BMW 330i or 325i or Audi A5 2.0 Quattro...?

[MikeTerry94]

Hey, looking for some help on deciding what to buy as my next car!

Currently have a 57 plate 118i, which has been a great car but i'm looking for something a little faster now. I'll have 5 years no claims at the end of May but am only 22 so insurance is still a big consideration. Looking to spend an absolute max of £9k but don't want to settle for a high mileage work horse. I just want a fun car that's fast and still somewhat economical.

Currently looking for coupe 330i's but just can't find many for sale so that led to looking at 325i's but may people said they feel sluggish, is this true? (Have also considered saloon but still not that many for sale)

I also love the Audi A5's / A4's but again, would want quattro as I don't think fwd would be a step forward.. so that leaves little for sale again.

Which would be your choice? Any any trying to decide would be much appreciated!

Edited by MikeTerry94 on Saturday 29th April 17:33

[Codswallop]

Do you need back seats? If you want fun and good economy, light weight is key. A Z4 3.0 would be a better bet than a 3 series. Or an MX5 if you can cope with the badge not being German. Honda S2000 would be a good option too, but not quite as efficient.

MikeTerry94 said:

I just want a fun car that's fast and still somewhat economical.

[MikeTerry94]

Codswallop said:

Thanks for the reply! Have indeed looked at all of those but kinda do want back seats just for when I'm out with friends and stuff, useful to be able to carry more than 1 extra person!

[MikeTerry94]

Also looking at sciroccos but not sure if the switch to FWD would be a wise move.. any more thoughts?

[ZX10R NIN]

Firstly what's your budget?

Also why are you so down on FWD there are certain cars that will give a RWD hell so don't let that prejudice your decision.

If you considering a Scirocco why not get the best & take a look at the Megane RS.

[MikeTerry94]

ZX10R NIN said:

Firstly what's your budget?

Also why are you so down on FWD there are certain cars that will give a RWD hell so don't let that prejudice your decision.

If you considering a Scirocco why not get the best & take a look at the Megane RS.

Well £9k would be an absolute max.

I just don't think the handling would be a match for rwd, worried it would only be nice to drive in a straight line.. handling is part of the enjoyment!

Definitely not a Renault man I'm afraid! German ftw

[ZX10R NIN]

I can't understand the bias these days Renaults are as well built as your 1 series the Megane might be just out of your budget anyway they're holding their money well by the way you're wrong on the handling front (a Clio RS would disappear from your 118i down an A/B Road) but if you want German then it's irrelevant on how good it is.

2009 CLK 350 Sport 275bhp 85k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2007 330i SE 275bhp 28k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2006 335i SE 310bhp 41k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Audi 3.2 Quattro Sport 260bhp 86k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Audi S5 350bhp 97k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I understand liking German I have Mercedes but don't dismiss others there are a lot of good cars out there.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[MikeTerry94]

ZX10R NIN said:

I can't understand the bias these days Renaults are as well built as your 1 series the Megane might be just out of your budget anyway they're holding their money well by the way you're wrong on the handling front (a Clio RS would disappear from your 118i down an A/B Road) but if you want German then it's irrelevant on how good it is.

2009 CLK 350 Sport 275bhp 85k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2007 330i SE 275bhp 28k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2006 335i SE 310bhp 41k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Audi 3.2 Quattro Sport 260bhp 86k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Audi S5 350bhp 97k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I understand liking German I have Mercedes but don't dismiss others there are a lot of good cars out there.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Firstly, thanks for taking the time to write that comment, some very decent cars in there although I feel most would be out of my insurance range and would cost a bomb to run. 330i is the only real contender and even then I'm looking for an m sport.

With regards to the Megane I think it's just a prestige thing, I am somewhat I badge snob and would prefer a German powerhouse however I will take a look at the Meganes out of interest. My main conecern is that I'd switch to fwd and would be hating it every time I tried to take a corner fast!

[Joratk]

What about an E82 125i Coupe M Sport?

[ZX10R NIN]

MikeTerry94 said:

Firstly, thanks for taking the time to write that comment, some very decent cars in there although I feel most would be out of my insurance range and would cost a bomb to run. 330i is the only real contender and even then I'm looking for an m sport.

With regards to the Megane I think it's just a prestige thing, I am somewhat I badge snob and would prefer a German powerhouse however I will take a look at the Meganes out of interest. My main concern is that I'd switch to fwd and would be hating it every time I tried to take a corner fast!

No problem this is what PH is about we're all car enthusiasts after all , get yourself in a RS250 Cup & you'll find the turn in and grip to be better than a 330i M Sport.

RS250 Cup

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Here's a thread that's worth reading.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Here are some onboards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua0BvMTgijU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUx82-Irf74

There's nothing wrong with being a badge snob but to say all FWD can't take a corner is just plain wrong.

[MikeTerry94]

ZX10R NIN said:

MikeTerry94 said:

Firstly, thanks for taking the time to write that comment, some very decent cars in there although I feel most would be out of my insurance range and would cost a bomb to run. 330i is the only real contender and even then I'm looking for an m sport.

With regards to the Megane I think it's just a prestige thing, I am somewhat I badge snob and would prefer a German powerhouse however I will take a look at the Meganes out of interest. My main concern is that I'd switch to fwd and would be hating it every time I tried to take a corner fast!

No problem this is what PH is about we're all car enthusiasts after all , get yourself in a RS250 Cup & you'll find the turn in and grip to be better than a 330i M Sport.

RS250 Cup

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Here's a thread that's worth reading.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Here are some onboards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua0BvMTgijU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUx82-Irf74

There's nothing wrong with being a badge snob but to say all FWD can't take a corner is just plain wrong.

It's much appreciated! Has to be said, I've just been watching some videos on YouTube of the Renaultsport 250 Meagne and wow.. that thing is a weapon. Found a 2010 one on Autotrader for £7.5k.. have they already been hit by depreciation or are they likely to go down much more you think? May very well be worth a test drive I have to admit!

[ZX10R NIN]

No they're not really being hit depreciation wise they'll still lose a bit but no more than a Golf etc, that'll be for a non cup car which won't have the LSD & Chassis tweaks which make that final difference don't get me wrong the standard car is a very good car but the Cup chassis is the one to get.

[MikeTerry94]

ZX10R NIN said:

No they're not really being hit depreciation wise they'll still lose a bit but no more than a Golf etc, that'll be for a non cup car which won't have the LSD & Chassis tweaks which make that final difference don't get me wrong the standard car is a very good car but the Cup chassis is the one to get.

Ah right, are the cup editions significantly better than the Renaultsport versions? Say this one for example which isn't too far from me:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I like the idea of having heated leather etc. is all!

[ZX10R NIN]

The real difference is felt when really pressing on for across the board then yes a Lux is a better option, if you're considering track work then definitely get the Cup (for those 9/10ths moments) you need to work out what you do more obviously the diff makes a difference in the wet & dry when pulling out of the corners.

The one you sent the link to is well worth a look at that price, plus you can always add a diff at a later date.

[MikeTerry94]

ZX10R NIN said:

The real difference is felt when really pressing on for across the board then yes a Lux is a better option, if you're considering track work then definitely get the Cup (for those 9/10ths moments) you need to work out what you do more obviously the diff makes a difference in the wet & dry when pulling out of the corners.

The one you sent the link to is well worth a look at that price, plus you can always add a diff at a later date.

It's unlikely that i'll be doing any track days anytime soon just enjoy the weekend spirited drives across the countryside. Again, thanks for the help though, thrown in a contender I otherwise would never have looked at. Think I'll try and test drive one and see if I actually notice the fwd difference. A 330i coupe is still my main want but just doesn't seem to be any about so a newer (and possibly faster?) alternative doesn't seem like a bad compromise.

[DoubleD]

The BMW is more of a fun comfy GT car, where as the Megane is less comfy but a riot on a B road, but you will want one with the cup pack (red brakes). If you go for the BMW the 330i would be a far better choice than the 325i, same economy but a good chunk more power and go.

[MikeTerry94]

DoubleD said:

The BMW is more of a fun comfy GT car, where as the Megane is less comfy but a riot on a B road, but you will want one with the cup pack (red brakes). If you go for the BMW the 330i would be a far better choice than the 325i, same economy but a good chunk more power and go.

My insurance is up at the end of May and then i'll have 5 years no claims so trying to find something before the end of May. Just doesn't seem to be many 330i's up for sale and don't particularly want to compromise for a 325i as I think I would regret it.

I can't find any cup editions for sale plus I think I would want the heated leather over cloth seats.. this one isn't too far from me and the fact it's a fair bit cheaper than 330s means I won't care as much about the low mpg.. https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=1044X509854&s...

[DoubleD]

The fuel economy of the Renault will be about the same as the BMW. I would hold out for a cup if I were you.

[ZX10R NIN]

Here's a Lux with the Cup pack added

[MikeTerry94]

ZX10R NIN said:

Here's a Lux with the Cup pack added

Link? haha