New car - decisions decisions ...

djan

Hi guys,

I've been thinking about getting a new car but circumstances have dictated it will have to be rather sooner than later and I'm not quite sure what to go for so turn to you for some advice. For refference curently in a 07 Mercedes B150. While an extremely versatile and spacious car, not the most fun.

Budget is around 25k but doesn't have to be all spent (10 to 15k bracket also would be appreciated!) Engaging to drive eg.: no corollas or octavias. Min 120 bhp, ideally sub 7s 0-100. Leaning towards Coupe as no need for back seats but not set on it. 2012ish and up Open to going to UK

Mileage is usually up to 20,000km per year with a daily commute of 15km each way into the city centre. Then quite a few long trips around Ireland mostly to Donegal and Galway.

In light of the above, I do prefer the driving dynamic and torque of a diesel especially when in an automatic so am considering that. Would be ok to keep the motoring savings aside for potential dpf issues and other diesel stuff.

Currently looking at BMW 4/220x, Alfa Giuiletta 1.4 TB 170BHP, Audi A5 or TT, Volvo V40, Merc C Coupe and then a Citroen DS3 THP...

djan

Any suggestions?

bazz26

You won't get much of a 2 or 4 Series diesel auto for 15k unfortunately, same with the TT.

vectra

You say no Corollas or Octavias.
Why not a vRS Octavia?

djan

bazz26 wrote: »

You won't get much of a 2 or 4 Series diesel auto for 15k unfortunately, same with the TT.

Apologies for the typo, the budget is meant to be 25k.

Regaesing the Octavia VRS, I did consider it but in the end I really don't need such a spacious car and having sat in a showroom one a while back, it's just the same bland dark inside as a normal one. Great value though!

vectra

djan wrote: »

Apologies for the typo, the budget is meant to be 25k.

Regaesing the Octavia VRS, I did consider it but in the end I really don't need such a spacious car and having sat in a showroom one a while back, it's just the same bland dark inside as a normal one. Great value though!

I would have thought a 4 series would be more spacious?
Anyhow.
330D GT auto?

djan

vectra wrote: »

I would have thought a 4 series would be more spacious?
Anyhow.
330D GT auto?

The Octavia would be a fair but bigger in the back and boot space due to the sloping roof of the 4.

Mostly I was looking at the coupe version but the one you've linked is great! Didn't think the 30d engine would be that close to budget.

vectra

djan wrote: »

The Octavia would be a fair but bigger in the back and boot space due to the sloping roof of the 4.

Mostly I was looking at the coupe version but the one you've linked is great! Didn't think the 30d engine would be that close to budget.

Looks like a nice car for the money.

DaveyDave

Is the diesel coupe set in stone or would you consider a hatch at all? Especially as you're looking for driving experience and don't need back seats, you'd still have boot space. What about a 125i?

bazz26

Ok 25k is better.

Is going to the UK an option? With sterling dropping by the day and diesels being out of fashion over there, you could pick up a fairly decent car within budget. Bigger choice too.

Interior colour might not suit you but for example, a 2014 435d xdrive:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201908090986682?year-from=2013&aggregatedTrim=435d&make=BMW&model=4%20SERIES&sort=price-asc&seller-type=trade&postcode=bt781ug&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&radius=1500&body-type=Coupe&year-to=2014&exclude-writeoff-categories=on&page=1

Price is around €17500 plus VRT of €6500 so €24000 plus travel costs.

djan

DaveyDave wrote: »

Is the diesel coupe set in stone or would you consider a hatch at all? Especially as you're looking for driving experience and don't need back seats, you'd still have boot space. What about a 125i?

Not set in stone at all. I do like the 1 series too. Is the 25i a similar engine to the 28i or something else?

Any experience with them? Would be nice to have usable back seats for the odd time.

djan

bazz26 wrote: »

Ok 25k is better.

Is going to the UK an option? With sterling dropping by the day and diesels being out of fashion over there, you could pick up a fairly decent car within budget. Bigger choice too.

Interior colour might not suit you but for example, a 2014 435d xdrive:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201908090986682?year-from=2013&aggregatedTrim=435d&make=BMW&model=4%20SERIES&sort=price-asc&seller-type=trade&postcode=bt781ug&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&radius=1500&body-type=Coupe&year-to=2014&exclude-writeoff-categories=on&page=1

Price is around €17500 plus VRT of €6500 so €24000 plus travel costs.

While it would be my first time going over I'd definitely be up for it as I've found to have little choice here.

That car looks fantastic! Wonder how insurance would be on such a car. Mid 20s but 3 years no claims.

Would there be any issues in the vet process with brexit looming and all that?

djan

One more thing, how do people feel about going for a diesel option with such relatively low mileage for it? While the daily commute is an hour (14km mostly city) each way, there would be a motorway blast pretty much every weekend with a monthly trip to Donegal and back.

Heres Johnny

If you like the 330d and have a 14km commute why not look at a 330e?

https://m.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2329602&r=s.php?m=10&o=86&f=3&g=0

djan

Great shout on the 330e. If only they had a 4 series coupe version with that set up...

Would Brexit bring about any additional expenses on bringing a car over if the UK were to be regarded as a 3rd country like Japan?

Heres Johnny

Absolutely there will be extra charges buying from UK after brexit. If you're going to import, do it now.

djan

Heres Johnny wrote: »

Absolutely there will be extra charges buying from UK after brexit. If you're going to import, do it now.

Oh good to know, I assumed it would be the same VRT. Better get the shortlist narrowed down so!

Heres Johnny

Import duties and vat as well as vrt. The gig might be up post brexit if there even is a brexit.

bazz26

djan wrote: »

Great shout on the 330e. If only they had a 4 series coupe version with that set up...

Would Brexit bring about any additional expenses on bringing a car over if the UK were to be regarded as a 3rd country like Japan?

Look at the 428i then. It's got the same 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine that's under the bonnet of the 330e but without the electric motor and batteries. Won't be as fuel efficient as the 330e but unless your doing big mileage then fuel costs should not be a deciding factor.

Heres Johnny

Does the 330e not have the same engine as the 420i bazz?
Although your point stands, a 4 series petrol is a good shout

bazz26

Heres Johnny wrote: »

Does the 330e not have the same engine as the 420i bazz?
Although your point stands, a 4 series petrol is a good shout

Actually I think the 330e uses the newer generation 2.0 litre engine found in different states of tune in the 420i and 430i also. The older 428i was 2.0 litre too though, just older generation.

djan

Leaning more towards the 428i coupe at the moment but came across some news that the new 4 series will be announced later this year with sales beginning early next year. Could that have a bigger impact on prices than say brexit or is it a case that there will always be a new version around the corner.