[KoenG]

Originally Posted by E60MKF

The MOT alone is quite expensive as are small parts that may need changing such as bulbs and lets not forget the run flat tyres.

I don't believe you can escape from maintenance costs by selling your car. The cost of maintenance will be subtracted from the reselling price. The cost is induced by using your car, not paying for the maintenance.

[E60MKF]

As good as the F20 has been, this will be our last F20. In 2/3 years we will be changing back to the golf or hopefully the A3.

[orcomma]

Originally Posted by E60MKF

As good as the F20 has been, this will be our last F20. In 2/3 years we will be changing back to the golf or hopefully the A3.

Interesting... Any reasons why?

[E60MKF]

Originally Posted by orcomma

Interesting... Any reasons why?

It's very cramped in the footwell and the ergonomics aren't the best. It is quieter and more refined than the golf.

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by E60MKF

It's very cramped in the footwell and the ergonomics aren't the best. It is quieter and more refined than the golf.

I really need to sit in one of them. But then again, rear space is not an issue for me.

I'm currently stuck between the 1 series, new Audi A3, Golf 7 and new Volvo V40. I can't fully decide but the Audi and Volvo are looking quite good at the moment..

[E60MKF]

If I'm being honest the gear changer in the golf/A3 is a lot smoother. The footwell, is the main problem, has the pedals too close together. Rear space is worse than the A3/golf too but so is the boot. I would say go for a A3 or F20 if these things don't bother you. The golf is just sooo common.

[ipp]

Originally Posted by E60MKF

If I'm being honest the gear changer in the golf/A3 is a lot smoother. The footwell, is the main problem, has the pedals too close together. Rear space is worse than the A3/golf too but so is the boot. I would say go for a A3 or F20 if these things don't bother you. The golf is just sooo common.

Smoother as in less communicating and more boring?

I've had many newer VAG rentals recently and how the gear changer and clutch feels is one of most obvious differences between VAG and BMW philosophies. It's a deliberate choice they have made because the BMW drivers wants it that way, more engaging rather than smooth.

[logiclee]

Originally Posted by E60MKF

If I'm being honest the gear changer in the golf/A3 is a lot smoother. The footwell, is the main problem, has the pedals too close together. Rear space is worse than the A3/golf too but so is the boot. I would say go for a A3 or F20 if these things don't bother you. The golf is just sooo common.

The footwell issue, offset cramped pedals and springy gearchange were the reasons why we ordered an auto box.

[ovekvam]

I think the pedal layout is pretty much perfect on our F20 with left hand steering. Much better than in any Golf. I don't have any issues with shifting manually either.

I suspect they messed up the pedals in the right hand drive cars.

[orcomma]

VAG diesels sound rough, have common issues with DPFs, and their petrols have reliability issues (even the new A3 TSI has a turbo rattle issue)

[logiclee]

Originally Posted by orcomma

VAG diesels sound rough, have common issues with DPFs,

I think the new Common Rail VAG diesels are more refined than the 2.0D BMW unit especially the higher powered versions. BMW units are very gruff sounding on high load.
Some issues with DPF regen on VAG units if driven around town but again BMW's N47 timing chain issue is a major embarrassment.

Don't think there's that much to choose between them to be honest.

Cheers
Lee

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by E60MKF

If I'm being honest the gear changer in the golf/A3 is a lot smoother. The footwell, is the main problem, has the pedals too close together. Rear space is worse than the A3/golf too but so is the boot. I would say go for a A3 or F20 if these things don't bother you. The golf is just sooo common.

Yeah I do like the Audi very much. I'm a bit skeptical with the F20 because I'm not aware when the facelift is due and there has been lots of chatter about it being sooner than usual. I also think that the A3 looks better in stock form over the 1er and its interior is quite phenomenal. I would go as far as saying that the interior is better than my F30's (and therefore the 1 series) and the quality is also better. I haven't test driven any of these cars yet, so these are just based on my observations (although I have sat in both cars at a dealer)

Any thoughts?

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by Anodite10

Yeah I do like the Audi very much. I'm a bit skeptical with the F20 because I'm not aware when the facelift is due and there has been lots of chatter about it being sooner than usual. I also think that the A3 looks better in stock form over the 1er and its interior is quite phenomenal. I would go as far as saying that the interior is better than my F30's (and therefore the 1 series) and the quality is also better. I haven't test driven any of these cars yet, so these are just based on my observations (although I have sat in both cars at a dealer)

Any thoughts?

Why do you think the quality is better on the Audi?

[E60MKF]

The car is my wife's. The main reason we didn't get an A3 because she thought the interior looked better in the F20. I mean it is a personal choice.

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

Why do you think the quality is better on the Audi?

From personal experience, I feel that the F30 has harder interior surfaces compared to the the A3 (and to the E90). Little things like the iDrive controller (I have the standard one since I don't have navigation) looks cheap and feels very cheap when you rotate it because it notches very resistively along as it's being rotated. The standard controller on the A3 has a beautifully serrated aluminium (I'm assuming) outer casing and it glides between notches when you rotate it. You can particularly notice the switch gear around the gears on the F30 has awful quality plastic.

But the difference is not large and the F30 interior is still impressive and more driver-oriented compared to the A3. I must say that the seats in the A3 are not as comfortable as the F30. But I do have sport seats, so it may not be a fair in comparison.

The F20 is an amazing car and there is a big chance that I will choose it over the A3. The test drive will probably sway my choice because we all know that the 116i engine>>> 1.4 TFSI. I'm pretty sure the F20's engine is underrated as my friend's keeps up with mine. Like I said, I'm still worried about the facelift debuting soon and it is severely affecting my decision.

Then there is the Volvo V40 which is so beautiful and holds its own in the BMW's and Audi's company. I still need to actually sit in one and test drive it. Surprisingly, it holds its resale value as well as the BMW and Audi..

[orcomma]

BMW facelifts tend to be quite minor, consider the previous generation 1-series:

Pre facelift SE:


Post facelift SE:

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by orcomma

BMW facelifts tend to be quite minor, consider the previous generation 1-series:

Pre facelift SE:


Post facelift SE:

Yeah they were pretty much identical. I'm the sort of person though who would feel sad if a facelift pulls up next to me while I'm in the pre-facelift lol.

[E60MKF]

Even look at the F10, the LCI is soo subtle

[orcomma]

And the E89, still trying to get my head round that (LED DRLs and orange colour option...is that it?) lol

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by orcomma

And the E89, still trying to get my head round that (LED DRLs and orange colour option...is that it?) lol

Lol yeah, it is really hard to tell the difference between the two. The giveaway is the 'eyebrows' on the lights, but a lot people had that retrofitted too, so it can be pretty much indistinguishable.

[Bob UK]

I have had a 114i loaner while my car was in for timing chain replacement and I found it awful (But I was losing 84bhp and a bucketful of torque from the 120d). By contrast when I was given a 114d I found it very capable, not quick by any means but a nice drive and still refined.

On facelifts I think they aren't always for the best as I much preferred the look of my post facelift e46 with Aero Bodykit over the facelift model.

[Gallen Patris]

My strong recommendation to you are to get BMW 114i as it would be really useful and would must be according to your all demands that you are looking for. I am also have the experience to drive BMW 114i and it is really nice feeling while I was driving it.

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