As much as I love the E46, the thought of a supercharged V8 Jag appeals too. Do these things make any supercharger whine, or is there anything you can do to a standard one to get some whine out of it?

If it had that invasive supercharger whine, I think I'd be sold.

Changing the blower pulley will make it louder.

I have owned a E46 M3 and currently own a 98 XKR and a E39 M5 and my conclusions are

The XKR is far more comfortable, feels classier, easy to drive round town, looks like it's worth considerably more than it is and gets loads more attention from the ladies but, I only get 16 MPG out of it and it isn't the type of car that you go out in the middle of the night just to drive it.

The M3 is far more raw, agile, more space, better MPG and is the type of car you go for drives just for the sake of driving it. However, it can be quite tiring in heavy traffic with its heavy clutch, not very comfortable over long journeys and to many people it is just a BMW.

Too be honest get a M5, it's the best of both worlds. All IMHO.

M3 will be more frugal, but really depends how you drive. I'd have said the XKR should be capable of 18-20mpg average, dipping lower for excessive town or heavy right foot use and middi'sh 20's on a run, maybe slightly more. The BMW is more likely 20-24mpg normal use with 30 as a high and still in the teens under certain conditions.

But come on, the Jag is a large fairly heavy GT with a 4.0 litre V8 and a supercharger. What other 370hp+ cars are truly going to offer better mpg in this weight of vehicle with an autobox?

I was out having a look for an M3/M5/RS6 (this probably wasn't an option in my budget)/S4 a few months ago. Loads of internet hunting without spotting much I was interested in seeing.

Went to view an M3 and spotted a S-Type R on the same forecourt. Same 4.2 'charged V8 as the later XKRs with the 6 speed J gate auto. It got bought after a test drive.

Reports seem to suggest the 4.2 is a much more reliable engine than the 4.0. The research I did seemed to suggest it was a pretty reliable unit. As mentioned above the gearbox oil changes is pretty essential too.

Sounds like the S-Type R may be worth a look with a family potentially on the way but they're obviously nowhere near as pretty but I'd guess a lot more practical. Plus side of that is no one knows how quick it's going to be!!

Either way if I was you I'd be aiming for one with a 4.2 - these came out in the STR in 2002, not sure if it was this time across the range.

Supercharger noise is definitely audible. Tend to hear that more than the V8 which is a bit of a shame. Already got me thinking about a new exhaust. That isn't to say it's not a nice sound, just very Jaguar like and reserved.

I'm averaging 22mpg out of mine. Keeps heading up when I behave but it's still my new toy. Haven't got used to the surge of power and the lovely noise enough yet to chase economy figures. Fairly confident it'll do 25+ without too much problem - 70mph it sits at 1750rpm so barely ticking over.

I've got no regrets at all buying mine, I love it! One thing to watch though is if selecting 2nd on the J gate before accelerating don't forget it isn't in full auto mode and wonder why it's bouncing off the rev limiter - oops...

Basically guys I'm looking to have my cake and eat it. The M3 looks cool, but it’s not as sexy as the Jag and won't age as well. At the end of the day it’s got the shape of a coupe, just like my curent 3 series, just like an audi a4, just like a vw bora. But the Jag, although not an out and out sports car, does have more seductive lines. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not sold on the Jag nor am I ruling out the e46 but it is literally a case of wanting something special, a bit different and sporty/quick yet still kind of practical (enough room for luggage on a wkend break and possibly a baby seat) and all for circa £7k. Any other suggestions? Don't say Audi TT!

Clearly you're struggling to decide, so I'll just leave these here:

I'd say in general American cars are very cheap to run. Parts are fine, lots of places carry service items in stock and if you do need anything from America it takes only a few days. I broke a sensor fitting some mods on the Camaro. Order it late Sunday night online from the USA and it was delivered on the Wednesday morning.

I admit they aren't to everyone's tastes and some will never get on with LHD. But they are very easy to live with and offer huge performance for the money.

Haha, I actually have a Jag track day lined up in October up in Warwickshire. Similarly I'm hoping they'll let me drive one home as a token of appreciation for my ethusiastic driving...Either that or they have a spare XKR lurking in the garage they want rid of for peanuts...

I here you for sure. Thanks!

But have you guys read the recent pistonheads buying guide piece on the Maserati 3200 GT? At 10k or so it's out of my budget but I wonder if these might dip down further by this time next year? If so, I think that could very well tick every box...?