Upgrading from Focus - BMW 3 Series or other?

[BRISTOL86]

Hi folks

I'm replacing a 9 year old Focus and was considering a BMW 3 series.

The criteria is:

- 20k miles or less
- 3 y/o or less
- Decent iPhone audio integration (Apple Music/Spotify/Phone)
- Nothing French
- Not a Vauxhall
- Clean, uncluttered, not plasticky or spaceshippy looking interior (amazing how many cars this rules out!!)
- Hatch or saloon
- Automatic preferred but not essential

My budget is £15-£18k depending on what I find - is a 3 series a good choice in this sort of ballpark? I like it from a looks perspective but guess I might be in for a bit of a shock in terms of inaurance/servicing/repair costs compared to the Focus? Any particular models to look at or avoid?

I do around 10 - 12k a year.

Happy to have all other suggestions. Others that looked like they'd tick the boxes were the usual suspects, A3, Golf, Octavia...

Planning on keeping this car 10 years+ and double the most I've ever spent on a car before so want to get it right!

Cheers!

[tjlees]

Golf would be a good choice - cheap to insure and service with plenty of indys. The servicing is every 18.5k for me and insurance is cheap due collision prevention being standard on the mk7

3 series is physically bigger, better handling, brilliant auto and good multi-media. Servicing without the service pack is expensive in comparison and insurance is a little more. Servicing comes every 22k, but I do change the oil every 11k.

I have both and for me the golf interior is better, the multimedia is more natural with the touch screen than the idrive. Dieselgate seems to have robbed the performance below 2000rpm compared to my previous golf, but the economy is in the mid fifties. The golf's packaging is better given its a smaller car - lots of room for the rear people, hatch is better for load lugging

[BRISTOL86]

Thanks that's useful. I guess it's a case of balancing being sensible with what will make me that bit happier on the morning slog!

I've always wanted a 3 series but I'll have to check out the insurance costs etc compared to something a bit more sensible like the Golf.

I can probably get something like a Golf with 10k less on the clock and year newer than the same priced BMW and I'm not really considering residual value as I plan on having it a long long time - especially at my rate of mileage.

[AllyBassman]

Check the insurance out first,

Mine shot up by £600 at first when I first got a 3er, I don't think it helps that they are one of the most stolen cars in Britain.

[ZX10R NIN]

Lexus IS250 Sport (take a look at these as they're a well equipped alternative)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mercedes C180 Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

C200 Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

A4 1.8T Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Infiniti Q50 Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

3 Series 328i Gran Turismo

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

328i M Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[Pica-Pica]

The crucial issue you may want to consider for any diesel is, is it EURO 6 emissions compliant? In my view that is a must. If that is not in your price range, wait till it is.

[tjlees]

BRISTOL86 said:

Thanks that's useful. I guess it's a case of balancing being sensible with what will make me that bit happier on the morning slog!

I've always wanted a 3 series but I'll have to check out the insurance costs etc compared to something a bit more sensible like the Golf.

I can probably get something like a Golf with 10k less on the clock and year newer than the same priced BMW and I'm not really considering residual value as I plan on having it a long long time - especially at my rate of mileage.

You would definitely get a mk7 golf and probably early f30 BMW for £15k. Both are euro 6 complaint including diesels.

The insurance maybe the killer - confused.com is your friend for quotes.

The handling and performance is better on the BMW, the economy about the same. Both are definite motorway mile munchers. The golf interior is more classy to my eyes, however Imho the BMW is much more fun on the twisties, much more feedback/feel and looks better - especially if you can get an m sport.

[Colonial]

Volvo s60 t5 of some description?

[Barchettaman]

2-year-old Kia Cee´d, it will still have 5 years manufacturer warranty left if you´re going to hang on to it for a long time.

When all the laughing has died down, we just had its Hyundai equivalent on hire in Australia (i30, petrol automatic) and it was well equipped, super quiet, economical, comfortable and handled well.

If the OP is considering a Golf I´d have a look at its Korean equivalent.

[anonymous-user]

£18k should get you in a decent MK7 5 door GTI with DSG. Or you could buy a Kia.

[BRISTOL86]

Thanks all for the suggestions!

So it's now pretty much a shoot out between Golf and 3 series, though the A3 Sportback caught my eye too.

Going to go somewhere like motorpoint I think and just look at/drive a few to get a feel for what I like.

[Willy Nilly]

andrewparker said:

£18k should get you in a decent MK7 5 door GTI with DSG. Or you could buy a Kia.

If the OP wants the car to work he's best opt for the Kia.

[anonymous-user]

Willy Nilly said:

andrewparker said:

£18k should get you in a decent MK7 5 door GTI with DSG. Or you could buy a Kia.

If the OP wants the car to work he's best opt for the Kia.

On to my 11th Golf. Not one has broke down, or not worked. Fact.

[Olivergt]

I'm a left field kind of person, I would be looking at the Lexus CT200H, well within budget and superb build quality. Petrol, mild Hybrid, Automatic.

[BRISTOL86]

Olivergt said:

I'm a left field kind of person, I would be looking at the Lexus CT200H, well within budget and superb build quality. Petrol, mild Hybrid, Automatic.

They look very good spec/well equipped for the money. Unfortunately I don't like the way they look and that's a big deal for me!

[ZX10R NIN]

Looks matter to a certain point but after that spec is another big thing because at the end of the day you're going to be spending the next X amount of years in the thing.

[BRISTOL86]

ZX10R NIN said:

Looks matter to a certain point but after that spec is another big thing because at the end of the day you're going to be spending the next X amount of years in the thing.

Yeah absolutely. But I prefer the look of the Audi, VW and BMW options in my price range and none of them are exactly lacking in spec for what I want.