340i/440i GC/540i/S4 - £25k 300bhp plus petrol auto choices
Discussion
I've got a green light from home management to update the current car.
Currently driving a C220cdi Auto Coupe 2013, it's a lovely car but I want:
-4/5 doors
-Saloon or SUV body style
-300bhp plus
-Automatic (Not CVT, preferably ZF8)
-Petrol
-No known weak points (sounds vague, I mean the equivalent of BMW N47 timing chain issues etc)
-I want to get a newer car than I usually do, I want to keep the next one longer - 2016 onwards, sub 50k miles.
-Budget would be £25k, preferably a little less
I'll drive it 99% of the time but my Wife would rather not have an estate for some reason.
I currently am liking the:
BMW *40i range in 440iGC, 340, 540 flavours (3.0 Turbo, not V8) - A friend put me off the 540i a bit as he said it was markedly worse on fuel than his previous 135i.
Audi S4 - Not sure on theft risk or gearbox in Audis?
Maserati Ghibli S - I love the exterior look, interior is a bit dated compared to the BMW and Audi - Not sure on running costs
Mercedes C43 - Appear to be 340i equivalent
I would prefer not to be paying the £500+ tax bracket, i haven't checked any of those above actually perhaps I should!
Anything obvious I am missing here?
Currently driving a C220cdi Auto Coupe 2013, it's a lovely car but I want:
-4/5 doors
-Saloon or SUV body style
-300bhp plus
-Automatic (Not CVT, preferably ZF8)
-Petrol
-No known weak points (sounds vague, I mean the equivalent of BMW N47 timing chain issues etc)
-I want to get a newer car than I usually do, I want to keep the next one longer - 2016 onwards, sub 50k miles.
-Budget would be £25k, preferably a little less
I'll drive it 99% of the time but my Wife would rather not have an estate for some reason.
I currently am liking the:
BMW *40i range in 440iGC, 340, 540 flavours (3.0 Turbo, not V8) - A friend put me off the 540i a bit as he said it was markedly worse on fuel than his previous 135i.
Audi S4 - Not sure on theft risk or gearbox in Audis?
Maserati Ghibli S - I love the exterior look, interior is a bit dated compared to the BMW and Audi - Not sure on running costs
Mercedes C43 - Appear to be 340i equivalent
I would prefer not to be paying the £500+ tax bracket, i haven't checked any of those above actually perhaps I should!
Anything obvious I am missing here?
Jaguar XE S with the 3.0 supercharged engine would be well within budget. Comes in either 340hp or 380hp guises. Get's rave reviews for the chassis.
Or slightly under the horsepower target - a Alfa Giulia Veloce. I adored mine and plan on getting another next year. Superb fun to drive thanks to being relatively light and a really sharp front end. If you get a late 2018 model they came with 5 year warranties as standard for the peace of mind.
Or slightly under the horsepower target - a Alfa Giulia Veloce. I adored mine and plan on getting another next year. Superb fun to drive thanks to being relatively light and a really sharp front end. If you get a late 2018 model they came with 5 year warranties as standard for the peace of mind.
Depends what your after - I had a Maserati ghibli and it did feel special every time I got in it - much more so than the 4 series I had before it.
It’s definitely a car people will look at and notice vs ze Germans.
£25k budget and the age requirements mean you’d likely be looking at a diesel. Try to get a 2017 on to get benefit of face-lifted interior (Apple CarPlay better infotainment etc) even with diesel you’d still get a good noise from the back (granted it’s a sound actuator) performance is ok from diesel but wouldn’t set your hair on fire!
Interior is ok - it’s nothing amazing but only slightly below a bmw in my opinion!
If you can stretch to a petrol I’d definitely go this way!
Minor service at an independent was £430 major would be £600 plus.
If you want image and smileability go for mazza if your looking for a driving experience and cost is an issue German is the way forward!
It’s definitely a car people will look at and notice vs ze Germans.
£25k budget and the age requirements mean you’d likely be looking at a diesel. Try to get a 2017 on to get benefit of face-lifted interior (Apple CarPlay better infotainment etc) even with diesel you’d still get a good noise from the back (granted it’s a sound actuator) performance is ok from diesel but wouldn’t set your hair on fire!
Interior is ok - it’s nothing amazing but only slightly below a bmw in my opinion!
If you can stretch to a petrol I’d definitely go this way!
Minor service at an independent was £430 major would be £600 plus.
If you want image and smileability go for mazza if your looking for a driving experience and cost is an issue German is the way forward!
As bove the Ghibli isn't quite as good as the Germans interior wise (it's still a nice place to be though) the petrols are hard to find but they are out there:
Ghibli S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102229...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012157...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010305...
The V6 S in either the XF:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008182...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012277...
Or XE form:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103029...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103039...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008152...
3.0T A7 S Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009163...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...
S7
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102118...
CLS 400 AMG Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103029...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101308...
3.6 Panamera
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010225...
640i GC out of the bigger cars this would be my(it would be the XF & CLS after that) pick, they're a good looking car & a nice steer. also it's a clear step above the 3/4 series.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102209...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012297...
The Ghibli & XE would be my pick on the smaller saloons.
Ghibli S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102229...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012157...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010305...
The V6 S in either the XF:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008182...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012277...
Or XE form:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103029...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103039...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008152...
3.0T A7 S Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009163...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...
S7
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102118...
CLS 400 AMG Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103029...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101308...
3.6 Panamera
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010225...
640i GC out of the bigger cars this would be my(it would be the XF & CLS after that) pick, they're a good looking car & a nice steer. also it's a clear step above the 3/4 series.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102209...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012297...
The Ghibli & XE would be my pick on the smaller saloons.
Cheers all,
I still can't help thinking the 440i Gran Coupe is the one to go for - I think it looks a little bit more modern than the 640i and it'll be a few years newer too for the same money. I do like the 640i though.
Think I can rule out Jaguars, I think the interior and exterior both look a bit dated and bland if I'm honest, I like the F-Pace and F-Type but struggling with anything else, as it's got to be something I really want I don't think I can persuade myself into one.
The CLS I love the exterior, but the interior is basically a carbon copy of my 2013 C Class (AMG Sport Plus Coupe) In fact, nearly all Mercedes have a very similar interior and it might sound petty but if I'm spending 2/3 times the value of my current car I want it to feel next generation. The CLS 400s linked I have seen already, they even have the same wheels as my C Class. I know they are a very different car but it's too familiar.
Ghiblis I think I can rule out - It would have to be a Petrol facelift and I think the BMW has a lot more to offer including peace of mind.
I like the S7 - But, again it will sound silly, we have an A1 (opposite end of the spectrum) but again the interior feels very familiar and it's too old - I would choose the 2018ish S4 over that for that reason.
Think I need to test drive a 440i - the B58 and ZF8 combo seems perfect for me, low down power, decent sound. Agree on the performance exhaust - I want some noise after years of diesels
I still can't help thinking the 440i Gran Coupe is the one to go for - I think it looks a little bit more modern than the 640i and it'll be a few years newer too for the same money. I do like the 640i though.
Think I can rule out Jaguars, I think the interior and exterior both look a bit dated and bland if I'm honest, I like the F-Pace and F-Type but struggling with anything else, as it's got to be something I really want I don't think I can persuade myself into one.
The CLS I love the exterior, but the interior is basically a carbon copy of my 2013 C Class (AMG Sport Plus Coupe) In fact, nearly all Mercedes have a very similar interior and it might sound petty but if I'm spending 2/3 times the value of my current car I want it to feel next generation. The CLS 400s linked I have seen already, they even have the same wheels as my C Class. I know they are a very different car but it's too familiar.
Ghiblis I think I can rule out - It would have to be a Petrol facelift and I think the BMW has a lot more to offer including peace of mind.
I like the S7 - But, again it will sound silly, we have an A1 (opposite end of the spectrum) but again the interior feels very familiar and it's too old - I would choose the 2018ish S4 over that for that reason.
Think I need to test drive a 440i - the B58 and ZF8 combo seems perfect for me, low down power, decent sound. Agree on the performance exhaust - I want some noise after years of diesels
Well timed thread for me - be interested in what you eventually end up with.
I started window shopping at about £17k with XE - 250 brake r-sport most likely, but looked around £20k and Guilia Veloce appeared. Just a little more and the 340/440s appear... now started looking at C300 / C43 at £25k - problem is an M2 can be had around £27k
The very definition of budget creep...
I started window shopping at about £17k with XE - 250 brake r-sport most likely, but looked around £20k and Guilia Veloce appeared. Just a little more and the 340/440s appear... now started looking at C300 / C43 at £25k - problem is an M2 can be had around £27k
The very definition of budget creep...
AndyD360 said:
Well timed thread for me - be interested in what you eventually end up with.
I started window shopping at about £17k with XE - 250 brake r-sport most likely, but looked around £20k and Guilia Veloce appeared. Just a little more and the 340/440s appear... now started looking at C300 / C43 at £25k - problem is an M2 can be had around £27k
The very definition of budget creep...
The thing is you can get a nice M4 for 25k & I'll be honest & say I'd buy the 4 over the 2:I started window shopping at about £17k with XE - 250 brake r-sport most likely, but looked around £20k and Guilia Veloce appeared. Just a little more and the 340/440s appear... now started looking at C300 / C43 at £25k - problem is an M2 can be had around £27k
The very definition of budget creep...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102139...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010315...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101127...
joropug said:
Cheers all,
I still can't help thinking the 440i Gran Coupe is the one to go for - I think it looks a little bit more modern than the 640i and it'll be a few years newer too for the same money. I do like the 640i though.
Think I can rule out Jaguars, I think the interior and exterior both look a bit dated and bland if I'm honest, I like the F-Pace and F-Type but struggling with anything else, as it's got to be something I really want I don't think I can persuade myself into one.
The CLS I love the exterior, but the interior is basically a carbon copy of my 2013 C Class (AMG Sport Plus Coupe) In fact, nearly all Mercedes have a very similar interior and it might sound petty but if I'm spending 2/3 times the value of my current car I want it to feel next generation. The CLS 400s linked I have seen already, they even have the same wheels as my C Class. I know they are a very different car but it's too familiar.
Ghiblis I think I can rule out - It would have to be a Petrol facelift and I think the BMW has a lot more to offer including peace of mind.
I like the S7 - But, again it will sound silly, we have an A1 (opposite end of the spectrum) but again the interior feels very familiar and it's too old - I would choose the 2018ish S4 over that for that reason.
Think I need to test drive a 440i - the B58 and ZF8 combo seems perfect for me, low down power, decent sound. Agree on the performance exhaust - I want some noise after years of diesels
The 640i GC has more presence & looks much better than the 440i GC, also despite being older it still feels like a step up interior wise imo.I still can't help thinking the 440i Gran Coupe is the one to go for - I think it looks a little bit more modern than the 640i and it'll be a few years newer too for the same money. I do like the 640i though.
Think I can rule out Jaguars, I think the interior and exterior both look a bit dated and bland if I'm honest, I like the F-Pace and F-Type but struggling with anything else, as it's got to be something I really want I don't think I can persuade myself into one.
The CLS I love the exterior, but the interior is basically a carbon copy of my 2013 C Class (AMG Sport Plus Coupe) In fact, nearly all Mercedes have a very similar interior and it might sound petty but if I'm spending 2/3 times the value of my current car I want it to feel next generation. The CLS 400s linked I have seen already, they even have the same wheels as my C Class. I know they are a very different car but it's too familiar.
Ghiblis I think I can rule out - It would have to be a Petrol facelift and I think the BMW has a lot more to offer including peace of mind.
I like the S7 - But, again it will sound silly, we have an A1 (opposite end of the spectrum) but again the interior feels very familiar and it's too old - I would choose the 2018ish S4 over that for that reason.
Think I need to test drive a 440i - the B58 and ZF8 combo seems perfect for me, low down power, decent sound. Agree on the performance exhaust - I want some noise after years of diesels
joropug said:
I like the S7 - But, again it will sound silly, we have an A1 (opposite end of the spectrum) but again the interior feels very familiar and it's too old - I would choose the 2018ish S4 over that for that reason.
The B9 S5 is a little bit better cabin-wise than the S4 if you can find one - not much in it, but a few things were standard on the S5 that were options on the S4. The Sportback would seem to line up with your other choices better than the S4, perhaps?Until I sold it 6 months ago, we were a 2010 A1 and 2017 S5 household - and I agree, the S5 interior is leagues ahead of an A1, both in quality and tech. Definitely not dated.
I’m looking for something similar to you and have rounded it down to 5 series BMW’s and E Class Mercs.
A step up in build quality and comfort from C class & 3/4 series cars and 2017 cars have a modern feel when compared to some others mentioned above
I’ve had BMW’s before so will probably end up with a 5 series M sport X drive with ZF auto.. because I know it works very well
A step up in build quality and comfort from C class & 3/4 series cars and 2017 cars have a modern feel when compared to some others mentioned above
I’ve had BMW’s before so will probably end up with a 5 series M sport X drive with ZF auto.. because I know it works very well
I have a Ghibli S and that would get my vote. 410 bhp 8 speed ZF box. Beautiful styling, frameless doors. New they were very pricy so most are well specced e.g electric memory seats. Interior easily as good as my '16 F30 330d, and in a light colour feels special inside and as well as out. Engine noise is very nice, especially in sport mode. Manual shifting really lets you stretch the engine's legs too. Of course the regular Ghibli V6 has 330bhp which is higher than your target but the S is the one to have.
Your budget should stretch to a 66 plate, which is the oldest version that has the new touchscreen infotainment system-definitely worth having.
I'm not saying it is a better car than a 440i or a S4, but it has the flair and rarity that makes me prefer it-plus it turns heads (and ears) and makes even driving to the supermarket an occasion
That does look smashing , nice drive too - mines being done next week!
O can't believe the M4 is in the same price bracket. There must be a catch.....
I did want 4 doors but that is tempting me. I don't have children yet but certainly hope to, just considering the fact I might have to sell if it's a coupe.
O can't believe the M4 is in the same price bracket. There must be a catch.....
I did want 4 doors but that is tempting me. I don't have children yet but certainly hope to, just considering the fact I might have to sell if it's a coupe.
joropug said:
O can't believe the M4 is in the same price bracket. There must be a catch.....
All 3 cars ZX listed are a bit high mileage wise for me so don’t appear on my AT listings - No idea if they have any gremlins that appear etc. I too should look for something with 4 doors but they are tempting - am assuming BM warranty is wise with these..?
You can always buy a BMW warranty for all of the cars above & below, if it has to be four doors then you'll have to stretch & haggle which will land you an M3. Which means you're covered & imo you've got the better looking car.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011306...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102249...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101057...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011306...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102249...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101057...
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