340i/440i GC/540i/S4 - £25k 300bhp plus petrol auto choices

340i/440i GC/540i/S4 - £25k 300bhp plus petrol auto choices

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joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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I've got a green light from home management to update the current car.

Currently driving a C220cdi Auto Coupe 2013, it's a lovely car but I want:
-4/5 doors
-Saloon or SUV body style
-300bhp plus
-Automatic (Not CVT, preferably ZF8)
-Petrol
-No known weak points (sounds vague, I mean the equivalent of BMW N47 timing chain issues etc)
-I want to get a newer car than I usually do, I want to keep the next one longer - 2016 onwards, sub 50k miles.
-Budget would be £25k, preferably a little less

I'll drive it 99% of the time but my Wife would rather not have an estate for some reason.

I currently am liking the:

BMW *40i range in 440iGC, 340, 540 flavours (3.0 Turbo, not V8) - A friend put me off the 540i a bit as he said it was markedly worse on fuel than his previous 135i.

Audi S4 - Not sure on theft risk or gearbox in Audis?

Maserati Ghibli S - I love the exterior look, interior is a bit dated compared to the BMW and Audi - Not sure on running costs

Mercedes C43 - Appear to be 340i equivalent

I would prefer not to be paying the £500+ tax bracket, i haven't checked any of those above actually perhaps I should!

Anything obvious I am missing here?


FamousPheasant

494 posts

115 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Jaguar XE S with the 3.0 supercharged engine would be well within budget. Comes in either 340hp or 380hp guises. Get's rave reviews for the chassis.

Or slightly under the horsepower target - a Alfa Giulia Veloce. I adored mine and plan on getting another next year. Superb fun to drive thanks to being relatively light and a really sharp front end. If you get a late 2018 model they came with 5 year warranties as standard for the peace of mind.


Mouse Rat

1,798 posts

91 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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As above is got to be the Jag. XF or XE V6s.
However an Audi S5 is a looker.

MattyD803

1,690 posts

64 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Jaguar when OP asks for "No known weak points"...?

I'm jesting....but only to an extent.... JLR warranty would be essential in my eyes.

culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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I'd go BMW with the B58 and the ZF8. Fits all the criteria and they don't really have any/many serious issues. They also sound good, pull like a train and are amazing on fuel for the performance.

Keepersball

96 posts

56 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Depends what your after - I had a Maserati ghibli and it did feel special every time I got in it - much more so than the 4 series I had before it.

It’s definitely a car people will look at and notice vs ze Germans.

£25k budget and the age requirements mean you’d likely be looking at a diesel. Try to get a 2017 on to get benefit of face-lifted interior (Apple CarPlay better infotainment etc) even with diesel you’d still get a good noise from the back (granted it’s a sound actuator) performance is ok from diesel but wouldn’t set your hair on fire!

Interior is ok - it’s nothing amazing but only slightly below a bmw in my opinion!

If you can stretch to a petrol I’d definitely go this way!

Minor service at an independent was £430 major would be £600 plus.

If you want image and smileability go for mazza if your looking for a driving experience and cost is an issue German is the way forward!


ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Pistonheader101

2,206 posts

106 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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Make sure you get a mppsk kit if it’s a 340i/440i

Pistonheader101

2,206 posts

106 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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Also go for the best 66 plate you can go for. 17 plate onwards is extra £310 road tax ontop

joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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Cheers all,

I still can't help thinking the 440i Gran Coupe is the one to go for - I think it looks a little bit more modern than the 640i and it'll be a few years newer too for the same money. I do like the 640i though.

Think I can rule out Jaguars, I think the interior and exterior both look a bit dated and bland if I'm honest, I like the F-Pace and F-Type but struggling with anything else, as it's got to be something I really want I don't think I can persuade myself into one.

The CLS I love the exterior, but the interior is basically a carbon copy of my 2013 C Class (AMG Sport Plus Coupe) In fact, nearly all Mercedes have a very similar interior and it might sound petty but if I'm spending 2/3 times the value of my current car I want it to feel next generation. The CLS 400s linked I have seen already, they even have the same wheels as my C Class. I know they are a very different car but it's too familiar.

Ghiblis I think I can rule out - It would have to be a Petrol facelift and I think the BMW has a lot more to offer including peace of mind.

I like the S7 - But, again it will sound silly, we have an A1 (opposite end of the spectrum) but again the interior feels very familiar and it's too old - I would choose the 2018ish S4 over that for that reason.


Think I need to test drive a 440i - the B58 and ZF8 combo seems perfect for me, low down power, decent sound. Agree on the performance exhaust - I want some noise after years of diesels

AndyD360

1,380 posts

179 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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Well timed thread for me - be interested in what you eventually end up with.

I started window shopping at about £17k with XE - 250 brake r-sport most likely, but looked around £20k and Guilia Veloce appeared. Just a little more and the 340/440s appear... now started looking at C300 / C43 at £25k - problem is an M2 can be had around £27k

The very definition of budget creep...

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
AndyD360 said:
Well timed thread for me - be interested in what you eventually end up with.

I started window shopping at about £17k with XE - 250 brake r-sport most likely, but looked around £20k and Guilia Veloce appeared. Just a little more and the 340/440s appear... now started looking at C300 / C43 at £25k - problem is an M2 can be had around £27k

The very definition of budget creep...
The thing is you can get a nice M4 for 25k & I'll be honest & say I'd buy the 4 over the 2:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102139...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101127...

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
joropug said:
Cheers all,

I still can't help thinking the 440i Gran Coupe is the one to go for - I think it looks a little bit more modern than the 640i and it'll be a few years newer too for the same money. I do like the 640i though.

Think I can rule out Jaguars, I think the interior and exterior both look a bit dated and bland if I'm honest, I like the F-Pace and F-Type but struggling with anything else, as it's got to be something I really want I don't think I can persuade myself into one.

The CLS I love the exterior, but the interior is basically a carbon copy of my 2013 C Class (AMG Sport Plus Coupe) In fact, nearly all Mercedes have a very similar interior and it might sound petty but if I'm spending 2/3 times the value of my current car I want it to feel next generation. The CLS 400s linked I have seen already, they even have the same wheels as my C Class. I know they are a very different car but it's too familiar.

Ghiblis I think I can rule out - It would have to be a Petrol facelift and I think the BMW has a lot more to offer including peace of mind.

I like the S7 - But, again it will sound silly, we have an A1 (opposite end of the spectrum) but again the interior feels very familiar and it's too old - I would choose the 2018ish S4 over that for that reason.


Think I need to test drive a 440i - the B58 and ZF8 combo seems perfect for me, low down power, decent sound. Agree on the performance exhaust - I want some noise after years of diesels
The 640i GC has more presence & looks much better than the 440i GC, also despite being older it still feels like a step up interior wise imo.

JonChalk

6,469 posts

109 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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joropug said:
I like the S7 - But, again it will sound silly, we have an A1 (opposite end of the spectrum) but again the interior feels very familiar and it's too old - I would choose the 2018ish S4 over that for that reason.
The B9 S5 is a little bit better cabin-wise than the S4 if you can find one - not much in it, but a few things were standard on the S5 that were options on the S4. The Sportback would seem to line up with your other choices better than the S4, perhaps?

Until I sold it 6 months ago, we were a 2010 A1 and 2017 S5 household - and I agree, the S5 interior is leagues ahead of an A1, both in quality and tech. Definitely not dated.

Lozw86

871 posts

131 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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I’m looking for something similar to you and have rounded it down to 5 series BMW’s and E Class Mercs.

A step up in build quality and comfort from C class & 3/4 series cars and 2017 cars have a modern feel when compared to some others mentioned above

I’ve had BMW’s before so will probably end up with a 5 series M sport X drive with ZF auto.. because I know it works very well

fflump

1,271 posts

37 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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I have a Ghibli S and that would get my vote. 410 bhp 8 speed ZF box. Beautiful styling, frameless doors. New they were very pricy so most are well specced e.g electric memory seats. Interior easily as good as my '16 F30 330d, and in a light colour feels special inside and as well as out. Engine noise is very nice, especially in sport mode. Manual shifting really lets you stretch the engine's legs too. Of course the regular Ghibli V6 has 330bhp which is higher than your target but the S is the one to have.

Your budget should stretch to a 66 plate, which is the oldest version that has the new touchscreen infotainment system-definitely worth having.

I'm not saying it is a better car than a 440i or a S4, but it has the flair and rarity that makes me prefer it-plus it turns heads (and ears) and makes even driving to the supermarket an occasion






joropug

Original Poster:

2,547 posts

188 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
That does look smashing , nice drive too - mines being done next week!

O can't believe the M4 is in the same price bracket. There must be a catch.....

I did want 4 doors but that is tempting me. I don't have children yet but certainly hope to, just considering the fact I might have to sell if it's a coupe.

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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Why would you have to change? The baby seat would go in the front & one of you in the back or you just get the OH a more family friendly car.

AndyD360

1,380 posts

179 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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joropug said:
O can't believe the M4 is in the same price bracket. There must be a catch.....
All 3 cars ZX listed are a bit high mileage wise for me so don’t appear on my AT listings - No idea if they have any gremlins that appear etc.

I too should look for something with 4 doors but they are tempting - am assuming BM warranty is wise with these..?

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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You can always buy a BMW warranty for all of the cars above & below, if it has to be four doors then you'll have to stretch & haggle which will land you an M3. Which means you're covered & imo you've got the better looking car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011306...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102249...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101057...