Hot hatch £5000

[jordmcd151]

Long story short I have recently sold my F11 530d after my weekly mileage dramatically reduced and the need for a diesel was non existent.

I have a cheap to run polo 6R as a daily (kept this with the BMW)

Back to the title.. I am now looking for a hot hatch for weekend and occasional track work up to £5,000 under 100,000. Particularly keen on a clio RS 182/197/200 etc.

What're the opinions on cars that fit this description?

[rustyuk]

Mégane R26

[Rustybits]

Mk5 Golf GTI?
Civic type R (FN2 or EP3)?
Focus ST-3?

These plus the Megane already mentioned are the usual suspects.

[ZX10R NIN]

Clio Silverstone/Cup great cars especially if you plan on track work:

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

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

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

Megane F1 these take a bit more maintenance wise & to be honest I'd probably go with the ST

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

Focus ST-3 I had one of these and it was a great fun car, the 5 pot is a peach & with them being less sharp than the Megane & Clio but they can be sharpened up.

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

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

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

The Civic is a good shout but I'd buy the Clio if I wanted an N/A

[jordmcd151]

Thanks for the suggestions

I'd not considered a focus st.
What mods did you do to yours?

The NA engines are appealing but I don't know if I'd be left wanting more and then it gets very expensive very quickly.

[RichFN2]

jordmcd151 said:

Thanks for the suggestions


The NA engines are appealing but I don't know if I'd be left wanting more and then it gets very expensive very quickly.

had my FN2 a few years now and although something faster would be nice i never find myself 'needing' more power or wishing i had more, my previous car was a manual 330 which had similar performance but was much heavier and lazy.

You need a flashpro & mapping which is the best part of £1000 to 'remap' an FN2/EP3 but that will get you about 15bhp with a lower VTEC. While doing it you might aswell go for an exhaust, intake and IMO bigger cams but that's about £3000 for £250bhp max, would be fairly savage though.

If your tempted to mod then i would go for the 2.5 ST

[stevekoz]

So i was recently in your position and it came down to the ST or the Megane F1 for me - went with the megane. It just felt a tiny bit more alive than the Ford and the maintenance didn't scare me too much. But it is a bit more involved spanner wise probably. The focus felt good but i've not lived with one long term, i shall refrain from comment on the ST more than that.

I did look at the clio, but it just didn't have the go that the megane offered with the turbo, you had to wind it up quite high but it soon felt a little lacking for me, so that was another reason for the F1.

In terms of other likely candidates, you've mentioned the Type R - i have had an EP3 and FN2 and they are both different, but fairly good. There is a lot of naysayers about the FN2 - it doesn't handle quite as well as the EP3 - only in so far it doesn't feel as alive. An EP3 will cost you more for a good one over an FN2 - but i liked the design and feel of the FN2 and it never felt like it was lacking in the performance stakes. Just not quite as honed as its predecessor.

My other option would be a 130i - you can pick up for about £5-6k with decent mileage on. I had a 5dr Le Mans Blue one, with the N52 engine and the non assisted steering, and it was a great car. I made changes to the suspension with LCA's from an e46 M3 and new shocks and springs by Birds - check them out. It was totally worth it and i would very much recommend one if N/A is the way you want to go - with the 265hp it felt alive and zingy at any rev point and never felt like it was running out of puff, unlike the clio. Plus on top, it had a a nicer cabin/build quality - i can't recommend them enough really. I know its out your price bracket and did see one for sale recently at £7k with the aftermarket BMWP parts and LSD fitted - well worth the money if you can get a deal on it and its still for sale.

I have a thread in readers cars talking about the F1 R26 - i'm in love with it to be honest, i think its great, so for me, that was the choice i made and i'm happy with it, totally. I can definitely say they put a smile on your face.

[jordmcd151]

RichFN2 said:

had my FN2 a few years now and although something faster would be nice i never find myself 'needing' more power or wishing i had more, my previous car was a manual 330 which had similar performance but was much heavier and lazy.

You need a flashpro & mapping which is the best part of £1000 to 'remap' an FN2/EP3 but that will get you about 15bhp with a lower VTEC. While doing it you might aswell go for an exhaust, intake and IMO bigger cams but that's about £3000 for £250bhp max, would be fairly savage though.

If your tempted to mod then i would go for the 2.5 ST

I think I've been spoilt with the torque my 530d put out.

Circa 200bhp should be plenty and I think as a weekend/track car there is something to be said about high revs.. Maybe makes it more special??

How have you found your FN2? It's a lot of car for the money when looking on Auto Trader.

[TheJimi]

I wouldn't do the hot hatch thing again as a toy, but if I did, I'd go down the Golf GTi route, at that money.

Speaking from personal experience, the Civics are great when you're properly on it, but at all other times, just an uncomfortable hatchback, particularly on stty road surfaces.

I couldn't be arsed with the (apparent) fragility of of the Renaults, although I'm basing that on me spending time researching them, rather direct personal experience.

[jordmcd151]

stevekoz said:

So i was recently in your position and it came down to the ST or the Megane F1 for me - went with the megane. It just felt a tiny bit more alive than the Ford and the maintenance didn't scare me too much. But it is a bit more involved spanner wise probably. The focus felt good but i've not lived with one long term, i shall refrain from comment on the ST more than that.

I did look at the clio, but it just didn't have the go that the megane offered with the turbo, you had to wind it up quite high but it soon felt a little lacking for me, so that was another reason for the F1.

In terms of other likely candidates, you've mentioned the Type R - i have had an EP3 and FN2 and they are both different, but fairly good. There is a lot of naysayers about the FN2 - it doesn't handle quite as well as the EP3 - only in so far it doesn't feel as alive. An EP3 will cost you more for a good one over an FN2 - but i liked the design and feel of the FN2 and it never felt like it was lacking in the performance stakes. Just not quite as honed as its predecessor.

My other option would be a 130i - you can pick up for about £5-6k with decent mileage on. I had a 5dr Le Mans Blue one, with the N52 engine and the non assisted steering, and it was a great car. I made changes to the suspension with LCA's from an e46 M3 and new shocks and springs by Birds - check them out. It was totally worth it and i would very much recommend one if N/A is the way you want to go - with the 265hp it felt alive and zingy at any rev point and never felt like it was running out of puff, unlike the clio. Plus on top, it had a a nicer cabin/build quality - i can't recommend them enough really. I know its out your price bracket and did see one for sale recently at £7k with the aftermarket BMWP parts and LSD fitted - well worth the money if you can get a deal on it and its still for sale.

I have a thread in readers cars talking about the F1 R26 - i'm in love with it to be honest, i think its great, so for me, that was the choice i made and i'm happy with it, totally. I can definitely say they put a smile on your face.

Thanks for such a thorough reply.
A bit more spanner work doesn't matter too much I'd like to think I wouldn't shy away from most jobs.
How has your megane been?

I'll have to look into the 130i. I would own another BMW. Yes I agree the cabin would be a step up in quality.

I'll go through your thread. Thanks for the opinions!

[itsnotarace]

Cooper S - plenty at that sort of price/mileage

Massive market of parts, modifications and spares for them too

[RichFN2]

jordmcd151 said:

How have you found your FN2? It's a lot of car for the money when looking on Auto Trader.

Overall i think its good fun and i enjoy driving it. Plus points are that fantastic engine & gearbox combo,8000rpm, the sound that goes with it, the shift lights which altogether gives it a sense of occasion. Good direct steering and good handling compared to the competition (although not class leading). Ergonomics and good and everything is where it should be and things like the speedo are in a good place. The seats are great and i like the fact you have to know and understand the car to get the best performance out of it.

Negatives for me i will start with the main one and that is the very firm ride, this is most apparent at low speeds where the car jiggles about and can sometimes a little unsettled. This is ironed out when you press on but that is not always an option. Turning circle is terrible, 6th gear could do with being longer geared to make it better on the motorways.

[TheJimi]

EP3's turning circle is absolutely appalling as well - just awful.

[ZX10R NIN]

jordmcd151 said:

Thanks for the suggestions

I'd not considered a focus st.
What mods did you do to yours?

The NA engines are appealing but I don't know if I'd be left wanting more and then it gets very expensive very quickly.

I gave it to Graham Good Racing & went for their 300+ package & added a Hybrid Turbo for just a bit more go

[Ankh87]

I have a few left field choices for you.

Volvo C30 T5 - Pretty much a Focus ST but the Volvo looks better IMO

Mazda 3 MPS - A rare car but the Road Tax and running cost is high

Toyota Corolla T Sport Compressor - Only 500 made, you get a supercharger but can feel soft

Mazda 6 MPS - Pretty same as a Subaru Impreza WRX but running cost is high

Vauxhall Astra VXR - Nice looking car but interior is lacking

SEAT LEON Cupra - Pretty much a Golf

[Boobonman]

I’d be looking for a Golf GTI Edition 30, rare enough that they should hold value, and with the K04 turbo under the bonnet they’re good for 300 ponies with just a remap.

[jordmcd151]

Thanks again for all the input everyone. It's been really helpful.

I've lined up a handful of viewings this weekend.

Honda Civic EP3 and FN2
Cooper S supercharged version
Clio 200

Hopefully see a focus st and a golf GTI at some point next week.

[Sam-uof9s]

A note of caution if you consider the Mini.

I had one for 3 years - a 2003 JCW. Generally they suffer from a problem of packaging and heat soak (everything is packed in vertically). It did about 25mpg on 99 RON - ragging it or miss daisying it never seemed to make any difference.
I managed to get 225 bhp at the wheels with a supercharger pulley ratio change, a manifold, a bigger valve head, a CAI, injectors and a tune. With coil-overs it handled like nothing I've ever driven (I'm a biker normally) and you can take enormous liberties - the classic mini brigade hate them but they out-handle the original mini at speed.. The six speed box and speedy steering are involving. 16" wheels and toyo tires are the way to go. The original 17" wheels weigh nearly the same as the car.
At about 85K everything goes - the supercharger needs a service, the exhaust blows the baffles out the back and then the clutch goes. All the sensors then fail sequentially from carbon deposits or damp. If the car overheats too many times the cylinder head cracks turning the engine contents to mayonnaise. The JCW is more prone to this and its expensive to fix (I fitted a big valve ported and polished head at this time for little extra than new).
The aftermarket scene is very much alive for a 17 year old car. 1320 mini are the place to for tuning, servicing and troubleshooting. Later model front brakes (R56) are a straight swap and a cheap way to improve braking by 100%.
Try to get a 2005 model, owned by an enthusiast for the least trouble - buy on service history and condition rather than mileage. The boot and the boot floor will rust if the car lived outside. Get the chilli pack - that gets all the toys, heated seats and front screen. A recaro interior was an option and is worth 1K plus on its own. Aero bumpers were a factory option and well over a grand to fit, so if you want the same look so buy the car with them.

They are amazing cars, but very delicate - and not a daily driver IMO.
Mine owed me 10K and I sold it for 3.5K in the end. A sub 5 second 0-60 car but seemed to hit an aerodynamic wall and would never do more than 140 on a closed track.
Spend 2.5K and budget the same for troubles and fixed, unless you are handy with a spanner and have a pit/lift.

Even though ownership was a financial and emotional nightmare, I still wish I'd kept it - weird right?

[stevekoz]

jordmcd151 said:

Thanks again for all the input everyone. It's been really helpful.

I've lined up a handful of viewings this weekend.

Honda Civic EP3 and FN2
Cooper S supercharged version
Clio 200

Hopefully see a focus st and a golf GTI at some point next week.

I am not sure where you are. But oddly enough i have a friend whos car i just detailed for sale.

R53 supercharged Mini Cooper S
Fully loaded.

It's in good condition and cheap too leave you money in your budget - https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2747323337...

It may be worth a look.

[jordmcd151]

Sam-uof9s said:

A note of caution if you consider the Mini.

They are amazing cars, but very delicate - and not a daily driver IMO.

Spend 2.5K and budget the same for troubles and fixed, unless you are handy with a spanner and have a pit/lift.

Even though ownership was a financial and emotional nightmare, I still wish I'd kept it - weird right?

Thanks for such a thorough reply. I'm fortunate enough that's it would just be a weekend car.

I have access to a pit and I'm fairly handy with the spanners.

Financial pits.. That's cars right? haha

stevekoz said:

I am not sure where you are. But oddly enough i have a friend whos car i just detailed for sale.

R53 supercharged Mini Cooper S
Fully loaded.

It's in good condition and cheap too leave you money in your budget - https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2747323337...

It may be worth a look.

Thanks Stevekoz, I did message the seller but the car had a deposit placed.