M135i replacement

[McFarnsworth]

A few months ago I bought an M135i. More than quick enough for me, civilized enough for my mom to use on the rare occasion she needs a car. Small enough for city driving, but practical enough to take some luggage or take the (rather large) dog somewhere on occasion.

Turns out it's actually pretty great, I really like it a lot. However, ...

The main reasons I'm looking to change are:
- I somewhat unexpectedly got another (rather large) dog, so a 1 series may be a bit small to take them both.

- I bought a really nice example that I really don't want to ruin by using it as dog transport. Taking one older relaxed dog someplace once a month is very different to taking a giant hyperactive puppy to school twice a week.

- For daily driving it's very much overkill. I'll be getting an even quicker car for weekend/special occasion use sometime later this year, which was also not really in the cards when I bought this one.

- As a result of the above reason, I find the road tax a bit high for what I am able to use the car for. (based on engine cc + co2 here)


So, new car requirements:
- Used, cheaper than the current one, around the same age (5 years, give or take a few).
- Large enough for 2 people + 2 big dogs, small enough to be used for city driving/parking.
- Petrol, manual, engine smaller than 2l for tax purposes.
- Fast enough, but not too fast.
- Fun to drive.


All I've got so far is a previous model Mini Clubman S. But that might actually be smaller than the 1 series?
Or a Ford Focus ST wagon, maybe?

[kiethton]

Focus ST estate

Golf/Octavia VRS estate/Leon FR estate - think they did a 2.0TSI in the golf too if not a GTi estate

Volvo V40 T5 - not an estate but decent load area

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Focus in ST-3 form is the pick unless you want auto in which case the V60 T6 is a good pick but you'll have to compromise.

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

[TheAlastair34]

How big are the dogs?

I have a Clubman and its will be a rear seats down job to put two dogs in it, however its great fun and cheap to run

[dmsims]

Golf MK7?

[McFarnsworth]

TheAlastair34 said:

How big are the dogs?

I have a Clubman and its will be a rear seats down job to put two dogs in it, however its great fun and cheap to run

Two german shepherds. Seats down isn't an issue as I rarely need more than 2 seats anyway.

[TheAlastair34]

McFarnsworth said:

Two german shepherds. Seats down isn't an issue as I rarely need more than 2 seats anyway.

In which case id recommend one, its smaller than most estates to be fair it has a small boot but more leg room than a normal mini but space isnt too bad with the seats down and you can get a full rear waterroof cover from Mini for when the seats are down.

Mines a JCW 2012 with the later N18 engine, worth reading up on engines as the earliers are more problematic, anyway mines averages 42-44mpg depending on time of year and thats 70% urban 30% motorway its has 210bhp and does 60 in less than 7 seconds

Its a little quirky worth a look in my opinion!

[stevemcs]

I have a clubman s, i think you would struggle with 2 GS's in there, i used to have the office dog in mine - Akita and she would struggle to stand.

I'd say go for a Focus 1.0 Ecoboost estate in Titanium X trim or the full on Zetec S if you want the body kit.

[ZX10R NIN]

Forgot to say you could get the 1.5T 180 Focus Estate in Titanium X Spec for your budget:

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

Or the 1.4T 150/1.6T Astra 200 in Elite/SRI form

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

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

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

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

Civic tourer Sport Nav/SE+

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

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

[lewisf182]

Always liked the look of the new 308 and they’re meant to be a decent drive. Have sat in one a few times but thats it, always seems a decent place to be.
They now do a 2.0 petrol with 225 brake in GT form, but these are out of budget. They do have the Gt line in budget though where £16k will get you almost a new one. Or you can save a bit and go for something like this:

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