Left field suggestions please
Discussion
I currently share an M135i with my wife. We bought it new in 2013. We are moving to NZ soon so will be selling it and buying something new on arrival.
The 135i has been good but to be honest the performance is far more than we need for an everyday car and the fuel consumption bad. However it is the right size. It is just for myself, wife, daughter and dog so we don’t need anything bigger.
I’ve had BMWs as daily drivers since 2003 and although they have all been good I suspect I am paying more than necessary just for the brand.
If I were to ignore brand completely and just focus on ability, reliability and value for money what can the PH collective suggest I look at as a replacement?
Has to be 5 doors. Has to be automatic (for my wife). Reasonable performance - so I think at least 150 bhp - but good fuel economy (more than 40 mpg in mixed use - we only get 25 mpg from the 135i).
Suggestions?
The 135i has been good but to be honest the performance is far more than we need for an everyday car and the fuel consumption bad. However it is the right size. It is just for myself, wife, daughter and dog so we don’t need anything bigger.
I’ve had BMWs as daily drivers since 2003 and although they have all been good I suspect I am paying more than necessary just for the brand.
If I were to ignore brand completely and just focus on ability, reliability and value for money what can the PH collective suggest I look at as a replacement?
Has to be 5 doors. Has to be automatic (for my wife). Reasonable performance - so I think at least 150 bhp - but good fuel economy (more than 40 mpg in mixed use - we only get 25 mpg from the 135i).
Suggestions?
Assuming the replacement is going to be in NZ, or are you looking for a stopgap? Budget?
I'm in Oz, but I suspect most of this still applies - there is all sorts of weird and wonderful JDM stuff and Aussie V8s available.
The cost of fuel is less, so MPG is less relevant.
Get yourself on the NZ equivalent of carsales.com.au and have a look.
I'm in Oz, but I suspect most of this still applies - there is all sorts of weird and wonderful JDM stuff and Aussie V8s available.
The cost of fuel is less, so MPG is less relevant.
Get yourself on the NZ equivalent of carsales.com.au and have a look.
Something from Mazda? Close enough to Japan for some nice imports and easy access to *ahem* overnight parts.. Reliability should be no dramas. As stated though, fuel appears to be far cheaper over there so MPG may be less of a concern. Big, lazy V8's would be easily achievable but probably only come in larger vehicles which you may not be looking for.
I'll be honest, I'm yet to have a car as quiet as my e87 120D to drive around in. A 2014 Astra was noticeably louder all around despite having a 9 year advantage. I don't rate German reliability as much as most people seem to but it was a fabulous thing to drive around in all circumstances.
Best of luck with the move too.
I'll be honest, I'm yet to have a car as quiet as my e87 120D to drive around in. A 2014 Astra was noticeably louder all around despite having a 9 year advantage. I don't rate German reliability as much as most people seem to but it was a fabulous thing to drive around in all circumstances.
Best of luck with the move too.
RazerSauber said:
Something from Mazda? Close enough to Japan for some nice imports and easy access to *ahem* overnight parts.. Reliability should be no dramas. As stated though, fuel appears to be far cheaper over there so MPG may be less of a concern. Big, lazy V8's would be easily achievable but probably only come in larger vehicles which you may not be looking for.
I'll be honest, I'm yet to have a car as quiet as my e87 120D to drive around in. A 2014 Astra was noticeably louder all around despite having a 9 year advantage. I don't rate German reliability as much as most people seem to but it was a fabulous thing to drive around in all circumstances.
Best of luck with the move too.
Just as an interesting point, as I used to live in Tokyo - flight times from Japan to New Zealand are about the same as Japan to the UK. I'll be honest, I'm yet to have a car as quiet as my e87 120D to drive around in. A 2014 Astra was noticeably louder all around despite having a 9 year advantage. I don't rate German reliability as much as most people seem to but it was a fabulous thing to drive around in all circumstances.
Best of luck with the move too.
ZX10R NIN said:
You can get the Mondeo in NZ also they have lots of JDM models over there so the world will be your oyster.
Yes there will be a selection of JDM (Japanese domestic market only vehicles) Hondas & Toyotas that you will have never seen or heard of in the UK as well a Aussie market cars and Asian manufactures, Hyundai & Kia are a lot more popular in NZ than in the UK and also offer a wider range of vehicles. You also find Fords & General Motors brands plus the more exciting Holden/HSV cars.A casual browse of what you can buy right now in NZ for around £5k suggests that there is a decent amount of 2010 era hatchbacks with 1.6-2.0 petrol engines and auto boxes from the Hyundai I30, Mazda Axela (mazda3 in the UK) toyota Corrola ( you can get a 3.5V6 Corrola called the Blade Master!!!) If anything auto hatchbacks appear considerably more popular in NZ than they are in the UK so shopping ought to be a lot easier!!!!!
Esceptico said:
I currently share an M135i with my wife. We bought it new in 2013. We are moving to NZ soon so will be selling it and buying something new on arrival.
The 135i has been good but to be honest the performance is far more than we need for an everyday car and the fuel consumption bad. However it is the right size. It is just for myself, wife, daughter and dog so we don’t need anything bigger.
I’ve had BMWs as daily drivers since 2003 and although they have all been good I suspect I am paying more than necessary just for the brand.
If I were to ignore brand completely and just focus on ability, reliability and value for money what can the PH collective suggest I look at as a replacement?
Has to be 5 doors. Has to be automatic (for my wife). Reasonable performance - so I think at least 150 bhp - but good fuel economy (more than 40 mpg in mixed use - we only get 25 mpg from the 135i).
Suggestions?
Your requirements don't exactly sound left field. Kind of curious what definition are you applying to this?The 135i has been good but to be honest the performance is far more than we need for an everyday car and the fuel consumption bad. However it is the right size. It is just for myself, wife, daughter and dog so we don’t need anything bigger.
I’ve had BMWs as daily drivers since 2003 and although they have all been good I suspect I am paying more than necessary just for the brand.
If I were to ignore brand completely and just focus on ability, reliability and value for money what can the PH collective suggest I look at as a replacement?
Has to be 5 doors. Has to be automatic (for my wife). Reasonable performance - so I think at least 150 bhp - but good fuel economy (more than 40 mpg in mixed use - we only get 25 mpg from the 135i).
Suggestions?
What part of NZ? Will you be exploring at all, maybe some kind of 4wd would be of benefit?
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