Which BMW 1 series?

[sb1234]

Hi,

I'm looking for something to replace my 2006 Ford Fiesta with. I'll be doing 10-15,000 miles a year, mostly city driving but fortnightly 260 mile motorway round trips.

I'd be grateful to hear your opinions on the following cars (specification / power / price), and how they compare to something like the Audi A3.

BMW 1 Series 116d EfficientDynamics Plus 5dr - 2015 - 29,677 miles - £13,569

https://www.imperialcarsupermarkets.co.uk/used-car...

BMW 1 Series 118d Sport 3dr - 2013 - 35,000 miles - £11,627

https://www.imperialcarsupermarkets.co.uk/used-car...

BMW 1 Series 118d SE 3dr - 2012 - 29,859 miles - £10,990

https://www.imperialcarsupermarkets.co.uk/used-car...

Audi A3 1.6 TDI SE 5dr - 2013 - 26,023 miles - £11,586

https://www.imperialcarsupermarkets.co.uk/used-car...

Thanks

[lucido grigio]

You might need a whole different list of possibles.

"Mostly city driving" is not diesel compatible, not because of possible new diesel charging but because your

DPF will get clogged.

[sb1234]

Ah, so you think a petrol option would be better despite the fortnightly motorway trips (roughly 260 miles)?

Do you have any particular car you would recommend?

Thanks

[ChrisR99]

Wouldn't get a diesel to drive around town! Modern turbo petrols are often not that far off diesel economy anyway.

[sb1234]

ChrisR99 said:

Wouldn't get a diesel to drive around town! Modern turbo petrols are often not that far off diesel economy anyway.

Thanks - would you recommend any of the cars above with a petrol engine? Or best to look at alternatives?

[ChrisR99]

An A3 1.4 TFSI (or a Golf & Seat Leon with the same engine), 1 series 118i with the 1.5T if it's in budget and you're dead set on German.

Otherwise I'd look at things like Focus, Astra etc. You can get similar engines with better specs for lower prices due to the badge...

[Smuler]

ive had 1 series and Minis as loan cars over the last year or so.
I found the Minis had better steering feel and although compared to my old 3 series I didn't find myself enjoying front wheel drive , compared to the 1 series the Minis were fun to drive.

I agree to avoid disease hell engines for such short journeys. So I would say petrol Mini Cooper would be a contender.

[va1o]

ChrisR99 said:

An A3 1.4 TFSI (or a Golf & Seat Leon with the same engine), 1 series 118i with the 1.5T if it's in budget and you're dead set on German.

Otherwise I'd look at things like Focus, Astra etc. You can get similar engines with better specs for lower prices due to the badge...

Yeah the latest 118i with the 1.5 triple is well worth a look, great engine. Looks like you can pick them up from about £13.5k:

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

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

[335d]

Given the high proportion of city driving, my vote would be for the 118i (or its petrol MINI Cooper sibling) too.

[LocoBlade]

The 1.4TFSI 150bhp engine is a brilliant engine and well worth considering in a VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda etc. We've got one in our 2015 Leon Estate and that manages 45mpg in normal use mostly on a 5 mile school run. We also do an annual camping trip to the Dordogne where it gets packed to the rafters with kit including a large roof box strapped on top yet still manages ~40mpg mostly cruising at 75mph and swallows 400+ miles in a day in comfort.

Edited by LocoBlade on Saturday 11th March 20:52