Sporty Mile Muncher of Choice?

[MtheV]

Afternoon, long time reader 1st time poster. I would value any suggestions from this seasoned group of enthusiasts.

Current vehicle - 2011 Scirocco 210 DSG and absolutely love it. Great acceleration, DSG is fantastic and corners brilliantly. Company car tax hurts but they do pay for my fuel so every cloud...

Changing job and I need to wave goodbye to the Scirocco and source my own vehicle, either new or nearly new. I'll be doing 20K+ miles a year with some mega journeys involved (Manchester to Inverness/Essex on a regular basis). However I will get paid 55p/mile.

So I'm used to a punchy petrol auto that I don't need to fund but now require (probably diesel :-S) mile muncher. It's just me and the Mrs so no need to accommodate sprogs so coupes top of my list.

I'd still like to keep some performance but need refinement too. I'm looking at monthly payments of around £500 so vehicle price of £30-40K with a modest deposit.

I have a few thoughts of makes and models but don't want to hinder your creativity with suggestions! Sorry if its a bit of a boring conversation but we all need a dose of reality sometimes!

Thanks a lot

[Quhet]

335d

[MtheV]

Cheers mate, I had a E90 320i M Sport as a company car and it wrecked my back and just didn't find it very comfortable, put me off BMWs if I'm honest...

Reckon the new 3 series would be better?

[AudiSport]

We've just bought an e60 520d. Really comfortable, loads of space and 50mpg average on my last 40-minute run....

535d?