Choices, choices
Discussion
Hope this is the right place to post.
I'm looking to change up my current car (Seat Ibiza FR Sport.....sport by name, not nature), and been toying with 2 options. Limited to under £20k and ideally 50k milage tops. I'm torn between a 2016 F30 BMW 330d saloon, or a similar age LCi 135i/140i 5dr. I know the boots aren't as big as rival cars but the inner child in me says the 135/140 because of the sound (yes I like bubbles and pops, without the chavvy maps people put on fiestas), but also the grown up in me says 330d because of the smoothness of the 6cyl diesel, mixed with power, space and more practicality. Not sure why its so hard to choose at the age of 21 (+19 years experience), but hoping my fellow PH readers can help me choose.
I'm looking to change up my current car (Seat Ibiza FR Sport.....sport by name, not nature), and been toying with 2 options. Limited to under £20k and ideally 50k milage tops. I'm torn between a 2016 F30 BMW 330d saloon, or a similar age LCi 135i/140i 5dr. I know the boots aren't as big as rival cars but the inner child in me says the 135/140 because of the sound (yes I like bubbles and pops, without the chavvy maps people put on fiestas), but also the grown up in me says 330d because of the smoothness of the 6cyl diesel, mixed with power, space and more practicality. Not sure why its so hard to choose at the age of 21 (+19 years experience), but hoping my fellow PH readers can help me choose.
ScoobyChris said:
When I was 21 (with 19 years experience), I bought myself a 5-door M140i. 6-years later, it still makes me grin when I drive it and I can't really think of anything for similar cost (and similar running costs!) I'd replace it with...
Chris
My thoughts exactly. Got a 12 year old child atm so biggest aren't needed, but another sprog maybe on the way next year or so, that's the only concern.....boot spaceChris
samoht said:
The only benefit of going diesel I can see is fuel economy.
How many miles a year do you do? It seems to me that would determine whether it's worth having a diesel.
So my work commute is 8 miles each way, with 3 of those being on a dual carriageway. But once a month I do a 200 mile round trip to see my daughter. And occasionally we'd do day trips (me and the wife) so not a massive milage per year, but in work our workshops allow diesel vehicles in so can get cheap work done (work around aviation fuel so no petrol cars allowed in workshops)How many miles a year do you do? It seems to me that would determine whether it's worth having a diesel.
Banksy83 said:
So my work commute is 8 miles each way, with 3 of those being on a dual carriageway. But once a month I do a 200 mile round trip to see my daughter. And occasionally we'd do day trips (me and the wife) so not a massive milage per year, but in work our workshops allow diesel vehicles in so can get cheap work done (work around aviation fuel so no petrol cars allowed in workshops)
Say 8k miles a year, at 30mpg that costs £1900, at 43mpg it's £1350 (using RealMPG numbers), so maybe £550 a year difference.Against that the petrol engine sounds better, revs more freely, weighs less, and is less at risk of extra taxes over pollution.
I would definitely get a petrol engine for that mileage if I were you, main question is whether to get a 1-series or a slightly older 3-series I think.
Banksy83 said:
My thoughts exactly. Got a 12 year old child atm so biggest aren't needed, but another sprog maybe on the way next year or so, that's the only concern.....boot space
Youngest was <18 months when we got it and eldest was 12. Guess it depends what you plan to carry around, but I don’t recall us having any issues with space.Chris
ScoobyChris said:
Banksy83 said:
My thoughts exactly. Got a 12 year old child atm so biggest aren't needed, but another sprog maybe on the way next year or so, that's the only concern.....boot space
Youngest was <18 months when we got it and eldest was 12. Guess it depends what you plan to carry around, but I don’t recall us having any issues with space.Chris
Yeah I mean my 12 year old lives woth her mum anyway so she wouldn't be in the car all the time, plus Mrs has her own car as well (polo) so think I'm overthinking the space issue
If considering a 140i I'd also recommend test driving an i30N. I found the 140 to be a little dull to drive and having had a few BMWs with that generation of interior I just couldn't love it, the i30N was brilliant fun, the warranty included track usage (even if not used for a track it's nice to see Hyundai's confidence in the car), they're a relatively rare sight and they've got a lovely little soundtrack for a 2l engine. I also managed to just about touch 40mpg on longer drives.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304136...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304136...
CrippsCorner said:
I do really like those i30N. On the one linked though, non-matching tyres! How can they do it to a car like that... ridiculous, instantly puts me off.
Good spot, 3 different tyres... I'd understand a difference between front/rear if it was a logical difference but this looks like someone needed new rubber before selling and dived through the part-worn bin!Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff