Time for a change - m240i replacement

[j8bbk]

Gents,

Currently running a bmw M240i, lovely car but time for a change after 2 years. Hard to find something that provides more car for sensible money. Previous have included 987 cockster S and Audi S1. Looking for something a bit more ‘special’ and I like the idea of driver involvement, although Lotus is already off the cards as it will be used daily, but fancy a manual. Budget is circa £40k and would be looking to pcp (3k down, £500 month and 8k Miles).

Current options - RS3 saloon, 718 cayman, M2/comp, Merc C63, alpine a110

I appreciate that is a diverse list. All opinions welcome apart from ‘buy it don’t rent it’ rubbish, I am 25, so the majority of my savings went on my mortgage deposit.

[SWoll]

Used PCP % rate will be very high on any of those cars.

You can PCH a brand new M2 Comp for £491 a month on a 6 + 23 8k per year deal,

https://leasing.com/main-dealers/peter-vardy-bmw-e...

[Frimley111R]

RS3 saloon - lovely quality and engine but not that special to drive. Might be fine then for a daily.

718 Cayman - Nice, your 25, prob don't need 4 seats

M2/comp - Nice but heavy, same as Merc C63

Alpine a110 - Most special

[JackReacher]

As an m240i owner, I don't feel the need for anything quicker. But it lacks feel and enjoyment on good b roads. I'm sure the Alpine would deliver here, and that would be my choice if you can get one in budget, followed by a base 718 Caymen if it needs to be newish, otherwise a 981 Cayman.

[rooflesstyrant]

Evora suitable as a daily?

[kiethton]

Alfa 4C would be on my list as something marginally more practical than a Lotus

[ITP]

j8bbk said:

Gents,

Currently running a bmw M240i, lovely car but time for a change after 2 years. Hard to find something that provides more car for sensible money. Previous have included 987 cockster S and Audi S1. Looking for something a bit more ‘special’ and I like the idea of driver involvement, although Lotus is already off the cards as it will be used daily, but fancy a manual. Budget is circa £40k and would be looking to pcp (3k down, £500 month and 8k Miles).

Current options - RS3 saloon, 718 cayman, M2/comp, Merc C63, alpine a110

I appreciate that is a diverse list. All opinions welcome apart from ‘buy it don’t rent it’ rubbish, I am 25, so the majority of my savings went on my mortgage deposit.

If you fancy a manual 3 out of 5 of your current options are out !
The only one you can add to this is a mustang. Assuming you are pcp'ing new of course.

[jcuthell]

I would go for the Alpine if you can. I sold my F type for one and got a unsoldPremiere after scaling country also avoiding at the time a year's wait. Had to goto Glasgow but a 7.5 hour 360 mile drive back proved what an easy car it is to live with. It really is outstanding.

[Frimley111R]

kiethton said:

Alfa 4C would be on my list as something marginally more practical than a Lotus Elise.

EFA. Evora is much better daily than the 4C

[keo]

8k a year at 25 a Lotus will be fine!

[cerb4.5lee]

Frimley111R said:

RS3 saloon - lovely quality and engine but not that special to drive. Might be fine then for a daily.

718 Cayman - Nice, your 25, prob don't need 4 seats

M2/comp - Nice but heavy, same as Merc C63

Alpine a110 - Most special

Agree with all of this. It is a shame that the Alpine is Auto only, and I respect the lightweight philosophy of it but not the gearbox.

A manual Cayman would probably get the nod for me, or maybe I'd have to put up with the weight of the M2 and have it with a manual gearbox.

[BGTROPHY]

Out of all your options, with a budget of 3k down and 500 a month I'd be getting a bank HP on a C63 estate at 25-27k and have all the car you'd ever need, only reason I've not done the same is an impending house purchase. They will climb in value in the next few years no doubt

[jonnyb16]

I was in a similar position a year ago after putting most of my savings into a house deposit. I went for a 718 Cayman and it's been great, not looked back:

[Bone Rat]

I run a m240i and wife a 718S, both are fast, both handle well, the 718 better on balance for pure driving. But for daily use it's the BMW, the 718 engine noise is great for a trip round the beacons but gets very wearing on a long journey or daily commute. We don't swap cars but she will ask to take the 240 if we are both going on a longish trip.

Also think long and hard about manual or PDK, the ZF8 box is lovely for daily use in the 240 and the PDK is great but different. The clutch in the manual 718 is the heaviest I've ever used and would be a deal breaker for daily commute in traffic

[j8bbk]

Thanks all, appreciate the different opinions.
Decided the RS3 is out purely on the insurance quote (double some of the other options). The Alpine is also coming out too expensive to finance, which is a real shame.

Some interesting left field options, Lotus I think is too compromised for work (I regularly head to building sites). C63 estate are very cool, but I simply don’t need the space.

718 is the front runner, interesting point about the manual clutch, will be sure to try both PDK and manual before taking the plunge. Should have noted 981 is a lovely engine, but modern tech and warranty are a top priority.

TTS is also of interest as a cheaper option. Seems a good all rounder, if not a pure driving experience.

Edited by j8bbk on Sunday 3rd March 21:57

[ZX10R NIN]

I think you're looking at the wrong Lotus, I think you should be looking at the Evora which is a very special car that will daily with ease, for your budget you should be able to get an S imo these are a better car than the Cayman but just as capable when it comes to daily duties.

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

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

[j8bbk]

ZX10R NIN said:

I think you're looking at the wrong Lotus, I think you should be looking at the Evora which is a very special car that will daily with ease, for your budget you should be able to get an S imo these are a better car than the Cayman but just as capable when it comes to daily duties.

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

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

Thanks for the links, but the Evora just doesn't appeal unfortunately. I was very disappointed by the build quality/tech of an early one I sat in. I appreciate it is probably a better drivers car, but the Halfords head-unit killed it for me as a Cayman rival.