New/used car choice...BMW 1-series diesel or what else?

nearlyrich

I agree that BMW make some quality motors but the 1 series isn't one of them. I had one for a week when I was choosing my company car and it was dreadful ( 120 D) no power, not a great driving position etc. I ended up with a Seat Altea 2.0 Sport with a DSG gearbox recently replaced with a similar Golf Plus because of a change in job...

Networkguy

goldspanners wrote: »

speaking personally i find bmw's the obvious boring choice,even although they drive well and handle great,i couldnt see myself in one,they just seem so middle aged.
i dont mean to offend you or anyone who is middle aged,just giving my opinion.

You are 100% right and it was exactly this that stopped me considering them for many years.

But there has been a 335 sitting on my drive since November and it is by far the best car I have ever owned however so far I have no idea what the service from the dealer is like because even though I have covered several thousand (sometimes hard) miles, NOTHING has gone wrong or needed doing. I have never actually owned a car this reliable. By now I would have been into the garage at least twice.

As for the 1

Yes there is a coupe and I actually think it looks really pretty (from some angles). I think the 1 hatchback is an ugly car on the other hand.

Go for a 120D however and you are going to struggle to get less than 50mpg day to day and of course the residuals mean that when you do come to change you will be better off than most other cars.

bristolbaron

If fuel is an issue than the 118d is the one to go for. 120 is a great all rounder, 123d/130 is too much for most.

I've driven the Civic and hated it. Rear vis is shocking, and dash tries to be exciting, but ends up just being difficult to view.

A3 is a great choice, but the better build quality just doesn't justify the cost difference from the Leon.

In answer to the question about demoing different models, it's a tricky one. I'm a sales exec, and can understand why someone would want to drive say a 118d and 120d.. but more than that and i would say you'd need to narrow down the options first.. and test drive within a week of when you are thinking of buying.. the level of interest you'll receive from the exec will be much better if they know you're not just gonna leave it for 6 months.

M sport pack is lovely, SE spec is good. again, i'd be looking more at what's available than anything.. and remember, the best deals aren't always on the best cars!!
In terms of PX price, prepare to be upset whatever time of year you choose to change.. and don't bother looking at parkers/whatcar guides etc for an idea of value.. they're far too high! Unfortunately, Rover/MG cars are worth next to nothing now unless you go private sale.

If you are based anywhere near the southwest PM and I'll put you in touch with a good deal..

westy69

i have just gone from a3 2.0 tdi sport to 120d the audi has better build quality and a lot more room both front and rear but the BMW is a drivers car, the chassis, steering is exceptional if you enjoy driving, i get about 45 mpg bit of b road and some mway driving, the audi was more economical by say 5 mpg although that had 140 bhp, the beemer has 160bhp.
To sum up if you enjoy driving go for the BM if your not so fussed and comfort/room is the priority go for an audi as for the others you mention i have no experience of them.

daveyjp

I also considered a 1 series, but plumped for an A3 Sportback. The 1 series was novel in that it appeared to be a two seater with four doors as the back seats were very cramped!

I'm glad I chose the sportback as there is no way a 1 series would have been large enough once our daughter arrived - who wasn't being considered when I was looking at the 1 series. The DSG gearbox also swung me towards the Audi, something BMW don't yet have an answer to.

I'm now on my second Sportback - went for a 170bhp this time.

I do however like the new 1 series coupe.

Audi let me test drive about 4 different A3s before I decided on the model I wanted.

cyclonebri1

catt wrote: »

Hi Harvey

Thanks for your comments.

Yes, it was the 120d that we drove and OH said that it had plenty enough acceleration for me. So no idea how the 118d drives as I haven't tried one yet....Just checked the brochure & the 130 is petrol...there a 123d though but it has insurance group 16 so I must rule it out. Do they burn oil then?

I will check legroom and boot room too. When I was stopping in traffic today I saw a small BMW coupe labelled up 118d. Is there a coupe version? It doesn't feature in the brochure but would almost certainly have a larger boot capacity.

Yes I notice the car magazines say also consider the Audi A3. Seems these cars are in the same price category which the Mazda 3 is not. I note what you say about more solid but the BMW gets top 5*category in Euro NCAP crash tests where the A3 gets 3*. My OH used to have an Audi A3, not sure which model. Will discuss it with him when he gets home.

No Catt, (tittering to oneself). oil burning is a phrase for diesels, (oil), as against petrol, (refined oil). I had to think about it the 1st time I heard it,;)

Incidentally I tried the 1 series diesel for my daughter only recently. Both it and the Audi A3 were excellant cars, I liked the BM better, but both had little rear seat and boot space. (And again incidentally, and not for recommendation, we ended up with a Renault Megane Scenic after the lastest VX Zafira was rejected as the better car but too expensive)

IWasWondering...

How about a Toyota Auris? (I know it's not on your shortlist).
It was the only medium sized (automatic) car I could find recently with low CO2 emissions, good fuel economy and low insurance group.
The model I was looking at was the 1.4 litre D-4D 90 5 M/M.
CO2 131 Band C so car tax £110, up to £115 2010.
MPG Urban 48.7, Combined 56.5, Extra Urban 62.8.
Insurance Group 4.

deltic_2

BMW 1-Series....

Not a very new or original design in my opinion. Poor standard spec.

Not very well built and not fantastic on reliability. Dealers questionable and expensive for repairs.

Being sold in high volumes, including daily rental companies. Is that the brand you want ?

Will have poor and worsening residuals due to the above volume selling.

The same will happen to Audi's models too.

My vote of the three...the Mazda 3

tomstickland

Personally I'd take the 1 series because it's rear wheel drive. But then again. I drive round in an 18 year old 3 series because I think it's wonderful.

Scuttsy

Out of the cars you are considering Mazda 3 I would consider best, but don't discount VW. Consider new Tiguain also similar cars such as Nissan Qashqai may be worth a look. Test drive as often a necessary you are looking to spend a lot of money so make sure the decision is the right one. If your local Mazda dealers are too pushy go to the next nearest surely it is worth the jourmey to make sure this expensive decsion is the right one.