Feel a little bit bittersweet writing this post as it will probably be one of my last on here! 
The good news is that I've got a new car - after a lot of test driving and deliberation, I eventually decided on a new F20 BMW 116d M Sport - which arrived a couple of weeks ago. I picked the following options/choices:
Ambient lighting
Brushed aluminium interior trim
Driver comfort pack with front/rear park distance control - 1 Series Hatch
Electric power steering
Enhanced bluetooth telephone functionality with USB audio interface + voice cont
Full black panel display
Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system
Instrument panel - Black high gloss finish
M sports suspension
Manual height adjustable front seats
Model designation deletion
Non Smokers pack
Xenon headlights + headlight washers
Solid - Alpine white 3
Here's some pictures:
Even with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 run flat tyres and M Sport suspension - its still perfectly comfortable for every day driving around these parts (as well as some more spirited driving!).. I remember being in an old 1 series and thinking it rode a bit like a skateboard.. thankfully it would appear as though the BMW engineers have been hard at work to improve this on the new 1 series!
The bad news is that with the arrival of my new car - my A3 will now need to make way (as we're now up to 3 cars! the BMW, the Merc and the Audi!) and one of the main reasons for the BMW was to be a little bit more child friendly with the 5 doors as my son is getting a bit older.
Ironically, after not wanting for anything in my ownership - other than a new battery and new tyres - in typical car fashion though - my car (A3) decided to spit the dummy and I've had to spend a little time getting some issues/niggles sorted as I would never sell a car knowing it wasn't 100%. So with that in mind..
It had thrown a check engine light! - quick scan with VCDS confirmed the common P0411 code (Secondary Air Injection System: Incorrect flow detected) issue - I think this is one most 1.8T's suffer from at some point!! It was going in to my mechanic for a full service - so lucky enough he managed to find a split hose and replaced this today. The brakes also don't feel as sharp as they should (but not sure if this is just because I'm now so used to driving the 1 series and they tend to be a bit over assisted!) so as there is a slight lip on them, I'm also getting new pads and discs sorted for it this week. The MOT is due next month - so figured I might as well put it through an MOT prior to selling it.
Hoping it will go to a good home - spent ages trying to find the right one for me and have been very happy with it! It's completely standard and is the 1.8T AUM engine with KO3s turbo, FSH, 74k, new Bridgestone A001's all round, full black heated leather interior (no splits, cracks, faded or rubbed bolsters!), 6 cd multichanger, DIS in perfect working order, climate control (with no wear to buttons) etc- generally a really well looked after car - so hopefully shouldn't have too many problems selling it! Will point the new owner in the direction of this forum as well!
Here's some pictures of my A3 when I picked it up in October 2011 (still looks the same! LOL!) - although will take better/more up to date pictures for the new advert:
The good news is that I've got a new car - after a lot of test driving and deliberation, I eventually decided on a new F20 BMW 116d M Sport - which arrived a couple of weeks ago. I picked the following options/choices:
Ambient lighting
Brushed aluminium interior trim
Driver comfort pack with front/rear park distance control - 1 Series Hatch
Electric power steering
Enhanced bluetooth telephone functionality with USB audio interface + voice cont
Full black panel display
Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system
Instrument panel - Black high gloss finish
M sports suspension
Manual height adjustable front seats
Model designation deletion
Non Smokers pack
Xenon headlights + headlight washers
Solid - Alpine white 3
Here's some pictures:
Even with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 run flat tyres and M Sport suspension - its still perfectly comfortable for every day driving around these parts (as well as some more spirited driving!).. I remember being in an old 1 series and thinking it rode a bit like a skateboard.. thankfully it would appear as though the BMW engineers have been hard at work to improve this on the new 1 series!
The bad news is that with the arrival of my new car - my A3 will now need to make way (as we're now up to 3 cars! the BMW, the Merc and the Audi!) and one of the main reasons for the BMW was to be a little bit more child friendly with the 5 doors as my son is getting a bit older.
Ironically, after not wanting for anything in my ownership - other than a new battery and new tyres - in typical car fashion though - my car (A3) decided to spit the dummy and I've had to spend a little time getting some issues/niggles sorted as I would never sell a car knowing it wasn't 100%. So with that in mind..
It had thrown a check engine light! - quick scan with VCDS confirmed the common P0411 code (Secondary Air Injection System: Incorrect flow detected) issue - I think this is one most 1.8T's suffer from at some point!! It was going in to my mechanic for a full service - so lucky enough he managed to find a split hose and replaced this today. The brakes also don't feel as sharp as they should (but not sure if this is just because I'm now so used to driving the 1 series and they tend to be a bit over assisted!) so as there is a slight lip on them, I'm also getting new pads and discs sorted for it this week. The MOT is due next month - so figured I might as well put it through an MOT prior to selling it.
Hoping it will go to a good home - spent ages trying to find the right one for me and have been very happy with it! It's completely standard and is the 1.8T AUM engine with KO3s turbo, FSH, 74k, new Bridgestone A001's all round, full black heated leather interior (no splits, cracks, faded or rubbed bolsters!), 6 cd multichanger, DIS in perfect working order, climate control (with no wear to buttons) etc- generally a really well looked after car - so hopefully shouldn't have too many problems selling it! Will point the new owner in the direction of this forum as well!
Here's some pictures of my A3 when I picked it up in October 2011 (still looks the same! LOL!) - although will take better/more up to date pictures for the new advert:
