Help on a new car

[Maximum]

Hi guys i currently have an f10 535d wile its a lovely car im finding it a bit too big for what i use it for i do around 10k miles a year mostly short drives and the occasional 30 miler twice a week And where i live its just hassle to park etc. my thoughts would be maybe go for a 335d f30 hoping it be a tad shorter and not so wide, or possibly going completely different an look at maybe an m140i, mk7.5 r or s3 i have only ever owned diesels and thought possibly a petrol may be a change for me. Just looking for some advice and help really thanks in advance for any feedback given 535d is Averaging 38 over 2 miles

[sherman]

I would say your not doing the mileage to make diesel worthwhile. Petrol or hybrid is probably better suited to your mileage just now. Electric if you have charging as well.

[samoht]

Yes, the 3 series is usefully smaller than the 5 series (especially in length), so should be easier to park, and the 1 series is a similar step smaller again.

If your 'long' drives are only 30 miles, and parking is an issue, I'd be tempted to get as small a car as possible. Fiesta ST perhaps - you don't drive far enough for a small car to become tiring IMHO. GR Yaris perhaps?

If you want premium then yes I think a 1 series, A-Class or A3 is a good bet, will be a lot easier to park.

[ninjag]

S1 is pretty smart looking, quick and easy to park. Not bad economy either for an AWD.

Low mileage manual version here http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022053063...

[Maximum]

Hi guys thanks for all the feedback its mainly my partner as its a bit big for her and she does use it occasionally does anyone have any feedback on an s3 ,m140i like running costs etc will be sad to see it go but just not practical for town driving also the car i would be looking at would need to be auto and 4 door. Thanks guys

[ninjag]

If doing a lot of town driving a DSG transmission will probably suffer more due to the clutches than compared to a regular torque convertor such as the ZF.

Having said that, the S3 in saloon guise is less common and I find it quite eye catching due to the nice proportions.

[Maximum]

From My house its about 3 mile straight dual carriageway and then into the town then and oh right i didnt no that about the gear boxes. The car only gets used on a Friday Saturday Sunday . Being off work last week i done 87 miles in a day but thats rare

Edited by Maximum on Tuesday 28th June 12:06

[ninjag]

Maximum said:

From My house its about 3 mile straight dual carriageway and then into the town then and oh right i didnt no that about the gear boxes. The car only gets used on a Friday Saturday Sunday . Being off work last week i done 87 miles in a day but thats rare

Edited by Maximum on Tuesday 28th June 12:06

I believe it's mainly if there's going to be a heavy amount of clutch control like constant creeping traffic, lots of hill starts etc. If it's just light/moderate use I'm sure a DSG will be fine. The 7-Speed needs fluid and external filter change every 40k miles, but it's easy and reasonably inexpensive. The ZF is more like 60/70k miles but is a little more involving and involves a new sump with integrated filter. Both are best using OEM fluids.

You can do the sump and internal filter/strainer on the DSG as well but it's not classed as a serviceable item. Personally, I would do it every 80k as a minimum though.

[Maximum]

Hi okay sounds good would you personally say i would be better of with say the s3 / m140i over another diesel like the 335d xdrive

[Maximum]

Hi okay sounds good would you personally say i would be better of with say the s3 / m140i over another diesel like the 335d xdrive

[ninjag]

I would definitely go petrol, hybrid or EV is feasible. My mileage is similar with a lot of short journeys (although I've started to cycle instead) and when I had a 3.0d diesel I was wasting time and money going on DPF clearing runs, excessive oil and filter changes to combat oil dilution etc. Got so fed up I traded it in for a comparable performance petrol and it's been motoring bliss in comparison and I can still get mid to high 30's on a longer run - if taking it easy.

[Maximum]

Just a decision now as to get a s3 2016-2017 or m140i now hahah

[sherman]

Maximum said:

Just a decision now as to get a s3 2016-2017 or m140i now hahah

BMW will be more familiar but you will have to go try each to see if you fit better in one or the other. Its not a decision that the internet can make now.

[catman]

My Son has an M140i with the ZF 8 speed automatic gearbox. It's an absolute peach of an engine/gearbox combination. Great performance, relaxed low rpm cruising and he even gets over 40 mpg on a long run.

[Llew]

One extremely underrated car I can thoroughly recommend is a 7.5 Golf GTE... Just make sure you get the Advance as it has all the toys, and try and find one with electric leather and the pan roof.

I had one from new and did 75k miles in it over 3 years. It was bloody fantastic and I should never have sold it.

They are really fun cars, not that much slower than an R in the real world and have tenious green credentials being a PHEV which may help with residuals, ULEZ etc.

[Disco You]

If you are interested in the S3 I’d certainly make sure to look at Golf R as well.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're set on those two then only a test drive will tell you which one you prefer.

[Maximum]

Thanks for all the input guys going to try test drive an s3, and m140i

[ninjag]

Maximum said:

Thanks for all the input guys going to try test drive an s3, and m140i

Congratulations on your new M140i lol