Leon Cupra + TDi or BMW 120d

[jezyg]

Only just got round to this but about 2 months ago the wife decide she wanted my 318Ti Sport off of me and I really wanted a smallish diesel.

The first car that sprung to mind was a Cupra +. Thought it looked the business and had ownded a 1.8T Cupra a couple of years earlier and loved it. Arranged a test drive and I have to admit I was still impressed my wife said it was a very masculine car and felt well built. Yes the stereo let the side down Had a good long blast and was impressed found the PDI a little gravely topend and seemed all too easy to wheelspin Seemed as quick midrange as my petrol Cupra. Was very interested so I got some figures. With a 3K deposit got it down to £275 month after some haggling.

Anyway onto the 1 Series looks I know are like Marmite but it has grown on me and in Silver looks none to bad. Interior is not really any beter than a Leon Cupra and a step down from the E46. Engine and gearbox are cracking however plenty of pull minimal clatter a bit quicker than the Cupra TDi. Handling is great apart from runflats making the ride too brittle. Sport suspension was a no no. Loved the fact that that connecting an iPod was so easy. In the end I did go for the 120d. Why? Well I got a 6 month old one 6k 120d in Silver black leather for 18K or £254 a month. Yes I have less space but the handling makes up for that. Cupra is still a corker and the decision would of been harder had the financial side been more even.

 

[Reg]

I drove the 1 series at the Rockingham launch, and was mighty impressed with the 120d. Agree it is the one to have, apart from the bonkers 130i of course!

The looks have grown on me, although colour and wheel choice have a big effect - its never going to be a pretty car, but at least it can be made to look pretty hardcore.

 

[chiefsilverback]

I'm rather tempted by a 1 series. I especially like the look of the 130i! I believe they have taken out the variable steering and the run flats to make it a better drivers car?

I think another very very interesting car is going to be the 335 when it comes out next year. Twin turbo straight 6 kicking out 320BHP to the rear wheels.......................arrange the following words: "yum" and "yum"

 

[warren_cox]

I'm sure they're a great drive but I just can't level with the 'new look' of the latest BM's. Also every other car in our work car park seems to be a black/grey or silver BM of some description. Plenty of 318is / 320d's in our car pool at work, and they are all great to drive.

Just hope it hasn't made you a typical ( ) BM driver! Glad your enjoying it anyway. Personally my money would have to have gone on the Cupra TDI FR+ and not because it drives better, just like the look and the price.

 

[jezyg]

No having a BM has not spoilt me although you do find it amazing how other drivers treat you as they assume you are a typical BMW driver even though you are not

I do prefer the looks of the Cupra + and as you say is cracking value for money however on a PCP the BM's residuals make it the cheaper car. A brand new 120d SE was the same as a brand new Cupra + TDi with the same deposit?????

Not sure if the 135 will have too much power and DSC light being on all the time and be a bit too bonkers will have to wait and see.......

 

[flashbsd]

so long as you buy a 120d with an indicator, your allowed to have one

 

[jezyg]

I insisted that the dealer re-instate the indicators after disabling them on entering the UK!!!

 

[Rokerlad]

The 1 Series is a seriously ugly car. For 18k you could have had a relativley new 330D. No brainer to me.

 

[Tallpaul]

i notice you didn't put any photos of the car from behind!

I like it tho, i think you made the right choice.

 

[Fast_Eddie]

I really like the 1 series---its short/compact, rear wheel drive and different looking. It took me all my time on a private road I know well, to get past a 120d the other day and it wasnt until 95 ish that I came past---good choice. Dealers should look after you too, just like your friendly SEAT dealers eh?-NOT!!!!

 

[ninjabadger]

should be know as the ugly one why would anyone want one

 

[SHADY-NINJA]

i series is an ugly duck.
its got no legroom in the rear.
bu i do agree that its a lot faster than the leon 150bhp. i think the bm pushes about 167bhp.
given the choice ill have both but ill drive the leon more.

 

[Reg]

should be know as the ugly one why would anyone want one

Because like most BMW's, it is a superb drive.

My BMW is off the road at the moment, and I miss it. The LCR is fantastic to drive, but compared to the M3 engine it feels rather breathless at the top end (which should be expected with nearer 300bhp in the BM), the throttle response in the LCR seems slow and rubbery in comparison, and driving a FWD car is no where near as satisfying as a RWD car in my opinion.

The 1 series is no looker, costs too much really, but I'd still pick it over the Cupra diesel. BMW make just about the finest diesel engines in the world, and it is a fantastic drive.

 

[jezyg]

The points above are one reason I like the 1 Series they provoke the "Marmite" reaction. To be honest I was never too hot on it initially when it came out but it has grown on me over time. Very colour sensitive IMO. For a small car which is what it is. It's good at what it does. An e46, E90 are bigger cars and feel that way to drive. Feels allot more nimble than my wifes 318Ti but not as well built. Leon Cupra + still looks better I do agree with that.

As many have said the handling and great engine help mine has also been spiced up with a tunning box so nearer to 200Bhp and 410Nm torque. The grin factor on a winding round is simply awsome.

You will be pleased to know that the BM's standard speaker sytem is allot worse than the Leon's. Yes it has 6 speakers (4 mid, 2 bass) but to save cost's no tweeters. So the 4 mid have been changed. Penny pinching if you ask me But my only complaint to be far!!

 

[slimjim]

Three letters....

RWD....

 

[richard_jerome]

Price list is a complete joke - don't be a mug. It's just a bloody BMW - yes I know it's RWD, but all the cheapy ones (without the LSD) are set up so safely you'll get thrashed down a B-road by granny in her Fiesta. Plus, every (aspirational?) idiot wants a BMW.

Seriously - for this money get something with a proper spec. A A3 TDI sport DSG (understated class) or an Accord CDTi (super refined barge and a good drive). Or even a Saab, or just anything which doesn't look like it was drawn by a seven year old, and sold at a overinflated price to people who've got the wrong end of the badge envy stick.

For god's sake don't do it - buy 3 Nissan Almera's from www.new-car-discount.com instead.

Oh! I see it's too late... ;-)

/Rich

 

[slimjim]

I did quite fancy a 120d..... but it seems to have been slated (plus could I lower myself to being a "Beamer" driver, i.e. :w4nk:er? )

And not just on here, loads of other places I have looked have slated them.

Apparently they are slow. VERY slow.

 

[Reg]

Maybe you should put some of you preconceptions & prejudices behind you. They are a fine drive, as are all of the BMW range. I'm not saying that just because I have one (a BMW that is, not a 1 series), whether or not they are fitted with a slippy diff. You don't need to drive at 8/10's to know that.

I agree a lot are bought as a status symbol (if thats what it wants to be perceived as), but that is true elsewhere. Why buy the Audi when you could buy a perfectly good Skoda on the same platform?

To me, although I would not want one, your choice excellent of Peugeot 106 model indicates to me you are a connosieur, but to many un-initiated you may be taken for a chav.

Don't be so quick to slam other choices.

 

[ianrawlins]

My problem with a 1 series, wouldn't be because it's a BMW nor would it be because in some peoples eye's it's an ugly freak of nature. My problem would be because it's the bottom run of a prestige car makers ladder. A bit like buying a boxter (bear with me).

To me buying a 1 series just says that you really wanted a better one. I know there's not a huge amount of logic in it. It's also a bit like people who buy really old BMW's then think they have the latest and greatest motoring icon.

Just my opinions.

 

[slimjim]

I dissagree.... I LIKE the Hovis bread van looks of the 1series... honestly! I like it.

But it's more the reports of bad handling, being VERY heavy and not getting much out of the engine that puts me off.

Im relation to Audi vs Skoda, on the same spec, I WOULD go for the Skoda. I have no quarms about that. The Octavia VRS is SO sweet.