Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   Luxury, Imports & Niche (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/luxury-imports-niche/)

-   -   Narrow parking spot (1800 mm width), so need a small luxury car (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/luxury-imports-niche/287902-narrow-parking-spot-1800-mm-width-so-need-small-luxury-car.html)

After 9 years of happy motoring, I am considering saying good bye to my 4th Gen City, which has been an amazing and fuss free partner. I am looking to replace the same with an entry lux segment car. The challenge is that any new car I buy has to fit in a narrowish and awkwardly positioned parking slot. About 1800 mm width is the sweet spot and anything bigger is out of the question.

This means my choices are limited to an A200/220 Gran Coupe/Mini Cooper.

In the non-luxury segment as well, my only choice really is either the Creta or the Compass

My driving needs:

1) We are a family of 2 - My partner commutes daily to work and I work primarily from home with occasional visits to clients/office, twice a week at most

2) I used to drive an X1 and my wife used the City with a driver. But post covid both of us changed professions and we no longer have a driver. My wife now uses the X1 as her daily driver (and absolutely refuses to switch to the City) and now I am using the City but since it is a manual and I find it difficult to cope in Mumbai traffic, which is key trigger to change the car.

3) I like to keep my cars for a long time - 10 years is my average ownership length for most cars. I would like to have a fuss free ownership experience with the next one as well.

4) I am a sedate and calm driver except on road trips when I like to have a bit of fun (within legal limits at all times).

5) The car will be primarily used to commute to meetings once or twice a week, a weekend drive and a road trip 1/2 times a year.

I have just started exploring the possibilities and am open to new or used, depending on the deal I get.

Given my usage pattern, I was thinking of petrol rather than diesel. I have never used a diesel car except for a diesel Polo over 10 years ago. Loved the car, hated the VW service experience (thats the only car I sold in less than 3 years). Mileage is not a big concern since driving is limited.

Some of the possibilities are:

1) Have seen a lightly used 2021 A200 Petrol around 32-33 L and a 2022 GLA AMG and a 220i around 44L. Initial conversations without much negotiation ...

2) Have not yet started looking at new cars, plan to start soon as well.

Would love some advice around what do i look out for ... any views, suggestions etc would be welcome.

Since it's a small parking spot and you already have an X1 in the house (for practicality), I would strongly recommend a 'pocket rocket' for fun.

- Pre-owned Mini Cooper S. Or even check on the discounts on a new one (50-lakhs OTR) since it's a slow seller, you have the budget and keep your cars for long. A Cooper S is more fun than a Ferrari in India and will make you laugh on every drive.

- Small & quick AMGs (CLA, GLA). These - or the Cooper S - are top choices.

- A used Audi TT (link)?

- Pre-worshipped Porsche Boxsters or Caymans.

- VW Polo GTI, with the 1.8 TSI. Hard to find, but you should look.

Mini Cooper S is my recommendation as well. Having said that such a small foot print also means Jimny is not a bad option.

I park my Jimny where I used to park my Nano and it's still a cute little eye candy.

You should also look at Octavia VRS 245/235. Same width as the city and hugely fun. Also, the mod potential is endless.

Thanks, I have been thinking about the Mini Cooper. I have not been able to find many long term reviews of the Mini. Any inputs on the same?

Looking at your requirements, I think you should give the Audi Q2 a try as well. A used one with less mileage can be found for decent money as the resale isn't too great. It has the same 190 hp 320 Nm engine from the A4, Q3, Tiguan, Kodiaq, etc. The car is much smaller and fairly lighter so feels more peppy. It won't have the typical woes of a Mini Cooper with respect to ride comfort and ground clearance. It's not a Q3 so you don't even have to feel like you own two cars from the same segment, think of this as a luxury hatchback (with 200 mm GC). It also has Quattro in case you care about that. It's not too large inside but you're a family of 2 and the X1 can be the practical one anyway. Luxury cars don't really get smaller than this.

All the best with your search.

Hey Sunilrs, was in a similar position for most of the year :)

Ended up buying the VW Tiguan. Drove a bunch of lightly used Mini Cooper S and Countryman S. even 1-2 year old examples had rattles. To top that, a trusty mech told me the build quality is not as solid as other Germans. Considering we hold our cars for at least 7 years, this was a deal breaker.

There is a dearth of compact cars in this segment:
- Used A35 / GLA35 if you can live with the stiffness
- Lexus NX if you have the budget
- new Q3 Technology has great deals and delivers good value. Lower variants skimp on some nice to have features (memory seats and electric tailgate).

Since you have mentioned the big Germans at one end and Compass/Creta at the other, may I suggest the Volvo XC40 in between :



Note that it is for sedate driving only, as you wrote. Plus, the width is not too much either.
The XC60 feels a lot more luxurious, but at a higher price.

Also, depending on individual opinions, you may/may not perceive a Volvo as luxury. If that is not a concern, then it's worth taking a look.

Hey Sunilrs, it is a difficult choice when it comes to buying a cheap luxury car I believe. I will just give you my experience from owning 2024 A180 hatchback and 2023 G31 5 Series touring in the UK.

A class has horrible quality if you compare with the 5 series, I understand they are from different classes but you had X1, so definitely you can see harder plastics and poor noise insulation. BMW is better built IMHO.

A class technology is good and comes across a bit more polished because of the nice big screen compared to the separate ones on BMW.

If you look at A class in isolation, it is a nice car, premium looks and has been reliable but I have had the car since April 24.

I looked at Minicooper in the UK before making a decision to buy A180. It has similar quality but features were lacking such as 360 degree camera. My friend has a JCW Minicooper in India which is a hoot to drive but the ground clearance is appalling.

I would say, you should visit the showroom and have an experience of the car to compare between A class, 2 series and a Minicooper. I am afraid, they don't feel very premium as their costs suggest.

Given your and wife's usage, i suggest buying MG comet. It checks most of your requirement with style statement. I am sure, your wife will give X1 to you and she will start using MG Comet for sheer convenience and oomph factor it gives.

I was in a similar position until recently. I started looking at everything, Honda, VW, Maruti, Lexus and of course BMW/ Mini.

New generation Mini is minimalist and futuristic but mayn't be practical. For whatever reasons, our traffic decimates the smaller car and I was getting squeezed left & right in rush hour test drive. Apart from Mini, I dont think any others will squeeze in 1800 mm width limitations. Not even X1, otherwise, you can get yourself an EV X1 at pretty tempting deals. It's one of better build cars as these are CBU imports. The shape of newer is different from older one that you have but it might be boring since you already have one.

If you must choose Mini, tyres is something you will need to get replaced immediately as these make an awful sound. Also, be prepared to accept losing this car to your spouse as she may switchover to Mini completely :) Good luck with your hunt.

Are EV off the table?
BYD seal has some great reviews but not sure if it will meet your size criteria. It's 1875 mm wide but then you seem to be looking at gla etc which are wider.

Like GTO and others have said, if you want a pocket rocket for a cramped parking space and in the luxury segment, the only choice that comes to mind is the Mini. And not the countryman.

My mum had a similar issue with a smaller parking garage and test drove the Mini Cooper. It's an absolute hoot to drive and it feels like one of those cars where the joy it'll bring you will overrule the issues you'll face with stuff like ground clearance. We'd probably have it if dad hadn't won out getting an E Class for himself instead.

I wish there were a tiny niche even for getting stuff like a 500 Abarth or a Golf GTI in India. The latter is something we've enquired about at dealers speculatively but it's more been a stab in the dark. The paperwork would be a nightmare. Shame really because I think like yourself there's a not insignificant small buyer group who'd be willing to have a punt on something out the ordinary. Only issue is it wouldn't have the luxury connotations due to the badges but just think how cool it would be if say Renault brought Megane RS as a halo car? Alas in India bigger seems to only equate to better in the bragging stakes.

Good luck on your search!

What a pertinent and relevant ask. Upping the quality and refinement quotient just makes cars longer and wider making upgrades difficult notwithstanding the hole to the pocket.

India needs the GTI range of hatches, both Polo and Golf. Only Volvo XC40 comes to mind as a mainstream option with the Mini as a niche option

Since you already have a BMW X1 in your garage, it would make sense to have a budget mini SUV. The Hyundai Creta is ideal and since you're in Mumbai, this should be ideal for city commuting. The 2024 Creta's dimensions are 4330 mm in length, 1790 mm in width and it's 1635 mm in height. It has a resale value and anytime you feel like swapping it for something else, that's possible. The petrol variant SX (O) with an automatic transmission sells for 20 L plus and should be OK for use by both of you.

I would rule out the Compass as the company's future in India and winding up and exit plans are a mystery and could be either near or far but inevitable. They sell a two to three hundred units a month, which must be unviable. Also, I would not zero upon the Polo GT as its production has ceased in 2022. As you say that you need to keep the car for 10 years, it's not certain if OE spares will be available till 2034-35.