Bmw 1 series

cat81

Looking to buy a bmw 1 series. Any own one. What are they like to drive. Is it a good choice

ironclaw

Depends what you are after, the 1-Series starts at the standard 'Golf' alternatives and goes right up the performance arena of 123d / 130i / 1M. All are a very different drive.

I've heard mixed reviews of the early models as regards reliability but I know plenty of people with 05 / 08 models and they seem very happy with them. Driving wise, it entirely comes down to what you are after.

cat81

/it is 116d sports 2015

colm_mcm

Same engine as the diesel mini as far as I know.
Haven't driven the new one, but I found the older model pleasant enough but quite small. The newer one isn't much of a looker IMO.
That said, I'd have one over an A3.
If you're into driving dynamics then it's unique in that it's RWD. Otherwise there are probably better ways to spend the money.

cat81

colm_mcm wrote: »

Same engine as the diesel mini as far as I know.
Haven't driven the new one, but I found the older model pleasant enough but quite small. The newer one isn't much of a looker IMO.
That said, I'd have one over an A3.
If you're into driving dynamics then it's unique in that it's RWD. Otherwise there are probably better ways to spend the money.

When it comes to cars I don't really have a clue. I just liked the look of it. It's costing are 24 grand. I like hatchback cars and just looking for a good decent car

Atlantic Dawn

You should assess first whether a diesel is for you, if your just doing tiny mileage around town it's not.

bazz26

Ugly as feck imo and most sold here are pretty poorly speced. There is better value out there for 24k in that size car imo.

heroics

My wife has a 116d 151 and loves it. I drive it a bit and it's a nice car to drive. She tested the A3 as well and preferred the Bmw.

One thing I would say is that she had a manual 141 before getting the auto last year and the auto is a much nicer car to drive.

colm_mcm

when you say "good decent car" it could mean a lot of things

the 1 series will be:
economical on fuel
has the right badge
nice to drive

I don't think it will be especially cheap to keep on the road though. BMW maintanance is expensive, tyres will be expensive, they're not especially comfortable or spacious. as far as I can tell 1 series don't hold their value especially well in Ireland.
as long as you know that and accept that premium cars need premium maintanance, that the extra money you spend doesn't get you extra dependability or cheaper ownership costs then you'll be grand.

I'm not saying they're bad or anything. just some people think that ettig a premium brand gets them something that will outlast cheaper mainstream cars.

I you love the car, none of the above matters much.

cat81

colm_mcm wrote: »

when you say "good decent car" it could mean a lot of things

the 1 series will be:
economical on fuel
has the right badge
nice to drive

I don't think it will be especially cheap to keep on the road though. BMW maintanance is expensive, tyres will be expensive, they're not especially comfortable or spacious. as far as I can tell 1 series don't hold their value especially well in Ireland.
as long as you know that and accept that premium cars need premium maintanance, that the extra money you spend doesn't get you extra dependability or cheaper ownership costs then you'll be grand.

I'm not saying they're bad or anything. just some people think that ettig a premium brand gets them something that will outlast cheaper mainstream cars.

I you love the car, none of the above matters much.

Thank you. So if you had 26000 to spend what would you get

Veloce

I own a 118d M-sport - it's a fun little car to drive and handles surprisingly well. Agreed with colm - not particularly spacious but if you don't need a big car then it's perfect. Servicing will be more expensive as stated above. Runflats are a pain in the a$$ imo. But I much prefer the 1 series to a Golf/A3.

cat81

heroics wrote: »

My wife has a 116d 151 and loves it. I drive it a bit and it's a nice car to drive. She tested the A3 as well and preferred the Bmw.

One thing I would say is that she had a manual 141 before getting the auto last year and the auto is a much nicer car to drive.

Is it diesel. Do you do much driving. I would do very low milage but was still going to get a diesel

heroics

Agree with Colm_mcm about servicing. It can be expensive if you are paying for it, but check does it have the maintenance/service pack on it. most of them have the basic 3 year service pack on them from what we could see when we were looking at them.

We have had 2 of them and only had one issue with a slight exhaust rattle. This was fixed under warranty with no problems.

While some people don't like the look of them I think they look good. They also drive well and I wouldn't describe them as sluggish. Not going to set the world alight with speed but just as quick if not quicker than the equivalent models from Audi/VW/Opel etc

Veloce

cat81 wrote: »

Is it diesel. Do you do much driving. I would do very low milage but was still going to get a diesel

I don't do a lot of mileage in my 118d - I think I fill the tank on average once a month! I should have went for a petrol based on the mileage but I quite liked the condition of the one I ended up buying.

ironclaw

cat81 wrote: »

Thank you. So if you had 26000 to spend what would you get

Audi RS4.

Seriously though, you don't have to spend all of it. You could pick up an old school S Class Merc for €5k and spend the rest on tax and fuel. Twice the comfort and grunt of anything you can buy new for €26k. If you are not picky about cars, and don't care about the year on the front, that's what I'd be doing. €26k after depreciation is a serious amount of cash to spend on something that really doesn't interest or satisfy you all that much.

The price doesn't matter if its the car you want and the car you love. It should be comfortable for you, as you are the one that is driving it. I'm always asked 'What car should I get?' and the answer is always the same 'What car do you want?' I personally hate the last gen Audi S3 even though on paper I should love it (300BHP stock, 4 wheel drive) as the drive position doesn't suit me. Conversely, I love the 123d even though its more expensive and much lower performance.

colm_mcm

cat81 wrote: »

Thank you. So if you had 26000 to spend what would you get

My criteria would probably be different to yours!
The best thing you could do is test drive as many cars as you can. Include some new cars in this. €25k gets you an amazing choice of nearly new or new cars.

Spipov

we have an 05 116i. its serving us well, and actually going up for sale in the next week as we got a SUV for the baby (the 1 series is small...).

not really missed a beat in 2 years of ownership. i think the only thing was the passenger airbag sensor. servicing is dear, but i cant compare as i used to get a 5 and then a 3 series serviced, so this was cheaper.

economy wise its pulling 9l/100km short driving.

Idbatterim

not a chance I would be buying a 1 series personally and 26k for something that looks like that! because it has a bmw badge on it?! Id be getting a fewer year old, far higher class of car personally, e class or 5 series etc

what car are you currently driving op, is there a particular reason you are interested in the 1 series?

cat81

Idbatterim wrote: »

not a chance I would be buying a 1 series personally and 26k for something that looks like that! because it has a bmw badge on it?! Id be getting a fewer year old, far higher class of car personally, e class or 5 series etc

what car are you currently driving op, is there a particular reason you are interested in the 1 series?

Madza3 and I'd be happy to get one again in a newer model. What do you think of them

Nonoperational

I like the Mazda 3

bazz26

If you want to stay with premium brands then what about the Mercedes A Class? Way prettier than the 1 Series and a bit more exclusive than an A3.

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/180-CDI/200814626111856070/
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/160-CDI/200814527880508470/
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/160-CDI/200814604741873580/

A Seat Leon FR or Ford Focus Zetec-S is worth a loon at? More bang for your bucks than the 1 Series and a fair bit more poke too.

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/SEAT/Leon/FR-2.0TDI/201214619180905750/
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/SEAT/Leon/5DR-2.0/201214532246233800/

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Ford/Focus/ZETEC-S/201214598667937920/

cat81

What do you think about diesel cars when doing small milage. Some people say it's ok while others say it's not

colm_mcm

It's a big no-no.
Unless your small mileage just consists of infrequent long spins. For just short journies you're asking for trouble.

For petrol cars, a Golf TSI highline is the way to go IMO.
Seat Leon SC 3 door with the same engine is worth a look too, looks much better proportioned than the 5 door.

bazz26

You're not going to save much if anything in fuel economy anyway if all your doing is occasional driving and most of that is short trips.

cat81

Thank you. Think I'll stick to madza. May see is there any petrol ones around

colm_mcm

I think they've stopped selling the 1.5 petrol in the Mazda now.

Squeaksoutloud

Volvo V40? Looks better than the 1 series.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v40-1-6-d2-r-design/12276702

That or the Mazda 3 hatchback would be my choice.

cat81

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think they've stopped selling the 1.5 petrol in the Mazda now.

I've just came across a 1.5 petrol in wexford.
Do you know anything about the 1.5 madza

cat81

cat81 wrote: »

I've just came across a 1.5 petrol in wexford.
Do you know anything about the 1.5 madza

It's a 161

cat81

cat81 wrote: »

It's a 161

.

grogi

bazz26 wrote: »

If you want to stay with premium brands then what about the Mercedes A Class? Way prettier than the 1 Series and a bit more exclusive than an A3.

A45 is the one to get, but with €25k one still will be a bit short...

JustLen

If your not too pushed on cars why not get this and save 10k?

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Hyundai/i20/Deluxe-ORDER/200914622973417420/

5 year warranty, 5 year AA roadside and its a brand new car. I think it looks nice, would suit you if you dont do much driving

Leonard Hofstadter

cat81 wrote: »

It's a 161

Not sure how fast the 1.5 is, but I've driven over 400 miles in the latest version of the 3 with a 2.0 petrol engine and it's fine car. The 2.0 isn't very fast despite its larger than usual capacity, so I don't think the 1.5 will be up to much. Apart from that, it does everything a car in that category should do and it's fun to drive as well. I'd gladly buy one if I was in the market for such a car. The 2.0 is very economical for a petrol engine as well (in a 300 mile drive which was 85% motorway at 80 mph and the rest in town, I got 42 mpg), nearly as good as a diesel in my experience so the 1.5 is likely to be as good if not a shade better!

Dublinstiofán

I had a 2.0L Diesel one and i loved it. Sorry i got rid of it to be honest.

bazz26

1.4 TSi petrol Mk7 Golf is well worth a look at. A friend of mine has a 15 reg one, 150bhp and plenty of torque with good on fuel. There are a few of them about. Same engine available in the A3 but not too many about and they cost more.

colm_mcm

cat81 wrote: »

I've just came across a 1.5 petrol in wexford.
Do you know anything about the 1.5 madza

They're 100bhp and 6 speed. the new mazda3 is only 1100kg so it's probably not as slow as it sounds. you won't get the mid range a accelleration of a diesel but it's supposed to be a super smooth engine. could be quite well suited to your driving.