure frameless windows are so good if the car lives outside - my Z4 Coupe has them and a couple of really cold days last winter the glass froze to the rubber seal! It felt like when I opened the door it was going to leave the glass stuck to the seal, but thankfully it didn't!
Longer doors can be a right PITA when some eedjit parks next to you inches away from your car!
BTW I had a new model 118i as a courtesy car a couple of years ago and was pleasantly surprised by it - pretty quick and reasonably economical. Much, much better than the 116i I had next time mine was in for attention and so much nicer to drive than the diesels.
Cheers for the replies, glad to see its not just me who has issues with 3 doors! :P
Its really put me off but a worthwhile experience just to find that out, its not something you pick up on when test driving but now when looking at cars im always taking note of how long the doors are!
Im only 5ft7 with short legs, so I have to sit with my knees up against the steering column pretty much, I find the Scirocco difficult to get in and out of as it is, one day my backs gonna go I reckon!
Its really put me off but a worthwhile experience just to find that out, its not something you pick up on when test driving but now when looking at cars im always taking note of how long the doors are!
Im only 5ft7 with short legs, so I have to sit with my knees up against the steering column pretty much, I find the Scirocco difficult to get in and out of as it is, one day my backs gonna go I reckon!
I'm only 6ft and find access in the 5-dr quite restrictive. Yes the doors are longer in the 3dr but you don't have to open then all the way and the angle of attack is not that drastically different unless you're obese. I don't park in tight spaces anyway as I don't really like the sides of my car looking like they have acne, courtesy of other parkers being inconsiderate.
Despite having the slightly less ugly LCI I couldn't live with the looks of the 5-dr which, to my eyes is even more challenging than the 3-dr.
Just test both configuration and see which one works functionally OP.
3-dr reminds me of my early cars too so there is an emotional element too. It also allows me to restrict people wanting lifts as they know it's a pain.
Despite having the slightly less ugly LCI I couldn't live with the looks of the 5-dr which, to my eyes is even more challenging than the 3-dr.
Just test both configuration and see which one works functionally OP.
3-dr reminds me of my early cars too so there is an emotional element too. It also allows me to restrict people wanting lifts as they know it's a pain.
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