Which sports coupé for 30/40k?

[charlestdci]

Interested to hear views on this question. Cash buyer, which do you choose for a fun, usable daily which won't continue to shed huge chunks in depreciation - 2016 M4 for £30k ish or stretch the finances to a 2015 i8 around £40k? Typical mileage in both cases around 30,000.

The running costs of the i8 look quite attractive. I had feared insurance would be steep from comments on other forums, but got several quotes in the £520 region (47 yr old, full NCB). More exclusive than the M4, and perhaps has more sides to its character? I don't have concerns about battery longevity.

M4 will cost more for consumables (tyres, brakes), but more practical (space for 4 and decent boot) and is time running out to buy a car of this type without it being worth buttons in 5 years?

Edited by charlestdci on Wednesday 19th February 22:25

[Alextodrive]

Depends what you've had before and what it is you're looking to get from the driving experience.

For me, I'd have the i8. I think it'd be a more interesting experience. I've had reasonably fast cars and very fast bikes and I dont think the M4 would provide enough increased excitement or interest over what I've had before to justify it over something pretty different like the i8.

I also think the M4 looks fab, but I've seen loads of them about. Whereas an i8 has been much rarer in my experience and also look great in the right colour scheme.

[p4cks]

Of the two, and me being a non-BWM person, I'd be choosing the i8 every day of the week. It looks, feels and goes that much better than anything else BMW produces

[charlestdci]

Alextodrive said:

Depends what you've had before and what it is you're looking to get from the driving experience.

For me, I'd have the i8. I think it'd be a more interesting experience. I've had reasonably fast cars and very fast bikes and I dont think the M4 would provide enough increased excitement or interest over what I've had before to justify it over something pretty different like the i8.

Current "fun" daily is a mk3 RS Megane Cup. Plenty quick enough for my local roads. I'm not necessarily looking for way more power, but equally don't want to move to something slower. Megane is obviously a firm ride, but I'd expect the driving modes on the i8 or the M4 to allow for sporty driving or cruising, as the mood takes me. The Megane is fun, but uncompromising if you want a more relaxing drive, just occasionally.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

I had an M2 Comp. Same engine as M4 obviously. Sold it after a year to get an older 911 as the M2Comp wasn’t special enough. I’d have the i8 over the M4 everyday but I’d have a 911 over an i8.