What car: ca. £28k; 4 seats; 300+ HP

bobsavage789

Original Poster

657 posts

54 months

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Saturday 6th June 2020

Despite the ongoing Corona malaise, I’m determined to start August with a new (to me) car. I reckon I’ve a budget of around £28k.

Criteria (in no particular order) are:
1) 4 seats min., including space for baby seat in the back.
2) 300 or more horse power (“I wanna go fast!”)
3) Premium sound system ideally.
4) ‘67 plate or later
5) relatively cheap to run (fuel economy is less of an issue due to a short commute)
6) petrol
7) auto preferred

So far my shortlist comprises of:
Kia Stinger GTS
Mercedes C43
BMW 540i and 3/440i

Anything I’m missing? Does anyone have any feedback on any of the above options? I’m hoping to start test drives next week, so need to know what to look out for.

Thanks in advance, all.

alfabeat

1,114 posts

112 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

Here you go:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

JonChalk

6,469 posts

110 months

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[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

Audi S5 Sportback.

Could go for the coupe, but access to the rear seats is going to be awkward.

bobsavage789

Original Poster

657 posts

54 months

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[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

alfabeat said:

Here you go:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Thanks for the suggestion: I have looked at these previously.

I love the exterior of these, but the interior/technology seems very ‘last generation’...

bobsavage789

Original Poster

657 posts

54 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

JonChalk said:

Audi S5 Sportback.

Could go for the coupe, but access to the rear seats is going to be awkward.

I want to like these, as the styling inside and out is lovely.

I have 2 concerns with the S5 though:

1) from what I can gather, the steering is very ‘distant’: can you shed any light on this?
2) EVERYTHING is an option (even things that are standard on much cheaper cars), so it’s likely I’d end up with far less equipment than in anything else.

Saleen836

11,112 posts

209 months

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[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

New Mustang?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

ZX10R NIN

27,604 posts

125 months

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[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

cerb4.5lee

30,585 posts

180 months

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Saturday 6th June 2020

That 650i has an awesome spec on it! cloud9

irocfan

40,439 posts

190 months

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Saturday 6th June 2020

Saleen836 said:

New Mustang?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

As soon as someone mentioned the A5 my immediate thought was Mustang

JonChalk

6,469 posts

110 months

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[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

bobsavage789 said:

JonChalk said:

Audi S5 Sportback.

Could go for the coupe, but access to the rear seats is going to be awkward.

I want to like these, as the styling inside and out is lovely.

I have 2 concerns with the S5 though:

1) from what I can gather, the steering is very ‘distant’: can you shed any light on this?
2) EVERYTHING is an option (even things that are standard on much cheaper cars), so it’s likely I’d end up with far less equipment than in anything else.

Can't remember what was stock exactly, but the B&O and full auto Matrix LEDs were definitely options.

The steering is fine - don't listen to the internet experts who always know better - but it is not an MX5; on quality tyres (I'm on MP4S's) the front grips at any but stupid speeds. Probably not a lot of fun on a track, though - never going to do that so don't care wink

.

alfabeat

1,114 posts

112 months

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[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

Is there any issue getting Infiniti cars serviced/warranty issues resolved in the UK? Can't see I have ever seen a dealer...??? Or do Nissan do it?

bobsavage789

Original Poster

657 posts

54 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

Saleen836 said:

New Mustang?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

The idea of a V8 Mustang is very appealing, but I’m told the back seats are essentially just for show...

bobsavage789

Original Poster

657 posts

54 months

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[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

ZX10R NIN said:

I was hoping you’d contribute: thanks for doing so.

Lots of interesting ideas on there (I love the idea of a 6 series GC, and the XE S is my ideal car; there just seem to be very few newer examples with the spec I want - I find the boggo interior a bit disappointing). I am keen to keep it ‘67 plate or newer, and under 30k miles, as I’ve been stung by sizeable borks (oo err) in the past, and think newer, less-used cars will help in that endeavour. Also, the older the car, the more likely something big/expensive will need replacing.

I’m keen to hear from people about what’s on my current shortlist: any experiences (good or bad!) to be shared would be most welcome!

nordboy

1,463 posts

50 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

I have a 540i msport xdrive touring. It really ticks all my boxes, comfortable, new cockpits are a huge improvement over older bm’s, mine isn’t particularly a great spec but it’s got everything i really need. Oh! And for a big car, really handles well and bloody shifts when you want it too ! wink

ZX10R NIN

27,604 posts

125 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

alfabeat said:

Is there any issue getting Infiniti cars serviced/warranty issues resolved in the UK? Can't see I have ever seen a dealer...??? Or do Nissan do it?

Nissan has certain Service centres that take care of Infiniti's.

bobsavage789

Original Poster

657 posts

54 months

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[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

nordboy said:

I have a 540i msport xdrive touring. It really ticks all my boxes, comfortable, new cockpits are a huge improvement over older bm’s, mine isn’t particularly a great spec but it’s got everything i really need. Oh! And for a big car, really handles well and bloody shifts when you want it too ! wink

Thanks, Nordboy: exactly the kind of feedback I’m after. One of my concerns was the road handling, so it’s good to hear you like its handling.

Did you consider anything else when you were looking? The current 5 series seems rather larger: do you have any issues with the size (as my wife tries to tell me: it’s not the size, it’s what you do with it)?

ZX10R NIN

27,604 posts

125 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 6th June 2020

bobsavage789 said:

I was hoping you’d contribute: thanks for doing so.

Lots of interesting ideas on there (I love the idea of a 6 series GC, and the XE S is my ideal car; there just seem to be very few newer examples with the spec I want - I find the boggo interior a bit disappointing). I am keen to keep it ‘67 plate or newer, and under 30k miles, as I’ve been stung by sizeable borks (oo err) in the past, and think newer, less-used cars will help in that endeavour. Also, the older the car, the more likely something big/expensive will need replacing.

I’m keen to hear from people about what’s on my current shortlist: any experiences (good or bad!) to be shared would be most welcome!

Depending on the Manufacturer you can have a Manufacturers warranty added to a 2016 car for some peace of mind.

EvoSid

1,102 posts

63 months

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Sunday 7th June 2020

why no 4dr M3 or 2dr M4 as a candidate ?

nordboy

1,463 posts

50 months

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[news]

Sunday 7th June 2020

bobsavage789 said:

Thanks, Nordboy: exactly the kind of feedback I’m after. One of my concerns was the road handling, so it’s good to hear you like its handling.

Did you consider anything else when you were looking? The current 5 series seems rather larger: do you have any issues with the size (as my wife tries to tell me: it’s not the size, it’s what you do with it)?

I was actually looking at a used 3 series tourer, but I did want a nearly new, main dealer car. I originally bought a 530d tourer, but the dealer cocked the order up so ended up with a brand new 540 msport which was a load cheaper than the 3 series, so a bit of a no brainer. And I'm glad I did. My car is a msport on 20" wheels and also Goodyear run flats so I was a bit concerned by how it was going to handle or give a harsh ride. But, if I'm honest it's great, and I have no issues with the ride at all. I may change to non runflats at some stage, but the handling/ ride is nowhere near bad enough to consider it yet.

I looked at both a used Golf R and a brand new Octavia Vrs, the Golf was used and much cheaper than what I ended up with. The dealer wanted the same monthly amount for the Octavia than my 540. Neither of those even comes close to the 5 for quality.

It's a physically bigger car than the 3 so is never going to handle as well when pushed along, but I'm very happy with it. The extra space inside makes a difference and it's a lovely place to be. Mine is the 2020 version so the dash etc is the fully virtual, whereas any older will be partial virtual.

Overall, I did get a great deal on my 540 which made the decision very easy to make (25% off), I caught the dealer at the right time I think, end of financial year and the weekend of a sales event. I didn't even intend on buying, I only went to BMW with my lad who wanted to look at the new 135i.

bobsavage789

Original Poster

657 posts

54 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 7th June 2020

ZX10R NIN said:

Depending on the Manufacturer you can have a Manufacturers warranty added to a 2016 car for some peace of mind.

Very good point: I’ll look into that, as it’d certainly open up my options.

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