Again pondering a new car

[anonymous-user]

Hello

I've got about £15000 to spend, can stretch to £20000

I need something very fast, with 5 seats and a decent boot. MPG/Insurance not a problem
Newer than 2009, Under 100k miles

Criteria:
Automatic/DSG

No old W212 E63's/E60 M5's please, as nice as they are
No Evo's/Impreza
No Quattroportes
No Cat D

Automatic/DSG
Real Leather seats and a sat nav
Approved used ideal
Preferably German
4 doors/5 doors - 5 full size seats
A decent sound system - Bose/Naim/B&O/Burmeister/H/K etc
On the list
Preferably not diesel - I like my meat still bloody
Preferably a peformance model i.e a M3 over a 340i (contradicting myself by including a 550i)

C63 AMG facelift
XJ Supersport
Leon Cupra 360bhp remapped
S3/Golf R
M3 E90
550i F10 (too bargey)
Panamera 4.8S
Alpina B3/B5
S65 AMG
S63 AMG
CLS 63 AMG

Right now in order the VAG trio is winning. I haven't had a pocket rocket in years...

Any suggestions?

TYIA

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 19th August 09:31

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 19th August 09:31

[steve-5snwi]

I would also add the Jaguar XFR onto the list, I'd discount the S3 as although they are quick they are pretty dull. The M135i is much better to drive.

Out of your list the C63 would be my pick, the Panamera is a great cruiser but feels big but i've only ever driven the V6 diesel. If you did want to pick a diesel the SQ5 is worth a try. If you had a little bit more above your 20k budget then an Audi S6 is also a very nice car. I guess that means the S4 is also worth a try but its nowhere near as nice as the C63.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a performance hot hatch then it has to be the RS3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or an A45 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Super Saloon/Coupe wise then the world is your oyster:

RS5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Lexus IS-F

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You won't get a facelift C63 for your budget but you will get a very good original for you budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

M3 Monte Carlo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alpine

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Personally I'd look for a saloon M3 imo they look better & they're a rarer sight:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you don't mind a bigger car they still handle but not as well as their smaller counterparts but they're not far off:

VXR8 not German but no less worthy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Jaguar XFR same as the above:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mercedes E63

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Now the next two despite being german are real wallet drainers so be warned:

RS6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

M5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[cpfcfan]

Love the look of the XFR and the 500 BHP on offer so if I were you I'd be looking at that as well as the F10 BMW M5 (if you can stretch a couple of k more) and an E63 or C63.

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

helpful stuff

That was very kind of you to offer such a detailed write up. It is much appreciated.

M3 E90, A45/CLA45, RS5 all added to list.

Considering the VXR8 as a left field choice...but won’t be that refined to a E63 for example. But better bang for your buck and excitement. Nothing like red blooded Aussie power!

—


Also, thanks for the heads up about the F10 and XFR. I’m having a poke around BCA to see what there is

[nickfrog]

I would add M135i to the list.

[anonymous-user]

nickfrog said:

I would add M135i to the list.

It sounds like such a great combo but it does nothing for me I’m afraid

[Jay_87]

How about this...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[rsbmw]

I spent £16k on a 2010 XFR, 60k miles, still under full extended warranty. Couldn't be happier with the decision!

[anonymous-user]

I know I know......


I ended up narrowing the choices to the 550i, a Golf R32, and a 2017 A4 252bhp and a Golf R.

550 is 90000mi, 4.4 V8, 2010 - £9500

Golf R32 is 40,000 mi, VWSH, 2009 - £15000

Audi is 40000 mi, 2017 - £19000

Golf R is 40000mi, 2014 - £17000

Choices, choices.....


I love the soundtrack of the R32 and it feels special...... especially in Lapiz or whatever that blue pearl is called.

[ZX10R NIN]

R32 for me

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

R32 for me

Funny you say that, went and saw 2 today. One £16k, 2009, blue, 5dr, leather, nav, VWSH ,40k mi - R32 specialist

One £8k, black pearl, 3dr, 6 owners, no leather, no nav, 96k, 06 plate - my local Johnny Smith (stumbled upon it by accident). It wouldn’t start!

Guess which one was more straight!
The blue one was kerbed heavily, had the awful wheels and wouldn’t move on price, insisting at £15k he could make an easy sale. The sales guy was clueless on the £8k, turns out it has £1500 worth of mods and full VAG history! Paintwork immaculate! Bit of a hidden gem. Dead battery replaced free of charge and throws in 12 months warranty and fresh MOT.

I will probably end up spending the £8k and tidying it up a bit - it needs to be de chavved a bit. Random R32 badges everywhere and dodgy plate - and also strangely it has knockoff normal Golf (unsmoked) lights. Not sure what the story is there.

For £8000 it still needs to be lowered down on price a bit. It’s actually quite tidy for it but I need to make it 100% perfect. I haven’t seen it in the light yet - I need to examine it properly in the daylight as it was in a lockup.

Weird story, the owner of the dealership had accumulated a series of “investments” consisting of a 2005 Clio Cup, E30 project car, Boxster S, and the R32. The R32 has been sitting for a couple of months and was covered in dust as a result.

Plan is with the spare cash to replace the lights, fit a Nappa leather interior, Mk7 golf interior system, maybe B&O audio and some suspension/ engine tweaks on top of the Forge induction system and dechav it a bit.

Here’s some pics.








As you can see the splitter and lights look a bit off. The interior seat plates were also from a MK6/MK7 R (defined by the logo)



Run a mile or bargain of the century?

[mholt1995]

sleepera6 said:

Funny you say that, went and saw 2 today. One £16k, 2009, blue, 5dr, leather, nav, VWSH ,40k mi - R32 specialist

One £8k, black pearl, 3dr, 6 owners, no leather, no nav, 96k, 06 plate - my local Johnny Smith (stumbled upon it by accident). It wouldn’t start!

Guess which one was more straight!
The blue one was kerbed heavily, had the awful wheels and wouldn’t move on price, insisting at £15k he could make an easy sale. The sales guy was clueless on the £8k, turns out it has £1500 worth of mods and full VAG history! Paintwork immaculate! Bit of a hidden gem. Dead battery replaced free of charge and throws in 12 months warranty and fresh MOT.

I will probably end up spending the £8k and tidying it up a bit - it needs to be de chavved a bit. Random R32 badges everywhere and dodgy plate - and also strangely it has knockoff normal Golf (unsmoked) lights. Not sure what the story is there.

For £8000 it still needs to be lowered down on price a bit. It’s actually quite tidy for it but I need to make it 100% perfect. I haven’t seen it in the light yet - I need to examine it properly in the daylight as it was in a lockup.

Weird story, the owner of the dealership had accumulated a series of “investments” consisting of a 2005 Clio Cup, E30 project car, Boxster S, and the R32. The R32 has been sitting for a couple of months and was covered in dust as a result.

Plan is with the spare cash to replace the lights, fit a Nappa leather interior, Mk7 golf interior system, maybe B&O audio and some suspension/ engine tweaks on top of the Forge induction system and dechav it a bit.

Here’s some pics.








As you can see the splitter and lights look a bit off. The interior seat plates were also from a MK6/MK7 R (defined by the logo)



Run a mile or bargain of the century?

Love to see a Readers' Cars thread on that (not so) little project!

[anonymous-user]

mholt1995 said:

sleepera6 said:

Funny you say that, went and saw 2 today. One £16k, 2009, blue, 5dr, leather, nav, VWSH ,40k mi - R32 specialist

One £8k, black pearl, 3dr, 6 owners, no leather, no nav, 96k, 06 plate - my local Johnny Smith (stumbled upon it by accident). It wouldn’t start!

Guess which one was more straight!
The blue one was kerbed heavily, had the awful wheels and wouldn’t move on price, insisting at £15k he could make an easy sale. The sales guy was clueless on the £8k, turns out it has £1500 worth of mods and full VAG history! Paintwork immaculate! Bit of a hidden gem. Dead battery replaced free of charge and throws in 12 months warranty and fresh MOT.

I will probably end up spending the £8k and tidying it up a bit - it needs to be de chavved a bit. Random R32 badges everywhere and dodgy plate - and also strangely it has knockoff normal Golf (unsmoked) lights. Not sure what the story is there.

For £8000 it still needs to be lowered down on price a bit. It’s actually quite tidy for it but I need to make it 100% perfect. I haven’t seen it in the light yet - I need to examine it properly in the daylight as it was in a lockup.

Weird story, the owner of the dealership had accumulated a series of “investments” consisting of a 2005 Clio Cup, E30 project car, Boxster S, and the R32. The R32 has been sitting for a couple of months and was covered in dust as a result.

Plan is with the spare cash to replace the lights, fit a Nappa leather interior, Mk7 golf interior system, maybe B&O audio and some suspension/ engine tweaks on top of the Forge induction system and dechav it a bit.

Here’s some pics.








As you can see the splitter and lights look a bit off. The interior seat plates were also from a MK6/MK7 R (defined by the logo)



Run a mile or bargain of the century?

Love to see a Readers' Cars thread on that (not so) little project!

Thanks haha! It’s going to be a long road if I take the plunge! If I do end up buying, will make a readers cars thread immediately.

First stop: Lights and splitter (it it’s not OEM)

I do rather like the Mk7 cloth seats, Nappa is not a must right now! The lights piss me off

[LeMur9]

Currently in a very similar position aside from the insurance portion.

I have test driven BMW 1/3/4 series, Golf GTI/R, Kia Cee’d pro, Audi S3, all M-Sport trims and 3L minimums, all have been excellent aside from the insurance front. Not sure about yourself but my insurance on a 140i / 335d / 340i / 440i is sitting between 1810 and 1925, the cee’d is an attempt at a hot hatch and i’ll Leave that there and the s3 (aside from its growly launch) seemed a little too “sparkles” for my liking.

If I could pick anything up out of these it would most likely be the 340i although the 335d is definitely something that will chew up a lot of miles with ease although the 340i sounds a good chunk better.

If like me you’re going to be pushed into the 600 + a month expense for these a golf GTI / R is something to consider. Although most will comment it’s bland and boring inside and out, they’re a decent goer, especially the Golf R. 4 wheels down in the dry it will pull from standing to hairs falling out in a couple of blinks and handles well around the lumpy B roads I pushed it down.

If you have no family/kids/commitments to worry about Porsche / Nissan will get you better offerings at a silimsr price.

[anonymous-user]

LeMur9 said:

Currently in a very similar position aside from the insurance portion.

I have test driven BMW 1/3/4 series, Golf GTI/R, Kia Cee’d pro, Audi S3, all M-Sport trims and 3L minimums, all have been excellent aside from the insurance front. Not sure about yourself but my insurance on a 140i / 335d / 340i / 440i is sitting between 1810 and 1925, the cee’d is an attempt at a hot hatch and i’ll Leave that there and the s3 (aside from its growly launch) seemed a little too “sparkles” for my liking.

If I could pick anything up out of these it would most likely be the 340i although the 335d is definitely something that will chew up a lot of miles with ease although the 340i sounds a good chunk better.

If like me you’re going to be pushed into the 600 + a month expense for these a golf GTI / R is something to consider. Although most will comment it’s bland and boring inside and out, they’re a decent goer, especially the Golf R. 4 wheels down in the dry it will pull from standing to hairs falling out in a couple of blinks and handles well around the lumpy B roads I pushed it down.

If you have no family/kids/commitments to worry about Porsche / Nissan will get you better offerings at a silimsr price.

We thought about the 340i. I viewed a Forge Motorsport Golf R, @£22750 was running at 500 brake. Sadly couldn’t face running an extremely modified car as a daily and the price was pushing too high, so I forgot about the Golf R/S3, and Cupras, and downgraded myself to the R32, a car that has been on my to own bucket list for a few years now. Tidy R32’s are in good range of my budget but it made more sense to get a bargain and build it up to my spec.

I have 3 kids but we found the Mk5 R32 was actually a decent weekend family car even in 3dr form. DSG means my wife can hoon too and it’s small shape makes it more useful. I decided to keep the A6 to fulfill daily duties. My E 240 will be going in to storage.

We looked at Ghiblis (diesel), Panameras (ruinous), Evos (hardcore), Golf R (expensive), Audi A4 (bland), S3 (stolen)

The only three we ended up taking seriously were a beautiful 46,000 mile Estoril/Oyster -and 52000mi Gunmetal/Oxblood E46 M3 Clubsports and the two R32’s.

Thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

I don't mind mods the MK6 if running standard ride height for me it has to have a splitter but normally an ABS jobbie.

I'd always go for the fixer upper as you can work through the maintenance (timing chain check & gearbox fluid change if it's a DSG) schedule.

The rear light is normally the originals were changed for LED items & the originals sold.

[anonymous-user]

It’s been bought! Readers cars thread is up, complete with video