BMW 1 series coupe vs. VW Scirocco

BMW 1 series coupe vs. VW Scirocco

Author
Discussion

entropy

Original Poster:

5,455 posts

204 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
quotequote all
Thinking about BMW 120 vs. 160 version of the 1.4 TSI Scirocco.

Opinions please


fluffnik

20,156 posts

228 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
quotequote all
One is a bloater the other is a sharp handling RWD coupé.

V8A*ndy

3,695 posts

192 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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For a drivers car, the 1 series all the way.

Go Msport trim and Xenons if you can.

The 1er is twice the car and ten times the drive.

Colonial

13,553 posts

206 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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I wasn't blown away by the 120i. At all.

Reminded me of old e35 318is. A decent handling car that would have been a great car with more power.

anonymous-user

55 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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Had a tdi 140 scirocco for 6 months and I have to say it was very nice. Brakes would stop you on a penny and roadholding with adaptive suspension was fantastic. All in all I'd have another one in a shot.

insanojackson

5,751 posts

245 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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I have a 160tsi engine scirocco, had it since march 2009 and done 12000 miles in it.

pros- Good looking (far better than 1 series in my opinion)
Nice place to sit (mine has full leather)
Engine feels like its more powerful than quoted
HDD system and touch screen for music(mine has nav)
Good balance of handling and comfort
seem to have good residuals
cheapish tax and lowish insurance group
If you get bored a remap can give 200hp ish for a few quid

cons- Never seem to get near published MPG figures (i average 35-36mpg) though i
have seen 50 on some trips driving like a granny
Boot sill is high, not ideal for dogs
Had a couple of warranty issues 1) a very occaisional misfire which was
attributed to a software issue. 2) an ABS/ESP issue that needed some of the
ABS loom replacing

If you go for a 160 tsi listen for a squeak when changing up under acceleration, its quite a common issue that VW are aware of and will sort for you. It causes no problem as its just a squeaky belt on the water pump but can be a little irritating.

I love mine but I am trying to convince myself i dont need a Range rover evoque at the min.

ludicrous speed

959 posts

195 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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My irrational hate of anything VW coupled with the fact it's FWD would make me pick the BMW without even bothering to think about it.

stuckmojo

2,985 posts

189 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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BMW for me.

Also, the Scirocco looks good most of the time, but from some angles I find it very disproportionate and ugly.

MarJay

2,173 posts

176 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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I think the only thing the Scirocco has going for it is looks, and the BMW looks better. Its RWD, and that wins it for me. Plus you only seem to be able to get Scirocco's in garish colours too...

insanojackson

5,751 posts

245 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
quotequote all
MarJay said:
I think the only thing the Scirocco has going for it is looks, and the BMW looks better. Its RWD, and that wins it for me. Plus you only seem to be able to get Scirocco's in garish colours too...


Garish colours? you can get it in loads of colours and i would only describe viper green as garish

MarJay

2,173 posts

176 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
quotequote all
Garish colours? you can get it in loads of colours and i would only describe viper green as garish
[/quote]

All the ones I've seen have either been white or Baby sick green. Didn't like either. Maybe the car looks too bland if it is a normal colour like Blue and doesn't stand out in my mind.

kambites

67,643 posts

222 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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The Scirocco drives very well for a modern hot hatch, but the 1-series is probably still better if you can live with the looks.

olly-robinson

80 posts

189 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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I also went through the same decision making process in september last year, i test drove both and the bmw was the far nicer car to drive rear wheel drive really does make it a far more involving drive. The sirocco just doesnt look as good and a sciroco specced as i wanted was actually slightly more expensive, i couldnt spend more on a vw when i could have a bmw for slightly less! another factor which swayed me to the bmw was the BMW performance parts this allows you to modify your car with oem bits and not loose any warranty!

One thing to note if you go for the one series is it is crucial you spec the 18s and zenons, every time i see one without zenons or the awful 17 inch wheels i just can not see why you wouldnt at least spec the bigger wheels.

Oh and another thing check delivery times if its brand new i waited 4 months for my 1 series however the scirocos where something like 7months iirc

Goodluck with the decision smile

Olly

kambites

67,643 posts

222 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
quotequote all
Curious, having driven both I'd buy a car on 17 inch wheels and wonder why anyone would buy the 18s. Apart from turn-in being slightly less sharp, the 17s are better in every way - they ride better, let go more progressively, and even seem to provide better steering feel for some reason.

edition

957 posts

191 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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1 Series wouldbe my choice!

Maxym

2,066 posts

237 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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Scirocco looks gorgeous. BMW 1 looks tired and is due for replacement. Now 1 series coupe...

I'd have a Scirocco - and almost bought one (2.0 TSI though).

You need to drive both and see which you prefer.

Ari

19,353 posts

216 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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Maxym said:
Scirocco looks gorgeous. BMW 1 looks tired and is due for replacement. Now 1 series coupe...
Check the thread title...

SteveS Cup

1,996 posts

161 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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I'm currently trying to justify to my gf why I need a 125i... So BMW gets my vote.

The VW wouldn't even be a competitor in my head.

marcosgt

11,032 posts

177 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
quotequote all
fluffnik said:
One is a bloater the other is a sharp handling RWD coupé bloater.
EFA.

Ari

19,353 posts

216 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
quotequote all
I'd take the Scirocco every time. The One Series coupe looks like a cartoon car to me, like a full sized coupe in front of a fairground mirror, too short and too tall. It has a whiff of the "couldn't quite afford a proper BMW Coupe" about it.

Plus the Scirocco has a much nicer quality interior, the 1 Series looks nice inside, but feels a touch cheap around the edges somehow.

Not driven either though, so maybe the drive of the One Series makes up for it.