Countryman S 16' or m135i 13'
Discussion
Don't want to spend more money , up to 14k
Countryman S ALL4 16 plate .41000mi , Bmw m135i , 13 plate 55000mi both around the same price .
Both 5dr , i got 2 kids , prefer countryman all4 due to commute very early morning/nights M25 Heathrow , winter can be tricky /rain ice .
don't know about the power of the car , it will be tuned up to 211hp , hopefully it will be ok , at least a bit fast .
m135 i know it's fast and proper car , but but don't know under icy or rainy conditions how it will be , is got less space for the kids at the back .
any opinion ?
Countryman S ALL4 16 plate .41000mi , Bmw m135i , 13 plate 55000mi both around the same price .
Both 5dr , i got 2 kids , prefer countryman all4 due to commute very early morning/nights M25 Heathrow , winter can be tricky /rain ice .
don't know about the power of the car , it will be tuned up to 211hp , hopefully it will be ok , at least a bit fast .
m135 i know it's fast and proper car , but but don't know under icy or rainy conditions how it will be , is got less space for the kids at the back .
any opinion ?
Edited by Gbak on Tuesday 31st August 23:13
Haltamer said:
Use of winter tyres or all seasons would mitigate any concerns with the BMW for even the worst weather you'd see in the South east / M25 region.
that was I'm thinking exactly , i got 4 Goodyear's UG Winter 225/40/18 sitting at my garage from my previous Golf R .The thing is, the power. I'm afraid cooper s with this tiny 1.6 engine it will be slow for me even slight tuned .
i get used the last years with these 290-310hp of the 2lt tfsi engines , i was happy.
With the n55 of bmw , i will be very happy also! and the money difference is around £700 more for 135i compare to cooper s which is obvious newer plate 16'.
ajap1979 said:
I’d try and spend some time with a 1-Series before considering the M135i. It’s going back a long time, but we considered an M135i when they first came out, our children were around 1 and 4 years, and space was far too tight for us.
yes it can be an issue , and i'm 6'4"i sat inside countryman ,and it was very roomy for me and for the kids at the back .
BMW all day every day! My alternative view is this; your kids are 4 months and 6 years old, so they're unlikely to be too tall to fit in the back for a few years now. People these days get very paranoid about the size of car they need when they have children and over-react IMO. You've got at least 2-3 years I reckon before space in the back would be an issue.
My wife owned a 205 GTI as her daily driver for 10 years whilst our kids were growing up, my eldest was 14 when she got rid of it! We had no problems with space. Would a 1 series be much worse for rear space than a 205?!
The Mini is unlikely to be substantially roomier, as Minis are generally poorly packaged for the size and for all those times when you're on your own, the BMW will give the bigger thrill. Stick some winter tyres on it and just slow down a bit in bad weather - you'll be fine....enjoy a straight six RWD BMW whilst you still can !!
My wife owned a 205 GTI as her daily driver for 10 years whilst our kids were growing up, my eldest was 14 when she got rid of it! We had no problems with space. Would a 1 series be much worse for rear space than a 205?!
The Mini is unlikely to be substantially roomier, as Minis are generally poorly packaged for the size and for all those times when you're on your own, the BMW will give the bigger thrill. Stick some winter tyres on it and just slow down a bit in bad weather - you'll be fine....enjoy a straight six RWD BMW whilst you still can !!
As someone who went from a 340hp M140i to a 170hp swift sport I would say it's upto you , Just don't bin the rear of the BMW into a tyre wall on a knock hill track day like me.
They are quite a handful if you are not careful but they require far more ability than me to make the most out of , The Swift is a much easier car to drive quick on a race track and all the power you could want on a public road , Probably similar to that clubman S in power to weight atleast.
Difference at knockhill with me driving between the 2 is less than 1 second , With a good driver probably more like 4-5 seconds but like I said the BMW is a proper handful if you are not Lewis Hamilton.
They are quite a handful if you are not careful but they require far more ability than me to make the most out of , The Swift is a much easier car to drive quick on a race track and all the power you could want on a public road , Probably similar to that clubman S in power to weight atleast.
Difference at knockhill with me driving between the 2 is less than 1 second , With a good driver probably more like 4-5 seconds but like I said the BMW is a proper handful if you are not Lewis Hamilton.
Edited by Bagzie88 on Wednesday 1st September 07:21
We have 4yo and 6 yo. Family car is a 200hp Pulsar and we have a golf convertible. The boys love going In the golf when the sun is shining all other times the prefer the space of the pulsar. Not surprising considering the size of car seats. With a 4 month old you'll have loads of stuff with you for the next year at least. When ours were younger we had a Skoda superb and the massive boot could easily be filled with prams bikes snacks and shopping.
When we bought the pulsar I looked at countryman's and was quite happy with what I saw. But there were too many engine failures to worry about. If I were you I'd be in 330i estate as a fair compromise. Winter tyres and possible x drive will sort you out.
When we bought the pulsar I looked at countryman's and was quite happy with what I saw. But there were too many engine failures to worry about. If I were you I'd be in 330i estate as a fair compromise. Winter tyres and possible x drive will sort you out.
I had an M140i for two years and they’re not the best packaged cars in the world (noticeably smaller inside than the 7.5 R also looked at). With my seat in a comfy position, I couldn’t sit behind the drivers seat and I’m not even that tall.
With both kids in car seats that could prove problematic.
Is the 135 private or via a dealer? Has it had many owners? I’d also be wary of how it’s been treated Nevan as much as I like the M135/40 do they attract a certain crowd looking for cheap fast thrills and are easily tuned. Lots have had a hard life.
With both kids in car seats that could prove problematic.
Is the 135 private or via a dealer? Has it had many owners? I’d also be wary of how it’s been treated Nevan as much as I like the M135/40 do they attract a certain crowd looking for cheap fast thrills and are easily tuned. Lots have had a hard life.
Yes i had before Golf R 7/7.5 ,but sold it ,which for me was the perfect size car even for the kids .
Need to save some money for house.
That's why i said max 14k price used , yes the m135i it is 13 plate 55000 miles and 3 owners , I'll bet not genuine mileage .
countryman s is 12/2016 , 41000 , 2owners .
so the plan is get the countryman S for a couple of years only ,then sell it and buy a proper Golf r/S3 after .
but I'm a bit concerned about the performance of this car with this small engine ,and it is heavy also .
Don't forget i use mostly B-roads for fun , just for commute to Heathrow , m25 sometimes not always .
i had some difficulties previous winters , some nights was extremely icy and snow , was lucky with the golf r haldex performed awesome with summer tyres.
The problem is I'm always come back from work around 4-5 am early morning , and the roads that time are crap , the 320hp rear-wheel drive Bmw not the best option , don't know with winter tyres never tried before .
Need to save some money for house.
That's why i said max 14k price used , yes the m135i it is 13 plate 55000 miles and 3 owners , I'll bet not genuine mileage .
countryman s is 12/2016 , 41000 , 2owners .
so the plan is get the countryman S for a couple of years only ,then sell it and buy a proper Golf r/S3 after .
but I'm a bit concerned about the performance of this car with this small engine ,and it is heavy also .
Don't forget i use mostly B-roads for fun , just for commute to Heathrow , m25 sometimes not always .
i had some difficulties previous winters , some nights was extremely icy and snow , was lucky with the golf r haldex performed awesome with summer tyres.
The problem is I'm always come back from work around 4-5 am early morning , and the roads that time are crap , the 320hp rear-wheel drive Bmw not the best option , don't know with winter tyres never tried before .
How about something like this? Fun and good accommodation for growing family
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108216...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108216...
V8mate said:
How about something like this? Fun and good accommodation for growing family
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108216...
too big for me mate , good engine btw .https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108216...
well forget to tell you , my wife likes mini countryman also, that's why is at the list first , I cant imagine her , driving the lower m135i with 320hp rear wheel .
Edited by Gbak on Wednesday 1st September 09:56
Edited by Gbak on Wednesday 1st September 12:21
Millions of people commute every day, in smallish family cars. Some of them have less than 300hp and RWD. Some of them - brace yourself PH - Have FWD and under 100hp! Less than 6 cylinders! And they survive. 
OP, you know the answer already - get the Mini, live with it for now. Life's full of compromise.
OP, you know the answer already - get the Mini, live with it for now. Life's full of compromise.
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