Daughter wants small Auto - BMW 116i SE?

[SAS Tom]

MDifficult said:

SAS Tom said:

Similar to the polo you could get an Ibiza or Fabia. Possibly a better car for the same money.

Normally, I'd say that's a great shout. Sadly though, the Fabia of the same generation isn't much cheaper and really isn't much of a looker. An Ibiza with DSG seems to be like hens teeth. They also both seem to have sold extensively with the 1.2, rather than the 1.4 in the Polo.

I was thinking that the mk3 Fabia would be in budget by now but they aren’t. Agree the polo would be better in that case.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

If it's going to be an older 1 series it will be RWD. They are tricky things in bad weather.

(I hadn't even noticed our car park at work had a slope. Everybody got out except for 3 x 1 Series BMWs.)

Edited by 2 sMoKiN bArReLs on Monday 21st June 16:39

[PH User]

ElectricSoup said:

PH User said:

ElectricSoup said:

I know absolutely nobody on this forum is going to care, because it's just the wrong badge, but there's a 1.6 petrol verison of the FIAT Tipo which comes with a proper 6-speed torque converter auto. They're under rated cars, and very good value scond hand, although rare because of badge snobbery and the under rating thing. That would be my choice, but I'm more interested in value and function over image.

Oh, and again in the same badge snobbery vein, the most recent Vauxhall Astras are jolly nice and also come with TC autos.

You don't have to have DSG/CVT rubbish if you look beyond the badges.

Edited by ElectricSoup on Monday 21st June 15:35

Can you not just suggest the car rather than going off on some strange rant!

OK. FIAT Tipo or Vauxhall Astra.

Is that better?

My apologies for a trying to inject a little colour into a slightly dull subject.

It is a dull subject, but cars don't need to be dull nevermind what your needs are, surely as petrol heads we all know that?


Cars are far more than just transport.

[ScoobyChris]

MDifficult said:

Cheers for that. Had a quick chat with my local BMW indy and they agreed with you - the 2.0 116i much better than the 1.6. But they pushed me towards the 118d or 120d so I might break the habit of a lifetime and look at a derv

Not sure who the indy are, but there are two 4-cylinder diesel lumps, the M47 and N47 and it's worth reading up on the (horror) stories associated with them too. Think the changeover was around '07 plate.

FWIW, I ran a '57-plate 120d from 30-80k, following the service schedule, and never had any problems. YMMV.

Chris

[MDifficult]

ScoobyChris said:

Not sure who the indy are, but there are two 4-cylinder diesel lumps, the M47 and N47 and it's worth reading up on the (horror) stories associated with them too. Think the changeover was around '07 plate.

FWIW, I ran a '57-plate 120d from 30-80k, following the service schedule, and never had any problems. YMMV.

Chris

Cheers - they recommended the Diesels on the basis that they go better with the auto box whereas issues are much of a muchness with the petrol. I asked them because most of their curtesy cars are old 1-series with mega mileages, so they know them really well.

[ZX10R NIN]

Have you looked at the DS3 it has a conventional Auto box with a simple N/A 1.6 engine:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105172...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105102...

Or the 1.4T Astra GTC SRI 140 again with a conventional auto box:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105273...

[MDifficult]

ZX10R NIN said:

Have you looked at the DS3 it has a conventional Auto box with a simple N/A 1.6 engine:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105172...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105102...

Or the 1.4T Astra GTC SRI 140 again with a conventional auto box:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105273...

Hey thanks - both really interesting suggestions I’d not thought of. To be honest, modern Citroens/DS never even register in my mind - I think because I always see them so beaten up and tatty with one working headlight, but that’s probably more perception than reality. I think I’ll take a look because the DS3 is a good looking car.

Vauxhall… I just… I just can’t. No logical reason. Probably pure snobbery, but no.

[Wagonwheel555]

MDifficult said:

Hey thanks - both really interesting suggestions I’d not thought of. To be honest, modern Citroens/DS never even register in my mind - I think because I always see them so beaten up and tatty with one working headlight, but that’s probably more perception than reality. I think I’ll take a look because the DS3 is a good looking car.

Vauxhall… I just… I just can’t. No logical reason. Probably pure snobbery, but no.

Modern Vauxhall’s are leagues apart from those made back in the 90s, same for the French brands.

You will get more for your money buying a French car or a Vauxhall than something German. Sure, the build quality is likely not quite as good but you will get a more modern version with likely lower miles for the same price as a 1 series.

[MDifficult]

Wagonwheel555 said:

Modern Vauxhall’s are leagues apart from those made back in the 90s, same for the French brands.

You will get more for your money buying a French car or a Vauxhall than something German. Sure, the build quality is likely not quite as good but you will get a more modern version with likely lower miles for the same price as a 1 series.

You’re almost certainly right, and to be honest I’m probably edging away from the 1 series now.

(That said, someone should buy this.. what an absolutely peach! https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105192... )

The Polo is definitely front running (2010+) but have now added a DS3 to the possibles list. They look great and there’s a few more interesting colour choices than the drab options available for Polos.

[tedman]

Mazda 2 or 3?

They do torque converter autos in 5-speed at least.

[ZX10R NIN]

MDifficult said:

You’re almost certainly right, and to be honest I’m probably edging away from the 1 series now.

(That said, someone should buy this.. what an absolutely peach! https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105192... )

The Polo is definitely front running (2010+) but have now added a DS3 to the possibles list. They look great and there’s a few more interesting colour choices than the drab options available for Polos.

That's an okay car but I'd be buying the GTC Astra below over it:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106153...

It'll be just as well built more modern, more spacious nicer interior & less likely to have any issues.

I'd take the DS3 over the Polo just because VAG have had a few issues with their dry clutch DSGs (as have Ford) & you get a more nicely spec'd DS3 for your budget.

[MDifficult]

tedman said:

Mazda 2 or 3?

They do torque converter autos in 5-speed at least.

Funny, I thought about Toyota, Honda, Nissan, even Kia but didn’t really consider Mazda.

Had a quick look - I’m sure they’re hugely sensible and practical but not sure they’re going to land well with the 21yo female demographic

Appreciate the suggestion though - thank you

[MDifficult]

Anyone got a view on the VW Up! Auto?

Didn’t realise they did an auto but turns out they’re reasonably common.

[ZX10R NIN]

Gutless in a word I'd gues your daughter will want something with a bit more go & nicer inside.

[MDifficult]

ZX10R NIN said:

Gutless in a word I'd gues your daughter will want something with a bit more go & nicer inside.

Good point. Yeah, commute is 18 miles with a mix of grim traffic and NSL so gutless probably not good. Shame - I like the design.

[biggbn]

Kia C'eed? Well specced, well built and have a 6/7 speed traditional torque converter, the three door Pro C'eed is even quite pretty. My old man has a C'eed 1.6d estate with the auto box and paddle shift, cracking bit of kit

[ElectricSoup]

PH User said:

It is a dull subject, but cars don't need to be dull nevermind what your needs are, surely as petrol heads we all know that?


Cars are far more than just transport.

Yes, Mum. Sorry, Mum.

[PH User]

ElectricSoup said:

PH User said:

It is a dull subject, but cars don't need to be dull nevermind what your needs are, surely as petrol heads we all know that?


Cars are far more than just transport.

Yes, Mum. Sorry, Mum.

I'm not your mum so let's try and keep this as a grown up conversation.

[ElectricSoup]

PH User said:

I'm not your mum so let's try and keep this as a grown up conversation.

Oh that's a relief.

Did you have any suggestions for the OP, like maybe a FIAT Tipo or a Vauxhall Astra?

The C'eed idea is good, I didn't know they had TC autos. Maybe the Hyundai i30 does as well. Which makes me wonder if there's an auto Hyundai Veloster, that would be a striking car for a young 'un.

[RizzoTheRat]

MDifficult said:

I hear you, and it's a great recommendation - but equally she's a young girl where image is important, and I want to encourage her to use the car, strive for her independence etc. Also, the more proud of her car she is... the less chance she's getting into lad's cars instead

My 18 year old niece has a MiTo, which apparently is a cool image at that age. Similarly fiat 500 probably worth a look. much better image than an IQ or Fiesta I'd have thought.