Trying to decide which BMW, 1, 3 or 6?
Discussion
I'm back looking for cars again. Bought a 2008 Golf R32 and returned it after it refused to start twice in a week. A bit glad if I'm being honest as I think I would have bored of it quickly.
Been to look at a Scirocco over the weekend but it's too much money for "just another fwd hatch with a 4 pot".
Popped into Audi but as an RS4 is more than I want to spend, nothing else really excites me.
So, onto BMW. The 135i sounds very tempting. I'm expecting it to offer the drive and performance I'm after. But part of me wants something with a "sense of occasion" about it.
The bigger brother, a 335i is going get a look at as I think this is a bit more "grown up" in the way that I want. Perhaps too anonymous though?
The other option is an older 630ci. I fully expect this to give me the "sense of occasion" that I want even if it won't offer the same driving/performance experience. It's also going to be an older, higher mileage car for the mid 20s budget that I have set myself.
I've arranged to go to BMW and look at a 135i Coupe, 335i Cab (not what I want but will give an idea) and a 2006 630ci Sport with 50k on it. Hopefully I'll have chance to drive all 3, at worst I want to try the 6 and the 1.
My dilemma seems to be a fairly common one from searching PH. Wanting a car from a premium brand, that feels special when in it. But without wanting to spend the money that you really need to! An M3 would be my first choice. For various reasons though I have set my budget lower than I need to get one.
What ever I get needs to be under warranty, have 4 seats (well, 2 adults and space for 2 kids) and have a decent boot space.
Been to look at a Scirocco over the weekend but it's too much money for "just another fwd hatch with a 4 pot".
Popped into Audi but as an RS4 is more than I want to spend, nothing else really excites me.
So, onto BMW. The 135i sounds very tempting. I'm expecting it to offer the drive and performance I'm after. But part of me wants something with a "sense of occasion" about it.
The bigger brother, a 335i is going get a look at as I think this is a bit more "grown up" in the way that I want. Perhaps too anonymous though?
The other option is an older 630ci. I fully expect this to give me the "sense of occasion" that I want even if it won't offer the same driving/performance experience. It's also going to be an older, higher mileage car for the mid 20s budget that I have set myself.
I've arranged to go to BMW and look at a 135i Coupe, 335i Cab (not what I want but will give an idea) and a 2006 630ci Sport with 50k on it. Hopefully I'll have chance to drive all 3, at worst I want to try the 6 and the 1.
My dilemma seems to be a fairly common one from searching PH. Wanting a car from a premium brand, that feels special when in it. But without wanting to spend the money that you really need to! An M3 would be my first choice. For various reasons though I have set my budget lower than I need to get one.
What ever I get needs to be under warranty, have 4 seats (well, 2 adults and space for 2 kids) and have a decent boot space.
benny 61 said:
I don't think you would be disappointed with the 335i,and with the money you've got to spend it fits the bill nicely, the 6 series would need to be that bit older and therefore loses allot of appeal for that reason, plus to excite it would need to be the 645i at least
I've got a drive arranged in a 335i but its a convertible so will weigh significantly more than the coupe. Hopefully it will give enough of an insight though. I know that the 630 will be older (it's a Dec 2006 car I'm going to drive) but with warranty this doesn't concern me too much. I guess it depends on if it "feels" 50k miles old or not. Also, if the sense of occasion is sufficient, it may balance out the lack of performance. I'm happy to buy something cheap and cheerful for trackdays and hooning (Clio 182 or the like.)
I'm not 100% what I want more from the car I buy, driving thrill or grandeur. Hopefully trying these three will help me decide.
I'm naturally drawn to the i over the d version, we don't do huge mileage and I do like some noise from a car.
However, there seems to be more choice of cars if one were to go Diesel. I'm very drawn to Le Mans blue with cream and there are a few nice ones in the AUC scheme. MUCH lower tax and better mpg aren't to be sniffed at either.
I'm naturally drawn to the i over the d version, we don't do huge mileage and I do like some noise from a car.
However, there seems to be more choice of cars if one were to go Diesel. I'm very drawn to Le Mans blue with cream and there are a few nice ones in the AUC scheme. MUCH lower tax and better mpg aren't to be sniffed at either.
B3pete said:
I have read on different forums that the 135i is far more chuckable and "fun" than the 3 series.Guess you would have to try them both out.
That's how I've read it too. I'm expecting the 3 to feel a bit more "grown up", as daft as that sounds!I've explained my logic to the dealer and they are being very accomodating. I've bought from them before though so maybe this helps.
Going to head over on Friday as it means I can take SWMBO with me and the dealership will be a bit less busy.
fivesixseven8 said:
Wanting a car from a premium brand, that feels special when in it. But without wanting to spend the money that you really need to!
You need to get a high spec with lots of toys along with a nice interior, otherwise a approved price bmw doesn't feel as special as it costs.What is your budget though? Can you get a 911?
amir_j said:
fivesixseven8 said:
Wanting a car from a premium brand, that feels special when in it. But without wanting to spend the money that you really need to!
You need to get a high spec with lots of toys along with a nice interior, otherwise a approved price bmw doesn't feel as special as it costs.What is your budget though? Can you get a 911?
Budget could go to a 911 and I'd really like one. With children imminent though it just wouldn't provide the practicality we need. Also, I'm trying to keep myself to around £25k as we're planning to move this year.
I reckon the 1 series is the one.
I had a remapped 120d M-Sport and a 335i at the same time and the 1 series was definitely the more fun of the two.
I then swapped for an A6 estate as I needed the room and I also had an M3.
Then when the M3 went and I had to get another car I had the choice of another 1 series, 130i, or another 335i. In the end the 1 series won, just more fun and the only reason I felt I should get the 3 series is because it does look more grown up, which is a stupid reason to buy a car.
In the end I bought a 123d though and mapped it, and absolutely no regrets.
I had a remapped 120d M-Sport and a 335i at the same time and the 1 series was definitely the more fun of the two.
I then swapped for an A6 estate as I needed the room and I also had an M3.
Then when the M3 went and I had to get another car I had the choice of another 1 series, 130i, or another 335i. In the end the 1 series won, just more fun and the only reason I felt I should get the 3 series is because it does look more grown up, which is a stupid reason to buy a car.
In the end I bought a 123d though and mapped it, and absolutely no regrets.
I think the boot on a one coupe is pretty good.
This is all about the age of the car; if you don't mind the age of the 6, then of course it will give you more image, luxury and general specialness than the one or the three. Remember to consider not only how it feels now (a three year old car at 50K will feel pretty good), but also how it will feel when you have had it for a while.
And by the way, my fuel today cost me £1.27 a litre. Perhaps you should consider a 120d or a 123d!
This is all about the age of the car; if you don't mind the age of the 6, then of course it will give you more image, luxury and general specialness than the one or the three. Remember to consider not only how it feels now (a three year old car at 50K will feel pretty good), but also how it will feel when you have had it for a while.
And by the way, my fuel today cost me £1.27 a litre. Perhaps you should consider a 120d or a 123d!
Will definitely check the boot space and rear seat access on all 3, these have to be good for SWMBO to agree to a coupe over a saloon!
We are both drawn to the 630 when only going from photos, if it's drive is "adequate" enough then this is in with a serious shout. I would have liked a manual but they are few and far between and I guess it's not really that sort of car. I'm expecting it to feel solid still and showing no real signs of it's age. At most I'd keep it for three years and it would still be under 80k miles at that point.
Fuel costs are not too much of a problem I am happy with mid 20 mpgs and we do less than 10k miles a year across two cars.
We are both drawn to the 630 when only going from photos, if it's drive is "adequate" enough then this is in with a serious shout. I would have liked a manual but they are few and far between and I guess it's not really that sort of car. I'm expecting it to feel solid still and showing no real signs of it's age. At most I'd keep it for three years and it would still be under 80k miles at that point.
Fuel costs are not too much of a problem I am happy with mid 20 mpgs and we do less than 10k miles a year across two cars.
Just got back from driving the 630i and 650i... Went in the 630 first and was quite impressed. I think I expected it to be far more barge like than it was. Drove the 650 out of sheer curiosity and found it a much more complete car, it's the most suited engine for that car by far!
They didn't have the 135i in that I had planned to view, sat in a 125i Coupe though and whilst a very nice car, it didn't have even a slither of the grandeur that the 650 had.
I might have made a decision!!
They didn't have the 135i in that I had planned to view, sat in a 125i Coupe though and whilst a very nice car, it didn't have even a slither of the grandeur that the 650 had.
I might have made a decision!!
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