1 Series- family hatch??

[Elroy Blue]

I'm looking for a new car as a family run around. Favourite at the mo is a Skoda Octavia VRS. However, I've been drawing a shortlist of other possibles. 1 Series diesels seem pretty cheap to run. But other than driving past them on the road, I've never really checked out the space they offer.

With two kids (10 + 6yrs), am I wasting my time even bothering to go and look at one. Is it simply going to be two small??

[Flat6]

Same age as my kids when I had my 130. Rear space isn't as bad as many would lead you to believe although access into the rear is tight due to the sculpted nature of the rear seats.

The kids never complained although my daughter frequently had travel sickness on long journeys (which had never happened in a car before, and hasn't happened since I sold it!) but I suspect this was down to the firm suspension and 18" runflat tyres..

Boot space is good enough for weekend away trips and general day-to-day use but you might need to think about a roof box if you holiday in the UK.

I've also got a dog (border collie) and tbh it was just a little too small as a family car when the beast was with us (but then so would a Golf, A3 etc)

Where the 1er wins hands down over everything else in class is in the way it drives. It really does make the all the VAG stuff feel like a wooly stodgemobile...

[Elroy Blue]

Thanks for that. Think I'll go and have a shufty!

[LocoBlade]

I've gone from a Mk1 Leon to a 5 door 1 Series and there's not a lot in it size wise, the back seat space is similar and although the boot is a little narrower, its not significantly smaller.

I think compared to the new MK5/6 Golfs and latest Focus they are a bit smaller so if size is an issue theyd be worth looking at, but the 1 series isnt anything like the pseudo 2 seater that some who only read car mags sometimes claim.

[Sticks.]

My 120d was very disappointing in terms of performance, economy and build quality so look closely. Was my 3rd BMW so expected better. A friend's tall 11 year old sat in the back but found it too cramped.

[rich_vw]

I'm not a family man but from time to time share lift's with a few others, only a few weeks ago a rugby mate, 5'10 but heavily built sat in the back (3dr) and complimented on the space available which I was supprised about. I think it's fine if you only have 2 in the back but due to the raised floor it would be cramped for 3.

[Nigel H]

I've had a 130 for 18 months now, and have a ten year old son. In answer to your question I'd say yes, but with a few qualifications.

The amount of space in the back is limited, but if the two in the front are less than 5'10 there shouldn't be a problem, if you're both bigger than 6'0 there could well be.

The boot's not huge, but it's OK. We (3) went away for 10 days on last summer's holiday in it and survived. I had Subaru Impreza before the 130 and that would have been much better.

On the plus side it's a great car to drive, economical for what it is and blend into traffic.

[Elroy Blue]

Mmmmm...I'm 6'2" and my kids are both tall for their age. Sounds like it might be too much of a squeeze.

(I suppose if I got off my backside and went to the dealers, I'd find out for sure )

[4rephill]

Elroy Blue said:

Mmmmm...I'm 6'2" and my kids are both tall for their age. Sounds like it might be too much of a squeeze.

(I suppose if I got off my backside and went to the dealers, I'd find out for sure )

Being 6'2" in the front is no issue at all, but if your kids are tall for their age I would look at a 3 series instead. The problem will be that although they may physically fit in the rear, it may feel cramped, physchologically, making for uncomfortable journeys.

Also there's the very real possibility that they will outgrow the rear of the car too quickly.

As you say, best thing would be to take the whole family to a dealership and try one out for size but I think you'll be dissapointed.

[DavidLScott]

I'm 6'3 and have to pull the seat forward a notch if anyone goes in the back - ok for shortish journeys but I wouldn't want a long trip like that.

Others have posted similar findings to mine that it isn't so easy to find an ideal seat position in the 1 compared to my old 330ci which had 3 or 4 comfy seat set-ups.

[ceriw]

DavidLScott said:

I'm 6'3 and have to pull the seat forward a notch if anyone goes in the back - ok for shortish journeys but I wouldn't want a long trip like that.

Others have posted similar findings to mine that it isn't so easy to find an ideal seat position in the 1 compared to my old 330ci which had 3 or 4 comfy seat set-ups.

interesting post - i'm buying a 1 series in a couple of weeks, and at 6ft3 and coming from a 330ci msport thats a particularly relevant post! cheers

[DavidLScott]

ceriw said:

DavidLScott said:

I'm 6'3 and have to pull the seat forward a notch if anyone goes in the back - ok for shortish journeys but I wouldn't want a long trip like that.

Others have posted similar findings to mine that it isn't so easy to find an ideal seat position in the 1 compared to my old 330ci which had 3 or 4 comfy seat set-ups.

interesting post - i'm buying a 1 series in a couple of weeks, and at 6ft3 and coming from a 330ci msport thats a particularly relevant post! cheers

I still don't regret the change though - except the 1 doesn't look anywhere near as classy as the 330ci.

[Funk]

Fantastic to drive, but not a lot of space in the rear. Boot's reasonable enough, mainly thanks to the fact that it doesn't have a spare under it. I wouldn't have thought of it immediately as a 'family car' though.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Funk said:

Fantastic to drive, but not a lot of space in the rear. Boot's reasonable enough, mainly thanks to the fact that it doesn't have a spare under it. I wouldn't have thought of it immediately as a 'family car' though.

+1. I am 6 foot 4, and I need to raise the seat and put it forward if anyone gets in behind me. If I had a family and wanted something similar I would probably go for an Alpina D3.

[Funk]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

Funk said:

Fantastic to drive, but not a lot of space in the rear. Boot's reasonable enough, mainly thanks to the fact that it doesn't have a spare under it. I wouldn't have thought of it immediately as a 'family car' though.

+1. I am 6 foot 4, and I need to raise the seat and put it forward if anyone gets in behind me. If I had a family and wanted something similar I would probably go for an Alpina D3.

Excellent suggestion!

Edited by Funk on Tuesday 17th November 22:16

[Elroy Blue]

So would I..but can't afford one of those!

[Deva Link]

How about an X1? Supposed to be bigger inside.

[ad551]

My mate has a 120d. I'm 6ft, and once I'm in the back it is just about OK, but getting in through the tiny rear doors is tricky to say the least.

Also it's a bit dark in the back and the windows are quite high which might be a problem if your kids get car sick?

[Funk]

Elroy Blue said:

So would I..but can't afford one of those!

What's your budget?

Couple of D3s here for around £19-23k..

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1335638.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1161987.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1264554.htm

[Sticks.]

FWIW when I had one of these and went in a friend's Golf I always thought he'd got a better all-round car, esp for the money. Much more room in the back imo.