Daily driver - 140i, GTI or S3?

[VISE]

Budget can go up to £22k for the 140i but trying to be a bit more sensible as I've just purchased what I'd consider an 'expensive' car.

Have a baby due in the new year, I do around 8-10k miles PA.

Been offered a PP GTI 14 plate with 50k miles, every extra bar pan roof for £15k.

140i's sub 30k miles are roughly £22/23k.

S3's are 14/15 plates with 40k miles for roughly £17k.

What would you do in my position, mainly A roads on my route to work, the occasional country road etc. I'll be using it for airport runs too etc, picking up family so 5 door is a must.

I've had a 140i previously and loved it, but part of me doesn't want to put the miles on that sort of car so in my head I'm telling myself the GTI will be the most cost effective and fun car I can get out of the options I actually like.

[Jamescrs]

A GTI will be a very decent car and I imagine better in running costs than a 140i or an S3. I own a 240i myself so.i know what the costs are like.

Do you have access to another car as well because I think the issue is with all the cars you list they will struggle yo accommodate a baby seat In the rear (rearward facing) with a front passenger also in the car, its surprising how much room a baby needs for chairs push chairs etc

[LunarOne]

I'd rule out any cars with less than 6 cylinders and without RWD. What's left?

[VISE]

Jamescrs said:

A GTI will be a very decent car and I imagine better in running costs than a 140i or an S3. I own a 240i myself so.i know what the costs are like.

Do you have access to another car as well because I think the issue is with all the cars you list they will struggle yo accommodate a baby seat In the rear (rearward facing) with a front passenger also in the car, its surprising how much room a baby needs for chairs push chairs etc

We also have a Q5, which is the car we'll probably use most of the time but the GTI will be used here and there for the baby. But mostly the Q5, it's just a backup but I can't rely on my 3 door car currently as it's nowhere near big enough.

[ZX10R NIN]

VISE said:

Budget can go up to £22k for the 140i but trying to be a bit more sensible as I've just purchased what I'd consider an 'expensive' car.

Have a baby due in the new year, I do around 8-10k miles PA.

Been offered a PP GTI 14 plate with 50k miles, every extra bar pan roof for £15k.

140i's sub 30k miles are roughly £22/23k.

S3's are 14/15 plates with 40k miles for roughly £17k.

What would you do in my position, mainly A roads on my route to work, the occasional country road etc. I'll be using it for airport runs too etc, picking up family so 5 door is a must.

I've had a 140i previously and loved it, but part of me doesn't want to put the miles on that sort of car so in my head I'm telling myself the GTI will be the most cost effective and fun car I can get out of the options I actually like.

I'm going to offer a couple of leftfied options that are both very good options.

PS 308 GTI great cars a bit underrated but you can get a good one for 5-7k less then the 140i you're looking at:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209089...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209039...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205125...

Infiniti Q30 Sport in Touch these are the previous gen A250 AMG Engineered but with a nicer interior & a years warranty:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208108...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209179...

Out of your 3 it would be the S3.

[FWIW]

LunarOne said:

I'd rule out any cars with less than 6 cylinders and without RWD. What's left?

This.
M140i is an easy choice.

[FWIW]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'm going to offer a couple of leftfied options that are both very good options.

PS 308 GTI great cars a bit underrated but you can get a good one for 5-7k less then the 140i you're looking at:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209089...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209039...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205125...

Infiniti Q30 Sport in Touch these are the previous gen A250 AMG Engineered but with a nicer interior & a years warranty:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208108...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209179...

Out of your 3 it would be the S3.

I love that ZX10’s proposals make you think about your choice. They usually include an infinity, and they’re usually wrong.

Pug 308 vs 140i…? Seriously? :lol:

[ZX10R NIN]

FWIW said:

I love that ZX10’s proposals make you think about your choice. They usually include an infiniti, and they’re usually wrong.

Pug 308 vs 140i…? Seriously? :lol:

Nope you got it wrong look at the price point, the OP is trying to not spend 22k, so I'm giving him options vs the S3/GTI & at that point the 308 is well worthy of consideration.

Anyway isn't that the point of a leftfield option

[ZX10R NIN]

Talking of which if I was spending 22k for something a bit special, then the Ghibli in standard:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209159...

Or S spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209159...

Or the XE S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207288...

[LunarOne]

ZX10R NIN said:

Talking of which if I was spending 22k for something a bit special, then the Ghibli in standard:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209159...

Or S spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209159...

Or the XE S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207288...

Now we’re talking. But first two link to the same car.

[ZX10R NIN]

LunarOne said:

Now we’re talking. But first two link to the same car.

S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206307...

[FWIW]

ZX10R NIN said:

Nope you got it wrong look at the price point, the OP is trying to not spend 22k, so I'm giving him options vs the S3/GTI & at that point the 308 is well worthy of consideration.

Anyway isn't that the point of a leftfield option

C’mon…work the man maths!

[FWIW]

ZX10R NIN said:

Talking of which if I was spending 22k for something a bit special, then the Ghibli in standard:

Oh…M140i or a Maserati…you make a convincing argument!

[Hackney]

VISE said:

Budget can go up to £22k for the 140i but trying to be a bit more sensible as I've just purchased what I'd consider an 'expensive' car.

Have a baby due in the new year, I do around 8-10k miles PA.

Been offered a PP GTI 14 plate with 50k miles, every extra bar pan roof for £15k.

140i's sub 30k miles are roughly £22/23k.

S3's are 14/15 plates with 40k miles for roughly £17k.

What would you do in my position, mainly A roads on my route to work, the occasional country road etc. I'll be using it for airport runs too etc, picking up family so 5 door is a must.

I've had a 140i previously and loved it, but part of me doesn't want to put the miles on that sort of car so in my head I'm telling myself the GTI will be the most cost effective and fun car I can get out of the options I actually like.

I see you've had a 140i so I'm probably not telling you anything you don't already know: I had a 135i and for baby duties there were a few issues for me (one of which you wouldn't have, as "5 door is a must"
- space in the rear - we had a rear facing seat with isofix base and it couldn't go behind me, it had to go behind the passenger seat
- as you know the rear of a 135/140 is...cosy and quite dark
- boot space - we weren't ones for going over-board with the systems and stuff, but that boot ain't massive, especially when you had even a very compact buggy in there

I've had a Golf, albeit an estate, and I'd say that was much more practical in terms of rear space etc.

[Silvanus]

How about this, ticks a lot of boxes, and way under budget.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022090694...

[CG2020UK]

I’d go the GTI.

Cheaper to run, more practical, nicer interior, looks better and quicker down a nice B road.

It’s the perfect daily driver.

[Belle427]

I’d probably edge toward the S3 but the Gti is really all you need in reality.
Both great everyday cars.

[martin mrt]

Having had a 140i for a year between 2018-19 and returning it to the lease co I then had a Mk6 GTI after it.

The Golf is far better than the 140i as far as rear legroom (baby seat) space is concerned the same again goes for the boot, I found the 140 very tight in both these areas even though it’s being used as a back up car to the Q5 it’s worth noting.

If it were my money I’d likely buy another Golf, the 140 was a hoot in the year I had it but it never left me wanting more, nor was I particularly fond of it. The Golf I just preferred, it wasn’t anywhere near as fast, but i felt it was an easier car to live with on a day to day basis

If you’re looking at S3s perhaps consider a Golf R?

[worldwidewebs]

If you're looking at Golfs, can I suggest the Mk7 Clubsport Edition 40? Aside from the fact it's practical and fun to drive, you'll likely lose less money on it than the others

[Pistonheader101]

M140i for sure. It has reasonably low running costs too