18 replies to this topic

[pcmanning]

So been for a couple of drives in the BMW 1 Series - a 120d SE and a 130i M-Sport. Impressed by the diesel. Good pull, sounds nice (for a diesel), handles well, brakes well - sufficently good that my wife was converted (she was very under whelmed by th A3 2.0 tdi last week) and dispite the car being ugly! 130i M-sport - Was I expecting too much? Maybe it's just too quiet? Maybe 200 miles isn't enough to get the power going. Didn't seem fast and the suspension was just way too hard for the pot holed welsh city roads. Could feel the wheels skipping over the bumps in exactly the way that the VXT doesn't. Was so hoping that this was a decent compramise - let wify keep the TT and I'd trade the VX for the 130i. May try it again (without my pregnant wife on board) to see if there is a grin to be found. Also inclined to think that the 130i with 17" alloys (rather than 18") and the "Sport" rather than "M-Sport" setup may suit the roads around here better. Can see us trading the TT for a 120d possibly, but a some point next year the VX may still have to go - and then for what??? B^&gger! Paul

[Sicey]

surprised about the 130i as its had rave reviews from all the mags the only other thing is its so bloody expensive for what it is oh and its a beemer

[JG]

quite simply there is no substitute to a vx

[pcmanning]

surprised about the 130i as its had rave reviews from all the mags the only other thing is its so bloody expensive for what it is oh and its a beemer

I was suprised too - EVO rated it, but on German roads. Think I need to try it minus wife and on a longer drive. Part of it I think was lack of noise - it probably qucker than it felt - one of the nice things about the vx (for which there is no substitute!)

Paul

[Smiler]

Ness has ordered a 120d. should be here in a few weeks.. in the dark blue/black col.. I'm unsure on looks but growing on me...

[stevevx220]

It might not be important to you but check the rear leg room, its ok for babies in car seats, but thats about it. My 12 year old daughter, wasnt happy, and she`s tiny.

[Tony_M]

quite simply there is no substitute to a vx

I'm with you on this one

[pcmanning]

It might not be important to you but check the rear leg room, its ok for babies in car seats, but thats about it.

My 12 year old daughter, wasnt happy, and she`s tiny.

Depends on your driving position I guess. We did check and my wife can sit behind me driving, which is fine I guess. We did the same check in the A3 and it's pretty much identical - actually the A3 is "clever" there are some dents in the back of the front seats to provide a little more room. The acid test is can you put a rear facing baby seat in the back OK - we'll be checking that this week, but again the A3 was fine behind the passenger, but would be a push behind me driving. Strangely our perception (backed up by the lass in the nursery shop) is that the A4 is marginly worse than the A3 for rear legroom. And will we still be driving these when our little one's a teenager? Get to that point and we'll give in and by a fuel cell MPV!

I suspect that these cars are all very close and the differences are in cm. For example the boot on the BM is small (330 litres), but that's not far off the golf gti at 350, which will be less in the R32 - The A3 Quattro (300) loses 70 litres from the boot over the FWD version (370).

So one review says it's the BMW is cramped and another praises the A3 for space - and they're damn near identical.

Anyway am going to try another drive in the 130i - a bit longer this time - and see if I can see it's merits. If the VX has to go, then trading to another which is pretty quick has got to be some consolation. BMW claim 8:35 for the 'ring which puts it in reasonable company...

Lotus Exige ( 8/2004) 8:32
BMW Z4 3.0 SMG ( 5/2003) 8:32
BMW M Roadster ( 9/1997) 8:32
Porsche Boxster S ( 12/1999) 8:32
Opel Speedster Turbo ( 4/2004) 8:34
BMW Z3 Coupé 3.0i ( 4/2001) 8:34
Brabus-Mercedes C V8 Coupé ( 2/2002) 8:35
Porsche Boxster ( 3/2003) 8:36
BMW M3 SMG ( 3/1997) 8:35
BMW Alpina B3 3.3 ( 7/1999) 8:36
VW Golf R32 ( 2/2003) 8:37

from Some 'Ring times...

Paul

Edited by pcmanning, 16 October 2005 - 06:49 PM.

[convict]

Hate to sound dull but if you're after a hot hatch which is relatively sensible, why not look the way of the civic type-r? Bigger in the back, nearly as quick, half the cost, and twice as reliable. And its not a BMW. Why waste your money on a bonnet badge?

[ShinyAndy]

Maybe because the CTR is a hateful car to drive ?

[ShinyAndy]

quite simply there is no substitute to a vx

LOL.. spot the newbie

[JG]

Not on your list, but M coupe for me

[pcmanning]

Hate to sound dull but if you're after a hot hatch which is relatively sensible, why not look the way of the civic type-r?

Bigger in the back, nearly as quick, half the cost, and twice as reliable.

And its not a BMW. Why waste your money on a bonnet badge?

Cos it's another FWD hot hatch - very nice, but it'll just understeer on some of my favorite bends

BMW - I'm not looking at the badge - I'm looking at the chassis/drive/handling (and build quality) - look beyond the badge that's what we say on here isn't it?!!

Just been out and cleaned both cars, took the vx up the road to "shake the water off" - it's irreplaceable isn't it. Came in and looked so sad that wify said why don't you keep it - I love her (my wife - ok and the car!!)

Maybe
Paul

[convict]

Hate to sound dull but if you're after a hot hatch which is relatively sensible, why not look the way of the civic type-r?

Bigger in the back, nearly as quick, half the cost, and twice as reliable.

And its not a BMW. Why waste your money on a bonnet badge?

Cos it's another FWD hot hatch - very nice, but it'll just understeer on some of my favorite bends

BMW - I'm not looking at the badge - I'm looking at the chassis/drive/handling (and build quality) - look beyond the badge that's what we say on here isn't it?!!

Just been out and cleaned both cars, took the vx up the road to "shake the water off" - it's irreplaceable isn't it. Came in and looked so sad that wify said why don't you keep it - I love her (my wife - ok and the car!!)

Maybe
Paul

Well if its nothing to do with the badge, why are you only looking at teutonic hatches?

Fail to believe that the 130i is going to allow you to powerslide round a corner whereas the civic will understeer into the verge at the side of the road. 99 times of of 100 you wouldn't notice the difference in the drive, and a compromised package for that 1 in 100 moment seems a waste

I've been in both, and don't think theres any significant difference in 'build quality' - ie cost of the interior plastics. But Honda reliability (REAL mark of build quality) will leave BMW/Audi/VW trailing.

If you really cannot have a front wheel drive, why not skoda vrs. 4 wheel drive admittedly but still half the cost of the beemer.

But the badge isn't an issue I'm sure

[pcmanning]

Not only looking at Audi/BMW. I'd consider a Skoda - but can't get it by my wife. SEAT would be good but the really hot Leon's are not yet replaced. VXR family are on my list - but has either the Astra of even Zafira turned up yet? Wife won't buy a VW either (see all irrational) so the R32 is out. All the haldex family 4WD are FWD with the rears kicking in as required - but you can feel it happening and if they're like the TT it understeers first, then you feel the haldex come in and start pushing from the rear. Suburu Forester is also on my list - but the dealers 50 miles away - so not that handy for faults - also I'd end up looking at the 2.5 and they really drink juice. Civic R is almost certainly a nice car - but ----- 3 door only. Focus ST - nearly here but 5 door version? Every time I take the TT out (on my own) there are bits of our roads which show up its tendency to understeer AND beause of the "quality" of the tarmac you can easily tell that the front wheels are being driven. OK so we're being fussy/awkward - but you try and replace your VX with a 5 family car that you end up driving (on your own) two days a week down 13 miles of A1 VX NSL B-roads. Yes we are still considering trading the TT for something and keeping the VX - but winter's comin, ice, dark, etc etc on those same roads. And we can't afford for the VX to be off the road too long - RAC auto-windscreens had a TT screen in stock - chances of a VX screen? We'll come to a compramise in the end (get a 1 Series diesel? Realy is a cracking diesel unit), but I have to try the options don't I!! Paul

[mattp]

Just to add my 2p, the haldex system on all VAG cars runs a minimum of 15% to the rears at all time. What about the Alfa 147GTA or 157GTA

[pcmanning]

Ok so had a nice proper drive in the 130i - so yes it is a damn good car. Hard sprung, but not so much harder than the TT, though the bumps made there way through to the cabin in a different way, less fore/aft bounce too. Engine makes a loverly sound in the high revs 5-7k. Power delivery completely different to the TT and VX's turbo shove though. Steering "feel" Ok I suppose, but not VX levels - but very accurate. Small trace of understeer I thought but not in FWD levels - have they done the same thing as per VX/Elise family and dialed some in? Oversteer? - I don't go anywhere near that if I can help it - I just like a car to go where I point it! Given that a new TT and this BMW are in the same price bracket, I'd go for the BM. BUT - A visit to the nursery for what we thought would be a simple check for pram and rear-facing baby seat option - buggered! The pram we liked would only just fit the boot and the corresponding baby seat fitted behind the passenger and left almost no leg room. So looks like a plan a) A3/1 Series/Golf sized car is getting marginal at best How can having a tiny new born result in a requirement for a pantechnican?? How do you parents out there cope? Testing an A4 2.0TFSI Avant on Friday Only because the damn dealer can't get us a 2.0TFSI petrol A3! Of for a Paul

[BradW]

Audi RS4

[pcmanning]

Audi RS4

I know - I've always wanted one too - but if I'm inclined done the "previously enjoyed" route, I'd like something with at least a years warrenty left. And I bet they drink fuel like anything!

Paul