Budget 60 lakh: Need a fun to drive upgrade from my Fiesta

Should be more fun to drive and handle better than the Fiesta.

BHPian Ojas recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Friends, first of all, thank you everyone here for making this forum an excellent source of information and advice. I really appreciate the passion, attention to detail, and willingness to help.

I’m in the market for a new car and need your advice before I take the plunge.

Current ride:

My current ride is a Ford Fiesta SXI 1.6 Duratec, bought in 2010 and clocked around 1.2L kms. Needless to say, it’s a driver’s delight and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed driving it for more than a decade now. The phrase “poor man’s BMW” is something that stuck in my mind all along.

Usage profile:

It’ll be for 2 adults and 2 kids. Medium sized cars are perfect as we are not very tall/big. City/highway split will be 70:30.

Budget:

Mustered the courage to go up to 60L, partly because I can save about 18% in terms of tax savings and car running/maintenance expenses through company lease.

Requirements:

• Should be more fun to drive and handle better than the Fiesta.
• I enjoy my music, so should have a premium audio system with punchy bass.
• Good in-cabin NVH.
• Comfortable ride (need not be very plush, but has to be definitely comfortable).
• Power should be a significant step up.
• 5-star safety.
• Paddle shifts.
• Wireless Android Auto.
• Good to have: Digital cockpit, sunroof, ventilated seats, sun blinds.

Cars dropped:

• Jeep Compass: Slow gear box was a deal breaker. Cabin insulation and music system were average.
• VW Tiguan: Stiff ride, unexciting interiors, basic music system.
• Audi A4: Nice interiors and good ride/handling balance. Average music system. At this price, thought the 3 series with RWD will be a better option.
• BMW 520d: Met all my requirements and then some, but it’s above my budget. In-cabin NVH was acceptable and almost petrol like. Has been hard to find a suitable used car in Hyderabad. I’m also dropping the used car option now, since Orix needs the car to be at most 2 years old for lease.
• Skoda Superb: Not a handler.
• Skoda Kodiaq: Don’t need a big 7 seater.

Cars not considered:

• Volvo S60: Given lower power/torque and FWD setup, despite it having a “spectacular” Harman Kardon system (from Team BHP review). Would be interested in knowing if it’s worth considering.
• Mercedes-Benz: Given they are generally not known to be driver’s cars. But I never drove one to know first hand.

• Cars shortlisted:

• Skoda Octavia: Ideal size for us and fun-to-drive. Missing features like sunroof and ventilated seats are OK, somewhat. The car felt powerful, light, and agile. I’ll be test driving this again to gauge the handling since I did not have much opportunity when I test drove. Really liked the Canton audio system (better than the Harman Kardon one in the 330 Li).
• BMW 330 Li: Liked the power and refinement more than the 520d as expected. It felt fine around the corners, but again, didn’t have much opportunity to drive fast around curves. The Harman Kardon system was good. Will be taking a second test drive soon.
• BMW 330i: No TD vehicles available. There was a vehicle to be delivered in showroom, but could not test the music system as PDI was pending. Will find one soon to see or test drive.

Questions:

How do Octavia, 330 Li, and 330i compare relative to each other (and relative to Fiesta if you have driven one) in terms of handling and fun-to-drive aspect?

Reviews of 330 Li have a lot of variance on handling – comments range from “still a great fun to drive car” (Power Drift did tests on slalom course and hairpin bends) to “it’s only for the chauffeured”. If it handles only as good as Octavia, then I’d be less inclined to spend double the money (despite the 3 offering more luxury and power).

How’s the audio system on 330i? How close or behind is it to the Harman Kardon one in 330 Li? If it’s good and if 330 Li does have much reduced handling capabilities, then I may compromise on audio system (don't really want to) and go for the regular 330i.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Your post has "330i" written all over it. Go for the regular variant (not LWB) as you don't need that extra legroom at the back. It's cheaper & tighter to drive. BMW's turbo-petrol is glorious, as is the ZF gearbox and the brand's reliability varies between good to excellent.

How do Octavia, 330 Li, and 330i compare relative to each other (and relative to Fiesta if you have driven one) in terms of handling and fun-to-drive aspect?

330i > Octavia. Although I've had a lot of fun in both. Since 2 generations, BMW has started prioritising ride comfort (unlike the bone-jarring E90), but not as much as Skoda who's gone really soft with the new Octavia. All said and done, both cars are damn good. It is you who has to decide if the BMW 330i is worth the extra money to you.

Personally, I'd go for the 330i especially since - like me - you also keep your cars for 10+ years. Go high-revv away into glory, brother.

There's a mouthwatering 2003 325i somewhere in the classifieds section, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat if I was in your situation.

 A 20-year old German sedan can be someone's project car, but not really a daily driver, especially not one with a 60-lakh budget. Many of us are too busy at work to bother with an old car on a weekly basis (sourcing parts, talking to mechanics, dealing with niggles & problems...).

Here's what BHPian lamborghini had to say on the matter:

As a fellow ex-Fiesta owner, I completely understand where you're coming from. Very few cars are able to live up to the joy of a driver's car the Fiesta was.

You've chosen 2 brilliant options : the 330i v/s the Octavia. Nimble, quick, comfortable, and fairly practical options.

Interestingly, after our Fiesta, I switched to daily driving our Skoda Laura, and now am dailying a pre-owned F30 328i.

Regarding differences between the two: It all boils down to your driving style.

Here's what BHPian itwasntme had to say on the matter:

Ojas, eyes closed go for a brand new 330i M Sport for ~64L: 2022 production has started, and a lease company can swing it for you in 2 weeks flat.

Plan B:

A lightly used M340i (there was one for ~70L some time back): Makes the 330i look like a pussy cat.

Plan C:

A pre-worshipped vRS (very unlikely given your 2 year age limit) for 40L.

Coming from a Ford Fiesta, do not even think of an Octavia.

The Octavia can do 80% of what the BMW can do - the BMW will feel better at higher speeds, will be quicker, and a better handler + all the fun of RWD cars, while having a nicer ambience & feel, better presence, etc. Plus, BMW has some great warranty and service packages as compared to Skoda.

If you see yourself as a driver who enjoys pushing the car to the limit, would value the nicer interiors and the feel good factor : the BMW is your cup of tea. It handles high speed undulations better, getting the tail out is always fun, and experiencing a RWD launch is so much nicer to experience than the FWD wheelspin.

The Octavia that way feels more like a good cruiser - if you don't see yourself flooring the pedal often, not picking the best line for a corner, and just want a good, fast, safe cruiser - the Octavia could be a good option without stretching your budget.

Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say on the matter:

Brilliantly and clearly laid out analysis and ‘what car’ query. Makes it so easy for the forum to provide advise. A caveat - I know very little about the audio systems of these cars so my advise will not factor this aspect at all.

But from your stated parameters, I have zero hesitation in recommending the petrol BMW - the 330i M Sport, to be specific. The Octavia will be no match to the puritan RWD of the BMW.

IMO, I would actually expect the BMW to be more reliable - it comes with great warranties and service packs too (although so does the Octavia). The 330Li is also a great car (and the one I would pick for myself) but in your case I think the 330i does the job best.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.