Looking at this on Monday...
http://www.grahamherford.co.uk/used...8d-se-5dr-newcastle-upon-tyne-201704124355487
http://www.grahamherford.co.uk/used...8d-se-5dr-newcastle-upon-tyne-201704124355487
Any advice?
- Thread starter Jude Olds
- Start date
I was looking at an Audi A3 but it sold. Have a good feeling about this dealer if there is such a thing! Basically my first foray into quality German cars. Always been a ford , nissan, Citroen kinda guy but I've hit 45nand think I deserve something better lol
Hmmm seems very expensive for a car of that age despite the mileage. One of my best mates drives the 116d equivalent and it's quite dated inside (a whole lot of scratchy black plastics) ands it's very small.
Mind you it is low mileage and still a BMW - and clearly still a very good car
Mind you it is low mileage and still a BMW - and clearly still a very good car
Personal view (having owned an A3) is that both the A3 and 1 series aren't particularly more "upmarket" than the equivalent Focus etc.
If you feel you deserve something better then you need to look at 3 series/A4 which are a step up in quality, or 5 series/A6 which are another step up again.
If you feel you deserve something better then you need to look at 3 series/A4 which are a step up in quality, or 5 series/A6 which are another step up again.
At the budget (based on the car in the OP) though, an A3 will be a newer generation car, and have similar if not better interior quality and feel compared to an A4 (I should know, I've had both in succession).
Prepare to be dissapointed if you think your about to step into premium territory just because of the badge. Take a step back and look at it properly. It's the old shape and it's 5 years old. It has cloth seats, a tiny 2 inch looking screen on the dash and tiny wheels topped off with a pitiful 145bhp from a noisy 2 litre Diesel engine. Your not getting anything more than you would get from a Golf or Titanium Focus that would both cost about 2.5k less for the same age.
As someone else mentioned your going up in class if you get something like a nicely specced 3 series/A4/C class with leather etc but not with a poverty spec 1 series.
You could get a C class Coupe or A5 for that price which is a much better looking car than that shark faced 1 series
Looks like it only has standard halogen headlights
If it was me that was buying I would want one with xenon headlights...
(Was this even an option for these cars as I can't seem to find any 118d 5 door for sale with xenon lights
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Exactly paying 10k for a "premium" badge I would expect something better than candles for headlights. Even my 11 year old mid spec Focus ST2 had xenon headlights from the factory.
It's ok though as long as it has a German badge on nobody will notice
£10k don't want to get into finance!
what do you need from a car though OP? do you have kids and need 5 doors with a decent boot? or do you travel over 15k miles per year which is why you want a diesel car instead of petrol? What is your criteria and how did you end up with the 1 series as your number 1 choice? Have you looked at anything else?
Might worth asking fox what BMW he would recommend for a 10k budget....
As his one the best on here for knowing all about BMW cars..
No kids, couple of dogs. Under 10k a year. Diesel because I like the low road tax LOL. Yes looked at a few Audi's. Liked the A3 but high mileage at my budget. Also liked the A1 but need dual climate control.
Nothing like spending £10,000 to save £100 a year.
Don't fall into the trap of basing the decision of a £10,000 purchase on whether it will cost you £30 or £200 a year in tax. It's so insignificant in the scheme of things it isn't worth worrying about. If it is something you need to worry about, then I'd reconsider blowing £10,000 on a car in the first place.
If you live in London it could cost more to own a diesel when all the diesel tax kicks in so dont be fooled by the current £30 per year tax. I would be looking for a petrol if you do less than 10k per year. If your only looking at A3's and the 1 Series i just dont think they are good value for money. I would rather keep 2k in the bank and get a better specced Golf or top spec Focus.