PH wisdom needed - Z4 / GTI / R32 / MCS.. ULEZ..etc etc??

[MaxSo]

Dear fellow PHers - I have just about exhausted my researching, so now turning to you for suggestions and thoughts on my potential next car please...

Requirements are (in priority order):

- Auto (this is the only absolute non-negotiable)
- London ULEZ compliant (the extension seems likely to be implemented in just over 3 years' time, so buying something soon that is non-compliant seems a fool's errand. Compliant is generally Euro4+ if petrol or 6+ if diesel, although there are exceptions and I gather some early 2000's car are seemingly exempt. It's a bit of a minefield but probably rules out most diesels I think, given budget and other requirements).
- Cruise control and/or speed limiter function. (Or simple & cheap OEM retrofit ability)
- Under £8k
- At least average reliability and low risk of expensive problems
- Well under 9s to 60mph- preferably under 7s (I know this is a not a particularly relevant performance comparator, but it's what autotrader etc use)
- Fun AND/OR makes a nice noise AND/OR interesting AND/OR a bit quirky - just not completely run of the mill basically
- Tidy handling
- Ideally average MPG of >35 (based on 15k miles p/a on motorway / free flowing roads & 5k miles p/a of stop/start London/urban)
- Ideally 4 or 5 seats and space for adults (But not essential - considering any body type)
- Ideally length and width around or below that of a Golf (not essential)
- Available with xenon headlights
- Ride that is not boneshaking
- AWD / 4WD appeals to some extent

Total of 20k miles p/a, of which approx. 5k London/urban, 10k motorway/A1, and 5k mixed country roads. I tend to make decent progress and love driving (any where, any time, any vehicle) but very rarely really press on as, perhaps with age, now have much more consideration for potential hazards on most 'fun' roads I encounter (cyclists, horses, pot holes etc). So, from that I take that the car should feel good and give driving (& ownership) pleasure at 8 tenths and below.

Have considered (all auto):

- Z4 roadster/coupe
- 130i / 330i / X3 3.0i
- IS250
- MK5 GTI / GTI Edition 30 / Leon FR (not a Scirocco as only came with the chain cam engine) (had a GTI before though so preference is something different)
- R32 / TT 3.2
- CC / Superb 3.6
- Facelift R56 Cooper S
- Giuletta 1.4 TB
- MX5 2.0 Powershift

So as you can see folks, it's a bit of a mixture. (I've personally never really understood when people say you can't compare one type of car with something completely different. If, like me, the requirements don't really dictate the body style, then why not..)

Have I missed anything that's worthy of consideration, and what do we think is the best fit given the priority of requirements and journey profile.

Currently, my head says IS250, whilst my heart says Z4C.

Thanks in advance...!

Edited by MaxSo on Tuesday 29th May 17:05

[S54Love]

Not too sure about the fun and quirky factor, but reading your requirements the IS250 came across my mind first. Go for an SE-L and it will be absolutely loaded with kit. Out of that list, I would think that you'd get more toys than pretty much everything there although never looked at a Superb so cannot say for sure.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Whilst a Lexus should be reliable, for the extra piece of mind you could opt for an approved used one with its warranty:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Otherwise, if you only want xenons then you could save quite a bit of cash and just opt for a Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Mr Tidy]

If your heart says Z4 Coupe that must be the way to go!

I'm on my 2nd one, and I still love it (even if my head says it wasn't a great idea)!

[MaxSo]

S54Love said:

Not too sure about the fun and quirky factor, but reading your requirements the IS250 came across my mind first. Go for an SE-L and it will be absolutely loaded with kit. Out of that list, I would think that you'd get more toys than pretty much everything there although never looked at a Superb so cannot say for sure.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Whilst a Lexus should be reliable, for the extra piece of mind you could opt for an approved used one with its warranty:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Otherwise, if you only want xenons then you could save quite a bit of cash and just opt for a Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Thanks for the links. Yes, that's my main concern with the IS250. I've no doubt it would be utterly competent, but by all accounts the engine is a let down. That and the fact the rear seats don't fold, which would be a disappointment if I was to go for something supposedly more practical than a Z4C.

[MaxSo]

Mr Tidy said:

If your heart says Z4 Coupe that must be the way to go!

I'm on my 2nd one, and I still love it (even if my head says it wasn't a great idea)!

Just looks brilliant, doesn't it. Main concern with this option is obviously a lack of 2 seats - would mean we wouldn't be able to take people of jaunty days out with this car, which would be a bit of a shame. Appeals though because if the car has to be auto (so the Mrs can use it too), it would be nice to at least have something that brings something else to the party (eg excellent noise and engine). But then, maybe an R32 does both...

[MaxSo]

Bump on this now that the ULEZ expansion has been confirmed.

I currently drive into the expended ULEZ area 3 times a week.