340i/440i GC/540i/S4 - £25k 300bhp plus petrol auto choices
Discussion
Seeker UK said:
If you fancy a Ghibli, check you can live with its dimensions. They're a big old thing but hide it very well, until you need to park it.
A very timely thread ! Looking to change my F10 528i but my budget is less than OP's at £20K and power requirements are down too. Been looking at either a 2017/18 530i, 2015/16 CLS 400, or a Ghibli petrol. Not keen on the XF or XE for styling reasons. Strongly drawn to a Ghibli because of multiple Alfas in the past. Reviews certainly suggest a BMW (5 or 6) is a better car, but the Ghibli doesn't seem that outlandish. Owner reviews seem positive and if you can trade off some of the drawbacks against style, exclusivity and having something different, it doesn't sound too mad.AlfaManc said:
A very timely thread ! Looking to change my F10 528i but my budget is less than OP's at £20K and power requirements are down too. Been looking at either a 2017/18 530i, 2015/16 CLS 400, or a Ghibli petrol. Not keen on the XF or XE for styling reasons. Strongly drawn to a Ghibli because of multiple Alfas in the past. Reviews certainly suggest a BMW (5 or 6) is a better car, but the Ghibli doesn't seem that outlandish. Owner reviews seem positive and if you can trade off some of the drawbacks against style, exclusivity and having something different, it doesn't sound too mad.
I've a Ghibli (see page 1 of this thread) and also graduated from multiple Alfas, plus a 4200 coupe. *If* you're our way inclined it is the obvious choice (kind of).joropug said:
I've just had another look at them - It's just not for me, I can't get excited about it to look at - I am very much a BMW fanboy, the favourite cars I have owned have been:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...
Honda Accord Type R - For the raw driving pleasure, I was 19
330ci M Sport - This was such a nice example, drove flawlessly and sounded fantastic
330ci Clubsport - Not as good an example, but looked better and had the 6 speed
TT225 Roadster - Rapid little thing after a remap, but impractical
530d M Sport - Had bags of torque after a remap, owned it for 2.5 years but started getting a bit long in the tooth and hadn't had any significant maintenance so sold before it started needing it all at once.
The Merc makes it into the list for looks and driving dynamics - I think it handles superbly and actually goes well being twin turbo, but at only 170hp it just doesn't thrill in the slightest and sounds very diesely.
In terms of this new ambient lighting in the BMW range, i think so far the only model that has it is the New shape 5 series is that right? It does make the interior look quite special - My BIL and FIL both have E classes with it. Not essential but wondering if it's optional on the older cars.
I had the ambient lighting in my 2020 plate 3 series. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...
Honda Accord Type R - For the raw driving pleasure, I was 19
330ci M Sport - This was such a nice example, drove flawlessly and sounded fantastic
330ci Clubsport - Not as good an example, but looked better and had the 6 speed
TT225 Roadster - Rapid little thing after a remap, but impractical
530d M Sport - Had bags of torque after a remap, owned it for 2.5 years but started getting a bit long in the tooth and hadn't had any significant maintenance so sold before it started needing it all at once.
The Merc makes it into the list for looks and driving dynamics - I think it handles superbly and actually goes well being twin turbo, but at only 170hp it just doesn't thrill in the slightest and sounds very diesely.
In terms of this new ambient lighting in the BMW range, i think so far the only model that has it is the New shape 5 series is that right? It does make the interior look quite special - My BIL and FIL both have E classes with it. Not essential but wondering if it's optional on the older cars.
DoubleSix said:
Christ, the day I can’t buy a humble M car for fear of bloody home invasion is the day I move!
That is a sorry state of affairs.
I and my wife both have an insurance background and you only have to be active on car forums/social media to see how car theft has graduated from jimmying a door and crossing some wires to breaking into your house & threatening your family. That is a sorry state of affairs.
I'd actually be considering a well specced Golf R too if it wasn't for that.
Been speaking to my local Indi, he says both the 40i and 40d are great engines, his preference is the petrol - Need to stick to my guns and go petrol. I think this might rule out the 6 series but there are a few nice 4s and lots of 3s so should get one that ticks every box.
Interestingly he said the TFT dash is a really easy retrofit - plug, play, coding - They are about 700-800 on eBay new.
joropug said:
I and my wife both have an insurance background and you only have to be active on car forums/social media to see how car theft has graduated from jimmying a door and crossing some wires to breaking into your house & threatening your family.
I'd actually be considering a well specced Golf R too if it wasn't for that.
Been speaking to my local Indi, he says both the 40i and 40d are great engines, his preference is the petrol - Need to stick to my guns and go petrol. I think this might rule out the 6 series but there are a few nice 4s and lots of 3s so should get one that ticks every box.
Interestingly he said the TFT dash is a really easy retrofit - plug, play, coding - They are about 700-800 on eBay new.
I’m not saying it isn’t a ‘thing’, I’m saying I wouldn’t live somewhere where it’s that much of a concern that you can’t just buy what you want. Sad that that is normalised for some of you.I'd actually be considering a well specced Golf R too if it wasn't for that.
Been speaking to my local Indi, he says both the 40i and 40d are great engines, his preference is the petrol - Need to stick to my guns and go petrol. I think this might rule out the 6 series but there are a few nice 4s and lots of 3s so should get one that ticks every box.
Interestingly he said the TFT dash is a really easy retrofit - plug, play, coding - They are about 700-800 on eBay new.
I live in decent sized city in the South West (Bristol) and home invasion really isn’t something you need factor when buying a car...
FWIW, I am “active on car forums” and it always seems to be the same areas that are blighted by this particular crime.
DoubleSix said:
I’m not saying it isn’t a ‘thing’, I’m saying I wouldn’t live somewhere where it’s that much of a concern that you can’t just buy what you want. Sad that that is normalised for some of you.
I live in decent sized city in the South West (Bristol) and home invasion really isn’t something you need factor when buying a car...
FWIW, I am “active on car forums” and it always seems to be the same areas that are blighted by this particular crime.
My area is decent too also in the south - I'm risk averse, would be playing on my mind. I live in decent sized city in the South West (Bristol) and home invasion really isn’t something you need factor when buying a car...
FWIW, I am “active on car forums” and it always seems to be the same areas that are blighted by this particular crime.
joropug said:
Interestingly he said the TFT dash is a really easy retrofit - plug, play, coding - They are about 700-800 on eBay new.
The digital dash is a bit pish IMO (BMW really lag behind with is - even in 2021) and you’d be better off hunting out a car with HUD and keeping the proper dials - it’s a very nice combination. Thought I'd update this - No car yet, but been doing some back and forth about cars at home - We have decided to upgrade my wife's car first to something a bit bigger, but I've had some recent luck and can swing mine too without a loan if I wait 6 months.
So I think that's what I'll do to be sensible.
I'm going to lower my budget to a hard 20k limit, preferably closer to 18 and I've actually been swayed towards the M140i instead.....reasons being:
-The coveted engine and ZF8 combo
-Last BMW RWD 6 Cylinder Hot Hatch (Probably)
-Fastest of all the cars that have that engine
-Lower running costs I assume
-Wife can drive it, she doesn't like 'long' cars but said she would drive a '1 series', as I have aptly named it.
-Slightly cheaper
I will be fussy on spec, will have to have HK, Pro Nav, Auto, Heated leather - Flexible on colour but don't want silver. Preferably grey or Estoril Blue.
So keeping my eyes peeled but looking forward to getting one. I definitely won't be ruling out a 340i and 440i though, if one comes up when the time is right.
So I think that's what I'll do to be sensible.
I'm going to lower my budget to a hard 20k limit, preferably closer to 18 and I've actually been swayed towards the M140i instead.....reasons being:
-The coveted engine and ZF8 combo
-Last BMW RWD 6 Cylinder Hot Hatch (Probably)
-Fastest of all the cars that have that engine
-Lower running costs I assume
-Wife can drive it, she doesn't like 'long' cars but said she would drive a '1 series', as I have aptly named it.
-Slightly cheaper
I will be fussy on spec, will have to have HK, Pro Nav, Auto, Heated leather - Flexible on colour but don't want silver. Preferably grey or Estoril Blue.
So keeping my eyes peeled but looking forward to getting one. I definitely won't be ruling out a 340i and 440i though, if one comes up when the time is right.
Glad you've sorted your budget, the M140i won't be any cheaper to run than the 3/4 Series brethren but they're a good fun steer.
If you look for the Shadow Editions they'll normally have the spec you're looking for, I have to say the HK system isn't that great & a decent audio specialist will get you a better sound for the cost of the HK.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101067...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101318...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011246...
If you look for the Shadow Editions they'll normally have the spec you're looking for, I have to say the HK system isn't that great & a decent audio specialist will get you a better sound for the cost of the HK.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101067...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101318...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011246...
Giving this a bump, boy I wish I bought when I first started this topic!
Things are good and I think it's time to start putting my car up for sale and pulling the trigger. I just got it serviced and it's due to be MOT'd next week.
At the moment I am thinking that an Audi S3 (2017 facelift) with technology pack (virtual cockpit primarily) for sub £25,000 is the best car for the money. Magnetic dampers and Matrix headlights a bonus but not essential. As a bonus, my wife likes them and would be confident driving it as she has the larger but much slower Q3. Presently she doesn't ever drive my cars for no reason other than unfamiliarity.
Primarily I don't think that the M140s have a particularly nice interior and the bigger 40is I don't think will be as fun as the S3. In terms of depreciation I think they are a fairly safe bet, just need to try and find one that hasn't been fettled with.
Things are good and I think it's time to start putting my car up for sale and pulling the trigger. I just got it serviced and it's due to be MOT'd next week.
At the moment I am thinking that an Audi S3 (2017 facelift) with technology pack (virtual cockpit primarily) for sub £25,000 is the best car for the money. Magnetic dampers and Matrix headlights a bonus but not essential. As a bonus, my wife likes them and would be confident driving it as she has the larger but much slower Q3. Presently she doesn't ever drive my cars for no reason other than unfamiliarity.
Primarily I don't think that the M140s have a particularly nice interior and the bigger 40is I don't think will be as fun as the S3. In terms of depreciation I think they are a fairly safe bet, just need to try and find one that hasn't been fettled with.
goldbazinga said:
Seeing as everything is going electric, I'm interested in giving petrol a last hurrah! and fancy buying a BMW 540/740/550/750 ~2010 model to see me the next few years of home working 
Anything in particular to look out for? Which are the best of the bunch?
From everything I have read and the experience of friends the BMW V8's such as 550 650 etc have pretty horrendous issues that are expensive to rectify and waiting to happen. Could get lucky though. Anything in particular to look out for? Which are the best of the bunch?
The 40i (3.0 Turbos) are amazing, no doubting that. B58 engine is in a whole host of cars including the new Supra.
joropug said:
goldbazinga said:
Seeing as everything is going electric, I'm interested in giving petrol a last hurrah! and fancy buying a BMW 540/740/550/750 ~2010 model to see me the next few years of home working
Anything in particular to look out for? Which are the best of the bunch?
From everything I have read and the experience of friends the BMW V8's such as 550 650 etc have pretty horrendous issues that are expensive to rectify and waiting to happen. Could get lucky though.Anything in particular to look out for? Which are the best of the bunch?
The 40i (3.0 Turbos) are amazing, no doubting that. B58 engine is in a whole host of cars including the new Supra.
goldbazinga said:
Autotrader is showing these 540s as V8 4.4l? I've had a 3.0l straight six and it was indeed a fantastic engine - so no complaints there, but hankering after a V8 before they go extinct (like the polar bears)
Must be older ones than I am looking at , F10 shape I presume joropug said:
The 40i (3.0 Turbos) are amazing, no doubting that. B58 engine is in a whole host of cars including the new Supra.
Indeed. I've owned a 340i for over three years, lovely engine and no issues. The fact Toyota adopted it speaks volumes. It does everything I need, from getting over 40mpg on a boring motorway run to sticking it in sport and enjoying a twisty B road, huge wide boot can fit golf clubs in or do the tip run. The engine / gearbox combo is very well done. The beauty is I can park in most places including station car parks and it will largely go ignored, I'm not sure about an S3, they seem eminently more nickable not that I have anything to back that up mind!
joropug said:
From everything I have read and the experience of friends the BMW V8's such as 550 650 etc have pretty horrendous issues that are expensive to rectify and waiting to happen. Could get lucky though.
The 40i (3.0 Turbos) are amazing, no doubting that. B58 engine is in a whole host of cars including the new Supra.
I had a 2015 650i and don’t think there are significant issues if you have the post 2013 tu engine, I think that most of the V8 engine problems are 2012 and older engines. Having said that a good service record is essential and you can bmw warranty it if you’re risk averse.The 40i (3.0 Turbos) are amazing, no doubting that. B58 engine is in a whole host of cars including the new Supra.
2015+ facelift model looks and sounds great!
HaroldB said:
I had a 2015 650i and don’t think there are significant issues if you have the post 2013 tu engine, I think that most of the V8 engine problems are 2012 and older engines. Having said that a good service record is essential and you can bmw warranty it if you’re risk averse.
2015+ facelift model looks and sounds great!
Hmmm, I may have to up the budget then to get the slightly newer/better spec 2015+ facelift model looks and sounds great!
Thought I’d reply to this rather than starting a new thread !
Over a year ago I started considering a purchase , telling my trusty W204 C Class - for various reasons mostly Covid uncertainty, followed by the explosion in prices I put it off.
For the last few months I’ve been looking solidly at similar offerings, mostly:
M140i
2017 on S3
2017 on Golf R
Audi S5
I thought I had settled on the bmw so did my first test drive today…and… I was a bit disappointed.
I hadn’t been in one before so wasn’t sure what to expect. I drove a 2016 on 28k. Auto.
Firstly coming from a diesel I thought the low down power was a little lacking , obviously as soon as you start getting into the revs it’s a moot point but was noticeable all the same. Once going, it’s obviously really fast but I could barely hear it, obviously it is crazy quick , the fastest car I’ve owned is probably a 265bhp tt roadster.
The gearbox wasn’t as smooth as I thought it would be - I’ve only driven a 520d with it but it behaves very differently, almost surges forward after changing gear and the changes were very firm when pushing on.
I found it to be very twitchy too, it had the worst budget tyres on ever which wouldn’t have helped but didn’t find it to be that fun, because it felt quite unpredictable even in a straight line. Felt a bit disconnected from it all.
I think the biggest turn off though was I reset the trip counter at the start of the test drive and it got 19mpg indicated - I did have quite a few blips but most of it was 20-30mph .
I am aiming to test drive an Audi S3 and or Golf R to see how I find those in comparison. I think all wheel drive and a more connected gearbox will be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Over a year ago I started considering a purchase , telling my trusty W204 C Class - for various reasons mostly Covid uncertainty, followed by the explosion in prices I put it off.
For the last few months I’ve been looking solidly at similar offerings, mostly:
M140i
2017 on S3
2017 on Golf R
Audi S5
I thought I had settled on the bmw so did my first test drive today…and… I was a bit disappointed.
I hadn’t been in one before so wasn’t sure what to expect. I drove a 2016 on 28k. Auto.
Firstly coming from a diesel I thought the low down power was a little lacking , obviously as soon as you start getting into the revs it’s a moot point but was noticeable all the same. Once going, it’s obviously really fast but I could barely hear it, obviously it is crazy quick , the fastest car I’ve owned is probably a 265bhp tt roadster.
The gearbox wasn’t as smooth as I thought it would be - I’ve only driven a 520d with it but it behaves very differently, almost surges forward after changing gear and the changes were very firm when pushing on.
I found it to be very twitchy too, it had the worst budget tyres on ever which wouldn’t have helped but didn’t find it to be that fun, because it felt quite unpredictable even in a straight line. Felt a bit disconnected from it all.
I think the biggest turn off though was I reset the trip counter at the start of the test drive and it got 19mpg indicated - I did have quite a few blips but most of it was 20-30mph .
I am aiming to test drive an Audi S3 and or Golf R to see how I find those in comparison. I think all wheel drive and a more connected gearbox will be the missing piece of the puzzle.
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