BMW 320d vs Ford Fiesta ST

[keo]

Two different cars but i can't make my mind up on which one to go for. It will be my main car, i do 1400 miles a month for work (14 shifts, 100 mile rpund trip). This can be a slog on the M6 or i can go the country lane way. Due to shifts one way i will be hitting traffic. For arguments sake lets just say 24k a year.

Pros for the BMW

Economical, i have read people are getting 60/70+ mpg (don't know how true this is)
Rear wheel drive
Build quality, it would need to have full heated leather.
Could get an auto which would make traffic nicer. Never had an auto though so not sure if i would go for it.
With the miles i am doing it would depreciate less than the ST?

Pros for the ST

Economical and petrol! (I have read these can do 60mpg but i don't know how true it is seems quite high?)
Petrol instead of diesel!
More fun and back in a hot hatch.
Cheaper/ newer than the BMW

It won't be as refinded as the BMW which might become wearing. However i have ran hot hatches in the past no problem, also got a Lotus Elise so either option will feel like a Rolls Royce compared to that!

I feel the ST will depreciate alot quicker than the BMW, also lots of them about which puts me off them a little bit, but i understand they are supposed to be fantastic little cars.


Just for info, i currently have an Audi A3 2.0 Tdi Quattro as my daily car. It is ok, comfy enough nice leather interior. It is boring though and not that economical. Probably average 47ish mpg. Depends on traffic and it seems to plumet when i go over 65mph. I don't like the car much its boring and i am thinking might be best to sell it now before the niles get to high (done 85k) just so i can get a bit more for it.

In conclusion, sorry for rambiling just thinking out loud. Any information on either car greatly appreciated. Budget is probably around £10-£12k but could go a bit more for tge right car. Starts to sound alot of money for "just" a fiesta though!

Thanks

[SimboRS]

Is the 320 diesel not the dreaded N47 engine with the timing chain issues?

[Podie]

keo said:

Pros for the ST

Economical and petrol! (I have read these can do 60mpg but i don't know how true it is seems quite high?)
Petrol instead of diesel!

low 30s

Worth getting an ST-3 with cruise if you're doing motorway miles. Later cars had revised damping and aren't as crashy at low speeds.

keo said:

Starts to sound alot of money for "just" a fiesta though!

Drive one. Even better - drive an MP215 kitted car.

Ignore the badges, they're a hoot.

[HJMS123]

I currently drive a fiesta ST and no matter what other owners say the ride is ridiculously firm on poorly surface roads. I'm in my early 20's and have only ever had hot hatches but even I find the ride unacceptable. FYI my driving is purely around town and on mostly poorly surfaced roads but on the motorway/smooth tarmac it is fine.

They're also mega fun to throw around as well, mine goes back in a few weeks and will miss the hilarious lift off oversteer!

[Hammy98]

What about a Diesel hot hatch? Mpg for the mileage you're doing along with good handling.

Mini Cooper SD
Golf GTD
Focus ST TDCI
BMW 125d
Octavia VRS TDI

All are below 7.5s to 60, not sure about the VRS though.

Should all be well kitted out.

EDIT: Just noticed your budget, that probably would exclude the 125d and Focus ST.

[yellowjack]

The only serious answer given the rumblings about "dirty diesels" at the moment is to get the petrol Fiesta. If the government get serious about ridding our roads of diesel cars, you'll end up with a BMW you can't drive into town centre Low Emission Zones, is stupidly expensive to fill with fuel, and virtually unsaleable. Well, that's if you're anything like me, I suppose. I buy all my cars outright, and keep them for as long a time as economically viable.

I'd take a long hard look at your car usage before making a decision. I bought a Mondeo diesel based on the previous seven years of motorway commuting. Now I'm retired, and poor, it spends most of it's time on local journeys, so I'd be far better off with a Fiesta ST if I'm honest with myself...

[Podie]

HJMS123 said:

I currently drive a fiesta ST and no matter what other owners say the ride is ridiculously firm on poorly surface roads. I'm in my early 20's and have only ever had hot hatches but even I find the ride unacceptable. FYI my driving is purely around town and on mostly poorly surfaced roads but on the motorway/smooth tarmac it is fine.

They're also mega fun to throw around as well, mine goes back in a few weeks and will miss the hilarious lift off oversteer!

Jeez, the missus and I are well beyond our 20s and find it a bit crashy, but not that bad.

Don't ever get a TVR...

[MOBB]

I would much prefer to drive a Fiesta ST than a 3 series diesel (owned both). They are brilliant.

But that ride quality on the ST - for your mileage I would try one first as they are very firm.

ST might return 40mpg on a motorway, 60mpg - no way.

[clarkeysntfc]

If you've already got an Elise at home I'd just get the 320d for the trips grinding to and from work, and enjoy the Elise when it's time to take that for a spin.

[GreatGranny]

I would go for an auto 120d M Sport coupe.

Ditch the run flats if it still has them and IMO you have the best of both worlds.

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Podie]

clarkeysntfc said:

If you've already got an Elise at home I'd just get the 320d for the trips grinding to and from work, and enjoy the Elise when it's time to take that for a spin.

GreatGranny said:

I would go for an auto 120d M Sport coupe.

Ditch the run flats if it still has them and IMO you have the best of both worlds.

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'm inclined to agree. Enjoy the Lotus, and get a 1 series dieseasel.

[HJMS123]

Podie said:

Jeez, the missus and I are well beyond our 20s and find it a bit crashy, but not that bad.

Don't ever get a TVR...

It's the bit about only driving around town on poorly surfaced roads you missed

If I'm ever in a position to be able to afford to run one I won't be driving it around pot holed city roads but getting it out on some proper roads

[Podie]

HJMS123 said:

Podie said:

Jeez, the missus and I are well beyond our 20s and find it a bit crashy, but not that bad.

Don't ever get a TVR...

It's the bit about only driving around town on poorly surfaced roads you missed

If I'm ever in a position to be able to afford to run one I won't be driving it around pot holed city roads but getting it out on some proper roads

Not missed at all... it's exactly what our daily drivers have to contend with.

[silent ninja]

I do 120 miles a day and average 500-600 miles per week. You would be bonkers to do that in an ST given the choice. You want refinement so that you arrive fresh at work.

I drove a crappy Toyota Corolla petrol 1.6 for the last 1.5 years simply because it was a free car with no depreciation. It did the job for the 120 mile commute with no breakdowns (save a flat tyre), but the unrefined nature of all - loud engine, wind noise, vibrations - things you'll get on at ST but with a super firm ride in addition - made me tired and worn out when I got to work.

Go for the biggest car possible because saloons and larger cars have better suspension. You don't want an exciting car because it'll be fidgety and require constant attention. "Fun" means more work for you. If you want sporty, look for a GT and go for the bigger engines which really help on motorways. I can cruise along in my 430d at 70mph at only 1500 revs, or 90mph at 2000 revs, with bags of torque when needed. It hums along and is a joy to drive because of the big engine.

I would personally go for the 320d or something like a boring Audi A4 on standard suspension. Golfs are ubiquitous but pretty good for long journeys compared to other hatchbacks.

[steve-5snwi]

Why not get the slightly softer zetec s forsta ? However your still going to have the same problem as the st, small fuel tank. It would drive me up the wall filling up twice a week.

[dieseluser07]

If you get a late 2015 (i think built from august 2015) the suspension is apparently softer, i have a 16 plate and it does not feel that bumpy at all and i dont live on the best roads.