Downsizing

[riskyj]

Various changes of circumstances over the last year, COVID the final nail in the coffin sees me working from home and my Disco Sport is on thin ice.

The Disco is now only used for short trips like nursery run and weekend duties. Firstly I don’t really like it (it handles like an oil tanker and the auto box is rubbish) and I’m secondly I’m paranoid it’s going to throw a bill any time due to short diesel trips and dodgy Land Rover reliability. It’s also no where near as practical as I thought.

So I’m itching to sell the Disco and put the money towards a fast hatch. Must have 5 doors, I don’t think I can be dealing with flipping seats forward to get the kids in their car seats.

Reckon I have a budget of about £20k

M140i?

[ZX10R NIN]

M140 etc will be a good pick but I'd go a different route & get a true family performance car as they're depreciation will be lower than something like a 140/340i which will counter the slightly higher running costs.

So my picks would be these two with great performance & sensible running costs.

IS-F

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Lexus-IS-F-5-0-V8-...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-ISF-5-0-V8-2008-F...

6.2 VXR8

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Holden-HSV-VXR...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Vauxhall-VXR8-6-2-...

[riskyj]

I had considered the IS-F but believe the back bench only has two seats which may or may not be an issue. Also not totally convinced on the practicality of a saloon boot vs. hatch. I will think on them further.

The Holden, whilst I’m sure is an amazing drive I feel looks older than it’s years.

[ZX10R NIN]

C63 Edition 125 Estate

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010074...

CLA45 AMG Estate

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007101...

RS3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010144...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

[DoubleD]

I think you probably had it right in the 1st place with the BMW m140i

[Jamescrs]

M140i is the obvious choice for me (though I am biased).
I have read that the rear space can be limited for 3 rear passengers due to the transmission tunnel but I own a 240i which only has 2 rear seats so I can't be sure.

Other options would be

Audi S3
Golf R
Mercedes A45 AMG (Not sure if that's 5 door or not?)
Focus RS - I have seen them around 20k for the Mk3

[cerb4.5lee]

435i Gran Coupe? Pretty practical with folding rear seats and hatchback(5dr), plus a good turn of pace.

[riskyj]

Jamescrs said:

M140i is the obvious choice for me (though I am biased).
I have read that the rear space can be limited for 3 rear passengers due to the transmission tunnel but I own a 240i which only has 2 rear seats so I can't be sure.

Other options would be

Audi S3
Golf R
Mercedes A45 AMG (Not sure if that's 5 door or not?)
Focus RS - I have seen them around 20k for the Mk3

Some good shouts there. S3 interior looking quite dated for the ones in my price range, and the Golf just doesn’t excite.

Merc does indeed come in 5 door, although the hatch opening is a strange shape.

Didn’t think Focus RS would be available in price range but you’re right there’s a few within a haggle of £20k, just wondering how expensive they are to maintain and insure comparatively.

435i is a possibility, more space than the M140i but not sure how the drive compares.

[andburg]

For family practicality?

Skoda Octavia VRS petrol Hatch/Estate - £20k covers a 1 year old car and leaves you with some warranty and growing space for the kids

[gregd]

Impreza as a leftfield choice?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10784543?c...

[riskyj]

gregd said:

Impreza as a leftfield choice?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10784543?c...

Now that is a good wildcard. I used to live opposite a guy who had one. Eventually he got a custom exhaust on it that was loud as fk!

Octavia vRS looks surprisingly spacious, especially the rear bench and the boot. I just struggle to get excited about these for some reason.

[eein]

You've got the right idea with a rear doors performance BMW, but go to the other end of the scale and find a 760 in the classifieds. ~550bhp for ~£25k. The ultimate sleeper with performance that few can match.

[riskyj]

eein said:

You've got the right idea with a rear doors performance BMW, but go to the other end of the scale and find a 760 in the classifieds. ~550bhp for ~£25k. The ultimate sleeper with performance that few can match.

Surely larger than a disco sport, at least in length?! Sounds more like a motorway mile muncher.

[eein]

riskyj said:

eein said:

You've got the right idea with a rear doors performance BMW, but go to the other end of the scale and find a 760 in the classifieds. ~550bhp for ~£25k. The ultimate sleeper with performance that few can match.

Surely larger than a disco sport, at least in length?! Sounds more like a motorway mile muncher.

Yes, 5.2m plays 4.6m. But obviously lower and 'normal' car shaped. The 760 does not drive or feel long given it's balance and stability, as well as 4 wheel steering and all round parking camera. They do twisy roads just as good a motorway cruising.

It's a left field choice, but not as bonkers when you get in to the detail. And the chance to own a V12 vehicle that someone originally paid £112k.

[riskyj]

eein said:

Yes, 5.2m plays 4.6m. But obviously lower and 'normal' car shaped. The 760 does not drive or feel long given it's balance and stability, as well as 4 wheel steering and all round parking camera. They do twisy roads just as good a motorway cruising.

It's a left field choice, but not as bonkers when you get in to the detail. And the chance to own a V12 vehicle that someone originally paid £112k.

Certainly a curve ball. I assume the downside is that it’s still a £112k car when something goes wrong

Does seem an absolutely vast amount of car (literally and figuratively) for the money. I assume because hardly anyone wants a 6L V12 that costs £580 a year to tax.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by riskyj on Saturday 17th October 09:31

[ZX10R NIN]

What about something in between the 7 series & Discovery:

550GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008032...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007281...

435i GC the hatchback makes these a good compromise

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008252...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010024...

S5 Sportback

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010034...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007311...

GLA45

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009214...

RS Q3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009214...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009173...

[eein]

riskyj said:

eein said:

Yes, 5.2m plays 4.6m. But obviously lower and 'normal' car shaped. The 760 does not drive or feel long given it's balance and stability, as well as 4 wheel steering and all round parking camera. They do twisy roads just as good a motorway cruising.

It's a left field choice, but not as bonkers when you get in to the detail. And the chance to own a V12 vehicle that someone originally paid £112k.

Certainly a curve ball. I assume the downside is that it’s still a £112k car when something goes wrong

Does seem an absolutely vast amount of car (literally and figuratively) for the money. I assume because hardly anyone wants a 6L V12 that costs £580 a year to tax.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by riskyj on Saturday 17th October 09:31

Some items will not be cheap to repair, but that's the case with most modern cars with any level of technology. Apart from the actual engine all the parts are the same as a bogo 7 series at £58k and a lot of the systems are shared with the 5 and ever 3.

Mine (https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10936461) has been surprisingly cheap to run - condition based servicing means no annual cost,
just versus mileage. The only high-ish thing I've had was an air suspension strut at ~£2k. Normal stuff is not unreasonable, usually around 25% more than a 'normal' car.

The tax is high, but if you're doing miles it's low per mile so not a dominant total ownership cost. I've only been doing 1k miles per year so less so, hence selling and replacing with nothing.

I was surprised at the mpg typically exceeding the rating - I guess more cylinders helps with that. The 'rated' level is 21mpg, but I've got 22-25 on all journeys more than 10 miles, including spirited drive around the Highlands and vmax on the autobhan. Very short cold engine trips tend to be more like 10mpg.

It's a car you have to want, it doesn't win any 'need' justifications.

[DoubleD]

Ah, I can now see why you are pushing this car so much, you are trying to sell one!

[loskie]

Golf R or Octavia VRS


But


ESTATE

[eein]

DoubleD said:

Ah, I can now see why you are pushing this car so much, you are trying to sell one!

I'm secretly hoping that I can prove that no-one else shares my appreciation of them and their value so that I can justify not selling it despite only doing 1k miles a year.