1 series, SE vs Sport vs M-Sport?

1 series, SE vs Sport vs M-Sport?

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Discussion

Sticks.

8,707 posts

250 months

Monday 18th October 2010
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5678 said:
Thanks, but he wants a 5-door.
Has he checked access to/space available in back seats? @ 5'11" I found it tricky and my friend's admittedly tall 11yo found mine cramped.

If he's buying used, do check all the trim/interior parts work/fit as I had issues with mine. Check paint integrity too, I had some wear off in a year from new. Btw, if 17's and on Pirelli Euforia RFTs I found the lack of grip startling - and I'd had RFTs before.

LocoBlade

7,621 posts

255 months

Monday 18th October 2010
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The rear doors are a slightly odd shape and rear seat room isnt it's strongest point compared to the immediate opposition, but it isnt that bad, and certainly not the "might as well be a 2 seater" that the blind Clarkson followers regurgitate on occasions.

I'm 5'10 and can happily sit behind my drivers seat positioned as normal, if you had a 6'2"+ driver then getting someone larger than a child behind the driver might be an issue, but that would be the case with a lot of small hatches. A few weeks ago I drove myself and 4 large mates (3 of them over 6ft / 16st) on a 10 mile drive down the pub, it was cramped obviously and you wouldnt want to travel any distance like that, but they got in and all got their belts on OK!

5678

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

226 months

Monday 18th October 2010
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I had my Dad set the drivers seat as he would have it (I'd guess he is about 5'9"?) and I (@ 6'1") could sit behind him OK. Not sure I'd be up for hours in there but it was fine. The most he will be planning to carry is my Mum and himself, plus their parents or a baby seat when they have the Grandchild with them. It's more than big enough for that.

Any potential purchase will get the fine tooth comb before anything is signed. Most cars we looked at were running Bridgestone tyres too?

onemorelap

689 posts

230 months

Monday 18th October 2010
quotequote all
5678 said:
I had my Dad set the drivers seat as he would have it (I'd guess he is about 5'9"?) and I (@ 6'1") could sit behind him OK. Not sure I'd be up for hours in there but it was fine. The most he will be planning to carry is my Mum and himself, plus their parents or a baby seat when they have the Grandchild with them. It's more than big enough for that.

Any potential purchase will get the fine tooth comb before anything is signed. Most cars we looked at were running Bridgestone tyres too?
Bridgestone Potenza's are the factory fit run flats from memory. In my experience they don't last long though!!

I've just got rid of my 5 door 120d M Sport.
I don't want to sound negative as it was a good fun car with plenty of poke to boot but when you weren't in the mood and just wanted something to cruise around in i personally found it something to be endured instead of enjoyed imho.
Really communicative handling and on decent a-roads etc the ride was fine but b-road stuff was a different story.

Also after 60,000 miles the ride was starting to feel really "crashy".

My kids hated going in the back of it as they effectively had to sit with their legs crossed and the boot was to small.
If your dad plays the evil game of Golf he will need to get used to either folding the rear seats down or taking the drivers out of the bag and putting a trolley somewhere else.

Having lived with one for nearly three years, it did put a smile on my face and i miss the handling but, on balance, i'm glad i've now swapped it for a bigger (comfier) barge that won't lead to an early on-set of arthritis for the little ones!!