435i, Golf 7R, Audi s5

[AH91]

Afternoon Everyone,

In the next month or so I will be in a position to purchase a car between £20-25k.

I currently drive an audi a3 2.0 TDI and before that I had a mk 5 R32.

My annual mileage has dropped to around 10k miles a year so I want a petrol again.

What do people prefer out of the following?

435i coupe
Golf 7 R (has to be 3dr, DSG, Lapiz Blue, 19" Pretorias)
Audi S5 V6T

Cheers

Alex

[aspirated]

3 very very different cars. In your position, given your budget and relatively low mileage, I'd go for a facelift C63 6.2, without the Performance Pack. The last of a dying breed, it's similar to your R32 in the sense that there will never be another like it.

[Jonno02]

Very, very different cars.

From that list, I'd go S5. BMW just doesn't do it for me personally and the golf is more common than clouds in the sky.

[daveco]

Golf 7R.

http://www.evo.co.uk/volkswagen/golf-r

[SuperchargedVR6]

aspirated said:

3 very very different cars. In your position, given your budget and relatively low mileage, I'd go for a facelift C63 6.2, without the Performance Pack. The last of a dying breed, it's similar to your R32 in the sense that there will never be another like it.

There will actually. VW have dusted off the old R32 war horse, lopped 200cc off it's capacity and turboed it.

I'd get the Golf from the list. I think you want it too OP, judging by the research you've already put into it.

[ChemicalChaos]

Having driven a 435d a lot, I found it quite disappointing. Like an E60 5 series, the interior is still full of quite low rent feeling rubbery plastic mouldings and tacky plastic highlights masquerading as metal. Quite frankly it's poor these days given what Merc, Jag and Audi do.
Secondly, the ride on the 19 inch wheels with 35 profile runflats and obligatory "M" suspension is absolutely appalling.

Still, nice engines though.

[Ali_T]

Jag XFR or XKR? Might as well have fun in those 10,000 miles

[RobM77]

From experience with similar models, I genuinely wouldn't go for any of those. Performance VAG cars tend to be rather dull, quicker on the stopwatch and that's it; non-M BMWs have a tendency to be jiggly bumpy affairs without cantankerous controls that never really gel. If you have the maintenance budget and need four proper seats, I'd look at the E92 M3 or C63 already mentioned - both are wonderful cars. If you don't need four proper seats, you've got a lot of great options that are way more entertaining

[SuperchargedVR6]

RobM77 said:

From experience with similar models, I genuinely wouldn't go for any of those. Performance VAG cars tend to be rather dull, quicker on the stopwatch and that's it; non-M BMWs have a tendency to be jiggly bumpy affairs without cantankerous controls that never really gel. If you have the maintenance budget and need four proper seats, I'd look at the E92 M3 or C63 already mentioned - both are wonderful cars. If you don't need four proper seats, you've got a lot of great options that are way more entertaining

2 German barges and a German hatchback don't do it for you, so you recommend 2 German barges.

[aspirated]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

There will actually. VW have dusted off the old R32 war horse, lopped 200cc off it's capacity and turboed it.

I'd get the Golf from the list. I think you want it too OP, judging by the research you've already put into it.

You're referring to a concept, and even if they did it can't match the N/A sound or power delivery

[Krikkit]

Ali_T said:

Jag XFR or XKR? Might as well have fun in those 10,000 miles

Surely this is the answer? Who can deny the allure of a supercharged V8?

Similarly, a lot of Merc '55 and '63 models would also be in budget in coupé, saloon or convertible form.

[RobM77]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

RobM77 said:

From experience with similar models, I genuinely wouldn't go for any of those. Performance VAG cars tend to be rather dull, quicker on the stopwatch and that's it; non-M BMWs have a tendency to be jiggly bumpy affairs without cantankerous controls that never really gel. If you have the maintenance budget and need four proper seats, I'd look at the E92 M3 or C63 already mentioned - both are wonderful cars. If you don't need four proper seats, you've got a lot of great options that are way more entertaining

2 German barges and a German hatchback don't do it for you, so you recommend 2 German barges.

It's not the fact that they're German barges I have a problem with, I'm on my 6th BMW; it's the way certain BMWs drive, namely the non-M performance models. The Ms drive beautifully and are really well engineered, as are AMG Mercs. Next to those I prefer the mundane models on standard wheels and tyres.

VAG performance cars have never done anything for me and probably never will, other than the RS6, which I wouldn't want to own, but love nonetheless.

Edited by RobM77 on Tuesday 10th January 19:54

[JD]

I'd be more keen for a 235i over the 435i.

435i felt like a heavy and dulled beast compared to 335i coupe before it.

For that mileage, I think you would be mad to purchase a Golf R outright, you could probably lease the new model for £300 a month.

[Fox-]

Jonno02 said:

Very, very different cars.

Really? The Golf sure but the S5 and the 435i are directly competing products - two brands take on the same thing. They even cost the same new..

[rs990]

JD said:

I'd be more keen for a 235i over the 435i.

At around £25k he could probably get into a new M140i if he wants to go the hot hatch route.

[cerb4.5lee]

Out of those three I think the 435i would just get the nod over the S5 for me.

I'd also be very tempted by a C63 or XKR as mentioned.

[Fox-]

cerb4.5lee said:

Out of those three I think the 435i would just get the nod over the S5 for me.

Yup, don't forget the 435i is a current gen car whereas the S5 dates from 2007 really and was an E92 rival. New model has only just come out and is rather more than £25k.

[ReaperCushions]

Does it have to have 4 seats? Some nice Pork at that price, and will be (slightly) better on residuals. I appreciate they will be a little older though.

Along the same ilk as others I'd go N/A V8 while you can if you need the 4 seats.

[ReaperCushions]

Also, what about 2 cars? With that sort of money you could get a barge for daily duties and a toy for the weekend? (Exige, Atom, Caterham / Westfield etc.)

[jayemm89]

I would also give a look to the old BMW 6 series. 645 and 650i can be had with lots of change from your budget, still properly nice cars, much nicer interior than the 5 series.

A C63 AMG is also a good shout, same for E92 M3, I suppose also B7 Audi RS4.