Buying advice - 120i / 318i / C180 W204 / A3 Sportback

Question

Hello. I am currently looking for my first real car. So far I drove around in an old polo and now it should be a bit more chic. The budget is around €10,000, although less is always nice, of course, but if it is worth it I would also like to take the budget off.

I have considered:

BMW 120i 170PS
BMW 318i 143 HP
Audi A3 Sportback
Mercedes C180 W204 156PS

What I am mainly concerned with:

The first thing for me is the longevity of the engine. It should be reliable and not cost me the last nerve because something breaks here and there. Wear parts are of course normal.

The car should also be a petrol engine because I don't drive as much as a diesel is worth it.

Visually, the 120i appeals to me the most. But I also think the other models mentioned are very chic.

Now to the actual topic:

Which model has the best engine for me? Does one particularly stand out (negative or positive)? I always read divided opinions of almost everyone. If it were a legend that is top, there is a comment that claims the opposite. The TFSI is always badly talked to me at the Audi. Is it really that bad?

Another important thing to know is that I am not a big racer. Mostly on the go. Of course, I would also use the 120i, for example, but also if the route allows it.

Thanks in advance. I am very grateful for your answers and recommendations

Answer 1

120i and 318i both have the N43, which is very fragile ... I would stay away (have my own experience with the N43). The A3 is all about the engine, the old naturally aspirated engines and the newer TFSI with timing belts are the best choice. Unfortunately I don't know much about Mercedes.

Comments

First of all, thanks for the answer. I thought again today about my kilometers driven and a diesel is not as absurd as I thought. What about the 1 Series 118d Coupé? As bad as the gasoline engine?

Answer 2

For longevity I would definitely go in the direction of Mercedes.

The generation BMWs have the N43B20 engine, and it is anything but durable (I drive an N43 with 143PS myself and would never buy it again).

I don't know much about Audi, but there have been a couple of disasters (engines that use more oil than fuel, defective multitronic, etc.pp)

Comments

A shame then BMW is probably out. The 1 Series Coupé appealed to me the most.

Then I'll look around for a C-Class. Unfortunately, it is not as easy to find as a diesel as a petrol engine.

So far I've only read positive things about the Audi A3 Sportback as a diesel. But then I'll take a closer look around.

Do you have a good recommendation otherwise? Should fit into the profile of the other vehicles (chic, not too old, "sporty", etc)

Answer 3

The most reliable variant would be the 125i as a 1 Series Coupé. It has a six-cylinder engine that usually doesn't cause any problems. However, it will be difficult to get a good one for €10,000. Or alternatively the normal 1 Series as 130i, also six-cylinder.