Looking to sell my 120d, but stuck in a decision loop
Discussion
Long-time lurker of this site and first time poster.
I'm stuck in a bit of a conundrum about what to do for my current car situation.
At the moment, I own a 65 plate BMW 120d M Sport with 52k miles. Had it for just under two years and put around 10k miles on it. It was originally bought to cover a 40 mile commute each day.
I moved jobs six months after purchasing the car and now barely use the thing. I live in London and commute by train 1/2 times a week, if that. So my first concern is, I don't really need a diesel anymore and probably doing more harm than good by just using it for short journeys around town.
And to be brutally honest, I absolutely hate the noise of it. Yes, it's probably not as brutal of a noise of diesels from yesteryear, but now the necessity for a diesel has gone, the noise seems to drive me insane. It's ULEZ compliant, so a small victory there, but another concern is that Euro 6 will get swallowed up soon enough, if TfL's fiscal deficit continues!
So, onto the other issue at hand.
It has £3.5k outstanding finance from the latest settlement quote. Given condition and everything else, I'm looking at around £12/£12.5k for a trade-in value. So my net return will be between £8.5k and £9k.
I don't want to take out finance again for a car. We're in the process of saving for a mortgage and every pound counts. My thinking is there's plenty of useable cars out there in that price range, that will befit my needs. I'm happy to spend an additional 1k, so taking my max price limit for a car between £9.5k and £10k. And my basic needs are;
- Petrol. I no longer have a desire for excellent MPG and be viewed as a poisonous villain of London.
- With that, something that is ULEZ compliant.
- 5 doors/5 seats. We have a small person who's six years of age.
- Something that will put a reasonable smile on my face. I'm coming from a sub 8 second RWD car, with lots of right-foot-happy-torque.
So my list so far has shortened to;
2013-2015 Focus ST-2/ST-3 (60-80k miles)
2013-2015 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 MA (50-60k miles)
2013-2015 Mini Cooper S (60-80k miles)
They all seem like they would befit my needs, but obviously the main concern here is the mileage and things to look out for.
Or failing that, is there a car that I've overlooked?!
I'm stuck in a bit of a conundrum about what to do for my current car situation.
At the moment, I own a 65 plate BMW 120d M Sport with 52k miles. Had it for just under two years and put around 10k miles on it. It was originally bought to cover a 40 mile commute each day.
I moved jobs six months after purchasing the car and now barely use the thing. I live in London and commute by train 1/2 times a week, if that. So my first concern is, I don't really need a diesel anymore and probably doing more harm than good by just using it for short journeys around town.
And to be brutally honest, I absolutely hate the noise of it. Yes, it's probably not as brutal of a noise of diesels from yesteryear, but now the necessity for a diesel has gone, the noise seems to drive me insane. It's ULEZ compliant, so a small victory there, but another concern is that Euro 6 will get swallowed up soon enough, if TfL's fiscal deficit continues!
So, onto the other issue at hand.
It has £3.5k outstanding finance from the latest settlement quote. Given condition and everything else, I'm looking at around £12/£12.5k for a trade-in value. So my net return will be between £8.5k and £9k.
I don't want to take out finance again for a car. We're in the process of saving for a mortgage and every pound counts. My thinking is there's plenty of useable cars out there in that price range, that will befit my needs. I'm happy to spend an additional 1k, so taking my max price limit for a car between £9.5k and £10k. And my basic needs are;
- Petrol. I no longer have a desire for excellent MPG and be viewed as a poisonous villain of London.
- With that, something that is ULEZ compliant.
- 5 doors/5 seats. We have a small person who's six years of age.
- Something that will put a reasonable smile on my face. I'm coming from a sub 8 second RWD car, with lots of right-foot-happy-torque.
So my list so far has shortened to;
2013-2015 Focus ST-2/ST-3 (60-80k miles)
2013-2015 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 MA (50-60k miles)
2013-2015 Mini Cooper S (60-80k miles)
They all seem like they would befit my needs, but obviously the main concern here is the mileage and things to look out for.
Or failing that, is there a car that I've overlooked?!
Edited by McLarenLad on Monday 15th May 10:09
I had an M135i and went to a MK7 ST, never once regretted it.
They are a bit jiggly at low speed compared to a one series, as standard it should be a little quicker but wont be night and day, plenty of stuff you can do to them though like I have. Can get 45/50 to the gallon on a run, reckon on early thirties average.
Dont know much about the Alfa
The Minis are pretty good fun I believe but they did have some engine/turbo issues around that period.
They are a bit jiggly at low speed compared to a one series, as standard it should be a little quicker but wont be night and day, plenty of stuff you can do to them though like I have. Can get 45/50 to the gallon on a run, reckon on early thirties average.
Dont know much about the Alfa
The Minis are pretty good fun I believe but they did have some engine/turbo issues around that period.
Funnily enough, I went from a 120d (mine was 2007) to a 2014 Focus ST-3. Focus has a nice engine, more interior space, makes a reasonable noise, and performs pretty well, albeit a bit scrabbly at times putting the power down. Interior felt a step down from the 1-series and you sit higher up, but the Recaro seats are great and it has more toys as standard.
I ended up keeping it for a year before chopping it in for a new M140i.
Chris
I ended up keeping it for a year before chopping it in for a new M140i.
Chris
J4CKO said:
I had an M135i and went to a MK7 ST, never once regretted it.
They are a bit jiggly at low speed compared to a one series, as standard it should be a little quicker but wont be night and day, plenty of stuff you can do to them though like I have. Can get 45/50 to the gallon on a run, reckon on early thirties average.
Dont know much about the Alfa
The Minis are pretty good fun I believe but they did have some engine/turbo issues around that period.
Wow! Seems like the first person I've read about that actually switched the other way!They are a bit jiggly at low speed compared to a one series, as standard it should be a little quicker but wont be night and day, plenty of stuff you can do to them though like I have. Can get 45/50 to the gallon on a run, reckon on early thirties average.
Dont know much about the Alfa
The Minis are pretty good fun I believe but they did have some engine/turbo issues around that period.
What made you make the change from a rather desirable M135i (which would be the perfect blend for me!)?
McLarenLad said:
So my first concern is, I don't really need a diesel anymore and probably doing more harm than good by just using it for short journeys around town.
McLarenLad also said:
We're in the process of saving for a mortgage and every pound counts.
Hang on to your 120d, enjoy the low running costs, and don't worry excessively about using it for short journeys.ScoobyChris said:
Funnily enough, I went from a 120d (mine was 2007) to a 2014 Focus ST-3. Focus has a nice engine, more interior space, makes a reasonable noise, and performs pretty well, albeit a bit scrabbly at times putting the power down. Interior felt a step down from the 1-series and you sit higher up, but the Recaro seats are great and it has more toys as standard.
I ended up keeping it for a year before chopping it in for a new M140i.
Chris
I think my sciatica might thank me for a higher driving position I ended up keeping it for a year before chopping it in for a new M140i.
Chris
I find the interior a bit basic on a 1-series. I mean it's nice and well put together, but I'm more about the smiles a car will put on my face.
I recently upgraded my iDrive head unit to a 10.25" Android screen, so I'm hoping something similar can be achieved with an ST to give it a bit more user-friendliness. Albeit battery drain might be my only worry!
I was looking at similar cars at one point, albeit estate versions. It ended up between the Focus like you've mentioned, and Leon FR, so I'll post one here in case you haven't considered them 
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304286...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304286...
CrippsCorner said:
I was looking at similar cars at one point, albeit estate versions. It ended up between the Focus like you've mentioned, and Leon FR, so I'll post one here in case you haven't considered them
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304286...
Great. Now you've made my decision choices even harder! https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304286...
Hadn't even considered the Leon FR, but looks like a well-put together car.
McLarenLad said:
Long-time lurker of this site and first time poster.
I'm stuck in a bit of a conundrum about what to do for my current car situation.
At the moment, I own a 65 plate BMW 120d M Sport with 52k miles. Had it for just under two years and put around 10k miles on it. It was originally bought to cover a 40 mile commute each day.
I moved jobs six months after purchasing the car and now barely use the thing. I live in London and commute by train 1/2 times a week, if that. So my first concern is, I don't really need a diesel anymore and probably doing more harm than good by just using it for short journeys around town.
And to be brutally honest, I absolutely hate the noise of it. Yes, it's probably not as brutal of a noise of diesels from yesteryear, but now the necessity for a diesel has gone, the noise seems to drive me insane. It's ULEZ compliant, so a small victory there, but another concern is that Euro 6 will get swallowed up soon enough, if TfL's fiscal deficit continues!
So, onto the other issue at hand.
It has £3.5k outstanding finance from the latest settlement quote. Given condition and everything else, I'm looking at around £12/£12.5k for a trade-in value. So my net return will be between £8.5k and £9k.
I don't want to take out finance again for a car. We're in the process of saving for a mortgage and every pound counts. My thinking is there's plenty of useable cars out there in that price range, that will befit my needs. I'm happy to spend an additional 1k, so taking my max price limit for a car between £9.5k and £10k. And my basic needs are;
- Petrol. I no longer have a desire for excellent MPG and be viewed as a poisonous villain of London.
- With that, something that is ULEZ compliant.
- 5 doors/5 seats. We have a small person who's six years of age.
- Something that will put a reasonable smile on my face. I'm coming from a sub 8 second RWD car, with lots of right-foot-happy-torque.
So my list so far has shortened to;
2013-2015 Focus ST-2/ST-3 (60-80k miles)
2013-2015 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 MA (50-60k miles)
2013-2015 Mini Cooper S (60-80k miles)
They all seem like they would befit my needs, but obviously the main concern here is the mileage and things to look out for.
Or failing that, is there a car that I've overlooked?!
The ST-3 would be the pick from your list it's a very capable car:I'm stuck in a bit of a conundrum about what to do for my current car situation.
At the moment, I own a 65 plate BMW 120d M Sport with 52k miles. Had it for just under two years and put around 10k miles on it. It was originally bought to cover a 40 mile commute each day.
I moved jobs six months after purchasing the car and now barely use the thing. I live in London and commute by train 1/2 times a week, if that. So my first concern is, I don't really need a diesel anymore and probably doing more harm than good by just using it for short journeys around town.
And to be brutally honest, I absolutely hate the noise of it. Yes, it's probably not as brutal of a noise of diesels from yesteryear, but now the necessity for a diesel has gone, the noise seems to drive me insane. It's ULEZ compliant, so a small victory there, but another concern is that Euro 6 will get swallowed up soon enough, if TfL's fiscal deficit continues!
So, onto the other issue at hand.
It has £3.5k outstanding finance from the latest settlement quote. Given condition and everything else, I'm looking at around £12/£12.5k for a trade-in value. So my net return will be between £8.5k and £9k.
I don't want to take out finance again for a car. We're in the process of saving for a mortgage and every pound counts. My thinking is there's plenty of useable cars out there in that price range, that will befit my needs. I'm happy to spend an additional 1k, so taking my max price limit for a car between £9.5k and £10k. And my basic needs are;
- Petrol. I no longer have a desire for excellent MPG and be viewed as a poisonous villain of London.
- With that, something that is ULEZ compliant.
- 5 doors/5 seats. We have a small person who's six years of age.
- Something that will put a reasonable smile on my face. I'm coming from a sub 8 second RWD car, with lots of right-foot-happy-torque.
So my list so far has shortened to;
2013-2015 Focus ST-2/ST-3 (60-80k miles)
2013-2015 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 MA (50-60k miles)
2013-2015 Mini Cooper S (60-80k miles)
They all seem like they would befit my needs, but obviously the main concern here is the mileage and things to look out for.
Or failing that, is there a car that I've overlooked?!
Edited by McLarenLad on Monday 15th May 10:09
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304176...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209169...
Estate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304306...
The Alfa is a good option but I'd go for the 1.8tbi Cloverleaf:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305077...
ZX10R NIN said:
The Alfa is a good option but I'd go for the 1.8tbi Cloverleaf:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
Totally agree, it’s not perfect but the TBi is a very likeable car.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
According to the ad for the first one “there is no better way to get a sense of Italy than to drive a Cloverleaf edition “ so it’s like a free holiday too - win win!
The interior of the facelift is significantly better, with either Sync 2 or Sync 3 infotainment. Sync 2 cars can be retrofitted with Sync3 which gets you CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s not impossible to retrofit Sync 3 to a pre-facelift, just much harder and more ££ (and the interior is still worse).
Facelift benefited from some minor suspension tweaks that sorted some handling complaints, but I'm not too sure what these are and if it made too much difference. That and far better interior in the facelift.
Me personally, I'm not a fan of the PFL at all and would only consider a FL in mk3 trim.
Me personally, I'm not a fan of the PFL at all and would only consider a FL in mk3 trim.
LightningBlue said:
The Focus ST is great value, but only pre facelift in my view (but that means a horrible interior). When you start looking at facelift versions from 2015 with lowish mileages a Civic Type R isn’t far off
A facelift ST-3 will blow the OP's budget. Very little change from £14K.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff