What car to replace my EP3 with a £5-8k budget…
Discussion
Sorry to hear about your troubles, but this is an isolated incident and unlikely to happen to your specific car twice. If your that worried, as people have stated there is a multitude of security options.
Your 33? Irrelevant, buy what you want and what meets your specific needs/desires.
One thing I will say, having owned 3 x RS250 Megane's, they are incredible cars and very capable out the box. I would recommend one in a heartbeat, but at your budget you will struggle to get a decent example. Allow £9-10k at least.
I think you are over thinking the situation if I'm honest, buy the car you want and enjoy it.
Your 33? Irrelevant, buy what you want and what meets your specific needs/desires.
One thing I will say, having owned 3 x RS250 Megane's, they are incredible cars and very capable out the box. I would recommend one in a heartbeat, but at your budget you will struggle to get a decent example. Allow £9-10k at least.
I think you are over thinking the situation if I'm honest, buy the car you want and enjoy it.
Elatino1 said:
Having owned one that turned into a moneypit prior to being scrapped due to engine failure I would recommend avoiding one of these. It might have been reliable with 20k miles in the clock but after 70k miles it was a shocker.
That sounds like it was either a neglected car or simply a dud - something that could happen with any model. Very bad news if that’s your car, but it doesn’t sound representative of a typical 130i...If you can sort out the cat issue with an aftermarket as has been mentioned then there is nothing else in that price range IMO that will give you the same thrills except for something by Renaultsport.....Clio 182's were direct competitors for the Type R when they were launched. The Clio 200 is more refined and then you have the RS Megane 225 and 250 within your price range or at a stretch for a decent 250.
For similar mileage as your Type R, 8k will just about get you into a Clio 182 Trophy if you want something a bit more exclusive and which are appreciating in value and very sought after.
Had an E46 330ci as a daily for a few years but swapped to a Clio 182 when I wrote it off in snow. I got the E46 when it was at 55k miles so everything was working as should but the Clio is just on another level for the fun factor. They do rev and have a cam profile sort of like a Honda Vtec. I should know if you check the other cars in my humble garage and that's part of the attraction to the clio and also for it's relatively light weight. Slight mods will make it sound even more so like a type R.....Miltek exhaust from cat back which I have in mine plus an itg Intake if you crave intake noise also.
To be fair, my E46 was an auto so maybe a manual would have been more engaging but there is nothing you can do to disguise the weight and I think that goes for all BMW's anyway.
If you're after a fabricator to do something around your cat, you could try Solid Fabrications in kent. He works on loads of Hondas in fabricating exhausts for them and has done work for me in the past. He might be able to fabricate some kind of cage around your cat.
Goodluck with whatever you decide.
For similar mileage as your Type R, 8k will just about get you into a Clio 182 Trophy if you want something a bit more exclusive and which are appreciating in value and very sought after.
Had an E46 330ci as a daily for a few years but swapped to a Clio 182 when I wrote it off in snow. I got the E46 when it was at 55k miles so everything was working as should but the Clio is just on another level for the fun factor. They do rev and have a cam profile sort of like a Honda Vtec. I should know if you check the other cars in my humble garage and that's part of the attraction to the clio and also for it's relatively light weight. Slight mods will make it sound even more so like a type R.....Miltek exhaust from cat back which I have in mine plus an itg Intake if you crave intake noise also.
To be fair, my E46 was an auto so maybe a manual would have been more engaging but there is nothing you can do to disguise the weight and I think that goes for all BMW's anyway.
If you're after a fabricator to do something around your cat, you could try Solid Fabrications in kent. He works on loads of Hondas in fabricating exhausts for them and has done work for me in the past. He might be able to fabricate some kind of cage around your cat.
Goodluck with whatever you decide.
ZX10R NIN said:
It sounds like you want to keep the EP3, so I'd investigate a good quality Sports Cat, now looking at the other options then you have access to some very talented cars.
Thanks so much for your help and taking the time to find them links! All cars I’m very interested in although I don’t see much of the GTCs around? Seem pretty powerful and quick for what they’re worth but never seem to see too many recommendations of them? I don’t want to come across a brand snob but I do love the coupe look of the BMW. But the ST and Megane would likely need cheaper maintenance. I think I’ll need to arrange some test drives this week and see which style suits me best.
RoVoFob said:
Clarkie1988 said:
I work for an Italian car service centre so the Italian electronics have put me off owning an Alfa. Lovely cars and performance but going from a civic I think it will be too much of a headache.
I’m in Bucks but my parents live in Essex/east London so may give you a shout if I’m in the area - thank you so much for the offer!
Yes, I always think it’s great to have friends with Italian cars - or work with them - but I wouldn’t want to own one.I’m in Bucks but my parents live in Essex/east London so may give you a shout if I’m in the area - thank you so much for the offer!
Ah, handy. My mum’s in Oxfordshire, so I have the mirror setup...Feel free to get in touch. I’ll never tire of talking about 130is!
I’ve read quite a few reviews of the 130i and it is very well rated!
Yadizzle1 said:
I'm very biased but I think a 330ci is a great daily for an enthusiast. I owned one a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it, so much so that every day since I've sold it I've been looking for another and recently found the right one.
The drivetrain is great, makes a lovely noise, very powerful and torquey and the manual box is well judged ratio wise to make you feel involved on a b road bash. Handling is nice, hydraulic steering so you can tell everyone what a purist you are (steering feel is actually pretty great) and ofcourse it's rwd too.The coupe looks epic to boot.
Apart from all the perfomancey bits, it's a quiet and refined car to cruise around in with a lot of nice features if you find a decently specced one.
See it’s reviews like this that make me think it’s time to get away from the hot hatch bracket for something new and towards a coupe shape which I love. I never get bored of the high revving EP3 but think maybe a more torquey car will be a nice enough change for me.The drivetrain is great, makes a lovely noise, very powerful and torquey and the manual box is well judged ratio wise to make you feel involved on a b road bash. Handling is nice, hydraulic steering so you can tell everyone what a purist you are (steering feel is actually pretty great) and ofcourse it's rwd too.The coupe looks epic to boot.
Apart from all the perfomancey bits, it's a quiet and refined car to cruise around in with a lot of nice features if you find a decently specced one.
Just wary about 330ci and age related items needing to be done though….due to the low maintenance cost of the Type-R, I’m looking for something as reliable as possible as I have been quite spoilt with this!
Mr_D said:
Sorry to hear about your troubles, but this is an isolated incident and unlikely to happen to your specific car twice. If your that worried, as people have stated there is a multitude of security options.
Your 33? Irrelevant, buy what you want and what meets your specific needs/desires.
One thing I will say, having owned 3 x RS250 Megane's, they are incredible cars and very capable out the box. I would recommend one in a heartbeat, but at your budget you will struggle to get a decent example. Allow £9-10k at least.
I think you are over thinking the situation if I'm honest, buy the car you want and enjoy it.
I think, and hope, you are right and I am overthinking it all. I guess having no issues ever with the car and pretty much taking it for granted has shocked me a bit that the garage are having such a hard time repairing it. To be fair to the car, it’s not the cars fault at all hence why I’m still debating if I should keep it. Your 33? Irrelevant, buy what you want and what meets your specific needs/desires.
One thing I will say, having owned 3 x RS250 Megane's, they are incredible cars and very capable out the box. I would recommend one in a heartbeat, but at your budget you will struggle to get a decent example. Allow £9-10k at least.
I think you are over thinking the situation if I'm honest, buy the car you want and enjoy it.
Another recommendation for the Megane though so guess it’s just trying to find one within budget
Koolkat969 said:
If you can sort out the cat issue with an aftermarket as has been mentioned then there is nothing else in that price range IMO that will give you the same thrills except for something by Renaultsport.....Clio 182's were direct competitors for the Type R when they were launched. The Clio 200 is more refined and then you have the RS Megane 225 and 250 within your price range or at a stretch for a decent 250.
For similar mileage as your Type R, 8k will just about get you into a Clio 182 Trophy if you want something a bit more exclusive and which are appreciating in value and very sought after.
Had an E46 330ci as a daily for a few years but swapped to a Clio 182 when I wrote it off in snow. I got the E46 when it was at 55k miles so everything was working as should but the Clio is just on another level for the fun factor. They do rev and have a cam profile sort of like a Honda Vtec. I should know if you check the other cars in my humble garage and that's part of the attraction to the clio and also for it's relatively light weight. Slight mods will make it sound even more so like a type R.....Miltek exhaust from cat back which I have in mine plus an itg Intake if you crave intake noise also.
To be fair, my E46 was an auto so maybe a manual would have been more engaging but there is nothing you can do to disguise the weight and I think that goes for all BMW's anyway.
If you're after a fabricator to do something around your cat, you could try Solid Fabrications in kent. He works on loads of Hondas in fabricating exhausts for them and has done work for me in the past. He might be able to fabricate some kind of cage around your cat.
Goodluck with whatever you decide.
Fair comment about the BM! I think as many people say, they are lovely cars and can’t fault them as a daily but you don’t see the drive as being Particularly fun or eventful. They do what they need to and do it well but you wouldn’t really tell anyone about the drive whereas the Renaults seem to be an event and joyful to drive. For similar mileage as your Type R, 8k will just about get you into a Clio 182 Trophy if you want something a bit more exclusive and which are appreciating in value and very sought after.
Had an E46 330ci as a daily for a few years but swapped to a Clio 182 when I wrote it off in snow. I got the E46 when it was at 55k miles so everything was working as should but the Clio is just on another level for the fun factor. They do rev and have a cam profile sort of like a Honda Vtec. I should know if you check the other cars in my humble garage and that's part of the attraction to the clio and also for it's relatively light weight. Slight mods will make it sound even more so like a type R.....Miltek exhaust from cat back which I have in mine plus an itg Intake if you crave intake noise also.
To be fair, my E46 was an auto so maybe a manual would have been more engaging but there is nothing you can do to disguise the weight and I think that goes for all BMW's anyway.
If you're after a fabricator to do something around your cat, you could try Solid Fabrications in kent. He works on loads of Hondas in fabricating exhausts for them and has done work for me in the past. He might be able to fabricate some kind of cage around your cat.
Goodluck with whatever you decide.
Cheers for the recommendation of Solid Fabrications. They aren’t a million miles from me so when/if I get the car back, I’ll give them a shout.
Update for everyone who’s interested, they have tried a third aftermarket cat which still leaves the EML on so they have an electrics engineer looking into the car over the coming days….apart from having the car back for one night, this will now be the 6th week without the car.
To be fair to Direct Line, looks like they are doing all they can to keep it on the road!
To be fair to Direct Line, looks like they are doing all they can to keep it on the road!
RoVoFob said:
Elatino1 said:
Having owned one that turned into a moneypit prior to being scrapped due to engine failure I would recommend avoiding one of these. It might have been reliable with 20k miles in the clock but after 70k miles it was a shocker.
That sounds like it was either a neglected car or simply a dud - something that could happen with any model. Very bad news if that’s your car, but it doesn’t sound representative of a typical 130i...nunpuncher said:
I think rather than a 130i I'd go for a 125i coupe and fit the necessary bits to up the engine to 130i power. It's just a slightly better looking car in my opinion. Not sure if the interior is identical either but I remember the interior in my wifes old 1 series was depressing.
I like the idea of the 1 series coupe, but it's an odd looking thing. Clarkie1988 said:
Thanks so much for your help and taking the time to find them links! All cars I’m very interested in although I don’t see much of the GTCs around? Seem pretty powerful and quick for what they’re worth but never seem to see too many recommendations of them?
I don’t want to come across a brand snob but I do love the coupe look of the BMW. But the ST and Megane would likely need cheaper maintenance. I think I’ll need to arrange some test drives this week and see which style suits me best.
If you want a Megane RS with the Cup Chassis for your budget it'll probably have high miles but they're a cracking steer, this is where the Vauxhall comes in, it's a smidge behind th RS chassis wise but you get a newer lower mileage car for your budget.I don’t want to come across a brand snob but I do love the coupe look of the BMW. But the ST and Megane would likely need cheaper maintenance. I think I’ll need to arrange some test drives this week and see which style suits me best.
I'd strongly suggest test driving one.
nunpuncher said:
I think rather than a 130i I'd go for a 125i coupe and fit the necessary bits to up the engine to 130i power. It's just a slightly better looking car in my opinion. Not sure if the interior is identical either but I remember the interior in my wifes old 1 series was depressing.
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