What car thread… M340i, M4 kinda thing

[Kuroblack350]

Keen to get some opinions and options on my current car buying thoughts

For context, I’m currently running a 10 year old 330d, which has been without doubt the best car I’ve ever owned - it’s quick enough, looks great, economical…. But, with the world changing quickly and longer having a need for regular commutes, I’ve no need for the economy, and after 10 years I’d like to explore the options, so….

I’m keen on going back to petrol, a six pot as a minimum is a must. I still have trips to make so whilst economy isn’t that important, Jenson Interceptor type mpg would be ruinous. Budget is around 40k.

I’ve looked at the M4 and M340i and would love to get a few thoughts from owners. My feel is that the M340i is 90% of the M4, a sensible option if you will - but, I do want to scratch the M itch and the theatre of the M4 is appealing! But, the M4 would probably be around 3 years old - good idea..?

And, what have I missed - C63 maybe? Audi stuff seems uninspiring or am I being unfair?

Thanks!

[8bit]

Jaguar XE S with the supercharged 3.0 V6 petrol? I've driven a few XEs with less interesting engines and the chassis is superb. I actually think it's a better driver's car than the V6 F-Type I drove recently.

I drove a W204 C63 AMG Coupe a couple of months ago, that's more of a brutish, muscle car thing but it did get under my skin a bit...

[brillomaster]

do you need back seats i presume? even if the answer is yes, £40k would get you into a lovely Porsche 911...

[bodhi]

40k should get you into a decent BMW M2, which would probably be my choice looking at the current M car options.

[Martyn76]

Merc C43? Available in saloon, estate and coupe shapes and may have a bit more character than the equivalent 340i or S4?

[cerb4.5lee]

My M4 is 3 years old in December, and I can definitely recommend them. I'd also be happy in a M340i as well, and both are nice cars I reckon.

The M4 is quick(and great fun) and relatively comfortable, it is even fairly decent on fuel if you don't live on the throttle too.

[Dave350]

Martyn76 said:

Merc C43? Available in saloon, estate and coupe shapes and may have a bit more character than the equivalent 340i or S4?

I've had both the C43 and BMW 440i and in fairness, the BMW interior was nowhere near as nice as the Mercedes in this category.

The C43, with premium plus pack was a great car and probably more suitable for day to day use than the likes of a C63 / M4 whilst still looking quite aggressive and driving well. The four wheel drive also helped no end.

[cerb4.5lee]

Dave350 said:

Martyn76 said:

Merc C43? Available in saloon, estate and coupe shapes and may have a bit more character than the equivalent 340i or S4?

I've had both the C43 and BMW 440i and in fairness, the BMW interior was nowhere near as nice as the Mercedes in this category.

The C43, with premium plus pack was a great car and probably more suitable for day to day use than the likes of a C63 / M4 whilst still looking quite aggressive and driving well. The four wheel drive also helped no end.

I'm a big fan of the V6 twin turbo petrol engine in the C43(I obviously lust after the V8 twin turbo petrol engine in the C63 though!), and it is definitely an engine that I'd like to try.

I'm another one that personally prefers the interior in the Merc in comparison to the BMW. The M4 is quite a harsh riding car for me, and I'd imagine the C43 to be much better in that regard.

[ZX10R NIN]

Firstly I'd say test drive some cars first but for me if you want an M car or something of that ilk the C43/S4/340i are all very good capable cars but for me all of them lack that specialness that the full fat versions posses.

Now I'm going to go against the grain & suggest you look at the M3 (only because I think it looks better & made me turn to look at it when I had mine) you'll get a stunning one for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109227...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108266...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106234...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...

You'll also get a Giulia Quadrifoglio now these are something special & despite some absolutely pants main (use a specialist) dealers they're just epic but because they're that good you may have to stretch the budget & haggle hard:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108075...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...

If you do end up considering a C/E43 then I really would recommend you try the E53 it's a peach of a drivetrain & good on fuel too, they're a bit over budget at the moment but well worth a good look & would be my pick if I was going for the diet version.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109137...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110138...

My leftfield pick would be a Ghibli S you'll get one well under budget they drive well & fell special at low speed:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109307...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109077...

[flying-banana]

Giulia would be a definite for me...

Other considerations...

Jaguar XFR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021070646...

Audi RS7...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021082064...

Lexus RCF...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021091072...

[Kuroblack350]

cerb4.5lee said:

My M4 is 3 years old in December, and I can definitely recommend them. I'd also be happy in a M340i as well, and both are nice cars I reckon.

The M4 is quick(and great fun) and relatively comfortable, it is even fairly decent on fuel if you don't live on the throttle too.

How well would you say on fuel? Difficult to get a view from the specialist forums as most responses seem like a race to see who get’s the least mpg

[Kuroblack350]

ZX10R NIN said:

Firstly I'd say test drive some cars first but for me if you want an M car or something of that ilk the C43/S4/340i are all very good capable cars but for me all of them lack that specialness that the full fat versions posses.

Now I'm going to go against the grain & suggest you look at the M3 (only because I think it looks better & made me turn to look at it when I had mine) you'll get a stunning one for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109227...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108266...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106234...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...

You'll also get a Giulia Quadrifoglio now these are something special & despite some absolutely pants main (use a specialist) dealers they're just epic but because they're that good you may have to stretch the budget & haggle hard:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108075...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...

If you do end up considering a C/E43 then I really would recommend you try the E53 it's a peach of a drivetrain & good on fuel too, they're a bit over budget at the moment but well worth a good look & would be my pick if I was going for the diet version.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109137...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110138...

My leftfield pick would be a Ghibli S you'll get one well under budget they drive well & fell special at low speed:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109307...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109077...

Top post, thank you

[cerb4.5lee]

Kuroblack350 said:

How well would you say on fuel? Difficult to get a view from the specialist forums as most responses seem like a race to see who get’s the least mpg

I've done just over 3000 miles in it, and it is currently saying 29.2mpg. That is 3mpg better than my E90 330i was getting with similar usage!

It gives me around 400 miles on the range with a full tank to give you some idea. In comparison to the E92 M3 that I had, that would give me around 250 miles.

[ZX10R NIN]

My M3 averaged 27.4mpg over 6k.

[georgeyboy12345]

BMW 440i GranCoupe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106143...


Audi S4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...


BMW M3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108035...


Jaguar XE S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109036...


Mercedes C63 AMG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110118...


Brand new Kia Stinger 3.3 T-GDI !
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/new...


Or if you don't want to wait, here's a year old one with 6000 miles on for 3 grand or so less
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...


Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108246...

[Legacywr]

Kuroblack350 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Firstly I'd say test drive some cars first but for me if you want an M car or something of that ilk the C43/S4/340i are all very good capable cars but for me all of them lack that specialness that the full fat versions posses.

Now I'm going to go against the grain & suggest you look at the M3 (only because I think it looks better & made me turn to look at it when I had mine) you'll get a stunning one for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109227...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108266...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106234...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...

You'll also get a Giulia Quadrifoglio now these are something special & despite some absolutely pants main (use a specialist) dealers they're just epic but because they're that good you may have to stretch the budget & haggle hard:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108075...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...

If you do end up considering a C/E43 then I really would recommend you try the E53 it's a peach of a drivetrain & good on fuel too, they're a bit over budget at the moment but well worth a good look & would be my pick if I was going for the diet version.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109137...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110138...

My leftfield pick would be a Ghibli S you'll get one well under budget they drive well & fell special at low speed:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109307...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109077...

Top post, thank you

There should be an Ask ZX10R NN… thread on here

[cerb4.5lee]

Legacywr said:

Kuroblack350 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Firstly I'd say test drive some cars first but for me if you want an M car or something of that ilk the C43/S4/340i are all very good capable cars but for me all of them lack that specialness that the full fat versions posses.

Now I'm going to go against the grain & suggest you look at the M3 (only because I think it looks better & made me turn to look at it when I had mine) you'll get a stunning one for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109227...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108266...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106234...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...

You'll also get a Giulia Quadrifoglio now these are something special & despite some absolutely pants main (use a specialist) dealers they're just epic but because they're that good you may have to stretch the budget & haggle hard:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108075...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...

If you do end up considering a C/E43 then I really would recommend you try the E53 it's a peach of a drivetrain & good on fuel too, they're a bit over budget at the moment but well worth a good look & would be my pick if I was going for the diet version.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109137...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110138...

My leftfield pick would be a Ghibli S you'll get one well under budget they drive well & fell special at low speed:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109307...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109077...

Top post, thank you

There should be an Ask ZX10R NN… thread on here

Agree!

I often spend ages looking at his suggestions for sure.

He is a massive credit to this forum for definite.

[flying-banana]

Legacywr said:

There should be an Ask ZX10R NN… thread on here

it can be tough trying to come up with different suggestions!

[interstellar]

I have had both the 340i then an M4 back to back 3 years ago.

The 340i is 60% the car the M4 is not 90%, it was nice but not special.

Loved my M4. 10k and 25mpg, lot of town driving though. Loved the silverstone interior and the noise.

I would scratch the M itch if I were you.

[classicfred]

VXR 8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109227...

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12124565

Evora

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109177...

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12199641

Volvo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...

M6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109137...

Mustang
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110018...

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11978291

F-Type

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109157...

M5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109227...

C63

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...

911

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12431248

R8

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12021860

Lexus

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

Cayman

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12250079

Aston

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12329479

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12410304

GTR - R

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12394225

TVR

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1390200

No back seats but a nice different car

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1382400
Stingray ! lol

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1376026