What 4 Door Performance Car - £35k Budget

[TheGreatDane]

Hello All,

I had my heart set on an F80 M3 but the prices along with most other cars has risen steeply and within my budget its either a poorly maintained example, or one with a spec/colour I'm not keen on.

Considering branching out onto other marques but I don't know where to start.

The key requirements are:

£35k max
4 Doors
M car level performance
Somewhat reliable
No older than 2014/15

If it sounds better than an S55 car then that's a bonus.

F10 is a no as I just don't like the looks as much as I have tried to convince myself.

Keen to hear real world examples of cars you may have run/do run at the moment.

Thanks

[oilslick]

Slightly over budget but if you keep servicing it at Lexus it'll be under warranty until it's 10 years old

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11997451

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd agree with the above the GS F is a peach of a car, I'd think of it as a modern day Quattroporte they really get under your skin, now they're not ballistic fast like the twin turbo German offerings but they're not slow you do have to work them but that's part of the joy of having one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107074...

3.8 Quattroporte I've not owned or supplied one but they're impressive & drive well not as good looking as the previous gen.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106113...

Or the Maserati Ghibli S now these are a nice car that goes well & feel special but I wouldn't say it handles as well as an M Car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108035...

A Panamera GTS won't have the BHP but the handling will be spot on:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...

Now if you want weapons grade BHP & handling then for me the E63 S is the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107195...

In reality the regular E63 in wagon form is a peach:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107305...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...

[WWESTY]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12025365

After 12 months, very happy with mine

[georgeyboy12345]

It's pretty leggy, but it's the only Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio I could find
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...


Audi S4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107024...


Jaguar XE S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107084...


Maserati Ghibli S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107155...


Mercedes C43 AMG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107265...


Volvo S60 T8 Twin Engine
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102048...

[SydneyBridge]

Kia Stinger

Skoda superb v6

[cerb4.5lee]

TheGreatDane said:

If it sounds better than an S55 car then that's a bonus.

That won't be difficult...because almost any other engine sounds better than the S55!

I love the performance and the punchy nature of the S55 at both low and high revs for sure, but sound wise it is very poor for me.

[Summit_Detailing]

XJR?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12034473

Cheers,

Chris

[MrBrightSi]

Some great suggestions already, if you want to lower your budget extremely and stick on the Lexus - big v8 - pretty future'y styling then:

IS-F
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104091...

The GS-F in the above post looks so much better a car, but the IS-F has always been an M-Car alternative for me.

[TheGreatDane]

Very helpful responses guys, really appreciate it.

Going through them all the ones that have piqued my interest are the Panamera GTS, the E63 and the Volvo S60.

The IS-F I would love but coming from an E9x BMW I find the interior too dated and it would annoy me.

Panamera is probably leading it though, are they fairly reliable or am I going to get hit with some killer bills?

For context my plan originally was to get the F80 and put a comp BMW warranty on it.

[James-gbg1e]

I recently handed back my lease car and had a similar search on my hands, with up to ideally 35k and a need for a practical and quick car capable of transporting my dog and kids, needed to be an estate. We live rurally so 4WD was my other priority.

I ended up with the usual suspects, S4 Avant, S6 Avant, 330 Touring, 335 Touring, E43, C43.

My search ended with a C43:



Very happy with the decision thus far, very comfortable car (if a little noisy in the cabin - pan roof doesn't help) and when I'm alone is a great size for some B roads. The E43 cabin is nice, but I decided it was too big for the driving I do and the roads around here, it feels very wide by comparison.

If you've any Q's with respect to the car more specifically let me know.