Nice ride with blistering pace?
Discussion
As the title, looking for a new car soon. Currently have a stock M140i and I think BMW forgot to put suspension on the back, feels like it’s on bricks. Shakes me all the way to work and gives Mrs Albigularis a sore back after any distance. Zero rebound control at all.
So, searching for my next car which will ideally be faster, larger and have some sort of ride comfort. I got a reasonable test drive of an F10 M5 on the 20” wheels and I reckon that was acceptable for all round use, but I’d like more options and test drives of these kind of cars are usually just “around the block” which is infuriating. Tested a 2012 RS5 and that was acceptable too, but written off due to its lack of “oomph”.
Car will almost definitely be tuned, so making it faster than a stock M140i shouldn’t be too difficult.
Budget is about £27k.
Options I’m considering-
F10 M5
F80 M3
W204 or W205 C63 AMG
8V RS3
What else am I missing, and how do those above compare in terms of a comfortable daily ride?
So, searching for my next car which will ideally be faster, larger and have some sort of ride comfort. I got a reasonable test drive of an F10 M5 on the 20” wheels and I reckon that was acceptable for all round use, but I’d like more options and test drives of these kind of cars are usually just “around the block” which is infuriating. Tested a 2012 RS5 and that was acceptable too, but written off due to its lack of “oomph”.
Car will almost definitely be tuned, so making it faster than a stock M140i shouldn’t be too difficult.
Budget is about £27k.
Options I’m considering-
F10 M5
F80 M3
W204 or W205 C63 AMG
8V RS3
What else am I missing, and how do those above compare in terms of a comfortable daily ride?
I went from a 2013 M135i to a 2018 C63S coupe. I daily drove/drive both.
Personally didn't have any big issues with the M135i, its a great car but wanted a V8 in my life.
The C63S is a phenomenal car and it drives in a very different way to the M135i. The suspension is still hard but it is very well damped and I find it very comfortable in comfort but a bit crashy in sport +. The coupe has a stiffer chassis and softer suspension than the saloon which is worth trying. It puts the power down in a very smooth linear way compared to the M135i which I found quite raggedy if you pressed on. I get around 10mpg less in the C63. The noise is just epic but you need the sports exhaust button.
Personally I would visit Birds and try their upgraded M135i as it has better suspension, more power and the important LSD before changing cars. The upgraded car is a very different beast. If you like it you can add the upgrades to your existing car.
Other cars I looked are the M2, Porsche Cayman, Alpine.
I found the M4 had a harder ride than the C63S and I really wanted a V8.
Personally didn't have any big issues with the M135i, its a great car but wanted a V8 in my life.
The C63S is a phenomenal car and it drives in a very different way to the M135i. The suspension is still hard but it is very well damped and I find it very comfortable in comfort but a bit crashy in sport +. The coupe has a stiffer chassis and softer suspension than the saloon which is worth trying. It puts the power down in a very smooth linear way compared to the M135i which I found quite raggedy if you pressed on. I get around 10mpg less in the C63. The noise is just epic but you need the sports exhaust button.
Personally I would visit Birds and try their upgraded M135i as it has better suspension, more power and the important LSD before changing cars. The upgraded car is a very different beast. If you like it you can add the upgrades to your existing car.
Other cars I looked are the M2, Porsche Cayman, Alpine.
I found the M4 had a harder ride than the C63S and I really wanted a V8.
I went from a 2013 M135i to a 2018 C63S coupe. I daily drove/drive both.
Personally didn't have any big issues with the M135i, its a great car but wanted a V8 in my life.
The C63S is a phenomenal car and it drives in a very different way to the M135i. The suspension is still hard but it is very well damped and I find it very comfortable in comfort but a bit crashy in sport +. The coupe has a stiffer chassis and softer suspension than the saloon which is worth trying. It puts the power down in a very smooth linear way compared to the M135i which I found quite raggedy if you pressed on. I get around 10mpg less in the C63. The noise is just epic but you need the sports exhaust button.
Personally I would visit Birds and try their upgraded M135i as it has better suspension, more power and the important LSD before changing cars. The upgraded car is a very different beast. If you like it you can add the upgrades to your existing car.
Other cars I looked are the M2, Porsche Cayman, Alpine.
I found the M4 had a harder ride than the C63S and I really wanted a V8.
Personally didn't have any big issues with the M135i, its a great car but wanted a V8 in my life.
The C63S is a phenomenal car and it drives in a very different way to the M135i. The suspension is still hard but it is very well damped and I find it very comfortable in comfort but a bit crashy in sport +. The coupe has a stiffer chassis and softer suspension than the saloon which is worth trying. It puts the power down in a very smooth linear way compared to the M135i which I found quite raggedy if you pressed on. I get around 10mpg less in the C63. The noise is just epic but you need the sports exhaust button.
Personally I would visit Birds and try their upgraded M135i as it has better suspension, more power and the important LSD before changing cars. The upgraded car is a very different beast. If you like it you can add the upgrades to your existing car.
Other cars I looked are the M2, Porsche Cayman, Alpine.
I found the M4 had a harder ride than the C63S and I really wanted a V8.
HardtopManual said:
If you're happy to stick a map on it, why not look at changing the dampers? Suspension changes aren't only for lowering.
I should have added, the M140i is far too small in the back for the kids seats. I need A3/Golf or above for rear space. I just don’t like the chassis in general, I prefer a slightly larger car. The M140i is the smallest car I’ve owned in the last 6 or so years.
Additionally, spending ££££s on the M140i seems silly if that cash would almost cover the upgrade to an M3?
Edited by Albigularis on Thursday 16th March 09:10
A V8 you say? Good ride, pace and entertainment?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301143...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301143...
SWoll said:
A V8 you say? Good ride, pace and entertainment?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301143...
I’d been informed by a previous owner that these were a very harsh ride? That and them making M car depreciation sound like a wise investment. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301143...
Albigularis said:
SWoll said:
A V8 you say? Good ride, pace and entertainment?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301143...
I’d been informed by a previous owner that these were a very harsh ride? That and them making M car depreciation sound like a wise investment. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301143...
AutoExpress said:
The Jaguar XFR packs a 503bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that gives it crushing performance. Thanks to adaptive dampers this extra pace and amazing handling doesn’t come at the expense of comfort. Beware though, traction can be limited in the wet, while bills for tyres, servicing, fuel and tax are all very hefty indeed. And if 503bhp isn't quite enough for you, there's an XFR-S available that's powered by the 542bhp version of the V8 that normally sees service in the XKR-S. The ride remains impressive, but it demands even more concentration from the driver, and costs £79,995.
The big depreciation hit has already occurred of course, you aren't buying new. 
Edited by SWoll on Thursday 16th March 09:31
Pains me to say it but you a Tesla Model 3 Performance might be that answer here.
Yes they are a bit weird looking and you’ll have joined the cult but they are seriously quick on the road, spacious and bills should be smaller than the German monsters.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
Yes they are a bit weird looking and you’ll have joined the cult but they are seriously quick on the road, spacious and bills should be smaller than the German monsters.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
CG2020UK said:
Pains me to say it but you a Tesla Model 3 Performance might be that answer here.
Yes they are a bit weird looking and you’ll have joined the cult but they are seriously quick on the road, spacious and bills should be smaller than the German monsters.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
Sound, engine etc are all huge parts of owning something like this for me. I don’t have anywhere currently to charge up either. Surprised how cheap they are though. Yes they are a bit weird looking and you’ll have joined the cult but they are seriously quick on the road, spacious and bills should be smaller than the German monsters.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
Albigularis said:
CG2020UK said:
Pains me to say it but you a Tesla Model 3 Performance might be that answer here.
Yes they are a bit weird looking and you’ll have joined the cult but they are seriously quick on the road, spacious and bills should be smaller than the German monsters.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
Sound, engine etc are all huge parts of owning something like this for me. I don’t have anywhere currently to charge up either. Surprised how cheap they are though. Yes they are a bit weird looking and you’ll have joined the cult but they are seriously quick on the road, spacious and bills should be smaller than the German monsters.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
Bonkers quick though.
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