1 series alternatives

[weigl]

I have owned my 66 plate 118i M-Sport for less than a year and it has had two pretty major faults in that short time - so much for the 'ultimate driving machine'!. Warranty expires in about a year so I'm looking to change it before then, but I'm struggling to find an alternative which fits the brief:

3 door
Sporty
Hatchback/small
Small petrol engine (for insurance reasons)
Spec similar to M Sport - so things like sensors, sat nav, led headlights, quality interior etc

As well as the above, I will admit to being a little bit brand conscious. All suggestions welcome!

Thanks!

[bigdom]

Annoying as it is, any make of car can sometimes have an issue, which is why they all come with a warranty. What’s went wrong?

[steve-5snwi]

I would say a Mini Cooper S but you might want to keep away from the brand. If not go and drive a Fiesta ST and stop being a brand snob

[jam_up]

Leon 2.0 TSI 190 (detuned EA888 engine) could be worth a look. Semi-hot performance in a fairly subdued shell so insurance might be ok. Interior is a bit dull though; the Audi equivalent will be much better in that regard but quite a bit more expensive too...

Re the 1.5 TSI 150, I recently drove a Golf courtesy with this engine and I agree it was lacklustre low down due the 2 cylinder activation. Quite spritly higher up but the 2.0 TSI will feel a lot faster real world.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say lose the badge snobbery grab yourself a good car loaded with kit & they'll be as good a steer as a 118i M Sport, the one that stands out is the Kia Pro Cee'd GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Astra GTC 1.6T

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

& finally the Leon FR Tech

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[DoubleD]

Those GTCs are quite good looking things

[DoubleD]

piston25m said:

DoubleD said:

Those GTCs are quite good looking things

I really don't like the way they look at all. They look like a handbag with oversized wheels.

Well we all like different things. I guess at least it isnt bland looking like the vag cars.

[Croutons]

Does that Leon do anywhere near the claimed MPG?

[TegTypeR]

How about a Pseudo 3 door in the form of an Alfa Giulietta.

The badge is a cut above the run of the mill (although this is purely subjective), they do a decent range of engines and are quite well laden with toys. As for the interior, personally I think it's looks far better than the generic BMW layout, if not quite as well made.

[bigdom]

Croutons said:

Does that Leon do anywhere near the claimed MPG?

I'm not sure any car does. I always found 80% of the combined figure seems to be a pretty consistent guide.

[Terzo123]

I've has an A3 with the 1.4 engine and now a Leon.

On a long motorway run I've had 54mpg. Glasgow to Chesterfeild.

My wife does alot of stop, start city driving and gets about 36mpg doing this.

Mixed driving will see around 42.

It's a cracking wee engine.

[CJ1]

piston25m said:

I think a 2.0 petrol will be too much to insure

I’m 20 with 3 years NCD on a 2015 Mini Cooper S, £700 a year fully comp! Only insurance group 25. Not bad for a 200bhp Hot Hatch with 0-60 in 6.8 Seconds.

[Frimley111R]

We have a 2016 120d M-Sport and I looked at the Golf R recently. The difference in cabin quality was stark, it felt a really big step down to the BMW and given that the interior is what you see most of the time it was a dealer breaker.

Your options are really only the A-Class (no 3 door though) or the A3 if you want the same type of car. Lexus and Jaguar don't have anything and so you need to drop down a brand level or go for something like an Evoque.