Discussion
Thinking of getting a new car for long distance commuting. My first thought was a 320d Coupe, but I was surprised how expensive they are at £31K list for the M-Sport! So then I started thinking about the 123d hatchback as a cheaper alternative at £25K. So would be interested in comments from anyone who has owned or regularly driven both a 1 and 3 series. Basically, is the 3 series worth the extra £6K?
uktrailmonster said:
Thinking of getting a new car for long distance commuting. My first thought was a 320d Coupe, but I was surprised how expensive they are at £31K list for the M-Sport! So then I started thinking about the 123d hatchback as a cheaper alternative at £25K. So would be interested in comments from anyone who has owned or regularly driven both a 1 and 3 series. Basically, is the 3 series worth the extra £6K?
Not driven either but any reason why you're not considering a 320d msport saloon ?Shoul dbe considerably cheaper than the coupe.
Vee said:
Not driven either but any reason why you're not considering a 320d msport saloon ?
Shoul dbe considerably cheaper than the coupe.
Good question. Two reasons really. Firstly cosmetics, the saloon is seriously bland. But more importantly I'm fortunate enough to get an employee discount. So the residual will work out better on the Coupe as they're not generally discounted as much as the saloon to the general public. If you see what I mean. Shoul dbe considerably cheaper than the coupe.
Well given Drive the deal are offering £5k off the 123d and 118D & 120D all M Sports that would make the 320CD near on 50% more... or £11k and for that sort of price differential Im sure most could make do with a little less space in the boot (but you have the benefit of being able to drop the rear seats if you so need whereas the rear seats in the coupe are fixed.
Welshbeef said:
Well given Drive the deal are offering £5k off the 123d and 118D & 120D all M Sports that would make the 320CD near on 50% more... or £11k and for that sort of price differential Im sure most could make do with a little less space in the boot (but you have the benefit of being able to drop the rear seats if you so need whereas the rear seats in the coupe are fixed.
Yes, if I wasn't getting an employee discount, it would be a no-brainer. But I can get a much bigger discount on a 3 series coupe compared to Joe Bloggs, so it evens things up on the residual. The discount I can get on a 1 series (or 3 series saloon for that matter) is not much better than DTD are offering. So for me the price differential is more like £5-6K. Still quite a lot, hence my original question.uktrailmonster said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
No, it really isn't!! I prefer the looks of the 3 door hatch version, so the coupe is a non-starter.Boot space it carries 2 sets of clubs & is enough space for 2 peoples luggage & tent+camping equ for 2 nights (with ease). iPod connection is great.
It is a fine car
Welshbeef said:
Well Ive been in the 118d SE (I think) 5 door and had 5 adults in it for 90 odd miles Im 6'2" and was fine up front & the 3 in the back are all 5'5" and were fine. I also had to go in the back and although it was only 15 miles each way (getting in and ou was a little tricky {bit like a big 3 door coupe in tight parking bays}) it was fine & surprisingly quiet in the car.
Boot space it carries 2 sets of clubs & is enough space for 2 peoples luggage & tent+camping equ for 2 nights (with ease). iPod connection is great.
It is a fine car
Thanks, that's useful to know. I'll be using it mainly for commuting, as I've got an estate for carrying stuff. So only front space is important to me. Boot space it carries 2 sets of clubs & is enough space for 2 peoples luggage & tent+camping equ for 2 nights (with ease). iPod connection is great.
It is a fine car
Are you sure the 123d and the 320d have the same engine. The 123d has the most powerful 4 cylinder diesel engine in the world but, and I could be wrong here I think they are still using the old 4 cylinder 2 litre diesel in the 3 series.
The old one gives out 163bhp,(max) the new one gives out 204bhp.
The old one gives out 163bhp,(max) the new one gives out 204bhp.
Yung Man said:
Are you sure the 123d and the 320d have the same engine. The 123d has the most powerful 4 cylinder diesel engine in the world but, and I could be wrong here I think they are still using the old 4 cylinder 2 litre diesel in the 3 series.
The old one gives out 163bhp,(max) the new one gives out 204bhp.
The 320D 177bhp is just coming out.The old one gives out 163bhp,(max) the new one gives out 204bhp.
Also for the OP you can buy a 118d Sport from Motorpoint for £12,999 (del milage I think) total bargin & A Saab 93 TID (150) Vector Sport[ the spangly one basically]
Welshbeef said:
Yung Man said:
Also for the OP you can buy a 118d Sport from Motorpoint for £12,999 (del milage I think) total bargin & A Saab 93 TID (150) Vector Sport[ the spangly one basically]
As I said, I get a really good employee discount so I'm not really interested in deals. I'm more interested in how different they are to drive and whether or not the 3 series is much better.Catherine197 said:
I would go for the 1 series with the twin turbo diesel.
I have owned both a 3 series saloon m sport and a 1 series m sport. The 1 series is a very good car indeed there are elements of it that I prefer to a 3 series (We also have owned a 3 series coupe).
Thanks for the comments. The more powerful engine is one of the things that attracts me to the 123d for sure. Which elements of the 1 series did you prefer? I have owned both a 3 series saloon m sport and a 1 series m sport. The 1 series is a very good car indeed there are elements of it that I prefer to a 3 series (We also have owned a 3 series coupe).
We currently have both a 120d and 335d sitting in the drive. Both are nice cars to drive. Both get excellent service from our dealer. One's bigger than the other and one has a hatchback (usefull). One's also a bit quicker than the other. One is a superb mile muncher but that doesn't stop me driving 2 or 300 miles in the other one. In reality they are more similar than you might imagine.
Regards
Chris
Regards
Chris
People often complain that the 1 series is cramped inside, but mine did a trip from Windsor to the Lake District last winter, transporting 4 adults and all our luggage for a weekend's walking without resorting to putting bags in the cabin.
The boot isn't as big as say a Golf's or an Audi A3's, but fold the back seats down and the 1 series makes a great van substitute for occasional runs to the tip!
The boot isn't as big as say a Golf's or an Audi A3's, but fold the back seats down and the 1 series makes a great van substitute for occasional runs to the tip!
pete said:
People often complain that the 1 series is cramped inside, but mine did a trip from Windsor to the Lake District last winter, transporting 4 adults and all our luggage for a weekend's walking without resorting to putting bags in the cabin.
The boot isn't as big as say a Golf's or an Audi A3's, but fold the back seats down and the 1 series makes a great van substitute for occasional runs to the tip!
This is the experiance I had - before I had been inside one I just took the press & general views to be the case but in all honesty its big enough. Price wise its a bit steep but thats a different issue.The boot isn't as big as say a Golf's or an Audi A3's, but fold the back seats down and the 1 series makes a great van substitute for occasional runs to the tip!
Welshbeef said:
Price wise its a bit steep but thats a different issue.
Not as steep as the 3 series Coupe though! To be honest, if it wasn't for the special discount I can get, I'd probably choose a high spec VW Golf instead. But with my discount a 1 series ends up close on price to a Golf (remember, top end Golfs are well over £20K now!). There's no doubt that the 1 series has a nicer interior and a better engine than the Golf and of course rear wheel drive
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