All this talk about Ground Speed Mini is irrelevant, except in extremely strong winds when ATC will not be using 2.5 mile spacing anyway. (Yes I fly the Airbus and do know what GS mini is).
If ATC ask for 160 to 4 then select 160 and fly it, as you are instructed! Not being able to get stable by 1000' is rubbish - it just requires a bit of thought.