£3k to spend, something with decent perf and 30mpg m/way

[TheAngryDog]

Having decided that I am regrettably going to have to sell my M5 due to a few personal issue's, I will soon be on the hunt for a car upto £3k.

Having never really looked in this market before, I do not know what is out there that would give me a bit of fun. I know I will not find anything that will be like my M5 for this money, for pace, fun or comforts etc, but I can live with that.

So I need something with at least 4 doors, or a decent sized coupe, some performance and can do 30mpg if driven sensibly on the motorway.

What is out there?

Thanks

[sparks_E39]

An E39 530i will do everything you require from it, easily 33-37mpg on the motorway.

[Silverbullet767]

You might be able to find a Mazda 6 MPS for that money, it could hit 30mpg with a light foot.

[Bill]

330i seems the obvious answer, but it might be a bit too much like a poor version of what you had before.

[cerb4.5lee]

Bill said:

330i seems the obvious answer,

This was my first thought as well.

[Squishey]

Ford Mondeo ST220. Ticks every box except, possibly, the badge.

[TheAngryDog]

sparks_E39 said:

An E39 530i will do everything you require from it, easily 33-37mpg on the motorway.

It would feel poor compared to my M5, I think I'd be constantly disappointed.

Silverbullet767 said:

You might be able to find a Mazda 6 MPS for that money, it could hit 30mpg with a light foot.

I wouldnt mind one of these, a £3k one might be a bit knackered?

Bill said:

330i seems the obvious answer, but it might be a bit too much like a poor version of what you had before.

I'm not sure I really fancy a 3 series unless its an M3, but its a good shout.

Squishey said:

Ford Mondeo ST220. Ticks every box except, possibly, the badge.

I'm not fussed about the badge. On paper these look slow and thirsty?

[TEKNOPUG]

Saab 95 Aero?

I'm considering something similar but it seems if you want RWD & manual, then it's basically a 3/5 series.

Any other options? I fancy something turbo-charged but they all seem to be either FWD or 4WD (which isn't a killer) or auto/low rent interiors.

If only there was a 3/5 series equivalent that was turbocharged, so a remap could bring it upto 280+bhp. I don't believe that such a car exists though.

[cerb4.5lee]

TheAngryDog said:

Squishey said:

Ford Mondeo ST220. Ticks every box except, possibly, the badge.

I'm not fussed about the badge. On paper these look slow and thirsty?

I agree and I am a big ford fan and I looked into swapping my 330i as its an auto and I hate it for a ST220 but it seems you get less performance and worse economy when compared to the 330 but I have always had a serious soft spot for the ST220 though.

[TEKNOPUG]

cerb4.5lee said:

TheAngryDog said:

Squishey said:

Ford Mondeo ST220. Ticks every box except, possibly, the badge.

I'm not fussed about the badge. On paper these look slow and thirsty?

I agree and I am a big ford fan and I looked into swapping my 330i as its an auto and I hate it for a ST220 but it seems you get less performance and worse economy when compared to the 330 but I have always had a serious soft spot for the ST220 though.

I've driven a few miles in a an ST220 and I thought that it was a nice drive. However, there appeared to be little correlation between performance and thirst - and not in a good way!

[TheAngryDog]

TEKNOPUG said:

cerb4.5lee said:

TheAngryDog said:

Squishey said:

Ford Mondeo ST220. Ticks every box except, possibly, the badge.

I'm not fussed about the badge. On paper these look slow and thirsty?

I agree and I am a big ford fan and I looked into swapping my 330i as its an auto and I hate it for a ST220 but it seems you get less performance and worse economy when compared to the 330 but I have always had a serious soft spot for the ST220 though.

I've driven a few miles in a an ST220 and I thought that it was a nice drive. However, there appeared to be little correlation between performance and thirst - and not in a good way!

I've just looked at the "on paper" figures. The 330i beats it in every department.. Though the ST220 does look a nice place to sit.

Yeah Saab 9-5 Aero is good shout..

[slash79]

TEKNOPUG said:

Saab 95 Aero?

I'm considering something similar but it seems if you want RWD & manual, then it's basically a 3/5 series.

Any other options? I fancy something turbo-charged but they all seem to be either FWD or 4WD (which isn't a killer) or auto/low rent interiors.

If only there was a 3/5 series equivalent that was turbocharged, so a remap could bring it upto 280+bhp. I don't believe that such a car exists though.

My 9-5 Aero is remapped to 280bhp.
The only thing a 3/530 would see is my rear end.
It's not rwd but it's bloody quick.

[cerb4.5lee]

TEKNOPUG said:

cerb4.5lee said:

TheAngryDog said:

Squishey said:

Ford Mondeo ST220. Ticks every box except, possibly, the badge.

I'm not fussed about the badge. On paper these look slow and thirsty?

I agree and I am a big ford fan and I looked into swapping my 330i as its an auto and I hate it for a ST220 but it seems you get less performance and worse economy when compared to the 330 but I have always had a serious soft spot for the ST220 though.

I've driven a few miles in a an ST220 and I thought that it was a nice drive. However, there appeared to be little correlation between performance and thirst - and not in a good way!

Owned a couple of V6 mondeo`s in the past and I think they are a decent enough motor but I have always liked the ST220 but I agree its performance versus economy doesn't seem to add up!

[TheAngryDog]

Hmmmm, Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8 V6 Turbo?

[TEKNOPUG]

TheAngryDog said:

Hmmmm, Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8 V6 Turbo?

You certainly won't be getting regular 30mpg runs

Scope for a lot of power if you fancy tuning them but potential for bigger bills and somewhat compromised against the 2.3.

Brave pills at the ready...

[slash79]

The B235r 2.3 engine in the 9-5 Aero is bullet proof. Iron block. Goes on forever.
The 2.8 V6 Turbo is a V6 yes, but not as sturdy as the 2.3.
I know of guys on the uk saab forum who have been running modified 9-5 Aeros with 300bhp plus for 150k plus miles with no problems.
You also get the legendary mid range grunt from the 9-5 Aero. Mines nothing short of astonishing.

[joebongo]

My X308 Jag Sovereign 2001 will do the job nicely.

[HaloGen8]

Impreza WRX Wagon.
Plenty of grunt. 4x4. Less chance of being abused and chaved. Loads of smiles per mile.

[Bradley1500]

Audi S4 B5.

Seems to fit the bill to me? Fast, yes. Four doors, yes. 30MPG if sensible, yes. Under 3k, just about.

Plus it still has a good badge and despite being an older car has a fantastic interior, so it shouldn't feel too much of a downgrade.

[TEKNOPUG]

Bradley1500 said:

Audi S4 B5.

Seems to fit the bill to me? Fast, yes. Four doors, yes. 30MPG if sensible, yes. Under 3k, just about.

Plus it still has a good badge and despite being an older car has a fantastic interior, so it shouldn't feel too much of a downgrade.

Think you'll struggle at <£3k, although they do exist.