Circa 25K Everyday Car, What to buy: B8 S4, E90 M3, Alpina ?

[E30M3SE]

billzeebub said:

E90 M3 DCT.

1st person to come up with the correct answer........................

[TorqueR]

Cupramax said:

Whatever, you'll be telling us you had the back seats folded down next. 997 turbo is at least 3 secs quicker to 100mph and about 10 quicker to 150 so you keep dreaming

In the right circumstances, there is a chance a Lexus IS-F could stay with the Porsche.

In your reply, you state figures that were probably taken in ideal conditions on a track. In the real-world, which is where this took place, the poster was leaving an island. If you factor in other traffic, weather, road conditions then the battle would be closer than you think. Why do you also quote 0-xxx figures, when the example was on a bypass - ie: already on the move which would make in-gear acceleration more important than a headline 0-xxx number?

[urquattroGus]

The C63 is one of my favorite cars, and I think it's an awesome piece of kit, BUT, my dad has one and I dont want the same car, also, i know about the mpg and restricted range.

Edited by urquattroGus on Saturday 11th May 18:00

[deltashad]

urquattroGus said:

The C63 is one of my favorite cars, and I think it's an awesome piece of kit, BUT, my dad has one and I dont want the same car, also, i know about the mpg and restricted range.

Edited by urquattroGus on Saturday 11th May 18:00

Mpg? What does this mean? Sorry but not used to text talk

[fandango_c]

deltashad said:

Mpg? What does this mean? Sorry but not used to text talk

Miles per gallon?

[giggity]

C63 or CLK63!

[urquattroGus]

Mammaries per Girl/Miles per gallon

Starting to rule out the M3, would need to buy a 2008/2009 for that budget I think. Also, I'm concerned about the MPG.

The ISF actually does look interesting, the interior looks a bit naff though. 8 speeds helps MPG and I could get a younger car.

The S4 MPG doesn't seem to be as good as I thought, some people are saying 20mpg, I would expect 25 or so?

[Spoof]

Alpina B3.

As for the ISF, great car, unusual etc, but a 240bhp/ tonne car as quick as a 300bhp/tonne car?. Not to mention the torque difference. I'm calling "he wasn't trying" on that one.


The turbo is in a different league.

http://youtu.be/L3CqJIQiq5o

[J4CKO]

25 grand to spend, coming from a Focus RS and you are worrying about MPG, does not compute !

[urquattroGus]

I was getting an indicated 27 MPG out of the focus. Much better than the 22-23 of my previous ST.

The MPG was actually pretty good.

At the moment I am borrowing a Re-Mapped C5 RS6, and doing 18.5 MPG and that is killing me!

Think I will try and look at an ISF, no mean feat, not many about!

[gtrstill]

TorqueR said:

In the right circumstances, there is a chance a Lexus IS-F could stay with the Porsche.

In your reply, you state figures that were probably taken in ideal conditions on a track. In the real-world, which is where this took place, the poster was leaving an island. If you factor in other traffic, weather, road conditions then the battle would be closer than you think. Why do you also quote 0-xxx figures, when the example was on a bypass - ie: already on the move which would make in-gear acceleration more important than a headline 0-xxx number?

A sensible person appears! From what I can see the parka 0-100 are based on the sport Chrono versions. In this instance the difference is 2 seconds on the nose. Take one mediocre Porsche driver shifting too early or too late and surely you will accept its reasonable. The Isf will shift at an optimum point automatically and they are such fast shifts.

Drive one, would love to hear someone else's view.

The Evo Long term test was very flattering. I miss her already

[gtrstill]

One more thing (then I will stop nattering) for 25k you are potentially in the facelift territory and get an LSD, which in road tests evolved the performance on track to beyond the e90

Have fun

[sjc]

600BHP anyone?.....
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

[urquattroGus]

Well, I went to look at and test drive this today;

http://www.approved.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details...

I liked it quite a lot more than I thought I would. I do have a bit of an image bugbear about the M3.

I had a very short test drive and didnt really get to extend it as much as I would have liked.

It felt very torque light and not crazy fast when I did fully light it up.

The interior was nicer than expected, and thank god its not black. Also liked the gearbox once away from a standstil.

Overall it felt very composed and tight.


Also went to look at a 2012 IS250 Lexus just to get an idea (ISF dealers closed).

Was not expecting too much, but the interior did seem pretty shocking to be honest. It was a 2012 F spec one, so should give some idea at least.

I think I just can't live with the M3 MPG, it seems like 18-22 is what to expect.

Closer to 23-26 wouldn't be so bad, the ISF seems to be more economical in real world MPG.

Can't find any decent Aplina's Who buys them?

So, ISF and Audi still to look at properly and drive.

Edited by urquattroGus on Sunday 12th May 16:04

[deltashad]

urquattroGus said:

Well, I went to look at and test drive this today;

http://www.approved.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details...

I liked it quite a lot more than I thought I would. I do have a bit of an image bugbear about the M3.

I had a very short test drive and didnt really get to extend it as much as I would have liked.

It felt very torque light and not crazy fast when I did fully light it up.

The interior was nicer than expected, and thank god its not black. Also liked the gearbox once away from a standstil.

Overall it felt very composed and tight.


Also went to look at a 2012 IS250 Lexus just to get an idea (ISF dealers closed).

Was not expecting too much, but the interior did seem pretty shocking to be honest. It was a 2012 F spec one, so should give some idea at least.

I think I just can't live with the M3 MPG, it seems like 18-22 is what to expect.

Closer to 23-26 wouldn't be so bad, the ISF seems to be more economical in real world MPG.

Can't find any decent Aplina's Who buys them?

So, ISF and Audi still to look at properly and drive.

Edited by urquattroGus on Sunday 12th May 16:04

Very nice. Dont think these suffer from the same image problems as the 2 door. Its a rare car. Much cooler imo.

[deltashad]

urquattroGus said:

Well, I went to look at and test drive this today;

http://www.approved.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details...

I liked it quite a lot more than I thought I would. I do have a bit of an image bugbear about the M3.

I had a very short test drive and didnt really get to extend it as much as I would have liked.

It felt very torque light and not crazy fast when I did fully light it up.

The interior was nicer than expected, and thank god its not black. Also liked the gearbox once away from a standstil.

Overall it felt very composed and tight.


Also went to look at a 2012 IS250 Lexus just to get an idea (ISF dealers closed).

Was not expecting too much, but the interior did seem pretty shocking to be honest. It was a 2012 F spec one, so should give some idea at least.

I think I just can't live with the M3 MPG, it seems like 18-22 is what to expect.

Closer to 23-26 wouldn't be so bad, the ISF seems to be more economical in real world MPG.

Can't find any decent Aplina's Who buys them?

So, ISF and Audi still to look at properly and drive.

Edited by urquattroGus on Sunday 12th May 16:04

Very nice. Dont think these suffer from the same image problems as the 2 door. Its a rare car. Much cooler imo.

[ITP]

Pity about your mpg needs. Could have gone for an XFR, although i'm sure you could get 25ish on a run out of one.
As for the other suggestions i would go ISF too, a quality piece of machinery, the rarity appeals too and will help with residuals. Awesome sound system too by the way if they have the levinson set up as standard which i think they do.

[urquattroGus]

Well, I ended up ordering a new M135i, loaded with spec and with over 10% discount.

This was actually cheaper than some dealers for their demo machines, who seemed unwilling to accept offers.

I really really wanted to buy a beautiful Blue ISF that was up for £29,950. However, it will be bought by the company (family business) and a 5.0 saloon that is 55k new was not deemed suitable image wise. The ride was terrible, to the extent that I looked into coilover suspension. The engine was fantatsic, and it felt genuinely quick, much more so than I was expecting. Would cost £490 a year to tax too.

Also looked at s4's. Drove two, quite dissapointing really.

So in the end, for a few grand more I have got a new M135i to my ideal spec

[cerb4.5lee]

urquattroGus said:

Well, I ended up ordering a new M135i, loaded with spec and with over 10% discount.

This was actually cheaper than some dealers for their demo machines, who seemed unwilling to accept offers.

I really really wanted to buy a beautiful Blue ISF that was up for £29,950. However, it will be bought by the company (family business) and a 5.0 saloon that is 55k new was not deemed suitable image wise. The ride was terrible, to the extent that I looked into coilover suspension. The engine was fantatsic, and it felt genuinely quick, much more so than I was expecting. Would cost £490 a year to tax too.

Also looked at s4's. Drove two, quite dissapointing really.

So in the end, for a few grand more I have got a new M135i to my ideal spec

Nice one I am a big fan of these, the black M3 you test drove had been for sale a while aswell it was at specialist cars Tring when I bought my E92 M3 back in jan as I looked around it at the same time.

The M135i offers so much, M3 performance but with the added benefit of fuel economy & torque something the M3 lacks!

Bet you can't wait!