First world problems...

[Badger71]

I'm in the fortunate position of being ready to swap out the old faithful jag xf for a sportier model. I'm looking to spend up to £35k on a car less than 3 years old with less than 40k miles.

My shortlist is. M3, m5, rs4, rs5 or c63amg

Can't decide.

M5 has been top of list purely based on 560bhp. Who doesn't neeed 560bhp! But, it looks quite bland and I've heard that it's difficult to actually get all that power down...

Rs5 is probably 2nd on the list. Seems to do most things I want...

M3 ticks all boxes, but there are a lot of them out there, and on the occasions when I have family in tow, it's not very spacious in the back.

Rs4 wasn't really on my radar but keeps popping up on autotrader searches. Are they any good?

Bottom of the list c63. I don't really like the c63 but the noise it makes keeps meaning it gets added back on the list.

Anything I've overlooked? Thoughts?

[Deerfoot]

Lexus IS-F?

[JamesRF]

Cayman?

[Badger71]

I did consider the Lexus, but it didn't make the shortlist. Any reason it's worth reconsidering?

The cayman is a no due to lack of seats. I didn't specify, but it needs to be a 4 seater...

[benjijames28]

C63 amg for me. Sounds like you want a m5 tho.

[T9JVG]

Badger71 said:

Can't decide.

M5 has been top of list purely based on 560bhp. Who doesn't neeed 560bhp! But, it looks quite bland and I've heard that it's difficult to actually get all that power down...

Rs5 is probably 2nd on the list. Seems to do most things I want...

M3 ticks all boxes, but there are a lot of them out there, and on the occasions when I have family in tow, it's not very spacious in the back.

Rs4 wasn't really on my radar but keeps popping up on autotrader searches. Are they any good?

Bottom of the list c63. I don't really like the c63 but the noise it makes keeps meaning it gets added back on the list.

Anything I've overlooked? Thoughts?

Just my two cents OP, but after looking at the M3, M5 and C63, I opted for the Merc. I really don't want to come across as one of those fanboys and create a thread called "the one and only C63" (firstly because there are loads, secondly because I'm not a muppet) but it really does cover all the bases really well.

I'd always wanted the M5 but it was just too big for where I live and I found it a bit too barge-like. The M3 is an awesome machine but I found you really have to be pushing on to fully appreciate it, I use mine a commuter so it just isn't possible and I felt like I'd be doing it an injustice. The AMG is fun at low speeds, sounds fantastic and can also play dosile commuter car/family wagon when needed. And if you do find a but of open road (rare thing in the south) you open the taps and it sounds like thor on a bad day - I love it.

Which ever you choose I'm sure you'll love it, good luck

[simong800]

Close to M6 territory for that money? Same power as the M5, but in my opinion more aesthetically pleasing both inside and out (which is just an opinion).

[simong800]

Post above makes a good point about the C63 being fun at lower speeds and sounding amazing, The M6 needs spanking to enjoy the noise aspect, and it is hard to get the power down (to an average driver like me, appreciate someone else will tell me otherwise )

[Dave Hedgehog]

C63 for me, the Audi V8 is fantastic when you are ringing its neck but pretty dead when driving normally so makes a very poor daily driver IMO

[T9JVG]

simong800 said:

Close to M6 territory for that money? Same power as the M5, but in my opinion more aesthetically pleasing both inside and out (which is just an opinion).

can you get a 3 year old, sub 40k mile M6 for under £35k? Don't think you could when I was looking, otherwise would have definitely factored a M6GC into the decision.

[2ono]

What about an E63??

[Deerfoot]

Is a Jaguar XF-R in budget?

[ikarl]

My experience of a couple of these cars from a few days ago.

I was in the city centre as an M5 drove past. It was a lovely dark blue and before even seeing it, I could hear the car, and knew it was something big/powerful. I admired it for a second or two, thought to myself 'nice' and that was that.

A couple of minutes later a C63 drove past and as it went by the exhaust gave a little 'crackle'...nothing more than 15mph and probably just a blip of the throttle... it made me smile and continue to watch it as it drove away. I couldn't, and can't, help thinking that it's just that little bit more special.

[donkmeister]

2ono said:

What about an E63??

Seconded - if an m3 is too small a c63 won't be any bigger.

[Yiliterate]

Nearly new V8 Mustang (RHD):

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...


ETA: the actually new Mustangs look to be under £40k anyway...

Edited by Yiliterate on Thursday 17th November 13:17

[Badger71]

Thanks all. Seems like I should take a c63 out for a spin.

E63, haven't seen any in price range. I'd consider a cl63 too, but same issue.

M6 doesn't do it for me.

[simong800]

T9JVG said:

simong800 said:

Close to M6 territory for that money? Same power as the M5, but in my opinion more aesthetically pleasing both inside and out (which is just an opinion).

can you get a 3 year old, sub 40k mile M6 for under £35k? Don't think you could when I was looking, otherwise would have definitely factored a M6GC into the decision.

Close to

Man maths would be required, reality is it'll be nearer £40k. But there are a few that have been sat at dealers quite a while, and it isn't the time of year that they are flying off the shelf. Realistically I suppose without breaking the budget a little it would be tricky, but might be worth pushing the boat out for...

Edited to add clearly not given comment above ha

[Badger71]

Oh, and xfr would definitely be in the mix if I hadn't just spent the last 3 years in an xf.

It would seem too similar if that makes any sense.

[simong800]

OP, stumbled across this E63 yest;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Badger71]

Mustang considered and discounted. Was very disappointed with camaro ss and have, rightly or wrongly, assumed the mustang will be the same. No reviews I've read have suggested I'm wrong