£40-45K Budget. Which Car?

[Andrew911]

Currently in a 997.1 Turbo - low miles car in superb condition. Also a daily drive - only 5 miles to work/back home. I may have to come out of the 997 to release some cash & will be looking for a 'nice daily' to run for the next 2-3 years. My wifey has a Disco 4 so don't need anything too practical. I have had quite a lot of Porsche's & thinking maybe something different although have considered a 981 Cayman S but maybe a tad low on power. My budget will get me into a RS5 (outgoing model), M4, M6 (current model), 981 Cayman S & just about an F-Type. I don't particularly need four seats; but occasionally would come in handy. The F-Type has virtually no boot though. I quite like the idea of four wheel drive as have to navigate icy country lanes but have done this previously in a 320d. Which brings me onto the last beemer I had was a 320d (2011 model i think) which i found so boring to drive & absolutely no character. I'am sure the M-power cars are totally different. Interested to hear your views.

[Thermobaric]

Nice, low mileage E92 M3 with some cash left over?

[Smuler]

I find the e92 M3 significantly different to even the fastest non M car of the generation , the 335i, so if you were to take Thermo's advice , rest assured it'll be very different from your 2011 320d with the exception of some interior elements.

If you want a newer car , how about the M2?

I've not driven the new M3/4 but research the specific variants as from what I read the LCI Competition pack seems to be the best and second to that the pre LCI competition pack.

I don't know if they would easily be in your budget though?

LCI = facelift.

[PorkInsider]

Smuler said:

I've not driven the new M3/4 but research the specific variants as from what I read the LCI Competition pack seems to be the best and second to that the pre LCI competition pack.

I don't know if they would easily be in your budget though?

LCI = facelift.

You won't get an LCI CP for the money. You would just about get a pre-LCI CP from a dealer, with some negotiation, if you weren't too bothered about the spec'..

The LCI changes are pretty much limited to bringing LEDs as standard, black seat badges instead of silver and a couple of different bits of chrome interior trim.

CP over non-CP is a no-brainier though as they are so much better to drive, in my opinion.

I'd agree with considering an M2 as well. The interior isn't brilliant (again, only my opinion) but prices are softening now.

[Andrew911]

Thanks for the advice - all sounds good. I am hoping i don't need to jump out of the 997 turbo for a while.

Sounds like stretching to a CP M4 would be worth it. Of the cars I have listed as suggestions I am leaning towards the M4. I'am guessing the M4 CP will hold its value better? I hate losing too much on cars; which why i have had so many porkers.

Really not sure about the M2 styling tbh. Much prefer the M4 styling & the M2's interior doesn't look that special.

[PorkInsider]

I would say CP is a must in depreciation terms, although I'm happy to be corrected if anyone knows better.

If you spent £45k on a non-CP car I can't see how it could match a CP car bought for the same price when it comes to depreciation.

The vast majority of cars are now being spec'd with CP and that's to be expected since it only adds ~5% (£3k) to the price.

I would pop over to M3Cutters for more advice. I was pointed in that direction by someone else from here and it's certainly much more active with M owners over there, many of whom know lots about the buying/owning/selling experience.

[Stu-nph26]

What about a BMW 1M they seem pretty much depreciation proof.

[TrickyTrevM5]

If youre planning on spending almost all of the trade price for the 997.1T, id keep it.

anything else you choose will depreciate.

the 997.1T wont (and certainly not to the same extent if its as you described it).

sell it when you absolutely have to only.

[stevesingo]

1M

Not the greatest interior but rare, good to drive and you will get your money back.

[Andrew911]

Thoughts on a C63 AMG 507 Edition Coupe? Rare'ish - looks like it will be a classic, has black edition looks, 500 horses & within budget. But bloomin thirsty. I average 20mpg with the 997 turbo; think the C63 AMG 507 would be around 15mpg.

Edited by Andrew911 on Wednesday 9th August 10:36

[SebringMan]

Andrew911 said:

Thoughts on a C63 AMG 507 Edition Coupe? Rare'ish - looks like it will be a classic, has black edition looks, 500 horses & within budget. But bloomin thirsty. I average 20mpg with the 997 turbo; think the C63 AMG 507 would be around 15mpg.

Edited by Andrew911 on Wednesday 9th August 10:36

I'd personally get the C63. But I can't see residuals being great if previous Mercs are anything to go by, despite the newer ones not looking as ungainly.

With that money I'd be looking to get either a pre-LCI CP M4 or a 1M ; the latter would make more sense. I was going to suggest an M3 CSL but they are still a little above that price IMHO.

[Stu-nph26]

What about an Audi R8 or a GTR?

Edited by Stu-nph26 on Thursday 10th August 09:19

[dunc_sx]

If you're OK with only two seats I'd say Cayman, mighty practical apart from that due to the two boots - Great dynamics.

[PompeyReece]

Stu-nph26 said:

What about an Audi R8 or a GTR?

As an R8 owner, I couldn't agree more. Unlikely to depreciate massively, one of best engines you'll ever hear with usability and performance thrown in. Consider it's probably one of the cheapest supercars to run, personally speaking (well I would wouldn't I! I'm not sure what comes close for £45k?

I did consider a GT-R but they're a little soulless compared to an R8 (but quicker) and personally speaking, the image of the R8 suited my middle aged years!

[Schermerhorn]

Don't think you could go much wrong with a current generation F13 BMW M6. It looks good, is luxurious, seriously rapid and had good road presence too (and quite rare)

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/M/4.4-M6/Doncaster/34926...

[zainster]

Schermerhorn said:

Don't think you could go much wrong with a current generation F13 BMW M6. It looks good, is luxurious, seriously rapid and had good road presence too (and quite rare)

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/M/4.4-M6/Doncaster/34926...

That example has been on sale for what feels like for ever! Great cars mind but I'd defo go for the rarer CP version.

[Schermerhorn]

zainster said:

Schermerhorn said:

Don't think you could go much wrong with a current generation F13 BMW M6. It looks good, is luxurious, seriously rapid and had good road presence too (and quite rare)

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/M/4.4-M6/Doncaster/34926...

That example has been on sale for what feels like for ever! Great cars mind but I'd defo go for the rarer CP version.

Just noticed that it's a pre-lift version, which doesn't always help with residuals especially at the dealership!

[donutskidmark]

stevesingo said:

1M

Not the greatest interior but rare, good to drive and you will get your money back.

+1

[Lostprophet]

PorkInsider said:

You won't get an LCI CP for the money. You would just about get a pre-LCI CP from a dealer, with some negotiation, if you weren't too bothered about the spec'..

The LCI changes are pretty much limited to bringing LEDs as standard, black seat badges instead of silver and a couple of different bits of chrome interior trim.

CP over non-CP is a no-brainier though as they are so much better to drive, in my opinion.

I'd agree with considering an M2 as well. The interior isn't brilliant (again, only my opinion) but prices are softening now.

What year is the lci update on the m4?

[soad]

TrickyTrevM5 said:

If youre planning on spending almost all of the trade price for the 997.1T, id keep it.

anything else you choose will depreciate.

the 997.1T wont (and certainly not to the same extent if its as you described it).

sell it when you absolutely have to only.

Far too sensible.