VW Golf or 1 Series BMW ?

[bestinshow]

Sorry it's another what car thread. I'm looking for a car for the mrs to run about in, and have narrowed it down to either a Golf or a 1 series. Will be mostly town driving, 10k miles pa, not bothered about petrol or diesel.

Both a similar money ( looking to spend £ 7-8k, slightly more at a push ), any thoughts / experiences would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance

[StottyZr]

I can't see that budget getting you much 1 series. I'd expect a hatchback 118i/d with about 50,000 miles(pre-facelift too)

I think you'd have a lot more choice of Golf within that budget.

[va1o]

I'd probably go for the Golf on that budget. You should be able to get into an early MK6 1.4 TSI SE. Wouldn't bother with the entry level NA 1.4/ 1.6 models as they are underpowered, uneconomical and require a cambelt change at 40k. Diesels are good but suffer from DPF issues.

[kambites]

The BMW's only real advantage is the way it handles, it's a worse car in every other way that I can think of. So if she doesn't particularly care about handling, go for the Golf (which isn't bad, to be fair).

[StottyZr]

va1o said:

change at 40k. Diesels are good but suffer from DPF issues.

IIRC no dpf on the pre-efficient dynamics models.

[Presuming Ed]

Had a Golf and it was good
Had a 1 series and it was better, mostly because it had a 3 litre engine that could just about overcome its grip levels. Anything less powerful and I guess you only get the none corrupted steering and thats it over the golf. That would probably enough to swing it for me but the missus might have dofferent ideas.

[va1o]

StottyZr said:

va1o said:

Diesels are good but suffer from DPF issues.

IIRC no dpf on the pre-efficient dynamics models.

I have no idea about the 1-series, it was the Golf I was referring to and all the CR TDIs in the MK6 are DPF equipped.

I'd maybe go for something like this - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Edited by va1o on Monday 14th May 13:12

[bestinshow]

Thanks for the info guys, a golf it is. There's a mk5 around the corner, 1.6 Match. 57 plate £7500. The mk6's at that money have higher miles, is it worth paying a bit more for a mk 6 ?

Thanks
Best

[va1o]

bestinshow said:

Thanks for the info guys, a golf it is. There's a mk5 around the corner, 1.6 Match. 57 plate £7500. The mk6's at that money have higher miles, is it worth paying a bit more for a mk 6 ?

IMO the mk6 is worth the extra, it's a much nicer car they really improved the interior/ refinement over the mk5 and it feels a lot more modern. Yes it will be higher miles at that price but shouldn't be a problem if it's been maintained correctly. In the long run it would hold its value better and cost a bit less to run

I'd say try both and see what you think. If it was going to be a Mk5 one of the run out GT Sports with the full leather interior would be my suggestion.

[HeatonNorris]

Aren't 1.4TSIs horrendously unreliable?

[va1o]

HeatonNorris said:

Aren't 1.4TSIs horrendously unreliable?

Depends which one. The EU5 160PS and 180PS versions have issues, but 122PS owners seem happy enough.