Pls help me Decide, fellow enthusiasts

[martinbo]

Farouk, this decision's a killer!

The new Mazda 3 2.3 litre NA engine got a glowing review in SA Car this month. Have you read the test? It'd be my choice over a new 116i.

Then again, are you prepared to look at an approved used 120i. You should be able to pick on of those up with low km's for about the same money. Good luck with your decision...

 

[far2000]

I ask the same thing?
If you talking about Mazda 3 MPS with 260hp than thats my choice but if the Mazda 3 has the same engine power as the 116i than my choice is the bimmer.

OT: A swedish carmag tested Mazda 3 MPS to an Audi S3 and the Mazda beat the Audi. The Mazda was more fun to drive and with a better pricetag. Mazda 3 MPS with 260 horsepower is one hell of a car if you ask me.

Its not an MPS, but a 2.3i Indinvidual Model, which is the top end Mazda 3 in the southern african market, i dont think Mazda3 MPS was launched here yet, Martinbo correct me if im wrong...

 

[far2000]

Well having just helped my sister get a 118i, I can give you some advice, courtesy of the local BMW salesman, Mr. Meindl.

Between the 116i and 118i, the 118i is the better choice by far. Although the 1-Series got a facelift recently, the 116i is still the old engine and I believe it is first of all not available with the start-stop function that can help conserve fuel. Furthermore the new 118i engine is more powerful and get's better fuel economy than the old 116i. If I were you, I'd pay a little extra for a 118i and enjoy more power and better gas mileage than the 116i.

Hope this helps.

Its a pre facelift model, but it does have the Start/stop Button...Although it has manual windows at the rear .........

 

[far2000]

Farouk, this decision's a killer!

The new Mazda 3 2.3 litre NA engine got a glowing review in SA Car this month. Have you read the test? It'd be my choice over a new 116i.

Then again, are you prepared to look at an approved used 120i. You should be able to pick on of those up with low km's for about the same money. Good luck with your decision...

thanx 4 the heads martin, will have 2 buy that mag and chek it out....Im worried about demo/2nd hand bmws, i would like 2 have a full motorplan backing me up......the major drawback of the 1 is the run flat tyre system, just found out 2 replace 1 costs R2600- ....AND OUR ROADS in swaziland arent the best ......im waiting on trade figures and it looks like toyota are giving me the best deal so at the moment im leaning towards the Toyota Runx RSI, but its being replaced so this decision is killing me..!!!!


thanx 4 all the responses so far, hoping 2 have confirmation by the end of the week before i go on vacation...!!!

 

[NarutoRamen]

thanx 4 all the responses so far, hoping 2 have confirmation by the end of the week before i go on vacation...!!!

Well keep us updated man. It's always good to know what a fellow GCF member is driving. Good luck!

 

[Zafiro]

Its a pre facelift model, but it does have the Start/stop Button...

Really? Thats weird

 

[martinbo]

I think we're confusing Start / Stop button with engine Start / Stop function which shuts down the engine when stationary and then starts it again on pullaway?

 

[Zafiro]

I think we're confusing Start / Stop button with engine Start / Stop function which shuts down the engine when stationary and then starts it again on pullaway?

yeah you are right

 

[far2000]

guys, after a long hard day of test driving and wrecking my brains, i have finally come 2 a decision, firstly i would like 2 thank evry1 4 there responses and advice, this is truly what makes a great forum, 2 be allowed 2 make the right decision about motor vehicles..

now 2 my decision:

well at first, my budget could only manage a 116i, lookin at deposit and monthly instalment, i realised that if i hold on 4 the next 4 months, i would raise a sufficietnly high deposit 2 handle my monthyl instalments, and after test driving the 116i, 120i, i have decided 2 go 4 a 120i...!!!!!!

one of the other reasons is that my current car will be purchased by a colleague of mine , who will be comfortable in purchasing it from me in a few months time, and it saves me from losing on a trade deal, as i have slightly more for a deposit.....the dealership really tried hard 2 force me 2 purchase the 116i, and even offered 2 include 17inch 130i rims at a reasonable extra of R4000-($500) BUT AFTER thinking about it, i really felt the 116i engine was a waste compared 2 the 120i after the test drive, i will be ordering a black 120i with sunroof and M leather steering wheel with stereo controls....it will afect my monthly instalments, but for 5 years i think im makin the right decision.....

i will give a review of the 120i and 116i in my next post....

once again thanks 2 all the advice......and hoping the next 3 months goes as quickly as possible.....i feel at ease and can finally go 4 a holiday this wken 4 a week 2 dubai........

 

[Nikos120i]

guys, after a long hard day of test driving and wrecking my brains, i have finally come 2 a decision, firstly i would like 2 thank evry1 4 there responses and advice, this is truly what makes a great forum, 2 be allowed 2 make the right decision about motor vehicles..

now 2 my decision:

well at first, my budget could only manage a 116i, lookin at deposit and monthly instalment, i realised that if i hold on 4 the next 4 months, i would raise a sufficietnly high deposit 2 handle my monthyl instalments, and after test driving the 116i, 120i, i have decided 2 go 4 a 120i...!!!!!!

one of the other reasons is that my current car will be purchased by a colleague of mine , who will be comfortable in purchasing it from me in a few months time, and it saves me from losing on a trade deal, as i have slightly more for a deposit.....the dealership really tried hard 2 force me 2 purchase the 116i, and even offered 2 include 17inch 130i rims at a reasonable extra of R4000-($500) BUT AFTER thinking about it, i really felt the 116i engine was a waste compared 2 the 120i after the test drive, i will be ordering a black 120i with sunroof and M leather steering wheel with stereo controls....it will afect my monthly instalments, but for 5 years i think im makin the right decision.....

i will give a review of the 120i and 116i in my next post....

once again thanks 2 all the advice......and hoping the next 3 months goes as quickly as possible.....i feel at ease and can finally go 4 a holiday this wken 4 a week 2 dubai........

I presume that you are referring to the new 120i with 170hp and reduced consumption. If yes, then that is a GREAT pick. At first, the running cost for the 120i is lower than the 116i and at second...it is a true BMW with power and torque...the 116i is a bit slow.

Three-door or 5dr?

Great choice!! Don't forget to include xenons in your order! They are fantastic at night and the front rings are amazing!

 

[far2000]

I presume that you are referring to the new 120i with 170hp and reduced consumption. If yes, then that is a GREAT pick. At first, the running cost for the 120i is lower than the 116i and at second...it is a true BMW with power and torque...the 116i is a bit slow.

Three-door or 5dr?

Great choice!! Don't forget to include xenons in your order! They are fantastic at night and the front rings are amazing!

thanks Nik, yeah, the facelifted 120i, 5door, unfortunately the xenons will stretch an alredy stretched budget, so i decided on the sunroof....

 

[Nikos120i]

thanks Nik, yeah, the facelifted 120i, 5door, unfortunately the xenons will stretch an alredy stretched budget, so i decided on the sunroof....

Is the 3dr available at SA? If yes...why not go for the 3dr and xenons. The 3dr is cheaper than the 5dr...I also think it looks much sportier...

Great engine choice, however!

 

[Zafiro]

thanks Nik, yeah, the facelifted 120i, 5door, unfortunately the xenons will stretch an alredy stretched budget, so i decided on the sunroof....

choose Clima (ACC) then you dont need a sunroof

 

[Zafiro]

what happen next? did you change your spec or what happend here?`

 

[far2000]

guys, after a long hard day of test driving and wrecking my brains, i have finally come 2 a decision, firstly i would like 2 thank evry1 4 there responses and advice, this is truly what makes a great forum, 2 be allowed 2 make the right decision about motor vehicles..

now 2 my decision:

well at first, my budget could only manage a 116i, lookin at deposit and monthly instalment, i realised that if i hold on 4 the next 4 months, i would raise a sufficietnly high deposit 2 handle my monthyl instalments, and after test driving the 116i, 120i, i have decided 2 go 4 a 120i...!!!!!!

one of the other reasons is that my current car will be purchased by a colleague of mine , who will be comfortable in purchasing it from me in a few months time, and it saves me from losing on a trade deal, as i have slightly more for a deposit.....the dealership really tried hard 2 force me 2 purchase the 116i, and even offered 2 include 17inch 130i rims at a reasonable extra of R4000-($500) BUT AFTER thinking about it, i really felt the 116i engine was a waste compared 2 the 120i after the test drive, i will be ordering a black 120i with sunroof and M leather steering wheel with stereo controls....it will afect my monthly instalments, but for 5 years i think im makin the right decision.....

i will give a review of the 120i and 116i in my next post....

once again thanks 2 all the advice......and hoping the next 3 months goes as quickly as possible.....i feel at ease and can finally go 4 a holiday this wken 4 a week 2 dubai........

1

 

[Mr. M]

Congratulations Farouk, you wouldn't be disappointed. When you get your Beemer I'm sure you would have earned enough money for another one.