I’m looking to swap my pug for something with more power

[NeveraR]

Hi all,

Long long time lurker way back when PH only had a few thousand members and signed up back then but no idea how to access the old sign in so I’m using a brand new login.

Now my question is I have a 308 gti and I’ve had my fun but now would like something with a bit more power does anyone have any suggestions ideally looking at bmw namely the m3 e46 (a good one) happy to hear any suggestions!

[Xcore]

Budget?
A modern turbo hatch will feel just as quick as an old N/A performance car.

[NeveraR]

So the bhp increase wouldn’t feel that much different? Mine 272 to the bmw 338?

[samoht]

The M3 is heavier, so power/weight is only about 7% better than the Pug. Combined with the turbo car's broader torque band, I'd imagine that the BMW would feel on par at best, and perhaps slower.

What are your budget and practical constraints? There are plenty of turbo cars around that will give a greater sense of power I think.

[Martyn76]

The low down torque from modern turbo'd hot hatches make them feel quicker in 'real world driving' than an old school NA engine car, you need to rev out the older stuff to make progress, depends on your driving style I suppose, would deffo need to drive one to see if you like it.

[NeveraR]

Great answers and exactly the kind of insight I’m after I guess I’m open to any considerations just preferable if it feels faster.
Budget would be negotiable but around the value of my pug I’m not necessarily looking for another hatchback either.

[aka_kerrly]

Perhaps a BMW 135i/140i or 335i/340i would be more appealing, not a "full" M car but the 3.0L turbo engine will let you access a lot more power more of the time than the E46 M3 would

[NeveraR]

I just had a quick look but is there a particular year I should keep in mind? Torque wise will it feel noticeably quicker? If I do choose a BMW it will be my first one. I have heard many stories and after driving one for a day I must say I did quite enjoy it.

[Gav147]

NeveraR said:

I just had a quick look but is there a particular year I should keep in mind? Torque wise will it feel noticeably quicker? If I do choose a BMW it will be my first one. I have heard many stories and after driving one for a day I must say I did quite enjoy it.

As above an e46 M3 on paper will not be much of a difference pace wise but it will be a more eventful place to sit and definitely a better sound track than your pug, a newer non m car like a 140i, 340i as suggested will be quicker and a fair bit cheaper on running costs than a full on M car. Best way is to go out there and test drive a couple, part of the fun of finding a new car!

Year/model wise there are a few common problems with certain bmw's (as with any other marque) but it really depends on your budget as to what years etc to go for.

[samoht]

I think the 308 GTi you have is already quite good in terms of performance per pound. It's also quite a small engine (1.6) to make that much power, so I suspect it doesn't have that much headroom for tuning.

The BMWs are a good shout, you could also consider:

Honda Civic FK2 (the first turbo one)
VW Golf R

Audi RS3 or TT RS (with the 2.5 five-pot)

MB A45 or CLA45 (saloon or shooting brake)

Porsche Boxster S 3.4

TVR Chimaera (wildcard)


Unfortunately all the things like Skylines, 200SXs, Supras, Soarers, Evos etc which used to get tuned up and provide lunatic acceleration for a moderate budget are all now very pricey and/or rusty. However if performance per pound is your goal, you may well find a tuned car to be a good option as long as it's been done by a widely respected specialist in the model.

[CG2020UK]

Your issue is the 308GTI is such a brilliant handling car that the M-lites will be very disappointing handling wise despite going big power for little money they won’t put it down either without a good few thousand on modification.

I’d suggest an M2 or M4 if you have the budget as will be a noticeable upgrade.

A Cupra 280 is a cheap way into big power with Revo as well and is a good steer but not as good as the 308GTI in my opinion.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want to step up from your 308 GTI & want an M Car I'd be looking at an M4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308020...

A V8 M3 could be a great option but do your homework:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308301...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308231...

Lexus IS-F:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308010...

I'm bias but a C63 really is worth a good look it'll feel more special than the 308 & it'll damn well feel faster too

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308080...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308090...

[Jamescrs]

I'm just in the process of trading in my M240i and I still think they are an amazing car for the money, mine has been pretty much faultless over the three years I owned it, only thing that went was a window regulator.
I highly recommend you try one, or a M140i if you prefer a hatch.

I'm trading mine in for an M4 and yes a full fat M car is a big upgrade but it's a big cost upgrade too both in terms of purchase, insurance and running, I will take mine to the Ring, Spa and other track days as I did my M240i but I think as a daily drive not doing the other things the M lite is hard to beat.

[NeveraR]

So I’m now looking at the M4 which I think would give me the upgrade in power I desire but I also need to consider the running costs as has been mentioned before.
I’ve heard mixed reports about the economy on these and I’d rather hear what other drivers have to say rather than rely on AT.
The pug was getting pretty decent economy for a hot hatch but obviously VPower disappeared as quick as you put it in once the foot was down in sport mode!

[Jamescrs]

NeveraR said:

So I’m now looking at the M4 which I think would give me the upgrade in power I desire but I also need to consider the running costs as has been mentioned before.
I’ve heard mixed reports about the economy on these and I’d rather hear what other drivers have to say rather than rely on AT.
The pug was getting pretty decent economy for a hot hatch but obviously VPower disappeared as quick as you put it in once the foot was down in sport mode!

I've just got mine so can't comment too much on fuel economy but I expect low 20s mpg will be the norm.

Have a look at insurance too, my insurance was £550 on a BMW M240i, its £1500 on an M4 and im 42 with 10years NCD.

[bencollins4]

If it’s power you’re after, you can’t do much better than a M135i for similar money to the Pug. An E46 will feel slower than the Pug most of the time and these things now require a lot of maintenance now they’re all circa 20 years old.

M4 you would need another £10k more for I would have thought. All these cars drink fuel if you use all the power. There’s no getting away from that, but an M135i will get close to 40mpg on a cruise, but you’ll be at least 10mpg less in an E46 or M4.