Fast, fun, estate/hatch? RS4, 335i or WRX STI?

[Petey_H]

Currently have a very long in the tooth 330d manual, which I enjoy, but need to replace. I need something with a bit of space in the back for lugging stuff around. MPG doesn't matter too much, as I don't drive it daily or many long trips but I want something fun! Previously I've been lucky enough to have had an Integrale, Elise, Caterham, Mini JCW, several Yank muscle cars. My spannering time is mostly spent on my son's '74 Mini clubman, so would prefer something reliable.

Budget 10-15-20k (gets bigger each time I scour the classifieds). Lets say 20k max.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks,

pete

[Sweller]

Go for an RS4 if you can find a good one for £20. My last 3 cars were estates - Subaru Legacy GTB, Audi S4 (B6) and now RS4 (B7). The RS4 is by far the best, the only downside being the rear leg room if you are a tall driver or have the seat chav-style.

[Petey_H]

Rear legroom is not an issue as the seats are usually folded flat. And I'm not that tall either.

What about maintenance? I've heard a story about £8k for an oilpump change, or is that just an internet legend? Brakes + pads £900 I could probably cope with...

[nottyash]

If you want a fast estate you wont do much better than an RS4. I drove a mates,its impressive and sounds great.
As for bills I think you know they are not cheap to run. He said it brakes were £2500 a pop, and it eat them. Not sure why but best read up (it was a few years ago)
I thought it was quite small inside, so if you need space I would look elsewhere.

[sparks_E39]

I love the RS4/RS6 but the running costs I've heard about are just daft, even for £50k plus cars.

[Debaser]

It's a shame they don't do an M3 estate.

[Petey_H]

An M3 estate would be top of my shopping list :-)

[Stuart70]

Petey_H said:

An M3 estate would be top of my shopping list :-)

Agreed. Am currently shopping for something which can take 3 people and a god (sorry, dog, apologies for getting involved in the Dawkins debate) my car and a as a second family car to an XC90.

At the moment an M3 saloon and a thick blanket for the leather for the labrador is winning the debate. RS4 expensive to buy and run. 996 911 hard to fit the occupants into it?

WRX STI was a good call, but boot is tiny in the hatch version.

Was considering a R32 Golf, but getting on a bit now.

Anyway, not thread hijack, just empathising with the "problem"

[DaveMcC1967]

Running costs on an RS4 aren't daft given the performance. I've run mine as a daily driver for almost 3 years now during which time I've taken it from 29k miles to 63k.

Fuel consumption's quite heavy as you'd expect - my overall average is 21.5mpg. I've had to replace the front disks and pads once so far - that would have cost about £1,300 at full price, but I sourced OE disks elsewhere plus yellow stuff pads which reduced the cost to about £1,000 all in. I had rear pads replaced at the same time, but it's still on original rear disks.

Tyres last about 20k miles per set and the last set of Goodyear F1s cost about £900 all in.

Routine servicing I have done on the "fixed" 9k mile intervals (rather than variable which can extend interval up to about 20k miles). I supply the oil myself (as the main dealer prices are a rip off). Oil is c.£100 per service and the remaining service cost has varied between about £200 and £500 (the latter being for the big 60k service including spark plugs).

Yes, nothing major's gone wrong on mine, though the infamous drc suspension has started knocking recently. However, a few independents can fix this now for less money than ditching the system and replacing with coilovers (which costs about £1,500 all in).

It's far cheaper to run than mates have paid for porsches, has similar performance and loads of practicality. Love mine!

Dave