What car? £4k...
Discussion
Afternoon all.
Yes it's one of those threads, sorry. I'm just running out of ideas!
I've got around £4k to spend on a new motor.
I almost purchased an E46 330i but it sold before I could get it (
) so I'm back to the drawing board.
I do 60-80 miles a week so MPG not that much of a concern. I'm nearly 20 so insurance does have to be taken in to consideration but things seem surprisingly cheap! Amazing what is affordable when you look round.
After I missed out on the 330i I set about looking again and stumbled across a C32 AMG. Insurance is OK but I am worried about the bork factor. How are they mechanically? Looking at one with 80k on the clock with full service history. How ruinous could one be?
Would prefer a 4 door but but the end of the world. RWD or FWD = not bothered. Box? Would prefer Spanish but as the C32 above shows, not the be all and all.
In summary:
Something quick, nice sounding and not borkalicious. For £4k.
Over to you all.
Cheers
Yes it's one of those threads, sorry. I'm just running out of ideas!
I've got around £4k to spend on a new motor.
I almost purchased an E46 330i but it sold before I could get it (
) so I'm back to the drawing board. I do 60-80 miles a week so MPG not that much of a concern. I'm nearly 20 so insurance does have to be taken in to consideration but things seem surprisingly cheap! Amazing what is affordable when you look round.
After I missed out on the 330i I set about looking again and stumbled across a C32 AMG. Insurance is OK but I am worried about the bork factor. How are they mechanically? Looking at one with 80k on the clock with full service history. How ruinous could one be?
Would prefer a 4 door but but the end of the world. RWD or FWD = not bothered. Box? Would prefer Spanish but as the C32 above shows, not the be all and all.
In summary:
Something quick, nice sounding and not borkalicious. For £4k.
Over to you all.
Cheers
My take on it kind of depends whether you have a sinking fund put aside when things go wrong. If you have access to a couple of thousand pounds for when the unknown strikes, above and beyond what is required to keep it in fuel, tyres, insurance, servicing, etc, then I reckon go for it. It's not about when something is going to break, as that could happen on a 5yr old Fiesta, it's about the cost to purchase replacement parts and subsequent labour involved when you're dealing with the likes of older BMW Ms, AMGs, etc.
Sorry, not enquiring specifically about your financial state, it's more the question you need to ask yourself. But if you're happy, then something like that C36 posted above, or the nicest E36 M3 or B3 saloon I could find, would be high on my list of target cars. Once kept in good condition they will always be worth close to what you paid I think
Sorry, not enquiring specifically about your financial state, it's more the question you need to ask yourself. But if you're happy, then something like that C36 posted above, or the nicest E36 M3 or B3 saloon I could find, would be high on my list of target cars. Once kept in good condition they will always be worth close to what you paid I think
Thanks for the replies all
Not all that fussed on Hot Hatches so thats them out. Viewed the rest of the E46s and nothing jumps out at me. Looking for saloons and the one I missed was a mint one with 52K on the clock!
200sx could be worth a look - thanks May take a look at Audi S4 too as they popped in my head!
I do have money outside of the £4k budget but that's the house fund! So i'm trying to make that grow, not shrink!
On the C32s, there seems to a problem with the radiators (pre 03 cars) where glycol gets in the gear box oil and buggers it up. So would need to change to a Behr radiator. Four figures if it goes wrong (going from prices on MB forum)!!
Need to find out how much a Behr radiator is to supply/fit.
C36/43 good shouts also - need to get an insurance quote!
Any more suggestions, keep them coming
Not all that fussed on Hot Hatches so thats them out. Viewed the rest of the E46s and nothing jumps out at me. Looking for saloons and the one I missed was a mint one with 52K on the clock!
200sx could be worth a look - thanks
May take a look at Audi S4 too as they popped in my head! Leins said:
My take on it kind of depends whether you have a sinking fund put aside when things go wrong. If you have access to a couple of thousand pounds for when the unknown strikes, above and beyond what is required to keep it in fuel, tyres, insurance, servicing, etc, then I reckon go for it. It's not about when something is going to break, as that could happen on a 5yr old Fiesta, it's about the cost to purchase replacement parts and subsequent labour involved when you're dealing with the likes of older BMW Ms, AMGs, etc.
Sorry, not enquiring specifically about your financial state, it's more the question you need to ask yourself. But if you're happy, then something like that C36 posted above, or the nicest E36 M3 or B3 saloon I could find, would be high on my list of target cars. Once kept in good condition they will always be worth close to what you paid I think
Thanks, Leins. Sorry, not enquiring specifically about your financial state, it's more the question you need to ask yourself. But if you're happy, then something like that C36 posted above, or the nicest E36 M3 or B3 saloon I could find, would be high on my list of target cars. Once kept in good condition they will always be worth close to what you paid I think
I do have money outside of the £4k budget but that's the house fund! So i'm trying to make that grow, not shrink!
On the C32s, there seems to a problem with the radiators (pre 03 cars) where glycol gets in the gear box oil and buggers it up. So would need to change to a Behr radiator. Four figures if it goes wrong (going from prices on MB forum)!!
Need to find out how much a Behr radiator is to supply/fit.
C36/43 good shouts also - need to get an insurance quote!
Any more suggestions, keep them coming
You could buy more than enough E46 330i (or 325 or 328) for your budget, I'd probably spend no more than £3k. This from an E46 owner who should maybe be talking their value up, not down, but hey
I bought my 328i when I was 20 and had pretty limited spare cash, but as you've noticed insurance is fine and they're really not ticking time bombs. Do be prepared to replace cooling system components, but once done, you should be fine for 5+ years.
Had £4k been on the table when I was buying, I'd have gone with an E36 M3. There are plenty of saloons about and they seem to be slightly less desirable, which is nice for you. 25mpg is your realistic best hope but you said that doesn't bother you, so it's only the insurance (about double a non-M E3/46 in my experience). But, well, when you can make noises like this..
I bought my 328i when I was 20 and had pretty limited spare cash, but as you've noticed insurance is fine and they're really not ticking time bombs. Do be prepared to replace cooling system components, but once done, you should be fine for 5+ years.
Had £4k been on the table when I was buying, I'd have gone with an E36 M3. There are plenty of saloons about and they seem to be slightly less desirable, which is nice for you. 25mpg is your realistic best hope but you said that doesn't bother you, so it's only the insurance (about double a non-M E3/46 in my experience). But, well, when you can make noises like this..
boobles said:
Damn that C36 looks good but 175,000 miles is brave. According to the PH info thingy it has a top speed of 250mph so I guess it's the fastest £4k car around 
McSam said:
You could buy more than enough E46 330i (or 325 or 328) for your budget, I'd probably spend no more than £3k. This from an E46 owner who should maybe be talking their value up, not down, but hey
I bought my 328i when I was 20 and had pretty limited spare cash, but as you've noticed insurance is fine and they're really not ticking time bombs. Do be prepared to replace cooling system components, but once done, you should be fine for 5+ years.
Had £4k been on the table when I was buying, I'd have gone with an E36 M3. There are plenty of saloons about and they seem to be slightly less desirable, which is nice for you. 25mpg is your realistic best hope but you said that doesn't bother you, so it's only the insurance (about double a non-M E3/46 in my experience). But, well, when you can make noises like this..
I've scoured the usual places for E46 330i saloons and there's only one that jumps out at me; a silver one with 88k up for £4.2k. The rest seem a little tired!I bought my 328i when I was 20 and had pretty limited spare cash, but as you've noticed insurance is fine and they're really not ticking time bombs. Do be prepared to replace cooling system components, but once done, you should be fine for 5+ years.
Had £4k been on the table when I was buying, I'd have gone with an E36 M3. There are plenty of saloons about and they seem to be slightly less desirable, which is nice for you. 25mpg is your realistic best hope but you said that doesn't bother you, so it's only the insurance (about double a non-M E3/46 in my experience). But, well, when you can make noises like this..
M3 sounds stunning!! I get 20% insurance with Admiral which makes things bearable. Off to the classifieds I go.
43034 said:
After I missed out on the 330i I set about looking again and stumbled across a C32 AMG.
Would prefer Spanish but as the C32 above shows, not the be all and all.
you've looked at two very german cars. but would prefer spanish?? all i can think of is seat for spanish? are you sure thats what you meanWould prefer Spanish but as the C32 above shows, not the be all and all.
43034 said:
After I missed out on the 330i I set about looking again and stumbled across a C32 AMG.
Would prefer Spanish but as the C32 above shows, not the be all and all.
you've looked at two very german cars. but would prefer spanish?? all i can think of is seat for spanish? are you sure thats what you meanWould prefer Spanish but as the C32 above shows, not the be all and all.
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