Naturally Aspirated Inline-Six

[Bob_Defly]

OK, that's the engine I want. What relatively reliable car can I get that fits this criteria:

Engine as above.
RWD, manual 'box.
Used, under £15K.
Preferably less than 5-7 years old.
Will take a family of four.

Am I limited to BMW's or is there anything else?

[Baryonyx]

You could get a Lexus IS200. Superior to the BMW in many ways, but the engine is noted for being very thirsty given the meagre power it puts out.

[Bob_Defly]

Never been a fan of that car particularly. Do you know if the engine is as sweet as the BMW's?

[Baryonyx]

Bob_Defly said:

Never been a fan of that car particularly. Do you know if the engine is as sweet as the BMW's?

The engine is no doubt not as good. It's gutless and thirsty, and needs to be revved to get the best of it, whereas the BMW 6's tend to provide a decent drive when they're just bumbling along at a slower pace. I wouldn't say that either was going to provide a world of excitement, though the BMW options may be nice cruisers.

There will also be countless Mercedes Benz cars that would probably fit your bill, if build quality, comfort and automatic gear boxes take your fancy. The manuals are rarer.

[Eighteeteewhy]

Old Vauxhalls
TVR'S

[BarryGibb]

[redacted]

[g3org3y]

Bob_Defly said:

OK, that's the engine I want. What relatively reliable car can I get that fits this criteria:

Engine as above.
RWD, manual 'box.
Used, under £15K.
Preferably less than 5-7 years old.
Will take a family of four.

Am I limited to BMW's or is there anything else?

Tbh, if you're set on a n/a six you have to choose a BMW. Gold standard for these engines. Accept no imitations.

[edition]

130i unless the rear passengers are long legged.

Great engine!!!!!

[leeson660]

S54

Does feel and sound pretty special.

All in my opinion of course

[snorkel sucker]

130i all day long

[Carfiend]

Bit older than asked but you can get 4 people in one of these as I used to in my one. You could try to find a 4 door version to make life easier.

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3616640.htm

Just to throw an idea in that is not a german luxobarge.

[Fire99]

Bob_Defly said:

Never been a fan of that car particularly. Do you know if the engine is as sweet as the BMW's?

If it were the IS Lexus, you'd be better off with the 300. 3 litre from the GS in the smaller IS. Will probably outlive us all.

Other than something like a TVR Tamora or Tuscan 1 (Which are completely different animals), I'm struggling to think of anything else outside the BMW camp.

[BarryGibb]

[redacted]

[Bob_Defly]

Hmmm.... Looking at used IS-F's. Nice but pricey...

[Mr2Mike]

Fire99 said:

Other than something like a TVR Tamora or Tuscan 1 (Which are completely different animals), I'm struggling to think of anything else outside the BMW camp.

I'd like to see you fit a family of four in either of them! A Nissan Skyline has four seats though...

[Fox-]

Baryonyx said:

You could get a Lexus IS200. Superior to the BMW in many ways, but the engine is noted for being very thirsty given the meagre power it puts out.

He has £15k, the IS200 is ancient and surely there are no more examples for more than 4-5k?

Do you mean IS250, ISTR this is a V6 though?

[Fire99]

Mr2Mike said:

Fire99 said:

Other than something like a TVR Tamora or Tuscan 1 (Which are completely different animals), I'm struggling to think of anything else outside the BMW camp.

I'd like to see you fit a family of four in either of them! A Nissan Skyline has four seats though...

Ahh. One missed that bit If the kids are very small, Cerbera Speed-Six. (But personally It wouldn't be my choice of TVR)... Anyway, I get the feeling TVR's are not quite in the firing range.

[fredd1e]

I wouldn't rule out the 135i M 1 series Coupe. Roomy enough for 4 inside/ reasonable size boot for small saloon. Yup its turbo'd but that just adds more bang for your buck.

[E38Ross]

330i or 530i really IMO. not a fan of the E90 saloon but an E92 330i wouldn't be bad. not sure how easy it is to find a manual though.

[davepoth]

Have you considered the Australian Ford Falcon? 4 litre straight 6, manual gearbox (in the XR6) and looks just different enough from a Mondeo. I can't find anyone that imports them, but it wouldn't be too difficult to get one on the road here I should think.