Time for a 4 seater, still looking for something fun

[rotaryjam]

I've discounted the merc options, just something about them I don't like and maintenence costs concern me...

[edc]

rotaryjam said:

I've discounted the merc options, just something about them I don't like and maintenence costs concern me...

If you go for one of the bigger cars with air suspension they can cost more but can be sorted quite ok. A C55 has nothing on it to go wrong so much. The engine is as bullet proof as they come. Even resealing cam cover gasket is a cheap driveway indy job.

[ZX10R NIN]

rotaryjam said:

I've discounted the merc options, just something about them I don't like and maintenence costs concern me...

Why? The E Coupes come with normal suspension the 5.5 engine & box are nigh on bulletproof, maintenance will cost you no more than a 330/335i

[Shifter1]

OP, your name would indicate RX8. But maybe you been there and done that and want none of it anymore. Or maybe the underpowerment is what disqualifies it. But I like the suggestion of the Monaro. I know you said you don't like the looks. But before I would go with one of the repmobiles clad in fast badging from Mercedes, BMW, Audi or uneventful things like VWs and GT86s, I would rather go with a Monaro. RWD, manual, unusual and V8!

[donkmeister]

rotaryjam said:

For under 10k??

A normal XF 5.0 looks interesting though

Other options I like:

130i
330i
Golf R32

Thanks for the suggestions all, keep em coming

It's been a few years since I've driven a 1 series. Great little cars, possibly the best handling small hatchback. But, I wouldn't describe one as a 4 seater. Yes, there is a rear bench, but I'd suggest it is for occasional short distance use or small children. So it's more of a 2+2. We managed to get 4 adults in a 1-series once, but it was a case of moving the front seats as far forwards as possible and having legs at funny angles in the back.

For actual 4 seat usage with adults you really want a C-class size car at minimum. I'd also suggest steering clear of small coupes for that purpose as the rear seat headroom is insufficient unless you are very short. There's a reason the Mercedes CL exists!l

[SWoll]

Top picks

Audi S5 ticks all your of boxes and is a V8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303024...

As mentioned previously, if you're looking for serious performance and noise the XFR is going to be hard to beat for your budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301042...

Alternatives

This ones a little over budget, but an F10 530i is still a lovely car, and a significant step up quality wise from a 330i of the same price.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212082...

Audi A7 with the 3.0 V6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302053...

Audi S4 are starting to creep down in price, still a bit over at the minute though but worth keeping an eye on and this one looks a cracker. The S5 more interesting for the price though.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302033...

[rotaryjam]

So I've narrowed it down...

Audi S4 (B5 or B6)
BMW 130i
Golf R32
Subaru WRX blob

The WRX is a wild card entry as I know it doesn't have a v6/v8

I realises I also need min 4 doors so some other options out the window.

Edited by rotaryjam on Wednesday 8th March 11:51

[TameRacingDriver]

Not fancy the XFR then?

[rotaryjam]

TameRacingDriver said:

Not fancy the XFR then?

I just decided its a bit big and for a good one just a bit out of budget with higher insurance and top rate tax too

[TameRacingDriver]

rotaryjam said:

I just decided its a bit big and for a good one just a bit out of budget with higher insurance and top rate tax too

Fair enough, they are pretty huge cars to say the least! Top rate tax is always a bugger even if some people say there's not much difference realistically to the cars in the £330 ved band. It's the principle of the thing I reckon.

[Xcore]

B5 s4 or s5.

Avoid the b6

[rotaryjam]

Xcore said:

B5 s4 or s5.

Avoid the b6

Interesting, what's wrong with the B6?

I prefer the look of the B5 but finding a good one is tricky

[Xcore]

rotaryjam said:

Xcore said:

B5 s4 or s5.

Avoid the b6

Interesting, what's wrong with the B6?

I prefer the look of the B5 but finding a good one is tricky

Very expensive cam chain guide issues. I don’t think they are present with the s5 v8 but I may be wrong.

Prices of b5s have shot up since I had mine, remember they are an old car and quite afew engine/turbo related repairs require engine removal.

The supercharged 3.0 v6 in later s4/5 will produce more power with simple modifications

Edited by Xcore on Wednesday 8th March 17:23

[rotaryjam]

Xcore said:

Very expensive cam chain guide issues. I don’t think they are present with the s5 v8 but I may be wrong.

Prices of b5s have shot up since I had mine, remember they are an old car and quite afew engine/turbo related repairs require engine removal.

The supercharged 3.0 v6 in later s4/5 will produce more power with simple modifications

Edited by Xcore on Wednesday 8th March 17:23

Thanks, neither sound ideal from a maintenance perspective.

Currently the 130i is the lead and incidently has almost exactly the same bhp/tonne as my 350Z, it felt like a good amount of power

Edited by rotaryjam on Thursday 9th March 14:24

[rotaryjam]

So I thought I'd update the thread as I made my choice....

I ended up with a noise 130i with M performance exhaust and airbox.

I have to say though, I'm a bit underwhelmed. It sounds ok but not as good as I expected, especially with the exhaust and airbox. Certainly not as good as my stock 350Z.

I drives nice enough but isnt as playful as my 350Z and I miss the torque. The BMW feels like it needs to rev out more which just doesn't fit with most of my journeys.

It all just feels a bit too sanitised and insulated. I feel the massive M steering wheel doesn't help - I personally hate this.

So I'm thinking about switching again! My additional criteria though is that I do need a 5 door which limits my options.

Initial thoughts are:

RX8 - I assume it will feel more sporty and less insulated but the low torque puts my off.

R32 - these sound awesome which is the main draw but I worry it will handle in an even more sterile manner.

Subaru WRX - sounds good and more of an old school feel that I want, maybe this is the one? I'd want the PPP pack so looking at 265bhp.

To update the criteria then here is what I'm after:

- £8k budget
- 180 bhp per tonne or better
- Nice sound
- Low down torque (i.e. not something you need to rev out)
- 5 door practicality
- Sporty drive
- RWD or AWD at a push
- not too big, no estates or SUVs or luxo barges!
- Not too modern / insulated

What do you reckon?

[TameRacingDriver]

Very interesting write up given that I've always had a 130i on my radar at times. Even a standard 350z sounding better than a modified n52 surprised me. I think I can write this one off my list forever now.

You may as well get rid of the rx8 now if you don't want something that needs revving as they're truly gutless and sound crap in my opinion.

I reckon the Golf might still be quite dull, I'd go for the scooby I reckon.

[rotaryjam]

TameRacingDriver said:

Very interesting write up given that I've always had a 130i on my radar at times. Even a standard 350z sounding better than a modified n52 surprised me. I think I can write this one off my list forever now.

You may as well get rid of the rx8 now if you don't want something that needs revving as they're truly gutless and sound crap in my opinion.

I reckon the Golf might still be quite dull, I'd go for the scooby I reckon.

I should maybe just the qualify the poi t around the sound, it seems like it would sound great to people outside the cabin but there is too much sound insulation muting it. Also at full rev it sounds pretty good but in normal everyday driving it's not that great, whereas the 350Z sounded great from startup and at any speed.

I think you're right about the RX8

[TameRacingDriver]

rotaryjam said:

I should maybe just the qualify the poi t around the sound, it seems like it would sound great to people outside the cabin but there is too much sound insulation muting it. Also at full rev it sounds pretty good but in normal everyday driving it's not that great, whereas the 350Z sounded great from startup and at any speed.

I think you're right about the RX8

I suppose that's where the z4 was slightly better than the 130i as it had a sound tube which piped engine noise into the cabin so it wasn't so bad but I will say the 350z I had (albeit modded) sounded significantly better to my ears in any event.