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

stedaley

Original Poster

641 posts

124 months

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Wednesday 29th July 2015

Chicane-UK said:

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.

Thats exactly what i want to do, but so far havent been convinced,

are you going to buy the car at the end of it?

if you dont mind me asking how much do you pay each month with what deposit?

stedaley

Original Poster

641 posts

124 months

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Wednesday 29th July 2015

Blanchimont said:

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.

I have, Ive looked at a few and spoken to a few who have owned them, Rare but struggles to compete with mainstream and always will have to think its not an abarth 500.

stedaley

Original Poster

641 posts

124 months

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Wednesday 29th July 2015

lewisf182 said:

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.

Cruise control is a must, ive always wanted it and will use it quite abit!
how do these compare to the blown smaller engines, theres alot of 120ds around,

bodhi

10,494 posts

229 months

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Wednesday 29th July 2015

stedaley said:

Cruise control is a must, ive always wanted it and will use it quite abit!
how do these compare to the blown smaller engines, theres alot of 120ds around,

The 130i is in a different league from the diesels, from the second you turn the key you will see (well, hear) why. A close friend had a 120d and whilst it went well and was good on fuel, the engine was fairly nasty, especially when cold or around town. I haven't driven a 130i, but am currently the proud owner of a 125i Coupe and it's a truly lovely thing. Same engine as the 130i, just detuned, but a bloke with a laptop can easily release the missing 50hp.

It may only be a 1 Series, but seriously, that engine makes every drive an event. From the typical straight 6 WHUMP when it fire up, the deep burble at low revs that turns into a demented howl at around 3k revs - it is unbelievably smooth, and 40 - 100 in 3rd is always amusing smile

As you can tell, I suggest you try a 130i. We really will never see its like again. Or if you still pursue the finance option, the 125i is worth a look too.

stedaley

Original Poster

641 posts

124 months

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Thursday 30th July 2015

bodhi said:

The 130i is in a different league from the diesels, from the second you turn the key you will see (well, hear) why. A close friend had a 120d and whilst it went well and was good on fuel, the engine was fairly nasty, especially when cold or around town. I haven't driven a 130i, but am currently the proud owner of a 125i Coupe and it's a truly lovely thing. Same engine as the 130i, just detuned, but a bloke with a laptop can easily release the missing 50hp.

It may only be a 1 Series, but seriously, that engine makes every drive an event. From the typical straight 6 WHUMP when it fire up, the deep burble at low revs that turns into a demented howl at around 3k revs - it is unbelievably smooth, and 40 - 100 in 3rd is always amusing smile

As you can tell, I suggest you try a 130i. We really will never see its like again. Or if you still pursue the finance option, the 125i is worth a look too.

what about the 130d? mpg wise

and do you prefer the coupes looks to the normal 1 series?

bodhi

10,494 posts

229 months

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Friday 31st July 2015

stedaley said:

what about the 130d? mpg wise

and do you prefer the coupes looks to the normal 1 series?

I'll assume you mean the 130i :-) Not driven one but I can tell you my 125i averages about 30-32 depending on use - I usually get around 300 miles to a 55 quid fill. It's very good on long trips, tails off a bit around the French speed limit, but will drop to 20-25 in town. I did manage 35 over a full tank, lowest I've seen is about 28.

I do prefer the look of the Coupe, especially in M Sport trim, I also had to purchase post 2008 due to the Finance company I was using, and couldn't find a late 130i. No regrets at all about getting the slower less practical one, in fact after a year living with it I don't think I ever want to sell.

Only issue I've had with it is the aftermarket HID kit the previous owner fitted, which seems to eat Ballast Resistors but other than that it's been faultless in 16k miles. Tyres cost a bit, especially on the M Sport, but taking off the runflats can solve that. I've kept them on as I need the car for work and don't find them too uncomfortable at all. Others aren't so keen however...

Gompo

4,411 posts

258 months

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Saturday 1st August 2015

stedaley said:

what about the 130d? mpg wise

and do you prefer the coupes looks to the normal 1 series?

I'm on 28.2 MPG in my 2008 130i, although I do quite a lot of short journeys; doing a 10 miles round trip most days. It would definitely rise were I using it for longer journeys. It will easily do 30-35mpg on long trips, if not more depending on driving style...

As for looks, personally I quite like both the Coupe and the 3 door hatch, the 5 door hatch I am not particularly keen on.

swanny71

2,854 posts

209 months

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Saturday 1st August 2015

Another recommendation for the 130i, they're very special little cars and surprisingly cheap to run. I've averaged over 32 mpg in 60k + miles/4.5 years, insurance is £200 this year, one claim on warranty in that time plus routine maintenance.
I love mine and despite being tempted by an M135i earlier this year I can't think of anything for less than £20k that could replace it.

mikearwas

1,112 posts

159 months

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Saturday 1st August 2015

swanny71 said:

Another recommendation for the 130i, they're very special little cars and surprisingly cheap to run. I've averaged over 32 mpg in 60k + miles/4.5 years, insurance is £200 this year, one claim on warranty in that time plus routine maintenance.
I love mine and despite being tempted by an M135i earlier this year I can't think of anything for less than £20k that could replace it.

I too have a 130i and would echo this wholeheartedly.

Gompo

4,411 posts

258 months

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Saturday 1st August 2015

bodhi said:

It may only be a 1 Series, but seriously, that engine makes every drive an event. From the typical straight 6 WHUMP when it fire up, the deep burble at low revs that turns into a demented howl at around 3k revs - it is unbelievably smooth, and 40 - 100 in 3rd is always amusing smile

Not trying to nit-pick but I assume your 125i doesn't quite reach 100 in 3rd? I think I am very close to the limiter at 90-95.

stedaley

Original Poster

641 posts

124 months

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Sunday 2nd August 2015

swanny71 said:

Another recommendation for the 130i, they're very special little cars and surprisingly cheap to run. I've averaged over 32 mpg in 60k + miles/4.5 years, insurance is £200 this year, one claim on warranty in that time plus routine maintenance.
I love mine and despite being tempted by an M135i earlier this year I can't think of anything for less than £20k that could replace it.

V6 grunt that addictable?
Well i havent seen any 130i yet, only the 335d,
Guess everyone keeps it pretty stock?

ZX10R NIN

27,604 posts

125 months

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Sunday 2nd August 2015

Gompo said:

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

Automobile
Fastest lap
Santa pod when I'm there you can check on anyones times.

ZX10R NIN

27,604 posts