Discussion
Hi.
First poster so even this may seem a noob question (probably is) I need some assistance.
Looking for my first motor later this year. Haven't got any specific preferences other than it's got to be no less than 150k miles on the clock, preferably a full SH and no more than say £3k to spend. I'd love to go out and splash £10k via finance but my credit rating is cack, so...
Been looking at a few like the 1 series bimmers like the 118/120's but quite a few 116's keep cropping up as of late. That's my fave so far, in regards the handling, economy being ok, not massive and well, it's a BMW.
Been also eyeing up A3's, Corsas and Seat Leon's, etc.
Even spied a 316ti compact earlier for like half my budget and it looked nice, don't know whether I'd want to stray out of the hatchback bubble here though.. not sure..
I initially wanted an Fiesta ST2 but that's pretty out of my price range I guess.
please let me know of any flaws, pro, cons of any mentioned (or not mentioned) motors and ones to avoid.
Cheers!
First poster so even this may seem a noob question (probably is) I need some assistance.
Looking for my first motor later this year. Haven't got any specific preferences other than it's got to be no less than 150k miles on the clock, preferably a full SH and no more than say £3k to spend. I'd love to go out and splash £10k via finance but my credit rating is cack, so...
Been looking at a few like the 1 series bimmers like the 118/120's but quite a few 116's keep cropping up as of late. That's my fave so far, in regards the handling, economy being ok, not massive and well, it's a BMW.
Been also eyeing up A3's, Corsas and Seat Leon's, etc.
Even spied a 316ti compact earlier for like half my budget and it looked nice, don't know whether I'd want to stray out of the hatchback bubble here though.. not sure..
I initially wanted an Fiesta ST2 but that's pretty out of my price range I guess.
please let me know of any flaws, pro, cons of any mentioned (or not mentioned) motors and ones to avoid.
Cheers!
Don't get a "premium" car. The 118d and 120d are running the s
t N47 variant with the timing chain issues and you will pay more at this budget for a premium brand and more than likely end up with a dog.
A3 fine, you might be able to get a 1.6 for your budget
VXR no chance of getting insuramnce reasonably priced.
I think you are worrying what your college/school mates will say about your car? Ignore this I assumed you were 17
You really should run some insurance quotes, at your age I have no idea what insurance prices are like and also postcode can change quotes massively
What I would do is buy a 1.25 Fiesta mk6, good fun to drive for £1500 then maybe crash it, then step it up a level for the car after. It's too slow to have any affect on black box. Maybe build up 1-2 years NCB.
t N47 variant with the timing chain issues and you will pay more at this budget for a premium brand and more than likely end up with a dog.A3 fine, you might be able to get a 1.6 for your budget
VXR no chance of getting insuramnce reasonably priced.
You really should run some insurance quotes, at your age I have no idea what insurance prices are like and also postcode can change quotes massively
What I would do is buy a 1.25 Fiesta mk6, good fun to drive for £1500 then maybe crash it, then step it up a level for the car after. It's too slow to have any affect on black box. Maybe build up 1-2 years NCB.
Edited by Shiv_P on Friday 16th March 21:42
Edited by Shiv_P on Friday 16th March 21:45
I ran a quote for 118d and it was £149 p/month. It's okay I should've stated my age in the topic. Yeah I'm gonna be 27 come April.
I just want half decent build quality, relatively appealing looking car, not a gargantuan amount of problems etc.
VXR was only because I was stuck and needed like a third/fourth option to consider. I haven't ran a quote on that..yet.
I just want half decent build quality, relatively appealing looking car, not a gargantuan amount of problems etc.
VXR was only because I was stuck and needed like a third/fourth option to consider. I haven't ran a quote on that..yet.
For £3k I would look at a focus, great steer & the 1.6 although a little gutless is a generally reliable engine and well built
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Polo 1.4, again a generally reliable unit and built excellently in this era
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
SEAT Leon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
or do you want more POWER than these?
Basically look for a car that hasn't been barried with service history and not a 4 pot diesel BMW - will be a moneypit especially with N47 engines
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Polo 1.4, again a generally reliable unit and built excellently in this era
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
SEAT Leon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
or do you want more POWER than these?

Basically look for a car that hasn't been barried with service history and not a 4 pot diesel BMW - will be a moneypit especially with N47 engines
What's the issues with the bimmers? Explain the N47 thing please.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
f
k me that's a prime example of one not to buy - been horrifically modified and barry'd with craply fitted speakers, disgusting interior and generally driven through a halfords. MOT history shows a wheel bolt missing as well on the last fail in August!!
N47 engine - the diesels which have major timing chain problems and are an engine to avoid
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/motors/b...
Not sure about the 118i you have linked, as a 2007 car I think it could have the N46 or N43 engine. Someone else may know more
There's also no real redeeming features about the first gen 1 series. The interior is nothing special, the lower powered engines are more unreliable than a focus, golf etc and the interior is very cramped due to a massive axle sending power to the rear wheels. They are also no better to drive than a focus with a smaller engine - IMO the only ones worth going for are larger engined 125i, 130i, 135i but obviously as a first car these aren't particularly suitable.
k me that's a prime example of one not to buy - been horrifically modified and barry'd with craply fitted speakers, disgusting interior and generally driven through a halfords. MOT history shows a wheel bolt missing as well on the last fail in August!!N47 engine - the diesels which have major timing chain problems and are an engine to avoid
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/motors/b...
Not sure about the 118i you have linked, as a 2007 car I think it could have the N46 or N43 engine. Someone else may know more
There's also no real redeeming features about the first gen 1 series. The interior is nothing special, the lower powered engines are more unreliable than a focus, golf etc and the interior is very cramped due to a massive axle sending power to the rear wheels. They are also no better to drive than a focus with a smaller engine - IMO the only ones worth going for are larger engined 125i, 130i, 135i but obviously as a first car these aren't particularly suitable.
Edited by Shiv_P on Saturday 17th March 01:09
ryyy17 said:
Had a Cat C collision - no thanksWhy not look at mk2 focus?
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