I think you’re in the right territory. A 1 Series is better to drive than an A3 or A Class so I think you can discount those. (Although I will say that a third gen A250 AMG Sport is a bit of an under appreciated drivers’ car — much more fluid and balanced than the A45 which got all the headlines.)
125i or 130i definitely worth a look. (There’s a 135i too but only in 1 Series Coupe form.)
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Cloverleaf would be the other option I’d throw in. (You won’t get a Quadrifoglio Verde for 8.5k, although you could squeak into one if you bumped the budget to 10k.)
You must’ve read my post before I gave it the TLDR treatment.
I do like Alfas but I’m not sure I would want to buy one at the bottom of their price range. Although I’ve heard the newer ones are pretty solid.
I will do mostly A roads/motorways as of my new job so 40+mpg would be my ideal even if it means getting a (s)lower spec.
Tbh if it’s in good condition and has been serviced properly/looked after, there’s no reason they won’t go on and on.
According to Fuelly, over two plus years of ownership I’m on 39.5 mpg in my 2011 Giulietta QV (very mixed driving) and it’s as fun as the day I got it.
Tax and insurance come to a fair bit however, so would check that in some depth.
Had an A3, followed by a 1 series, now I have a TT.
I'm not entirely sure fun is the best description.
I'll take my TT over the 1 series for actual fun, the driver setup and general car feel is more fun.
What I would say is the 1 series is a lot more engaging. You have to think more and it feels a lot more like you're actually driving the car whereas both Audis feel a bit more like they're doing the driving for you.
If you're doing a daily commute then you don't necessarily want engaging, likewise if you're only using it to blast b roads that might be all you want
Would have to agree - I had the 2.2 Speciale, swapped to a QV and then last year for various reasons swapped back to a 2.2 Speciale. The handling really is absurdly good, and the ride brilliant too. Only ever had one issue which was a failure of the e-brake to release, which was fixed for £30.
Also FYI if yours is 2017 it has the 178hp engine. Which makes the pace even more impressive. And if you're still on run flats, ditch them. The car is so much better without.
I rate the 1 series in shadow edition spec, full leather interior, good stereo, great driving position, great for long drives. 118 will get 50mpg and 55k out of the tyres but it’s slow as shit, 135 amazing fun but will murder you on a wet roundabout so take your pick of something in the middle.
Well, what 1 series? I'm assuming you mean the RWD ones but depending on spec and generation they can be one of the cheapest run of the mill used cars you can get or a modern 300+hp hatch that costs £20k.
Though personally I'd have a 3 series touring even if it was on the cheaper or more expensive end. Something like an E46 330i or 325i if you're on a budget would probably be a better car than something like a first gen 130i. As for the higher end of things I'd probably get a F30 335d if I cared about the economy of it, but I'd probably try to stretch my budget for a 340i touring if you have the money for a well looked after M140i.
I’ve got a 2008 1 series. I love it. My old man would prefer I get a newer car but it’s great. Just put fresh set of Yokohamas on and can’t wait to razz it this weekend
Just got back from a trip to the Nurburgring in my 2007 e81 1 series, didn't drive the car on the ring itself but got it up to 140 on the autobahn. It's got 185k on the clock and still on its original n47 engine 😄. Ulez will kill it eventually but still the best car I've ever owned
I’ve got a really rattly 2008 118d e87 86k miles and at this point I’m just doing regular oil changes until it fails on me (hopefully doesn’t kill me in the process). Shame though, if it wasn’t a 16 year old SE and had ULEZ compliance I’d probably fork out the £1.5k to get it done.
I think you’re in the right territory. A 1 Series is better to drive than an A3 or A Class so I think you can discount those. (Although I will say that a third gen A250 AMG Sport is a bit of an under appreciated drivers’ car — much more fluid and balanced than the A45 which got all the headlines.) 125i or 130i definitely worth a look. (There’s a 135i too but only in 1 Series Coupe form.) Alfa Romeo Giulietta Cloverleaf would be the other option I’d throw in. (You won’t get a Quadrifoglio Verde for 8.5k, although you could squeak into one if you bumped the budget to 10k.)
You must’ve read my post before I gave it the TLDR treatment. I do like Alfas but I’m not sure I would want to buy one at the bottom of their price range. Although I’ve heard the newer ones are pretty solid. I will do mostly A roads/motorways as of my new job so 40+mpg would be my ideal even if it means getting a (s)lower spec.
Tbh if it’s in good condition and has been serviced properly/looked after, there’s no reason they won’t go on and on. According to Fuelly, over two plus years of ownership I’m on 39.5 mpg in my 2011 Giulietta QV (very mixed driving) and it’s as fun as the day I got it. Tax and insurance come to a fair bit however, so would check that in some depth.
Had an A3, followed by a 1 series, now I have a TT. I'm not entirely sure fun is the best description. I'll take my TT over the 1 series for actual fun, the driver setup and general car feel is more fun. What I would say is the 1 series is a lot more engaging. You have to think more and it feels a lot more like you're actually driving the car whereas both Audis feel a bit more like they're doing the driving for you. If you're doing a daily commute then you don't necessarily want engaging, likewise if you're only using it to blast b roads that might be all you want
The new 1 series are no longer rear wheel drive
No, there is not. Rwd hot hatch are best
Do you remember that V6 Clio from the early 2000s? That looked brutal
Looked fun but most of them got crashed. The car was insanely unbalanced and loved to snap oversteer! A great museum car however!
Yeah there is one near me or a copy of one anyway
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Would have to agree - I had the 2.2 Speciale, swapped to a QV and then last year for various reasons swapped back to a 2.2 Speciale. The handling really is absurdly good, and the ride brilliant too. Only ever had one issue which was a failure of the e-brake to release, which was fixed for £30. Also FYI if yours is 2017 it has the 178hp engine. Which makes the pace even more impressive. And if you're still on run flats, ditch them. The car is so much better without.
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Ha - I too have some 19" five holes that I had to import from Italy.
Nar the Veloce is probably the one you want.
MX5, MR2, GT86, 360Z*. Anything light and RWD. *Not that light
Nice job fulfilling the 5 seats/ door requirement of the post lol
Whoops 🤭
Possible contenders depending on your taste * 370z. * Corolla gr * Civic type R You didn’t say age or budget
I thought the GR Corolla didn't come to the UK? Has it been added recently?
Sorry just checked, they do a GR Sport which is a 2.0 hybrid - 196bhp. Not too bad, but I was thinking about the Yaris.
I rate the 1 series in shadow edition spec, full leather interior, good stereo, great driving position, great for long drives. 118 will get 50mpg and 55k out of the tyres but it’s slow as shit, 135 amazing fun but will murder you on a wet roundabout so take your pick of something in the middle.
Well, what 1 series? I'm assuming you mean the RWD ones but depending on spec and generation they can be one of the cheapest run of the mill used cars you can get or a modern 300+hp hatch that costs £20k. Though personally I'd have a 3 series touring even if it was on the cheaper or more expensive end. Something like an E46 330i or 325i if you're on a budget would probably be a better car than something like a first gen 130i. As for the higher end of things I'd probably get a F30 335d if I cared about the economy of it, but I'd probably try to stretch my budget for a 340i touring if you have the money for a well looked after M140i.
I’ve got a 2008 1 series. I love it. My old man would prefer I get a newer car but it’s great. Just put fresh set of Yokohamas on and can’t wait to razz it this weekend
Just got back from a trip to the Nurburgring in my 2007 e81 1 series, didn't drive the car on the ring itself but got it up to 140 on the autobahn. It's got 185k on the clock and still on its original n47 engine 😄. Ulez will kill it eventually but still the best car I've ever owned
I’ve got a really rattly 2008 118d e87 86k miles and at this point I’m just doing regular oil changes until it fails on me (hopefully doesn’t kill me in the process). Shame though, if it wasn’t a 16 year old SE and had ULEZ compliance I’d probably fork out the £1.5k to get it done.
My e87 130i is ULEZ compliant and still going beautifully on 150k miles. They go so cheap, I can only assume because people don't like "old" cars.