Spec me pls

[hex85]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a used car, I have an upper budget of around 30k, Would prefer to spend 20-25k but 30 is fine. My requirements are quite relaxed;

Petrol
300 bhp+
3/5 door no pref
4 seats
RWD or AWD pref
20 mpg+
No barges
I will be doing 8-12k yearly.

I am a bit of a German car lover. My list so far starting with highest pref first:

E92 M3
MK 7 Golf R
Audi RS4
Audi S5/S3
E92 335i

My heart says go with the M3, My head says Golf.. Especially since BMW recently upped the AUC warranty price for a e92 M3 with less than 60k on it from £80 PCM to over £120!

It's likely the car will see a track once or twice a year at most, I'm not very mechanically minded so won't be moding or buying a car that's been heavily modded.

I think I'm just looking for suggestions, I feel its inevitable I'll go for the M3, That V8! But those maintenance costs can be a bit scary.

Please help PH!

Thanks.

[cars1993]

I know its not in there but if you can find a manual RS6

[soad]

BMW 6 Series (E63).

[stuno1]

Had a similar decision to make last year...Lexus isf. Power, performance, reliability, sounds amazing, amazing spec etc etc

Not German but worth a drive.

[krisdelta]

I would question the warranty value on an E9x car - whilst the E6x had some pretty expensive issues with the SMG, I've not seen anything like concerns of that magnitude on the E9x series. I think there is one known issue with an exhaust hanger (iirc), most issues can be resolved with a software update.

You get 1 year with an AUC, but this can be negotiated to 2 years - you've got plenty of time to figure out if you've got a lemon then.

I ran an E46 M3 with no warranty and had no issues up to 80k.

[StottyEvo]

I take it from the list you're looking for a refined performance car. And not something out and out performance orientated?

[Fun Bus]

cars1993 said:

I know its not in there but if you can find a manual RS6

He'll be doing well if he does - they didn't make one.

[Krikkit]

20mpg from an E92 M3? Is that even a slim hope?

[hex85]

Thanks for the quick replies.

cars1993 said:

I know its not in there but if you can find a manual RS6

I tend to prefer the looks and size of 3 series coupe / Hatch, Though the RS6 is a nice looking car from a quick google img search, I will look into it thanks

soad said:

BMW 6 Series (E63).

A tad large, I didn't add the M235i into the list as I thought it was out of budget, I need to look into this.

stuno1 said:

Had a similar decision to make last year...Lexus isf. Power, performance, reliability, sounds amazing, amazing spec etc etc

Not German but worth a drive.

Interesting! I like the looks, I will look into having a test drive. Thanks.

krisdelta said:

I would question the warranty value on an E9x car - whilst the E6x had some pretty expensive issues with the SMG, I've not seen anything like concerns of that magnitude on the E9x series. I think there is one known issue with an exhaust hanger (iirc), most issues can be resolved with a software update.

You get 1 year with an AUC, but this can be negotiated to 2 years - you've got plenty of time to figure out if you've got a lemon then.

I ran an E46 M3 with no warranty and had no issues up to 80k.

What worry's me most about the e92 M3 is if it wasn't under warranty it could through up some potentially huge bills, Especially the DCT version. Though if I bought from BMW and was given 2 years AUC inc. that would probably sway it for me.
I'm yet to test drive the MK 7 Golf R (Should be next week) as they're like rocking horse st at the minute, I've read glowing reviews and they do look very nice imo.

StottyEvo said:

I take it from the list you're looking for a refined performance car. And not something out and out performance orientated?

I think so, I'm not 100% sure what defines refined sports car?, I only past my test a couple of years ago so a lot of it is new to me. I've had a 110bhp 1.6 litre petrol rustbox since passing to gain some road experience. Jumping in the e92 M3 blew me away the power and feel of it I loved every second of it and nothings compared to it since.

Krikkit said:

20mpg from an E92 M3? Is that even a slim hope?

I've read of users reporting 16-24 mpg, So I took an avg of 20mpg for the e92 M3, Probably a bit optimistic I know lol.


Thanks again for the helpful advice

Edited by hex85 on Friday 14th November 14:31

[StottyEvo]

StottyEvo said:

I take it from the list you're looking for a refined performance car. And not something out and out performance orientated?

hex85 said:

I think so, I'm not 100% sure what defines refined sports car?, I only past my test a couple of years ago so a lot of it is new to me. I've had a 110bhp 1.6 litre petrol rustbox since passing to gain some road experience. Jumping in the e92 M3 blew me away the power and feel of it I loved every second of it and nothings compared to it since.

I mean dynamically an Evo is superior to an S3 but lacks refinement in comparison. Its another option to throw into the mix

[kambites]

If you need a full four seater, the M3.

If a relatively spacious 2+2 will do, a 911.

If a very cramped 2+2 will do, an Evora.

[CrisW]

Maserati Gransport

996 Turbo
997 Carrera

Mercedes C63

TVR Cerbera

[Crusoe]

Just helped my brother get a year old 335i hybrid 3 series, will do 40mpg on a run and ticks all the other boxes.