1.8 Honda Civic or 1.6 Bmw 1 Series

fiisch

Skoda Octavia (vRS).

I've currently got a 2016 Honda Civic Type R and it's brilliant, but that's because I'm a small child. The handling, the engine, the gearbox is brilliant, but I suspect these are not things you prioritise when choosing a car.

The dash layout is bizarre, the steering wheel obscures my view of the steering wheel (unless you over 6ft I suspect this will be an issue for most people) and the interior is dated for it's time. The ride is unacceptably bad, the stereo is cheap and the visibility out the rear window is annoying (this is an issue even on the non-spoilered versions).

I have looked at the 1 series - twice in fact, once for myself and once for the wife - and both times I've been surprised at how un-BMW like it is. It feels cheap, the standard specification isn't great compared to other cars and it's a very small car inside.

Skoda Octavia vRS provides the best of all worlds - mk3 began in 2014 and starts around £10k, or mk2 can be picked up as low as £5.5k. Or they're leasing new for just over £200/month with no deposit.

The best all-round car I have ever owned by some margin - it didn't necessarily scratch my boy racer itch, but other than that I could not fault it.

tasticz

Would you guys travel 110 miles each way to view/buy a car? The car itself isn't cheaper but it is coming from an approved dealer.

I am thinking of going to my local approved dealer and asking if they can bring the car to them so I don't have to make the journey? Has anyone done this before? Will I be laughed at?

giraffe69

Navigation - check how up to date the navigation is. It can be big money to have it updated and it may not have been updated since new. Unsure what the actual policy is with BMW and Honda.

You can make up to date satnav part of the deal. It costs the dealer almost nothing.

We've had 2 Civics and +1 for reliability.

tykesi

tasticz wrote: »

Would you guys travel 110 miles each way to view/buy a car? The car itself isn't cheaper but it is coming from an approved dealer.

I am thinking of going to my local approved dealer and asking if they can bring the car to them so I don't have to make the journey? Has anyone done this before? Will I be laughed at?

If they're not part of the same franchise they won't do it. Should be easy enough to check but just because they have the same manufacturer's name above the door doesn't mean they're the same company.

UncleZen

Honda every time, its a no-brainer

Silvertabby

Are BMW's still rear-wheel drive?

We had a 2 Series when we were stationed in Germany. Nice car, but not as stable as front wheel drive on ice/snow.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

Silvertabby wrote: »

Are BMW's still rear-wheel drive?

We had a 2 Series when we were stationed in Germany. Nice car, but not as stable as front wheel drive on ice/snow.

Oddly, the answer is no, and the 2 series is actually one where it can be front wheel drive, when you have the Tourers built on the Mini platform.

Silvertabby

“ Are BMW's still rear-wheel drive?

We had a 2 Series when we were stationed in Germany. Nice car, but not as stable as front wheel drive on ice/snow.
Originally posted by Silvertabby ”

Oddly, the answer is no, and the 2 series is actually one where it can be front wheel drive, when you have the Tourers built on the Mini platform.



Posted by IanMSpencer

I'm talking early 1990s. BMW must have seen sense since then.

MataNui

A 2011 BMW will probably have the hard disk nav. The DVD stopped being standard around 2008 i think. Its not the mapping on the BMW nav that bad its the routing. It will take you 20 miles back on yourself to use a motorway or if you turn motorways off it will do 20 miles back on itself to route you on minor roads that follow the motorway. Its not fit for purpose.

The Honda is the better car. No doubt about it. BMW is over hyped ,unreliable German crap. Thats if you can live with some of the rather bizarre ergonomics that Honda seem to like.

savemoney

I have had two civics and never a ounce of problems. My currently one 2012 has extra refinements like auto wipers, lights, cruise control, better stereo and sat nav. Wont update satnav as its too expensive and take a sd card which is hidden in facia plate

I cant voucher for BMW's but I would certanly go for Honda again as I like the designs and reliability they offer