£50k ish - used i8 or new m240i

[Chris-1e43g]

I was planning to pick up a 15 plate BMW approved used i8 for around £50k ish, or more like £10,000 deposit and around £500 pm on PCP.

Then I started to see reviews pop up for the m240i, I quite like the looks and it's priced around the same as a used i8. It also looks like a more of a sensible option. Not sure if there's anything else that I should be looking at? My requirements are:

• 4 seats (rears to fit my 4 year old in and appease the wife)
• GT or sporty (do the odd 300 mile round trip twice a month, don't mind some noise/harsh riding but nothing that makes my ears bleed)
• Reasonable running costs and reliability. By reasonable im not fussed round town mpg but if it can get high 30s on a motorway run that would be nice. I also would like something with manufacturers warranty if possible.
• I've been keeping to 2 door coupes but would be open to others potentially. I haven't really been looking at anything with a v8 due to the idea of high fuel/tax/servicing.

So, on to the pro's and cons of the i8 and m240i:

i8:

+ Unique/Special. Way more so than the m240i.
+ Interesting drivetrain. I'm not bothered about running on electric to be honest but I could see where the 10-12 miles of range could be a bit beneficial from time to time
+ Depreciation has already happened
+ Rear engined
+ Relatively economical to run although I know I'll have to budget £100 per month for extended warranty
+ Relatively Light

- Not new
- Reliability due to uniqueness of drivetrain.
- A couple of scary known issues such as air compressor failing and throwing metal shards into cooling lines
- Tech not as good as modern cars

M240i:

+ New/I'd be the first owner
+ Engine - Noise and the fact that it's the tried and tested B58/ZF8 combo
+ Cheaper. I could get a fully loaded 240 for around £50k and with lower interest rates would be cheaper on PCP
+ 3 year warranty. Also a more traditional car
+ Bigger boot/rear seats (although its not that important)

- Not as unique as the i8. In a few years will I see loads of m240i's around?
- Will be overshadowed by the new M2
- Plenty of depreciation
- Heavier

I'd appreciate any thoughts!

[Chris-1e43g]

lots of good points here. Like a few of you I was initially thinking the 240 would be my choice but now im leaning towards the i8. I do like the 991 911 but as someone mentioned im not going to be able to get one with manufacturer warranty on there and on a decent pcp.

good point about the tech though, there's nothing i would ache after really in the i8 when I think about it. as long as it has 360 cameras so I don't mash the wheels that would be fine.

The M2 Comp is a good shout but there are already 3 of them near me I see daily so wanted something a bit different.

I'm thinking if I put the money into an i8 and it does disappoint then I'd be in a better place to sell it on down the line to get a 240 or something else rather than losing a shed load in the initial 240 depreciation

[Chris-1e43g]

I agree the M2C comments, it's a fantastic car so no surprise that it's popular. I'll go for a test drive if there's one available nearby.

The rear seats I think I'm prepared for. I had a gt86 a while back which were pretty much non existent. We also have an SUV for family journeys so it would only really be used either solely by me or on the occasion we want to cram ourselves in!

I agree regarding warranty, I'm budgeting £1500 ish per year for extended warranty which I could hopefully continue for as long as I keep it.