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      09-14-2018, 02:50 AM   #1
Dann
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Next Car Choice

Long story short.

We're having a baby this xmas.
My weekly commute is going from 15 mi to 75mi, normally stop start city traffic.

My 335i averages 20mpg, road tax was £315 and I pay £50pm for warranty.

So I'm thinking of changing to something more economical, smaller and cheaper to tax/insure etc (If anyone's interested in the 335i PM me)

I want something fast(ish), newer than 2009/2010 and not be a coupe.

Looking at Focus ST, Mini R56 Cooper S or BMW F20/21 125i (5dr).

Which would you choose, or any other suggestions?
*No VAG, French, Spanish or GM.
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      09-15-2018, 03:30 PM   #2
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What's your budget?

Why no French?

Just went Megane R26 to E91 330i N53 to E92 M3 to Megane Cup-S

Got it today. Ok Build is not comparable but they don't fall to bits and you get a relatively new car which was pretty much the benchmark hot hatch for 6 years of production. Oily bits are evolution of earlier models so robust.
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      09-15-2018, 03:35 PM   #3
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Depending on size you are after Fiesta ST supposed to be ace.

Better economy than bigger heavier 2 litre cars. End of run the even did a 5 door.

These would still be in warranty and things like brakes & tyres will be smaller as car is lighter and therefore less expensive as you rack up the miles.
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      09-16-2018, 08:41 AM   #4
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My dad would disown me if I bought french plus they do nothing for me.
Budget will be £13/15k but I'd like to save some if possible.

It's got to be 5 door now so Mini isn't an option (my favourite of all 3 currently too).

I'm looking at mountune STs at the moment so I'll check out the 5dr fiesta
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      09-17-2018, 06:10 AM   #5
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Personally i would stick with what you have & change your driving style maybe!

e90 335 is probably one of the best all rounders ever!
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      09-17-2018, 07:27 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The0pportunist View Post
Personally i would stick with what you have & change your driving style maybe!

e90 335 is probably one of the best all rounders ever!
Driving style is already good.
Minimal braking, changing up before 3k rpm (normally around 2).
Don't go above 60 on the motorway part of the trip (2 miles)
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      09-17-2018, 03:24 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The0pportunist View Post
Personally i would stick with what you have & change your driving style maybe!

e90 335 is probably one of the best all rounders ever!
I would say this too.

I had a F20 125i a a few years ago, it really was a horrible thing and got rid after a couple of months and went straight back to a silky smooth 6 cylinder 3 litre engine!
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      09-20-2018, 11:47 AM   #8
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You do realise how much crap you have to cart around when you have a baby! I certainly wouldn't be looking at anything Fiesta sized, and even the boot on the mk3 Focus is pretty small. The boot on my old mk2 Focus ST was massive in comparison.
Why don't you just stick with a Bmw and get a E91 or maybe a Mondeo Titanium Sport 2.2TCDi - they are very nice, go well, economical and plenty of space for prams, buggies and all the other kid crap.
We have a E91 330d and it's great. Not the biggest boot for an estate but plenty big enough for our family. Remapped it goes like stink as well and is still economical and no more expensive to run than any other car.
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      09-22-2018, 01:54 PM   #9
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I do start stop driving round a town and only 7.5miles each way to work.
I don't/need want a smelly clattery horrible tractor.

My OH has a MK3 focus and we can fit most of our stuff in that. Im hoping to convince her we don't need two family cars though.

I've got a test drive in the Focus ST and Mini (F56) on Monday and I've been considering the 2.0L ecoboost Mondeo too.
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      09-22-2018, 04:38 PM   #10
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My mate has a 2015 focus st, and it's very nice. When I had a go in It I just felt it was a little cramped compared to the mk2 I had at the time, but I am 6'2" and weigh 16+ stone! I think they call it 'big boned' 🤔.
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      09-22-2018, 04:40 PM   #11
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Let us know how you get on and get some pics up of whatever you go for 👍👍
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      09-23-2018, 10:21 AM   #12
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Luckily I'm only 5'8" and just under 11 stone now so I fit pretty much everything.

My gut feel is that i'll end up sticking with the 335i, I don't think I'll enjoy the focus and the Mini will probably be too small (R56 definitely is, but the F56 probably will be too)
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      09-24-2018, 06:25 AM   #13
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Just driven the focus.
It's ride is pretty hard compared to the E90 and the seats are odd. Even with them as low as possible I wasn't as low as the E90.
Performance wise it was alright. Not much noise or drama and the short gearing is quite annoying but I'm pleasantly surprised.

Salesman offered me 5k for the 335 so I laughed. He looked on autotrader and asked why I valued it so high and told me to keep up over a focus��

Tested a mini F56 for size and the pram would not go in and no way would the baby seat. So that's off the table now.

Last edited by Dann; 09-26-2018 at 11:16 AM..
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      09-24-2018, 07:46 AM   #14
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its looking like civic si or subaru wrx/sti time for you based of what i hear.
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      09-24-2018, 09:16 AM   #15
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Eurgh no hope. I'd never buy Japanese crap
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      09-24-2018, 01:13 PM   #16
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Nowt wrong with the Japanese stuff. Their interiors might not be the best, but for ultimate reliability you won't go far wrong. How many Honda's and Toyota's do you see broken down on the side of the motorway compared to all the German stuff?
I used to have a Civic Type R many years ago (a 2002 model), and although it was pretty basic inside, that screaming Honda Vtec engine and the gokart like handling made up for it. I loved that little car, but that was before I had a family!
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      09-26-2018, 11:15 AM   #17
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Yeah I'd still rather not get a Japanese car though. Just a personal preference.

I've been doing some thinking and I think I fancy the Focus.
Working it out with average MPGs and the costs etc, I will be worse off for Year one, even for year two but then it will start working in my favour (I'll have to put some money into buying one, depending on sale price of the 335i and how much discount I can get on the ST).

Still not 100% decided either way though.
Maybe I'm just overthinking it all now
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      09-29-2018, 01:07 AM   #18
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SEAT Leon Cupra 280/290

It's basically a FWD MK7 Golf R. Same EA888 engine which is built proof and they are 370bhp with a remap. Over 400bhp stage 2 with a few bolt ons.

Come very well specced with sat nav, DAB etc as standard.

I've owned an E92 335i and a M135i and now own a Leon Cupra 290. The Leon handles better than both and feels very light on its feet.

I was averaging 22mpg in my 335i, 27mpg in my M135i and 34mpg in my Cupra.

There are plenty about for £15k.

The Facebook group "MK3 Leon Cupra Owners Club" is a great source of information.
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      09-29-2018, 02:18 AM   #19
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Nope
No VAG cars

I drive a lot of hire cars and they all tend to be VAG. I don't want to get out of a hire car after a week, to get into my car and it to be the same.
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      11-07-2018, 04:31 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanTheManc View Post
SEAT Leon Cupra 280/290

It's basically a FWD MK7 Golf R. Same EA888 engine which is built proof and they are 370bhp with a remap. Over 400bhp stage 2 with a few bolt ons.

Come very well specced with sat nav, DAB etc as standard.

I've owned an E92 335i and a M135i and now own a Leon Cupra 290. The Leon handles better than both and feels very light on its feet.

I was averaging 22mpg in my 335i, 27mpg in my M135i and 34mpg in my Cupra.

There are plenty about for £15k.

The Facebook group "MK3 Leon Cupra Owners Club" is a great source of information.
Backtrack time

I'm now looking at the Leon Cupra 280/290 as well as the ST

A guy at work has one and I've always liked the look of it. Now looking into them, they are faster, more comfortable, safer and bigger inside than the ST.

Also had a touch of budget creep. Max budget is now 18/19k but would have to be the perfect car.
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      01-16-2019, 02:44 AM   #21
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So thought I'd update this.

Test drove a Cupra 290 a while ago and put a deposit on it, then didn't manage to get my 335i sold so I got my deposit back but now the car has sold, so I'm back looking.

Seeing as I was looking at the Cupra I'm also going to have a look at a couple of Golf Rs too.

The Focus ST is off the list now as I want a DSG/Auto etc
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      02-05-2019, 08:37 AM   #22
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Keep an eye on this Facebook group for Cupras for sale.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3823...282/?ref=share
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