116d v Octavia estate d
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Discussion

old No 1

Original Poster:

362 posts

261 months

Monday 25th October 2010
quotequote all
As the title says really

I have a choice of BMW 116d or octavia estate d... Its a company car scheme so cant upgrade nor add options, just as they come

So ... my choice is based on fwd v rwd and the BeeEmm scores a point

I would *maybe* chip either of them if req

What would the PH massive choose?

LocoBlade

7,653 posts

279 months

Monday 25th October 2010
quotequote all
Whats the engine / spec is the Skoda and what trim level 1 Series can you get?

I've got a M Sport 1 Series which I really rate, but if I only had the choice of a poverty spec 1 Series or a better specced Skoda, it wouldnt be an automatic choice in favour of the 1 Series because the ES spec is not great.

old No 1

Original Poster:

362 posts

261 months

Tuesday 26th October 2010
quotequote all
The BM is def an ES spec

The company is just buying x amount of cars, the only choice is the colour !

The skoda will be the basic spec whatever that is, iv not really checked yet

ewenm

28,506 posts

268 months

Tuesday 26th October 2010
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My decision would be based on whether I need the extra space of the estate or not. Neither car is going to be amazing to drive.

marcosgt

11,439 posts

199 months

Tuesday 26th October 2010
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Do you have a need for Space?

The 1 series is tiny compared to the Octavia (especially in terms of boot space - oh and I just noticed it's the Estate too! redface ).

RWD might sway you to the Bee-Em, but it's got looks only a mother with exceptionally poor eye-sight could love.

Tough choice unless you'll value the extra space the Skoda will provide, in which case, no choice at all...

M.

Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 26th October 09:14

briers

873 posts

202 months

Tuesday 26th October 2010
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You might as well go for the octavia

A 116d is slow and the basic spec 1 series is a real poverty spec pile of crap

The octavia will be a better place to be. If it was a 123d then it would defiantly be worth it, with RWD.

Dog Star

17,319 posts

191 months

Tuesday 26th October 2010
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Putting aside the issue of FWD Vs RWD (is it really going to be such an issue with what said car will be doing?) - would you even be looking at the 1 series if it didn't have the BMW badge on it?


thinfourth2

32,414 posts

227 months

Tuesday 26th October 2010
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Octavia all the way

HellDiver

5,708 posts

205 months

Tuesday 26th October 2010
quotequote all
Small hatchback with no interior space due to the transmission tunnel and rear diff, with a feeble engine, no spec, and lumpy ride due to runflats.

Or

Proper estate car you can fit huge things in, can get 5 people in to, and decent engines.

I know I'd be going Skoda every time.

old No 1

Original Poster:

362 posts

261 months

Tuesday 26th October 2010
quotequote all
good feedback

Well I drive a 140bhp Renault trafic van with tiptronic at the mo for work so either is a step down!! ( no tax )

The real sad news is I *may* sell my 911 as I dont need 2 cars really but they think the chevrons/ amber lights would not be suitable for parking up kerbs while I worked on street cabs smile Plus it doesnt send out the right company message ?? and the tax I would have to pay for the company car would mean cars would cost a fair chunk of the monthly...I'm not married mind so I only waste my cash on gadgets cars bikes hookers drugs etc every month lol

I just thought the RWD experience would sway me but your all right about the estate....its just my dad would love it and to me thats a sign to NOT get one...

LocoBlade

7,653 posts

279 months

Tuesday 26th October 2010
quotequote all
As mentioned previously I wouldnt make the decision on RWD vs FWD with such low powered options, even my 123d is far from the lairy tail out hoon mobile that 200+bhp and 300+lbft of torque might suggest to some, so 60% of the power and similar reductions in torque aren't going to trouble the rear tyres enough to make the car show it's RWD heritage very often.

The 1 series is marmite looks and in ES spec with small wheels and no M Sport bodykit it looks rather ungainly, but the Octavia although unoffensive, isnt exactly exicting or distinctive and at a glance could be mistaken for a lot of other non descript eurobox hatches, so its hardly beauty vs the beast. As for interior, some are quick to criticise the 1 Series interior but I honestly think they're expecting it to be as good as higher spec BMWs and knock it down because its not, rather than comparing it against the competition in the small hatch market. Some areas are arguably trumped by the top Audi / VW opposition but I cant for one second imagine that the base spec of a car on the bottom rung of the VAG ladder in terms of quality is going to be anything special inside either, my wife's top of the range Seat Altea (the next rung up the ladder in VAG marketing terms) is perfectly OK but the dash, plastics, switchgear and instrumentation aren't as good as the 1 Series by a significant margin, so I cant imagine the Skoda being any better. Admittedly Ive not been on one so happy to be proven wrong though.

Having said all that, the 1 Series does handle well regardless of spec and the 116d is significantly quicker than the base 105bhp Octavia according to the specs I just googled, so that alone would be a big factor in favour of the BMW if you didnt need the extra space. Can you not persuade the boss to get 118d's instead, they quite a bit quicker again and still come in under the 120g/km emissions limit for £35 car tax / low company car tax which may be one of the criteria they're looking at.

At the end of the day though I think they're chalk and cheese really due to the size difference, so I can only suggest book a test drive of each and make your own mind up based on what YOU like best, and don't worry too much what others say or think about your choice.

Edited by LocoBlade on Tuesday 26th October 21:10

RobM77

35,349 posts

257 months

Tuesday 26th October 2010
quotequote all
I've driven both, so would like to comment. Firstly, RWD is not about tail out, it's about balance, and the 1 series is a cracking car in that respect. I liked the mk1 Octavia (for what it was), but the new one is tall and wobbly and I hated the one I had for a week a while ago. For me it would be the 1 series every time - I can get the driving position set up for me better in it than the Octavia, it's rear drive and nicely balanced, the suspension setup is on another planet, and the 1 is generally a better thought out car. This is with the caveat that you don't mind something slow - I'd take all of the above on a car in preference to speed.

old No 1

Original Poster:

362 posts

261 months

Tuesday 26th October 2010
quotequote all
LocoBlade said:
As mentioned previously I wouldnt make the decision on RWD vs FWD with such low powered options, even my 123d is far from the lairy tail out hoon mobile that 200+bhp and 300+lbft of torque might suggest to some, so 60% of the power and similar reductions in torque aren't going to trouble the rear tyres enough to make the car show it's RWD heritage very often.

The 1 series is marmite looks and in ES spec with small wheels and no M Sport bodykit it looks rather ungainly, but the Octavia although unoffensive, isnt exactly exicting or distinctive and at a glance could be mistaken for a lot of other non descript eurobox hatches, so its hardly beauty vs the beast. As for interior, some are quick to criticise the 1 Series interior but I honestly think they're expecting it to be as good as higher spec BMWs and knock it down because its not, rather than comparing it against the competition in the small hatch market. Some areas are arguably trumped by the top Audi / VW opposition but I cant for one second imagine that the base spec of a car on the bottom rung of the VAG ladder in terms of quality is going to be anything special inside either, my wife's top of the range Seat Altea (the next rung up the ladder in VAG marketing terms) is perfectly OK but the dash, plastics, switchgear and instrumentation aren't as good as the 1 Series by a significant margin, so I cant imagine the Skoda being any better. Admittedly Ive not been on one so happy to be proven wrong though.

Having said all that, the 1 Series does handle well regardless of spec and the 116d is significantly quicker than the base 105bhp Octavia according to the specs I just googled, so that alone would be a big factor in favour of the BMW if you didnt need the extra space. Can you not persuade the boss to get 118d's instead, they quite a bit quicker again and still come in under the 120g/km emissions limit for £35 car tax / low company car tax which may be one of the criteria they're looking at.

At the end of the day though I think they're chalk and cheese really due to the size difference, so I can only suggest book a test drive of each and make your own mind up based on what YOU like best, and don't worry too much what others say or think about your choice.

Edited by LocoBlade on Tuesday 26th October 21:10
My only saving grace may be the fact I might be able to wiggle an auto as I had a wrist injury 5 years ago to which the fleet manager sorted me an auto car...then when I got a van he just ordered an auto one. Therefore the precedent is set ! they dont do a 116D only 118D auto...now if I could just convince them I *need* M spec as well

Good feedback tho, thanks

Fleckers

2,878 posts

224 months

Wednesday 27th October 2010
quotequote all
I have a November 2009 59 plate 118D SE

Its crap
Its crappier then a very crap think
it has covered nearly 20000 in last year and feels even worse for it

Space inside not good, if your near 6 foot then forget anyone sitting behind you, especially if they need a booster seat

boot tiny, smaller than a focus or Astra

Seats, flat and very little support



Edited by Fleckers on Wednesday 27th October 09:05

RobM77

35,349 posts

257 months

Wednesday 27th October 2010
quotequote all
Fleckers said:
I have a November 2009 59 plate 118D SE

Its crap
Its crappier then a very crap think
it has covered nearly 20000 in last year and feels even worse for it

Space inside not good, if your near 6 foot then forget anyone sitting behind you, especially if they need a booster seat

boot tiny, smaller than a focus or Astra

Seats, flat and very little support



Edited by Fleckers on Wednesday 27th October 09:05
The lack of space behind you and in the boot is as a consequence of it being rear wheel drive. If you want more interior space you need to go for a larger RWD 3 series or C Class or a FWD hatch such as a Golf or Civic.

As for the flat seats, I don't know whether it was an option or not but the 1 series cars that I've driven have all had a huge range of movement, tilting back, dropping down etc. Most other hatchbacks in this price range (other than the Golf) don't offer this, and as such give me back pain. The 1 series I found had one of the most comfortable and supportive seating arrangements I've ever tried in a car.

old No 1

Original Poster:

362 posts

261 months

Wednesday 27th October 2010
quotequote all
Fleckers said:
I have a November 2009 59 plate 118D SE

Its crap
Its crappier then a very crap think
it has covered nearly 20000 in last year and feels even worse for it

Space inside not good, if your near 6 foot then forget anyone sitting behind you, especially if they need a booster seat

boot tiny, smaller than a focus or Astra

Seats, flat and very little support



Edited by Fleckers on Wednesday 27th October 09:05
Hmmm You will get splinters sitting on that there fence !

This what I was worried about, I dont need the room but its nice to have one car I can go out with friends and not have to open the doors at every set of lights cos they feel cramped ! and I do want to feel comfy...i hate std seats

RobM77

35,349 posts

257 months

Wednesday 27th October 2010
quotequote all
old No 1 said:
Fleckers said:
I have a November 2009 59 plate 118D SE

Its crap
Its crappier then a very crap think
it has covered nearly 20000 in last year and feels even worse for it

Space inside not good, if your near 6 foot then forget anyone sitting behind you, especially if they need a booster seat

boot tiny, smaller than a focus or Astra

Seats, flat and very little support



Edited by Fleckers on Wednesday 27th October 09:05
Hmmm You will get splinters sitting on that there fence !

This what I was worried about, I dont need the room but its nice to have one car I can go out with friends and not have to open the doors at every set of lights cos they feel cramped ! and I do want to feel comfy...i hate std seats
Pop down to your nearest BMW dealer and sit in one. I've got a bad back so am very sensitive to car seats, and I found the 1 series (along with the Golf) the most comfortable sub £20k car I've ever sat in. Certainly miles ahead of the Octavia. The room in the back in the 1 series isn't great, but that's the price you pay for having the correct wheels driven wink

HereBeMonsters

14,180 posts

205 months

Wednesday 27th October 2010
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Octy all the way.

The new diesel engines are brilliant, easily remappable and the car is a lovely place to be. Not the most involving driving experience, but then who wants that in a repmobile?