£15k sub 5s car with some comfort and has to be daily used?

[Mrinsignia]

As it says above, I am looking at various car options for £15k. I prefer some comfort and reliability, but 0-60mph in 5 secs and half decent round corners would be nice. Also prefer auto, but could go with manual for the right car. Any suggestions chaps? Ideally car would be a BMW m6 but the newer shape is outside of my budget... For now🤔

[CG2020UK]

M135i be my pick.

Also best condition 6 series you can get with your budget.

[samoht]

This was my choice, a C55

Ownership thread

However that was with the above requirements plus wanting a biggish load bay; there are probably newer, cheaper to run cars that would be more sensible (if you can resist a V8 )

[SamR380]

A B8 or B8.5 S4 or S5 would meet those criteria. 15k should get you a decent one.

The auto gearbox is a risk and repair costs are significant. Look for one with a sports differential, it helps reduce understeer in the damp.

Edited by SamR380 on Saturday 5th November 23:05

[DodgyGeezer]

SLK55

C5 Corvette

[roca1976]

I am biased so vote for my e63, 1k over your budget got me a 2010 MCT saloon with 65k.
Lovely daily for my 15 mile roundtrip commute. Bargain on 20mpg and £55 per month ved.
The start up sound every morning is worth it alone!

[fflump]

It depends on your mileage, what your attitude to running costs is, what comfort vs handling balance you want etc.

A F30 335d xDrive will have low fuel costs and good all-year capability, decent comfort and OK handling.
A F20/21 M135i will be more fun to drive, maybe less comfy cruising. M235i also an option.

You mentioned an M6 but F series are out of budget, but you could get a F series 650i which is still a sub-5 sec 0-60 and V8 engine.

Apart from BMWs, the Jag XFR is a lot of bang for your buck. S3/S4/S5 are possibilities too.

For other makes/models you'll be looking pre-2010.
Merc: SLK55 is a sportier option, CL600 of similar era a nice barge.
Jag: XKR with the 5.0 V8 creeps in under budget.
Vauxhall VXR8

Brave pill? Maserati 4200 Coupe
Insanity pill? Bentley Conti GT.

[BenB91]

Jaguar XFR.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mrinsignia said:

As it says above, I am looking at various car options for £15k. I prefer some comfort and reliability, but 0-60mph in 5 secs and half decent round corners would be nice. Also prefer auto, but could go with manual for the right car. Any suggestions chaps? Ideally car would be a BMW m6 but the newer shape is outside of my budget... For now??

I'm bias but this would be my pick the super (it has black wheels now) rare 4.7TT E500 these are a proper sleeper as well as properly quick in standard spec with a real dyno number of around 420bhp at the flywheel:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206016...

You will get a newer E400 for the same price BUT they're not the same car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211061...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211041...

Mercedes SLK55 AMG:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204074...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208088...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211021...

Or the newer shape SLK350 will hit 60 in 5.6 but not as much theatre as the 55 above:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206066...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210220...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209199...

If the M6 is your preferred option then the 650i may well be the car that ticks your boxes & budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101258...

M6 with some change to spare & it seems to have had the preventive work done:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207218...

Z4 35i M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210020...

435i M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207318...

RS5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210170...

VXR8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208319...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

At the lower side of your budget the G37 coupe is a very good buy for around 10K but they're only 5.9:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208259...

[otolith]

Any particular specifications on format? Hatch, saloon, estate? Petrol/diesel?

The 300+ bhp BMW 3/4 series variants in petrol or diesel will do pretty much what you want.

435i

https://www.bigmotoringworld.co.uk/used-cars/bmw/4...

Four door version of the 4 series with the diesel and 4wd

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208239...

Bit more practical, I just bought one of these;

335d GT

https://www.sckltd.co.uk/cars/bmw/3series/335d/723...

If you want practical and can't get on with the looks of the GT, touring 335d

https://www.gtautomotive.uk/used-cars/bmw-3-series...

Or a saloon

335i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110218...

[Mrinsignia]

otolith said:

Any particular specifications on format? Hatch, saloon, estate? Petrol/diesel?

The 300+ bhp BMW 3/4 series variants in petrol or diesel will do pretty much what you want.

435i

https://www.bigmotoringworld.co.uk/used-cars/bmw/4...

Four door version of the 4 series with the diesel and 4wd

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208239...

Bit more practical, I just bought one of these;

335d GT

https://www.sckltd.co.uk/cars/bmw/3series/335d/723...

If you want practical and can't get on with the looks of the GT, touring 335d

https://www.gtautomotive.uk/used-cars/bmw-3-series...

Or a saloon

335i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110218...

It can be hatch, 4 door or convertible.

Good thinking but find the new 3 and 4 series (apart the full M's a bit bland...)

[Mrinsignia]

CG2020UK said:

M135i be my pick.

Also best condition 6 series you can get with your budget.

I'm thinking with the comfort and engine it seems the obvious choice, but I would like something that has a bit more presence.

[Mrinsignia]

fflump said:

It depends on your mileage, what your attitude to running costs is, what comfort vs handling balance you want etc.

A F30 335d xDrive will have low fuel costs and good all-year capability, decent comfort and OK handling.
A F20/21 M135i will be more fun to drive, maybe less comfy cruising. M235i also an option.

You mentioned an M6 but F series are out of budget, but you could get a F series 650i which is still a sub-5 sec 0-60 and V8 engine.

Apart from BMWs, the Jag XFR is a lot of bang for your buck. S3/S4/S5 are possibilities too.

For other makes/models you'll be looking pre-2010.
Merc: SLK55 is a sportier option, CL600 of similar era a nice barge.
Jag: XKR with the 5.0 V8 creeps in under budget.
Vauxhall VXR8

Brave pill? Maserati 4200 Coupe
Insanity pill? Bentley Conti GT.

Thanks, I like the idea of a Jag!

[Mrinsignia]

ZX10R NIN said:

Mrinsignia said:

As it says above, I am looking at various car options for £15k. I prefer some comfort and reliability, but 0-60mph in 5 secs and half decent round corners would be nice. Also prefer auto, but could go with manual for the right car. Any suggestions chaps? Ideally car would be a BMW m6 but the newer shape is outside of my budget... For now??

I'm bias but this would be my pick the super (it has black wheels now) rare 4.7TT E500 these are a proper sleeper as well as properly quick in standard spec with a real dyno number of around 420bhp at the flywheel:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206016...

You will get a newer E400 for the same price BUT they're not the same car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211061...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211041...

Mercedes SLK55 AMG:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204074...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208088...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211021...

Or the newer shape SLK350 will hit 60 in 5.6 but not as much theatre as the 55 above:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206066...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210220...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209199...

If the M6 is your preferred option then the 650i may well be the car that ticks your boxes & budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101258...

M6 with some change to spare & it seems to have had the preventive work done:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207218...

Z4 35i M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210020...

435i M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207318...

RS5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210170...

VXR8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208319...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

At the lower side of your budget the G37 coupe is a very good buy for around 10K but they're only 5.9:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208259...

The SLKs are a bit hairdresser but really leaning into the E400s, are they turbo engines?

[otolith]

Mrinsignia said:

It can be hatch, 4 door or convertible.

Good thinking but find the new 3 and 4 series (apart the full M's a bit bland...)

They are, though I'm not sure I'd let the M's off that charge either. But they're family cars, comes with the territory.

[coldel]

Bit harsh on the SLK55 AMG, in the metal they look terrific and a V8 thrown into a roadster is a monster car. Sounds epic too!

[otolith]

Mrinsignia said:

The SLKs are a bit hairdresser but really leaning into the E400s, are they turbo engines?

Hmm, I've just had a couple of E classes. Setting aside the engine, which is probably quite interesting in the E400, they are really very sensible shoes cars. Comfortable, relaxing, great things for throwing the kids and their clobber into and pointing up the motorway, but really quite dull to drive. I think if the 3/4 series is a bit dull for you, an E class will put you in a coma!

[maz8062]

Mrinsignia said:

The SLKs are a bit hairdresser but really leaning into the E400s, are they turbo engines?

drive a 55 and come back and say it’s hairdresser. That said, I wouldn’t recommend one as a daily, although perfectly competent and bristling with goodies, they like drink of 99 Ron which is expensive at 170p a litre. I’ve got one.

I’d recommend a car that’s reasonable on fuel.

[Richard-rjbph]

A second generation (blobeye 2004-2005) Subaru Impreza WRX STI - manual only and mpg will be poor but very reliable cars if maintained properly and you’re unlikely to lose anything in depreciation (might even make a few pounds when it comes to selling it on). Will certainly meet your 0-60 and cornering criteria.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mrinsignia said:

The SLKs are a bit hairdresser but really leaning into the E400s, are they turbo engines?

The E400's are the same engine as those found under the C/E43 cars but without the added baggage of AWD.