What to get? Focus RS Mk1 Vs BMW 130i Vs BMW 123d??

[10speeduk]

Hi all, I have decided that I am bored of my company cars and want to opt out this Nov. Like all of you guys here, I rate fun over feeling like I am sedated at the wheel!

I don't want to spend more than £14k on a 2nd hander
I do about 150 miles per day
I have a baby so need rear seats.

I have always loved the Focus RS MK1 and remember sitting in it at the motor show and promising myself that one day I will buy myself one! I had my Fiesta Zetec-S (oversteer anyone!?) at the time and thought the FRS MK1 was the nuts. Many year later, I still love the look, and the idea of something unique and, almost timeless, appeals not to mention the speed. As for the FRS interior, lets just say some things don't improve with age!

I took my 520d in for a service yesterday and was given a complimentary 116i M Sport. I thought it was going to be rubbish, but how wrong I was! It was a complete hoot, the handling was a revelation compared to anything I had driven for years I figured out how to turn off the traction control and went to a deserted roundabout to make use of the complementary tyres (ha ha). Great fun, but only managed to get 24 mpg!

So I would consider a 130i or maybe even a 123d coupe? If anyone has any experience with these cars please speak up, or if you think I have missed an obvious choice, I am all ears...

Thanks

Paul

[RobCrezz]

Why not look at an E36 M3 evo?

[Pulse]

I didn't like the 1-series coupe I had as a loan when my Z4 Coupe went in... But I suppose coming from a Z4, you probably wouldn't.

Out of the bunch though, I'd go for one of the BMWs. In fact, I'd be (oddly) more tempted to go for the 123d. Although I didn't like the 1-series coupe I had, the steering feel was good, and the 120d I was driving was quick enough!

[jamiebae]

RobCrezz said:

Why not look at an E36 M3 evo?

To do 150 miles a day - 750 a week - 3000 a month - 36,000 a year.

I don't think so!

You need to seriously look at the numbers and make sure they stack up before opting out, you only get 40p a mile for about 10k, then it drops to the standard fuel rate of 11-18p per mile depending on engine size and you'll be doing 2 services, 4 (maybe 6) tyres and a set of pads every year before any unplanned stuff.

[dibbly_dobbler]

I recently upgraded from a 130i to a 330i (needed a bit more space) and the 130 was a gem. The combination of power and performance (with a surprising degree of economy thrown in) is hard to beat. The usual criticisms of lack of rear space and the 'challenging' looks are largely a matter of opinion rather than fact.

Go for it, you wont be sorry. (I sold my old one for £10k btw!)

PS - the run flats doth suck greatly though.

[i remember]

MK1 RS , people will like you

[Cliff J]

Focus RS, the car I have my heart set on owning one day I don't even really know why, possibly because my old company car, a 1.9L Focus diesel, was such a cracking car

[jp1982]

The focus RS is a real gem and if you wasn't doing the mileage thats where my vote would go. The 1 series would be the choice with those sorts of mileages. Lovely car with good build quality. I had a 118d m sport as a hire car in germany and loved it, until the clutch caught fire

[Krakatoa]

Sounds like a 123d is ideal.

[pilchardthecat]

Krakatoa said:

Sounds like a 123d is ideal.

i doubt you'd get a 123d coupe for 14k though

[vz-r_dave]

pilchardthecat said:

Krakatoa said:

Sounds like a 123d is ideal.

i doubt you'd get a 123d coupe for 14k though

And its dog ugly and has no spirit what so ever. The other two mentioned for me. Either would do over the rep mobile 123d

[mat205125]

For 150 miles per day you want a fully maintained company car.

Edited by mat205125 on Sunday 9th August 12:48

[pilchardthecat]

vz-r_dave said:

pilchardthecat said:

Krakatoa said:

Sounds like a 123d is ideal.

i doubt you'd get a 123d coupe for 14k though

And its dog ugly and has no spirit what so ever. The other two mentioned for me. Either would do over the rep mobile 123d

I obviously disagree with that since i have one.

How many "reps" do you know that drive 1 series coupes?

Being a diesel it is of course a compromise, but blue-finned to 255bhp it's fast, frugal and it's lighter up front than the 6 pot petrol 1-ers, so you get less understeer, and it's better balanced. And of course it's RWD.

Looks are subjective, so no point arguing about that

[Krakatoa]

pilchardthecat said:

vz-r_dave said:

pilchardthecat said:

Krakatoa said:

Sounds like a 123d is ideal.

i doubt you'd get a 123d coupe for 14k though

And its dog ugly and has no spirit what so ever. The other two mentioned for me. Either would do over the rep mobile 123d

I obviously disagree with that since i have one.

How many "reps" do you know that drive 1 series coupes?

Being a diesel it is of course a compromise, but blue-finned to 255bhp it's fast, frugal and it's lighter up front than the 6 pot petrol 1-ers, so you get less understeer, and it's better balanced. And of course it's RWD.

Looks are subjective, so no point arguing about that

EXACTLY what I think

[Beefmeister]

Well i was about to say you can't get a 123d for £14k, but...

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...

Get this - definitely the best option for you...

[vz-r_dave]

pilchardthecat said:

vz-r_dave said:

pilchardthecat said:

Krakatoa said:

Sounds like a 123d is ideal.

i doubt you'd get a 123d coupe for 14k though

And its dog ugly and has no spirit what so ever. The other two mentioned for me. Either would do over the rep mobile 123d

I obviously disagree with that since i have one.

How many "reps" do you know that drive 1 series coupes?

Being a diesel it is of course a compromise, but blue-finned to 255bhp it's fast, frugal and it's lighter up front than the 6 pot petrol 1-ers, so you get less understeer, and it's better balanced. And of course it's RWD.

Looks are subjective, so no point arguing about that

For me it boils down to the fact that blue-finned or not it still revs to nothing and sounds like a tractor compared to its petrol counterpart. Ofcourse if I was driving alot of miles as I will be doing shortly its the best option but then I'd go for a 3 series of some sort.

For me speed isnt everything, i'd rather have an engine with some character, even if a chipped oil burner is the quicker option (most of the time it is).

[martin vr6]

As mentioned before the looks of the 1 series is very subjective moreso the hatchbeck than the coupe, i for one very nearly bought a hatchback 123d but really really wanted a coupe as i think they are a fantastic looking car

Personally from the 3 choices i believe there is only 2 really available to you, the 130i or the Focus, based on Price alone as i think you will struggle to get a 123d of any kind for sub £14k

Of those two my money would be going for the 130i, besed purely on the fact that i feel the mk1 Focus RS is hugely overpriced for what it is.

[mat205125]

36000 miles per year will ruin a Focus RS.

I'm a bit of an RS fan, and like to see these cars maintained and preserved. I also like BMWs, however they are much more a disposable means to a performance end.

[pilchardthecat]

Beefmeister said:

Well i was about to say you can't get a 123d for £14k, but...

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...

Get this - definitely the best option for you...

it's CAT D though

[nonuts]

130i if you can afford the petrol, brilliant cars.