M135i... What used car alternatives?
Discussion
I really really fancy one of these.... However as many new car threads are peppered with 'yeah but you could buy a secondhand blah blah blah' I'm throwing it out to the masses...
Needs 4 seats, ideally 4/5 door, and total costs over a 3 year period, ie purchase cost/ tax/ insurance/ depreciation/ fuel/ servicing/ maintenance/ to be roughly comparable to a m135i...
Needs to be fairly compact (3 series size tops), quick, and a comparable driving experience to the Beemer.
Over to you!
Needs 4 seats, ideally 4/5 door, and total costs over a 3 year period, ie purchase cost/ tax/ insurance/ depreciation/ fuel/ servicing/ maintenance/ to be roughly comparable to a m135i...
Needs to be fairly compact (3 series size tops), quick, and a comparable driving experience to the Beemer.
Over to you!
Honestly, there's not much out there. A 911 TT will save you £13000, however you'll probably only save £5000 in total in depreciation, fuel, maintenance and everything else will eat that up and a whole chunk more. It's not a 4 seater either.
In terms of the drive I personally prefer the 3 series to the 1 so would probably look at a lightly used 335i. You could, of course, grab an E9x M3, in saloon form it will be a better car and while it'll cost a little more to run I think you should be in a similar ball park on value loss. Realistically, an M135i is £33,000 when you've added the required kit and that should get you into a 10 plate M3 with less than 30k on it
In terms of the drive I personally prefer the 3 series to the 1 so would probably look at a lightly used 335i. You could, of course, grab an E9x M3, in saloon form it will be a better car and while it'll cost a little more to run I think you should be in a similar ball park on value loss. Realistically, an M135i is £33,000 when you've added the required kit and that should get you into a 10 plate M3 with less than 30k on it
The obvious choice would be a 335i, either coupe, 4 door saloon or estate.
Prices start from £10k used.
Add some mild tuning to get above 350 bhp / 350 lb ft
http://www.juiceduptuning.co.uk/
Then add a proper diff (eg Quaiffe) to make it more like an M car would feel
http://www.birdsauto.com/content/quaife-atb-limite...
Prices start from £10k used.
Add some mild tuning to get above 350 bhp / 350 lb ft
http://www.juiceduptuning.co.uk/
Then add a proper diff (eg Quaiffe) to make it more like an M car would feel
http://www.birdsauto.com/content/quaife-atb-limite...
As much as I like the e90, I don't think the 335i would feel special enough, isn't as quick, and doesn't excite me like the roadtests suggest the f20 will. The m3 on the other hand...
The charger is a good shout but wouldn't get spousal approval I'm sure. Too 'yank'. I used to have a grand Cherokee srt8 with the same lump but its thirst was tedious as a daily driver.
The charger is a good shout but wouldn't get spousal approval I'm sure. Too 'yank'. I used to have a grand Cherokee srt8 with the same lump but its thirst was tedious as a daily driver.
rix said:
No disrespect, but £30k 'to spend' (part financed) and a e36 m3 is suggested?!
Had thought about a e90 m3 saloon and even 996tt but both cars' running costs will be multiples of the M135. Wouldn't they?
I can only comment on the Pork, 24 mpg in mixed driving, bullet proof reliability, all weather capability and very reasonable on insurance, for me (mid 40's, rural location, etc.). Wife's X3 has similar running costs. Service is not so painful if you use specialist independents.Had thought about a e90 m3 saloon and even 996tt but both cars' running costs will be multiples of the M135. Wouldn't they?
Other obvious choices are S3, Focus RS & ST, STi Impreza's....
An older 135i?
The e82 135is were the gem of the lineup IMO.
307hp but most pulled 320+, with one on the forums reaching 337hp at a rolling road day with other cars pulled their expected power figures
Exhaust, induction and a remap will see ~420hp
33mpg as opposed to 37mpg on the new one.
IIRC Autocar timed one 0-60 and it did 4.7secs (same as 1M)
You can get a nearly new one for a touch over 20k with a bit of haggling.
Edit: The left over change allows for the mods + a quaife LSD
The e82 135is were the gem of the lineup IMO.
307hp but most pulled 320+, with one on the forums reaching 337hp at a rolling road day with other cars pulled their expected power figures
Exhaust, induction and a remap will see ~420hp
33mpg as opposed to 37mpg on the new one.
IIRC Autocar timed one 0-60 and it did 4.7secs
(same as 1M)You can get a nearly new one for a touch over 20k with a bit of haggling.
Edit: The left over change allows for the mods + a quaife LSD
rix said:
No disrespect, but £30k 'to spend' (part financed) and a e36 m3 is suggested?!
Had thought about a e90 m3 saloon and even 996tt but both cars' running costs will be multiples of the M135. Wouldn't they?
sorry - I don't see which part of your brief my suggestion doesn't meet apart from saving you a large part of that £30K Had thought about a e90 m3 saloon and even 996tt but both cars' running costs will be multiples of the M135. Wouldn't they?
MarJay said:
Why has no one mentioned the 130i yet? Sure its not *quite* as powerful as the M135i, but its pretty damn close and its normally aspirated.
I've got one. Its the best car I've ever owned, and the only car I haven't wanted rid of after a year...
Maybe because its only got 230 bhp, go for a drive in a 335/135 and then ask yourself the same question!I've got one. Its the best car I've ever owned, and the only car I haven't wanted rid of after a year...
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