What fast, 'family' car after a 335d?

[stabilio]

So, I'm thinking of replacing our 2017 BMW 335d estate with something else thats pretty rapid but can take 5 people (3 kids in back when needed but not be a massive car) and have a decent sized boot.
I'd love a 4 door M3 but the newer model is just a touch out of price range right now.
Any suggestions for upto 50k max?

[Krikkit]

M5

/thread

[RobM77]

Is that up to £50k new or secondhand? If new, then as I'm sure you know, most of your choices as a meaningful upgrade from the 335d (Giulia Quadrifoglio, M3, M5 etc) are just out of reach, apart from a base spec C63 AMG (list is £48k basic)....

If you look secondhand though, there is obviously a lot more choice, with the usual choices from BMW, Mercedes AMG, Audi, Jaguar and Alfa with the GQ.

If you want to retain the running costs of the 335d though, your choices are a bit more limited, other than a 535d if you need more space. In my own opinion, the above cars from BMW M/AMG etc offer only a little more than something like your car for one hell of a lot more outlay in running costs and purchase price (and that's from experience, not just guessing!).

[RikJonAtk]

^^ +1.

Alternatively though...

XFR / XFRS
RS6
RS7
Panamera V8

[BrassMan]

Krikkit said:

MX-5

/thread

Dude?

[aaron_2000]

I'd go for the 340i Touring, should get an absolutely top spec car for that. Or wait until the M340i comes out. Or if you want a little more room, then how about one of these?

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

[Krikkit]

Sorry, had to have a PH-standard post in.

Personally I think I'd be looking at a Quattroporte or Jag XFR and a healthy chunk of change.

[Graveworm]

Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio might be able to be found around that kind of money, or a Merc C43

Edited by Graveworm on Wednesday 2nd January 17:41

[aaron_2000]

Just wait till ZX10 posts his suggestions, then pick from one of those.

[Limpet]

Assuming the 3-series is OK size-wise, what about the new G20 M340i? Quicker than the outgoing F80 M3, decent to drive if the reviews are any guide, and not being a full-fat M-car, should have half sensible running and maintenance costs.

[aaron_2000]

Limpet said:

Assuming the 3-series is OK size-wise, what about the new G20 M340i? Quicker than the outgoing F80 M3, decent to drive if the reviews are any guide, and not being a full-fat M-car, should have half sensible running and maintenance costs.

I don't think it's quicker, it might be nearly as quick to 60, but that's down to being xDrive, doesn't mean it's quicker. Won't be dynamically as good either, or as special. The M3 doesn't have big running costs anyway, high 30's on a run and smaller tyres than an X5 3.0d. But for the money, the M340i will be far better than anything else in the class.

[youngricharduk]

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

This would be my choice if mpg not a concern

Can I also ask a quick question? I'm currently looking for a 335d for about £20k, how did you find it and what real world mpg did you get?
Sorry to de-rail.

[stabilio]

youngricharduk said:

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

This would be my choice if mpg not a concern

Can I also ask a quick question? I'm currently looking for a 335d for about £20k, how did you find it and what real world mpg did you get?
Sorry to de-rail.

Cheers all and did consider a C43 as like the estates.

I get around 38mpg buts that with no motorway driving. Its a good car, very quick in real world but just lacks a little drama I guess.

[Pistonheader101]

They are no longer making M3’s....

[Galahad]

Wife currently has a 2016 335 Touring. Great car but a squeeze with 3 kids.

I ran an F10 M5 from 2013-2016 and absolutely loved it. You can get a low mileage AUC for sub £30k with a 2 year warranty or a later comp pack car for sub £40k. I had an M4 courtesy car when I had mine and there's no comparison IMHO.

Go and drive and M5 and see if you can resist the urge!

[stabilio]

Galahad said:

Wife currently has a 2016 335 Touring. Great car but a squeeze with 3 kids.

I ran an F10 M5 from 2013-2016 and absolutely loved it. You can get a low mileage AUC for sub £30k with a 2 year warranty or a later comp pack car for sub £40k. I had an M4 courtesy car when I had mine and there's no comparison IMHO.

Go and drive and M5 and see if you can resist the urge!

What are the running costs like on these as the older versions (V10) were pretty steep.
They are big cars too so how are they for general day to day use and supermarket parking etc?
The size does put me off but 3 kids in the back (one car seat) is a tight in our 335d so may have no option to go bigger as they get bigger.

Edited by stabilio on Wednesday 2nd January 21:45

[ZX10R NIN]

Judging from what you've said your requirements are I'd say you need to go up a segment size with this in mind there are some very good options:

Jaguar XFR-S

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

Rare Shooting Brake

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

Alpina B5 if you can find one for sale this is the car to get but the hard part will be finding one.

Comp Pack M6 Gran Coupe

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

M6 Gran Coupe with a couple of years Warranty left

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

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

The more sensible Comp Pack M5

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

Maserati Ghibli although these are a little slower they're a special car.

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

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

E63 S AMG with the bombastic 5.5TT engine

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

Non S

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

VXR8 GTS these are a proper drivers car if you can look past the badge this is a corker & running (I'd have to lose the stripes on the second one) costs are very sensible

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

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

Now if you want a car that you can have some fun with that has a cracking V8 a sweet chassis (not M5 levels of feedback but close enough) with running costs similar to a 540i & unrivalled customer service, then you need to seek out one of these:

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

They have to be one of the most underrated cars & such a rare site you'll be lucky to see another, after the E63 this would be my next pick from everything on the list.

Audi RS6

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

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

S6

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

[jimmy_wrxsti]

I had a 335d Saloon and moved onto a F80 M3 CP, 335d was great but as you said little drama.

M3 was perfect next car for me, I would suggest you have a drive of one. You mention up to 50k, if so then you can get a nearly new (months old) F80 M3 CP for that via BMW AUC.

The only issue may be the lack of space from the Estate to the saloon, in which case what about the X5 variants?

[FWIW]

M5 is a very good shout. Loved mine, stupidly fast.

By the way, I’d be interested in your 335 if you decide to sell.

[RobM77]

stabilio said:

Cheers all and did consider a C43 as like the estates.

I get around 38mpg buts that with no motorway driving. Its a good car, very quick in real world but just lacks a little drama I guess.

Have you driven a super saloon? This is just my opinion, but of the ones I've tried, most have felt extremely ordinary unless you really start pushing them. The only exceptions are AMG Mercs, of which I've tried the old n/a versions, which entertain with their engine sound. The most dull was the 2007 RS4 I tried.