BMW 1 Series v Honda Civic

Ruby_Roo

I'm just looking for some opinions really - I want to trade in my Mini Cooper S for a bigger car, we dont have children but I want to be able to fit my supermarket shop in the boot without having to put a load of it on the back seat!

I've looked at, and test driven, the 1 Series and the Civic in the petrol and diesel, and I'm really torn between them. The 1 Series isn't much smaller than the Civic but it feels smaller, is a smooth ride and the dealer is happy to take my car part-ex if I can't sell it privately.

The Honda is a bit bigger, especially in the back seats, and the maintenance costs (servicing, any parts etc) are not so exorbitant. This too is smooth and spacious, and we like it - although our local dealer is making an issue about taking my car part-ex because they're not a Mini dealership(!!) Also, if we bought the diesel, the tax would be about what we pay now where as the BMW offers a £100 saving p/a on tax.

I was just wondering if people had any experiences/opinions to share which would help me choose?

Thanks :beer:

R34GTT

The BMW is rear wheel drive which can be a pain in snowy conditions. I've driven both too and would always choose the BMW, I found the drive more satisfying and feels like a nicer and more solid car all round.

penrhyn

Neither buy a Juke.

Trebor16

BMW do a service package for the 1 series which gives 5 years or 60000 miles of servicing for £300. The Honda package for the same time and distance is £600 for a petrol engined car and £900 for a diesel.

But which models are you looking at, a petrol or diesel?

I test drove a 1 series a couple of years ago and found the offset of the pedals uncomfortable. The boot space was tiny and the rear seat leg room was minimal. The Honda Civic has a much bigger interior and a bigger boot.

What deals have you been offered for the cars that you are looking at?

sunshinetours

What models of each? Brand new or used?

Cooper S to a 116 petrol for instance I would think would be more noticeable "drop" than say to a 120d
Plenty of nice coupe's out there if you have no kids....?

jaydeeuk1

What is your budget?

Would be a massive drop going from a cooper to a 'built to a low budget' BMW or a gran's shopping car.

Unless you're doing this because you can't afford to run something similar to the cooper s, then I'd go for something like an Alfa 159 3.2 v6, Jag xf etc

janninew

How bizarre, my Brother recently decided on a new car and the 2 on his short list are the same as yours! He bought a Honda Civic Type R in the end. Picked it up last weekend from York and I must admit its gorgeous and sounds fantastic!

He decided on the Honda as he could get more spec for his money.

jase1

Yes. Type R. Granny's shopping car.

Road_Hog

Ruby_Roo wrote: »

I'm just looking for some opinions really - I want to trade in my Mini Cooper S for a bigger car, we dont have children but I want to be able to fit my supermarket shop in the boot without having to put a load of it on the back seat!

Okay, I haven't driven the 1 series, so I'm not qualified to comment on it. The wife used to have the 'old' (not the one in the last 12 months or so) Civic, with the 2.2 diesel.

I prefer larger saloons myself, but if you're changing up from the Mini, then I'd highly recommend the Civic.

The dashboard gets a bit of getting used to, as does the rear view, but then this is probably common on a lot of smaller cars these days.

If you're happy with the above mentioned items, then the Civic is superb. I don't like diesels myself, but the 2.2 in the Civic is rapid and torquey, plus it gives good fuel economy.

It's a fun car to drive, but also a sensible and economical car as well. It holds it value well and is reasonable to maintain. It obviously doesn't have the BMW badge/credos, but you can't have everything.

davsidipp

have you thought of the mini countryman much bigger than a normal mini and not bad boot space too,we have a diesel sd which is really lovely too drive.

jaydeeuk1

jase1 wrote: »

Yes. Type R. Granny's shopping car.

There's a diesel type R????