Replacement for my M2
Discussion
Decided that my M2 has to go soon. 
Only really use it around town, and occasionally when its crappy whether to go to work. Had a few good roadtrips, but its obviously quite expensive to run and maintain on a daily basis...
Really cannot think what to replace it with. Some options:
Renaultsport RS300 Trophy
Hyundai i20N / i30N
Up! GTI
Volvo XC40
F-Type V6S AWD Coupe (Dream motor - expensive though!)
Potentially moving further away from work next year too ( would be a 18mile or so rural round trip ), so mileage and the ever increasing fuel cost is a consideration too. Open to the idea of something from 2015 onwards really. Possibly 2 car garage? The M2 will probably be sold to the trade, possibly try the Collecting Cars route.
Any suggestions or input welcome!
ETA
Sorry for edit but too much info.
Only really use it around town, and occasionally when its crappy whether to go to work. Had a few good roadtrips, but its obviously quite expensive to run and maintain on a daily basis...
Really cannot think what to replace it with. Some options:
Renaultsport RS300 Trophy
Hyundai i20N / i30N
Up! GTI
Volvo XC40
F-Type V6S AWD Coupe (Dream motor - expensive though!)
Potentially moving further away from work next year too ( would be a 18mile or so rural round trip ), so mileage and the ever increasing fuel cost is a consideration too. Open to the idea of something from 2015 onwards really. Possibly 2 car garage? The M2 will probably be sold to the trade, possibly try the Collecting Cars route.
Any suggestions or input welcome!
ETA
Sorry for edit but too much info.
Edited by Big Al. on Monday 29th November 13:37
I had an M2 DCT for 2 years and changed to a Megane RS Trophy manual in January.
Pros of the Megane:
- Performance is more usable on the road
- Front grip is astonishing in the dry
- Less obnoxious looking, can park it anywhere and people let you out of junctions
- Exhaust noise (engine also sounds good for a 4-cylinder)
- Running costs are lower particularly servicing & road tax (if specced under £40k list)
- Relatively rare on the road
Negatives of the Megane:
- Not as comfortable on long journeys
- Less premium interior (but not as bad as you might expect)
- Hatchback doesn't feel quite as special as a coupe
I don't regret the change as I hadn't owned a petrol hot hatch before and wanted to tick the box. In your position with cost saving as a primary focus, I'd probably try a Hyundai i20N or Fiesta ST and go from there. A lot of car for the money. The Megane would be a great choice but perhaps won't save you a huge amount of money over your M2.
Pros of the Megane:
- Performance is more usable on the road
- Front grip is astonishing in the dry
- Less obnoxious looking, can park it anywhere and people let you out of junctions
- Exhaust noise (engine also sounds good for a 4-cylinder)
- Running costs are lower particularly servicing & road tax (if specced under £40k list)
- Relatively rare on the road
Negatives of the Megane:
- Not as comfortable on long journeys
- Less premium interior (but not as bad as you might expect)
- Hatchback doesn't feel quite as special as a coupe
I don't regret the change as I hadn't owned a petrol hot hatch before and wanted to tick the box. In your position with cost saving as a primary focus, I'd probably try a Hyundai i20N or Fiesta ST and go from there. A lot of car for the money. The Megane would be a great choice but perhaps won't save you a huge amount of money over your M2.
daveco said:
If you want something a bit more modest with fairly safe residuals I'd recommend an E9x 335 with either the manual or auto box.
This is a good shout, it's only now its gone I realise how awesome the F32 440i was as an all rounder. As a single car to have, it was comfortable and had decent tech. When the mood took you, sport mode turned it into the Millenium Falcon.Adrian250 said:
Decided that my M2 has to go soon.
Only really use it around town, and occasionally when its crappy whether to go to work. Had a few good roadtrips, but its obviously quite expensive to run and maintain on a daily basis...
Really cannot think what to replace it with. Some options:
Renaultsport RS300 Trophy
Hyundai i20N / i30N
Up! GTI
Volvo XC40
F-Type V6S AWD Coupe (Dream motor - expensive though!)
Potentially moving further away from work next year too ( would be a 18mile or so rural round trip ), so mileage and the ever increasing fuel cost is a consideration too. Open to the idea of something from 2015 onwards really. Possibly 2 car garage? The M2 will probably be sold to the trade, possibly try the Collecting Cars route.
Any suggestions or input welcome!
ETA
Sorry for edit but too much info.
There are lots of options & solutions.Only really use it around town, and occasionally when its crappy whether to go to work. Had a few good roadtrips, but its obviously quite expensive to run and maintain on a daily basis...
Really cannot think what to replace it with. Some options:
Renaultsport RS300 Trophy
Hyundai i20N / i30N
Up! GTI
Volvo XC40
F-Type V6S AWD Coupe (Dream motor - expensive though!)
Potentially moving further away from work next year too ( would be a 18mile or so rural round trip ), so mileage and the ever increasing fuel cost is a consideration too. Open to the idea of something from 2015 onwards really. Possibly 2 car garage? The M2 will probably be sold to the trade, possibly try the Collecting Cars route.
Any suggestions or input welcome!
ETA
Sorry for edit but too much info.
Edited by Big Al. on Monday 29th November 13:37
For your new 18 mile commute I'd suggest getting a Scooter in the form of an MP3 Piaggio they come with heated grips & you can get heated suits so even in this weather you can stay warm.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304230133552?hash=item4...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133946058735?hash=item1...
They're economical cheap to run & it means you could keep the M2 or go for something like a Giulia/Cayman etc.
By having the scooter the overall running costs on the car come down because you're not using it everyday.
Or get yourself a smart cheap diesel DS3 or similar:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104010...
Mito
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111209...
To me the scooter makes more sense but maybe biking isn't for you.
I suspect that your saving in running costs might be somewhat offset by the 'cost to change' especially if you go to a main dealer?
I have an RS280, and it's a great car but I'd get the flappy paddle one as the manual gearbox in mine is a bit crap. Also, whilst I agree with the above poster about the noise, the fact it's so responsive and fun means I tend to rag it around and get 30mpg which probably isn't any worse than i'd get in an M2! Otherwise, it's been faultless, fun and fast.
I have an RS280, and it's a great car but I'd get the flappy paddle one as the manual gearbox in mine is a bit crap. Also, whilst I agree with the above poster about the noise, the fact it's so responsive and fun means I tend to rag it around and get 30mpg which probably isn't any worse than i'd get in an M2! Otherwise, it's been faultless, fun and fast.
Canon_Fodder said:
OP I think the F-type would be a frying-pan-to-fire scenario...
The XC40 also seems a strange choice coming from an M2...
Hyundais are potentially the most suitable from your list but might it help to list out 5 qualities / features that you'd like the new car to have?
The Hyundai I30N is also known as quite a gas guzzler for being a 2.0 I4.The XC40 also seems a strange choice coming from an M2...
Hyundais are potentially the most suitable from your list but might it help to list out 5 qualities / features that you'd like the new car to have?
You probably won't save more than 15% in fuel cost according to Spritmonitor. At the mileage you're doing it's probably not worth downgrading... The only thing you'll save is the M-tax on maintenance and parts.
Hyundai I30N Consumption
BMW M2 Consumption
The XC40 is a really heavy car. I've driven both the diesel and electric versions and they both amaze me with their high consumption.
Volvo XC40 petrol consumption
Have you considered a BMW I3 already? It offers a lot of performance in urban settings as it'll beat an M2/M3 up to about 40mph. Running cost is very affordable as it needs practically no maintenance.
It'll never handle like a sportscar once you push it past 5/10'ths as the suspension and small tires can't keep up, but it can really put a smile on your face without making you feel bad for abusing the 'fast pedal' on the type of short journeys that you're doing.
It's probably the perfect two car garage if you keep the M2 or a 440i next to it for the longer journeys/roadtrips. (I'm running an I3/530D combo and both cars excel in areas where the other car is rather miserable).
Edited by HelldogBE on Monday 29th November 20:06
Agree that a more lightweight car is a good idea both in terms of driver enjoyment and improving running costs. The M2 kerbweight is 1495 kg - bear in mind both the i30N and Renaultsport Megane are both over 1400 kg. Here are some lightweight alternatives
Peugeot 308 GTi - 1205 kg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110058...
Mini JCW - 1240 kg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...
Alfa Romeo Giulietta TBi - 1320 kg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111119...
Honda Civic Type R GT - 1380 kg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107305...
Peugeot 308 GTi - 1205 kg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110058...
Mini JCW - 1240 kg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...
Alfa Romeo Giulietta TBi - 1320 kg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111119...
Honda Civic Type R GT - 1380 kg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107305...
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