Anyone moved onwards and upwards from an Evo?

[zb]

I have an Evo 8 FQ-300, it is a fantastic car. However, it's now 12 years old and things have moved on. Thinking about next car I get, is that I'd like the throttle response to be much sharper, maybe I'm used to it but I just don't get that shove in the back any more (it was serviced a few weeks back at a specialist, it is running fine). I've already looked into further modifications of the Evo, it's money I'd never see back and the sums involved would be better spent on something newer.

What I have in mind is; A45 AMG, RS3 that sort of bracket. I have already ruled out Golf R, new Type R and new Focus RS. GTR is not possible, as I'm also putting by deposit for a house.

This would be a daily driver, anything else I should consider? (no motorbikes)

[Dave Hedgehog]

I had a IV and a couple of STI type UK PPPs

I have just done a 5 year stint in an RS3 as my daily London commuter and loved every day of it.

I consider the RS3 and A45 as more grown up evolutions of the scooby/ evo rally cars and much nicer places to sit for long stints.

The C43 merc variants are worth a look if you want more refined performance.

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Sunday 28th August 14:23

[trickywoo]

With that budget you could easily get a secondhand V8 M3 or a variety of the 63 engined Mercedes.

[zb]

Dave Hedgehog said:

I had a IV and a couple of STI type UK PPPs

I have just done a 5 year stint in an RS3 as my daily London commuter and loved every day of it.

I consider the RS3 and A45 as more grown up evolutions of the scooby/ evo rally cars and much nicer places to sit for long stints.

Cheers Dave, that's exactly my thinking. What's the throttle response/gearbox on the RS3 like?

[Hol]

I had the same dilemma back in 2013 and decided I still wanted a 300 plus petrol saloon, with AWD, but no spoilers or rally slag image.

I went for a 2014 S4 in the end ,which ticked all the boxes except for the god-awful auto box..

[Dave Hedgehog]

zb said:

Cheers Dave, that's exactly my thinking. What's the throttle response/gearbox on the RS3 like?

Lovely in auto cruising mode, pretty savage in sport mode

That's the good thing with the RS3 and A45, if you spec mag suspension they can be moderately comfortable performance cars / cruisers or if your in the mood they can be in full out track mode.

The revised A45 box (2016) is 100 times better than the original version, the whole car is a big improvement IMO

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Sunday 28th August 14:33

[zb]

trickywoo said:

With that budget you could easily get a secondhand V8 M3 or a variety of the 63 engined Mercedes.

This is the problem, I look at the A45 AMG and keep gravitating towards the 63 AMG. On the M3, I've enjoyed 4 wheel drive immensely, and it has been very useful these past few years, when BMW owning neighbours have been stranded (yes, winter tyres would have helped them), so I think I'll stick with it.

[Dave Hedgehog]

zb said:

This is the problem, I look at the A45 AMG and keep gravitating towards the 63 AMG. On the M3, I've enjoyed 4 wheel drive immensely, and it has been very useful these past few years, when BMW owning neighbours have been stranded (yes, winter tyres would have helped them), so I think I'll stick with it.

You can get a low mileage 18 month old RS6 for the cost of a speced 3/45, the £200 a week petrol bill kills it for me unfortunatly lol

[zb]

Hol said:

I had the same dilemma back in 2013 and decided I still wanted a 300 plus petrol saloon, with AWD, but no spoilers or rally slag image.

I went for a 2014 S4 in the end ,which ticked all the boxes except for the god-awful auto box..

Got the S4 remapped Hol?

[Magic919]

I can't imagine BMW drivers in snow being a good yardstick to judge RWD cars in general.

[zb]

Dave Hedgehog said:

You can get a low mileage 18 month old RS6 for the cost of a speced 3/45, the £200 a week petrol bill kills it for me unfortunatly lol

Don't do that Dave, a few weeks back one of them went by me like I was reversing.

[zb]

Magic919 said:

I can't imagine BMW drivers in snow being a good yardstick to judge RWD cars in general.

No, Scottish B roads are.

[Dave Hedgehog]

zb said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

You can get a low mileage 18 month old RS6 for the cost of a speced 3/45, the £200 a week petrol bill kills it for me unfortunatly lol

Don't do that Dave, a few weeks back one of them went by me like I was reversing.

Audi lent me one for a week, they really are the perfect daily driver IMO

apart from the running costs... As soon as I hit those lotto numbers Merlin Purple with silver interior

[Hol]

zb said:

Hol said:

I had the same dilemma back in 2013 and decided I still wanted a 300 plus petrol saloon, with AWD, but no spoilers or rally slag image.

I went for a 2014 S4 in the end ,which ticked all the boxes except for the god-awful auto box..

Got the S4 remapped Hol?

No as its an expensive mistake all the time it's under warranty, but if I'd gone for plan B and got a used manual instead, I would definitely have done. 450bhp is considered a safe level, for these engines.


http://www.mrctuning.com/index.php/audi-tuning-opt...

Edited by Hol on Sunday 28th August 15:07

[Hol]

If a golf or A3 is big enough for you, I would just get a cheap GolfR lease.

Two years driving can be had for £7-8k all in.

[jamiem555]

I went from a 270 bhp UK Impreza turbo to a Mk3 Focus ST (With a Leon diesel inbetween). Probably not what you are after as the 4WD is hard to beat but it does the same job most of the time. It's a lot more comfortable and certainly a match for it day to day. Running costs are buttons compared to it. I bought a set of winter tyres for mine and it's unstoppable when the weather turns. I do miss 2nd gear four wheel drifts in the snow though.

[The Moose]

Wouldn't the next logical step up be to the GT-R?

[harmy2010]

zb said:

I have an Evo 8 FQ-300, it is a fantastic car. However, it's now 12 years old and things have moved on. Thinking about next car I get, is that I'd like the throttle response to be much sharper, maybe I'm used to it but I just don't get that shove in the back any more (it was serviced a few weeks back at a specialist, it is running fine). I've already looked into further modifications of the Evo, it's money I'd never see back and the sums involved would be better spent on something newer.

What I have in mind is; A45 AMG, RS3 that sort of bracket. I have already ruled out Golf R, new Type R and new Focus RS. GTR is not possible, as I'm also putting by deposit for a house.

This would be a daily driver, anything else I should consider? (no motorbikes)

I have had three Evo's (8,9& 10) i actually went to a lotus exige S, although i get the feeling that would not be what you would need for practicality purposes. A45 AMG would be a good next step, but i agree with another poster on here and say get a C63! A relative of mine has one and it is a lovely car inside and out. The interior will be a massive change from the 'bare essential' Evo!

[WhiteAMG45]

I have had my A45 for 18 months now and I am very pleased with it.
I have had it from new and have not any issues
Cheap to tax £195
tyres last 10,000 for fronts and 20,000 for rears £270 for a pair
Pads for front changed at 13,000 miles
Have service plan cost £36 and servicing is every 12,500
Running 21.5 Mpg since I have had it but I drive it hard
I do not do many motorway driving when i do I see 35-37 MPG
Used everyday
Jack of all trades and ballistic when needed
I went without Aero so stealthy and no one bothers you
I like the sound it makes
Go for a test drive

[Monkeylegend]

The Moose said:

Wouldn't the next logical step up be to the GT-R?

Not if you read the OP's post