Something other than an M3?

[James_B]

I sold my C63 in March to get something a bit more fun, and swapped it for an M2. Three months later I realised I was going to need a four door, so swapped that for an F80 M3, which as I detailed on another thread had to go back a few weeks later.

It was a great car, just not a great example of the model, and I'm tempted to get another, but rather than jumping straight in, I'd like to have a think about what else I could get.

I'm not going to mention a specific budget, as I can (hopefully) stretch to everything out there that will fit the criteria.

I'd like...

A four door five seat saloon or estate car that will do 0-100mph in under ten seconds, that handles quite nicely and isn't much bigger than a three series.

I think an RS6 or a Panamera are both a bit too big, but may try a test drive in each to see how they feel in and out of my car park and out and about in London.

Any thoughts welcomed.

If there are any exceptional or very good cars that don't quite tick the box in terms of acceleration ( but in exchange come in much cheaper than a pre-reg F80 M3) I should probably consider those too. I'm aware that spending £60k+ on a "sensible" car isn't necessarily sensible...

[marathonic]

Having seen one on a recent trip to Italy, my choice with that criteria would be an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

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

[Yipper]

The saloon market is fading away and people are switching to SUVs and hatchbacks.

Some options:

RS6
M5
SQ7
Golf R 5dr (cheap remap makes it faster than an M3).

[Shore]

Ford probe

[James_B]

Yipper said:

The saloon market is fading away and people are switching to SUVs and hatchbacks.

Some options:

RS6
M5
SQ7
Golf R 5dr (cheap remap makes it faster than an M3).

Thegolf's probably too small (I'd likely get the new RS3 if I wanted to go down a size), but can a cheap remap really make it faster than an M3?

I assume that even if this is the case that it'd not match the remap I'd be getting done to the M3?

[James_B]

Shore said:

Ford probe

I have to ask, was there any particular reason you posted that?

It's a slow, old car that doesn't handle well, and clearly isn't what I'm looking for.

[Yipper]

James_B said:

Yipper said:

The saloon market is fading away and people are switching to SUVs and hatchbacks.

Some options:

RS6
M5
SQ7
Golf R 5dr (cheap remap makes it faster than an M3).

Thegolf's probably too small (I'd likely get the new RS3 if I wanted to go down a size), but can a cheap remap really make it faster than an M3?

I assume that even if this is the case that it'd not match the remap I'd be getting done to the M3?

Yah, for about ~£500 remap, the R will do ~3.6secs to 60mph (compared with ~3.8secs for a stock 2017 M3). The traction on the R and its AWD is astonishing. Spend about ~£6k, and you can get it down to about ~2.9secs and ~10.8secs on the 1/4 mile.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd try finding a Alfa Giulia:

Quadrifoglio (these are a very good steer & well worth a test drive)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alpina B3 BiTurbo (you can get cheaper ones)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

C63S

http://eu.hlserve.com/Delivery/Delivery.aspx?hm_CI...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[James_B]

Yipper said:

Yah, for about ~£500 remap, the R will do ~3.6secs to 60mph (compared with ~3.8secs for a stock 2017 M3). The traction on the R and its AWD is astonishing. Spend about ~£6k, and you can get it down to about ~2.9secs and ~10.8secs on the 1/4 mile.

Who's doing that remap? I've had a look, but can't see anywhere claiming those figures on a remap alone, have you a link to have a look at?

I do quite like golfs.

[Big GT]

Hi OP,

The M3 probably will be a disappointment after the M2 and C63. M2 better drivers car and C63 is characterful.
I drove the Jag XE S and while I've no idea its 0-100 I couldn't tell any difference from the M3.

The XE Chassis is much better than the M3. Lots of feedback and really composed.
Steering same - (both dull ish but the XE felt better feedback)
The XE also looks better and much better interior and display etc.
In some area's the BMW materials seem of better quality. The XE is a much nice please to be inside and out.
The XE also sounded much better!!!
The BMW engine was smoother

I believe the XE and Alfa are a notch above the M3 now. Not driven the new C63 to comment.

[Shore]

James_B said:

I have to ask, was there any particular reason you posted that?

It's a slow, old car that doesn't handle well, and clearly isn't what I'm looking for.

Ahh wrong car. Ford Mustang.

[51mes]

Big GT said:

Hi OP,

The M3 probably will be a disappointment after the M2 and C63. M2 better drivers car and C63 is characterful.
I drove the Jag XE S and while I've no idea its 0-100 I couldn't tell any difference from the M3.

The XE Chassis is much better than the M3. Lots of feedback and really composed.
Steering same - (both dull ish but the XE felt better feedback)
The XE also looks better and much better interior and display etc.
In some area's the BMW materials seem of better quality. The XE is a much nice please to be inside and out.
The XE also sounded much better!!!
The BMW engine was smoother

I believe the XE and Alfa are a notch above the M3 now. Not driven the new C63 to comment.

Am 4 weeks into a fully loaded ex Jag management XE-S, that's just under 9 months old, with a stupendous reduction from new price. With the 340hp engine it's 11.5 to 100 and the new 380hp it's apparently 11.1.

The 380 is allegedly going to be available in the UK with AWD, but no ETA yet. And there are continued rumours of an XE-R with the V8..

Whilst not the most vocal of engines (no valve trickery on the exhaust) it certainly lets you know about the supercharger, and hustles itself rapidly along a and b roads with ease, though is thirsty. Running at motorway speeds I'm seeing 30+ to the gallon.

Loving it so far..

S.