A3 or 1 Series?

shifty_uk

shifty_uk

shifty_uk

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Looking at both of these. I'd like something with a sleek 'young professional' image. Current mileage means I'd need a diesel.

Big fan of the 1 series styling and I've read nothing but excellent reviews with regards to diesel engines - I haven't test driven the 1 series yet but having had a look around, the A3 interior seems a much more refined quality which is a biggie for me - the A3 feels like a pretty solid car overall.

RWD might be an issue, also. I live on mile long hill and every winter there's big issues with German cars in the snow/icy conditions. Every year I see people ditching them and walking so in that respect the FWD would be beneficial.

Engine variations and even other car suggestions welcome - I'm begging you, no Focus or Mondeo suggestions, I've read it in every other thread! :p 50mpg is the goal, must be a decent motorway mile muncher, budget around 7-8k.
 
How many miles a year do you drive, and how long do you plan to keep it for?

EDIT: Just noticed the budget at the end :p
 
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How did you get from a 1 series to a 5 series? :p Servicing/repairs/fuel...miles different surely?

I'd love a 5 series down the line but right now I think an economical little 'premium' hatchback would more than suffice.
 
I think you'll find the costs to be broadly similar, short of things exploding. Maybe the DPF is one to worry about.

I thought you wanted to look a young professional? If I see someone in a 1 Series diesel I assume they are bottom of the ladder carpet reps ;)
 
Not a massive fan of either but I much prefer bmw's diesel units even the 4 cylcinders. The 1 is pretty dire in rear and boot space as above so just make sure it fits the bill in this regard. I personally think the a3's interior was impressive when it was released in 2003ish - nothing special now

A4 (or golf I guess but you don't exactly get a shedload more vw for your cash) would be a better car than the A3, not really much bigger at all either.
 
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A4 in drag?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../postcode/ba11dp/radius/1501/page/1?logcode=p

Ovlov?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../page/1/radius/1501/postcode/ba11dp?logcode=p

These are masses of car for the money if you can up the budget a wee bit or haggle on it

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../radius/1501/page/1/postcode/ba11dp?logcode=p

IS diesel? These get a bad rep but having driven one I think that's down to the comparison with any petrol variant - which isn't fair, it's a stinky noisy diesel there's no getting away from it. not going to get 50mpg though, mid 40's. The pictures don't tend to reflect how well finished these are inside.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../postcode/ba11dp/radius/1501/page/1?logcode=p
 
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I must have a really distorted sense of reality, because to me a 2.0 diesel says "I'm a very average individual" rather than "I'm an up and coming young professional".
 
Why would you part with £8k for a car thats almost done 100,000 miles, that you plan to put serious mileage on?! Thats just stupid.

If you plan to drive long distances, you should buy a low mileage car. And for £8k, you wont be able to get a facelifted 1 series, or a3 TDI.

Change you car choice, or up your budget to £10k.
 
PMKeates said:
I must have a really distorted sense of reality, because to me a 2.0 diesel says "I'm a very average individual" rather than "I'm an up and coming young professional".
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So you reccomend a 100k mile 5 series? :rolleyes:

To your average joe, someone driving a nice new shape 3 series would look to be professional.
 
Of the two you have highlighted, unless it's the 1 series cab or coupe, I'd go with the A3. Personally I hate the body shape of the regular 1 series.

At that price range you may even be able to find a quattro A3 which would help your uphill issues. On the whole it seems you would be looking at something between 06 to 08 with around 50K on the clock at best, pretty much average. Interior wise don't expect the flashy multimedia display though but the rest is sturdy and looks and feels solid.
 
zegna said:
Why would you part with £8k for a car thats almost done 100,000 miles, that you plan to put serious mileage on?! Thats just stupid. If you plan to drive long distances, you should buy a low mileage car.
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I'm quoting this so everyone that understands residual values can have a laugh at your expense.
Kennysevenfold said:
To your average joe, someone driving a nice new shape 3 series would look to be professional.
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And average joes are the people you want to impress? OK...

P.S. It's not 'new shape'
 
Kenny: I definitely like the 3 series but there's something about those earlier models not having a navigation display that kinda puts me off. Didn't want to stretch my budget any further, unfortunately.

I think a nav system can be retrofitted to the A3?

You're right about the 5 series though, I think running costs and repairs when things for wrong would be pretty far away from the 1 series. Correct me if I'm wrong, though. As much as I like the E60, it's a big bulky car that I don't really want at the moment.

@sanofi: It's definitely a love/hate car but I really like the looks of the 1 series, the coupe version even more(out of budget).

Average, yeah but providing the refinement and quality is there, inside and out then I'm happy!
 
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