When driving SWIMBO's renault cabrio skip I now worry when it doesn't cut out at the lights!!

Made me laugh.

Unless you are a company car buyer or enjoy eating lentils I would ignore the 118d and go for the 120d or the much nicer looking 320d. There are loads about and with 160 and then 177bhp you have a genuine 140 mph car that will still do 55 mpg. MY choice would be to get hold of a BMW D3 Alpina saloon or Touring. Can only get them from Sytner garages but 200 bhp and real exclusivity.New they are actually cheaper than BMWs M Sport 320d. Don't know about used. My tip for a future classic and would really like one myself. If you enjoy driving though go for a used 330i petrol: terrific engine. Forget the green propaganda/ tax, come on life is too short!!!

Have you driven both cars?

The 118d will do 140 no problem and IMHO is actually a much nicer varient of the engine than the 120d.

If i had a choice of any of the dervs it would be 118d unless i really fancied a blast then it would be a 123d

If it is for the wife and excellent emissions and economy are what you want, I would recommend the MINI Cooper D. This has the efficient dynamics and can easily do 60 mpg + 109 g/km for the manual and great to drive. Holds its value well too.

We're hoping for some Mini Daves next year so no Mini Coopers!

I drove a 118D loaner and thought it was brisk (but not really quick), comfortable (on the firm side) and a tidy handling car. It’s very refined on motorways and seemed pretty economical too. The Stop Start works well on the 1 series and imho only really becomes intrusive in stop start Motorway jams, where as soon as you come to rest you move off again. I just press the cancel button when I am in this kind of jam and the next time you start the car it re-arms itself automatically.

The finish of the car is very nice and it is probably slightly better than the current Skodas. If fact the only real complaints I have about mine are, the boot is a bit small (I knew this obviously when I bought it) and the ride can be a little brittle over rough surfaces. Overall I love it.

Too many car salesmen make that mistake. Typical [insert car brand] buyers can look like anything. Put it this way, I ddon't get dressed up to go car shopping.

Im the same......lol been to the bmw garage twice now, once in trainers and stripy tshirt....my chav day

The second in wellies and boilersuit with my dad was rather amusing the snobery looks we got from other customers

Crossflags or Lloyds?

lloyds

Im the same......lol been to the bmw garage twice now, once in trainers and stripy tshirt....my chav day

The second in wellies and boilersuit with my dad was rather amusing the snobery looks we got from other customers

Most of them are just stupid "try hards" signed up on the never never. From my experience those who really have money and class don't need to make statements or flaunt their wealth. Richest guy I know drives a 20 year old Saab, doesn't reckon the latest ones are any good.A Merc dealer lost a sale to my father by adopting this attitude though.

I have been to BMW dealers in hiking boots and a big soggy jacket, I looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards. I was treated with total politeness and attentiveness. No differently to if I have gone in scrubbed up. 10/10 for a customer satisfaction point of view from me:thumbup::):)

I have been to BMW dealers in hiking boots and a big soggy jacket, I looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards. I was treated with total politeness and attentiveness. No differently to if I have gone in scrubbed up. 10/10 for a customer satisfaction point of view from me:thumbup::):)

No surprise, rockports and anorak sums up about 90% of the North West's population...

Speaking of BMW dealers, a friend of mine took his (4 yr old) MINI to Warrington BMW (Halliwell?) for service and MOT last year. It failed on something CV joint related and took them about 4 weeks to get the part. In the meantime they let him have one of their demo/coutesy MINIs gratis. Very good service really.

No surprise, rockports and anorak sums up about 90% of the North West's population...

Raichle and North Face actually:P

Don’t forget the free buns and nice coffee at BMW too. I think I made mention of them in this thread