£50k ish - used i8 or new m240i
Discussion
I was planning to pick up a 15 plate BMW approved used i8 for around £50k ish, or more like £10,000 deposit and around £500 pm on PCP.
Then I started to see reviews pop up for the m240i, I quite like the looks and it's priced around the same as a used i8. It also looks like a more of a sensible option. Not sure if there's anything else that I should be looking at? My requirements are:
+ Interesting drivetrain. I'm not bothered about running on electric to be honest but I could see where the 10-12 miles of range could be a bit beneficial from time to time
+ Depreciation has already happened
+ Rear engined
+ Relatively economical to run although I know I'll have to budget £100 per month for extended warranty
+ Relatively Light
- Not new
- Reliability due to uniqueness of drivetrain.
- A couple of scary known issues such as air compressor failing and throwing metal shards into cooling lines
- Tech not as good as modern cars
+ Engine - Noise and the fact that it's the tried and tested B58/ZF8 combo
+ Cheaper. I could get a fully loaded 240 for around £50k and with lower interest rates would be cheaper on PCP
+ 3 year warranty. Also a more traditional car
+ Bigger boot/rear seats (although its not that important)
- Not as unique as the i8. In a few years will I see loads of m240i's around?
- Will be overshadowed by the new M2
- Plenty of depreciation
- Heavier
I'd appreciate any thoughts!
Then I started to see reviews pop up for the m240i, I quite like the looks and it's priced around the same as a used i8. It also looks like a more of a sensible option. Not sure if there's anything else that I should be looking at? My requirements are:
- 4 seats (rears to fit my 4 year old in and appease the wife)
- GT or sporty (do the odd 300 mile round trip twice a month, don't mind some noise/harsh riding but nothing that makes my ears bleed)
- Reasonable running costs and reliability. By reasonable im not fussed round town mpg but if it can get high 30s on a motorway run that would be nice. I also would like something with manufacturers warranty if possible.
- I've been keeping to 2 door coupes but would be open to others potentially. I haven't really been looking at anything with a v8 due to the idea of high fuel/tax/servicing.
i8:
+ Unique/Special. Way more so than the m240i.+ Interesting drivetrain. I'm not bothered about running on electric to be honest but I could see where the 10-12 miles of range could be a bit beneficial from time to time
+ Depreciation has already happened
+ Rear engined
+ Relatively economical to run although I know I'll have to budget £100 per month for extended warranty
+ Relatively Light
- Not new
- Reliability due to uniqueness of drivetrain.
- A couple of scary known issues such as air compressor failing and throwing metal shards into cooling lines
- Tech not as good as modern cars
M240i:
+ New/I'd be the first owner+ Engine - Noise and the fact that it's the tried and tested B58/ZF8 combo
+ Cheaper. I could get a fully loaded 240 for around £50k and with lower interest rates would be cheaper on PCP
+ 3 year warranty. Also a more traditional car
+ Bigger boot/rear seats (although its not that important)
- Not as unique as the i8. In a few years will I see loads of m240i's around?
- Will be overshadowed by the new M2
- Plenty of depreciation
- Heavier
I'd appreciate any thoughts!
Both around £50k now but that's not to say it's the same financial proposition to get each of them. I don't have a crystal ball but I imagine in 3yrs the residual on the i8 will spank that on 3yr old M240.
I know the old M240 got cracking reviews and I really liked the one I drove, I haven't driven the new one but I still can't help but think that it's just not a particularly 'special' feeling car, even if they are a good drivers' car.
Tech in the car is something I had fallen in to the trap of always wanting to have the latest and greatest because it felt essential, one of the cars currently on my drive is a 2008 Defender 110 which has ABS, power steering and then not much else in the way of tech and I was amazed how quickly I adapted to just having my phone as my nav again. I still think I'll continue to have a car with new tech but I don't think it will be a decisive factor the way it was previously for me - Obviously this is very subjective though.
a
Does it have to be a BMW? Something like a Giulia Quadrifoglio meets your criteria, is beautiful and far rarer to see. Could also get a relatively new 911 or Ghibli for your money, with the latter again at least feeling a little more uncommon?
I know the old M240 got cracking reviews and I really liked the one I drove, I haven't driven the new one but I still can't help but think that it's just not a particularly 'special' feeling car, even if they are a good drivers' car.
Tech in the car is something I had fallen in to the trap of always wanting to have the latest and greatest because it felt essential, one of the cars currently on my drive is a 2008 Defender 110 which has ABS, power steering and then not much else in the way of tech and I was amazed how quickly I adapted to just having my phone as my nav again. I still think I'll continue to have a car with new tech but I don't think it will be a decisive factor the way it was previously for me - Obviously this is very subjective though.
a
Does it have to be a BMW? Something like a Giulia Quadrifoglio meets your criteria, is beautiful and far rarer to see. Could also get a relatively new 911 or Ghibli for your money, with the latter again at least feeling a little more uncommon?
You should be able to pickup a low mileage, BMW approved, 2016 i8 for the budget so no worries/cost around warranty.
If you can stretch to a late 2016 car then it's possible to get Apple Carplay retrofitted which should remove the concerns around the technology? https://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/bmw-i3-i8-apple...
I'd just make sure the rear seats and boot offer enough practicality for the 4 year old, especially if you intend to keep the car for a while as they have a habit of getting bigger.
If you can stretch to a late 2016 car then it's possible to get Apple Carplay retrofitted which should remove the concerns around the technology? https://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/bmw-i3-i8-apple...
I'd just make sure the rear seats and boot offer enough practicality for the 4 year old, especially if you intend to keep the car for a while as they have a habit of getting bigger.
out of those two, the i8 like woah
Alternatively, what about a Porsche 911 Carrera S?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202192...
Alternatively, what about a Porsche 911 Carrera S?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202192...
Canon_Fodder said:
Chris-1e43g said:
- Reliability due to uniqueness of drivetrain.
That would be the deciding factor for me991 version of the 911 also on my list - you can find ones with ~30-50k miles for sub 50k.
I had the previous M240 from new in 2016 till October last year. Absolutely great car, I can't think of one thing I disliked and I am sure the new version will be even better - although there has been quite a sharp jump in list price.
But if I was you, I would get the i8. While your child is still young, space in the back shouldn't be an issue I would guess. And as someone else mentioned they should be near the bottom of the depreciation curve, although still with potential to fall given where second hand prices are across the board at the moment.
You won't go wrong with either - good luck whatever you decide,
But if I was you, I would get the i8. While your child is still young, space in the back shouldn't be an issue I would guess. And as someone else mentioned they should be near the bottom of the depreciation curve, although still with potential to fall given where second hand prices are across the board at the moment.
You won't go wrong with either - good luck whatever you decide,
DanL said:
Canon_Fodder said:
Chris-1e43g said:
- Reliability due to uniqueness of drivetrain.
That would be the deciding factor for me991 version of the 911 also on my list - you can find ones with ~30-50k miles for sub 50k.
You are looking at a 10 year old base model 991 for <£50k though, so rather a different proposition?
Drive the i8. I liked it and wanted one for my daily but in a bid to save weight they removed variable lumbar support.
It actually had too much lumbar installed and is fixed (I always have it on zero and it dialled out).
My back was aching in 10 minutes and after 30 mins I had to discount it, I was annoyed and even looked at getting the lumbar taken out with a trimmer but in the end I decided not to mess with it and go a different route.
It actually had too much lumbar installed and is fixed (I always have it on zero and it dialled out).
My back was aching in 10 minutes and after 30 mins I had to discount it, I was annoyed and even looked at getting the lumbar taken out with a trimmer but in the end I decided not to mess with it and go a different route.
When I first read the post, I immediately thought 240i all day, but reading on it had me thinking about other cars in your budget.
If the need for 4 seats wasn't a deal breaker, I would be more likely to lean towards something like the V10 R8 as with the below example. More special then an i8, more unique than the equivalent 911 for the money with more power and less miles. A total head turner in fact that looks £100K rather than mid £40k.
That all said, you may not find one at this price linked to a PCP deal unless you are willing to wait and shop around.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142...
If the need for 4 seats wasn't a deal breaker, I would be more likely to lean towards something like the V10 R8 as with the below example. More special then an i8, more unique than the equivalent 911 for the money with more power and less miles. A total head turner in fact that looks £100K rather than mid £40k.
That all said, you may not find one at this price linked to a PCP deal unless you are willing to wait and shop around.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142...
I'd take the 240i personally because I think the I8 is getting a little on the old side now for the technology it has and I would personally be dubious of the hybrid system on an older car.
I do own the previous gen M240i myself and it's a brilliant daily car, I still struggle to think of what I would replace it for at the price, i've had mine 18 months now and I don't see myself moving it on in the next 18 months either, all that being said it does lack something for pure driver involvement, I also own a 986 Boxster and that car is so much more an involving car to drive and the feedback I get from it is far better than the BMW but it's not a daily car.
If I was in the same position OP i'd be looking at what the best 911 is I could buy for the money.
I do own the previous gen M240i myself and it's a brilliant daily car, I still struggle to think of what I would replace it for at the price, i've had mine 18 months now and I don't see myself moving it on in the next 18 months either, all that being said it does lack something for pure driver involvement, I also own a 986 Boxster and that car is so much more an involving car to drive and the feedback I get from it is far better than the BMW but it's not a daily car.
If I was in the same position OP i'd be looking at what the best 911 is I could buy for the money.
DanL said:
Canon_Fodder said:
Chris-1e43g said:
- Reliability due to uniqueness of drivetrain.
That would be the deciding factor for me991 version of the 911 also on my list - you can find ones with ~30-50k miles for sub 50k.
i8!
My advice to the OP would be if the i8 is practical enough for your needs now then do it, you can always pick up an M240i when the little one gets bigger or you add another to the brood, and they aren't likely to ever make another car like the i8. You'll always regret it if you don't.
i8 every day if you can live with the more limited practicalities. Can't say i'd ever turn my head and get a warm glow from owning an m240i when I could have had a supercar [ok, in looks, but look at it!]. I borrowed an i8 for 4 days a while ago and did 400 miles in it. Fabulously built and lots of theatre about it. Not very practical, but then if you're choosing between the two I'm guessing you've already considered an i8 is practical enough.
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