4 Door Dad Car Options

[BDM]

Sold my last car to fund a typical mum car. Im looking at getting something again around the 15k mark (4 doors) and wanted your opinions / experience. Don't want to spend more as currently doing a house up and a daughter to fund Lol... On my short list:

e90 M3 - I had the V10 M6 and from what ive read same engine just 2 less cylinders. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing :-\
Audi S5 sportback V6T - Seems practical, not sure on gearbox compared to the e90? Better on fuel.
Quatroportte (zf gearbox one) - even with the gearbox think ive ruled it out due to general running costs.
Jag XFR - my friend has one seems good value, not sure on the gearbox again and if engaging to drive? fuel costs seems to be high again. not sure on the front lights :/

Before anyone starts with "if you are looking at these cars you shouldn't be worrying about fuel" yes i know, ive had an AMG, M, TVR, 1974 Corvette etc just in a different stage of my life now so finding a middle ground. The audi on paper looks the best option, good performance, practical and compared to the others mpg is better however interested to hear your thoughts.

Cheers all.

[Mr Tidy]

Just a thought, but would an E90 335i work?

It would be much cheaper to run than an M3, and if it felt too slow you could always get it chipped!

[sjc]

VXR8?

[67Dino]

Audi S3 Sportback Quattro might be an option. In Sportback form the A3 has a surprising amount of space in the back. In S3 form it looks the part too.

Or Merc E-class coupe. Got a bit of prestige about it, and in 350 sport form, no slouch either.

Or, being radical, go for a Maserati 3200. Gorgeous, and becoming a bit of a classic. What it costs in maintenance you’ll save in having no depreciation.

[BDM]

Hmm some good options put forward. Cheers for these so far will check them out.

[BDM]

The S3 I actually remember looking at and from memory once i had my seat sorted the rear seat room is quite tight for a baby seat and my 2 year old

[BDM]

Mr Tidy said:

Just a thought, but would an E90 335i work?

It would be much cheaper to run than an M3, and if it felt too slow you could always get it chipped!

Had a quick look for 4 door ones and really quite rare it seems in lowish mileage e.g. 60/70k

[Shiv_P]

BDM said:

The S3 I actually remember looking at and from memory once i had my seat sorted the rear seat room is quite tight for a baby seat and my 2 year old

They will have less rear space than a regular a3 due to the sporty style seats so yes not the most spacious car

[ninjag]

The Jag XFR at your budget will be the older 6 speed zf box which I believe may have been a troublesome transmission? Maybe others here know a little more. I think the second gen went in just before they upgraded it to the 8 speed on the facelift, which I'd rather pay the extra to get.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the VXR8 fits the bill perfectly they handle very well the drivetrain is well proven with sensible running costs while having space to spare I'd say test drive one before discounting one.

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

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

You can land yourself a nice low mileage W211 or a higher mileage W212 E63 both will be reliable:

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

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

212

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

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

Or If you can live with four seats there's the CLS63:

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

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

The XF-R is a good option they're very capable cars:

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

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

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

The E90 is a good car but they are maintenance heavy (my brother has one & it's not been cheap to run) but they're a good car or checkout a few threads on PH.

[BDM]

Thanks for the reply, my last car was actually a CLS63 and was actually quite expensive to maintain. Think in one year i did 6k mixture of discs and pads, air suspension, service, aircon rad water pump urgh was endless....

[ZX10R NIN]

BDM said:

Thanks for the reply, my last car was actually a CLS63 and was actually quite expensive to maintain. Think in one year i did 6k mixture of discs and pads, air suspension, service, aircon rad water pump urgh was endless....

Sounds like you didn't have a great one, my CLK63 has cost me an AC pump , the OH's old C63 just cost servicing & fuel, discs & pads I class as part of a cars maintenance schedule, an E63 is a spring set up.

If you could live with a two door I'd say a 5.5 E500 would be a good shout no AMG tax on parts (although I do find AMG parts prices sensibe compared to Audi/BMW) makes running costs more sensible.

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

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

Or the E400:

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

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

These do come up as saloons every now & then but they are rare & get snapped up.

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

I still say the VXR8 ticks a lot of your boxes.

[67Dino]

Duh... realise I didn’t read the title correctly, thought it said 4 seat. Neither Merc E coupe nor Maserati 3200 have 4 doors, I know.

[Don Phil]

M135i (not sure budget gets you an early/higher mileage M140i?)

Enough room in the back for kids including rear facing child seat if you need that (suppose depends how tall you and mrs are...), and relatively new so it shouldn't cost much other than maintenance, and decent enough mpg and performance mix. Boot gets a buggy in if you need one with room for a few other bits.