Awkward Megane 265 Replacement Dilemma

[DUBS73P]

So I've decided to sell my Megane 265 and had a fair bit of interest already, unfortunately I still have no idea what i'm going to be replacing it with.

Its obviously a fantastic drivers car, and nothing within a similar budget really seems to offer a similar package.

I want to stick to around 15k ideally as i'm 25 and want to keep my deposit ready to purchase a house anytime soon. I do maybe 4k miles a year now so petrol not a concern, just want something fun and a bit easier to live with than the megane. Ideally i'd like to avoid FWD as IMO nothing will match the megane without going for the FK2 or FK8 civic.

I had my heart set on an M135i/M235i but they have been really awkward to find with the sort of spec i want (ZF8, Pro Nav, Adaptive Sus, M Exhaust) without going way up in budget and approaching the 40i models. Having come from an e92 M3 and Z4 Coupe, I was really looking forward to another amazing BMW engine

Golf R just seems extremely expensive as values are holding up pretty well for a desirable spec, unless im mistaken its looking like 18k plus for DSG and lowish miles. Have had a bad experience with a TTS recently but im sure this would be a lot better.

At the other end of the spectrum, ive been considering an R32 just to knock it off my bucket list, i know they're not particularly fast but it will at least have more character than the 4 pot megane.

What would you be looking at to upgrade to?

[Oh Behave]

Maybe not an upgrade but Clio Trophy and pocket the cash to give you a bigger deposit. Or 130i with some small handling modifications?

[CrippsCorner]

DUBS73P said:

So I've decided to sell my Megane 265 and had a fair bit of interest already, unfortunately I still have no idea what i'm going to be replacing it with.

Its obviously a fantastic drivers car, and nothing within a similar budget really seems to offer a similar package.

Sounds like you should just stick to the Megane no? What's your reason for wanting to move on?

I already know what I'm replacing my cars with about 3 years before selling!

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm sure you have already worked out that you won't get something as good but you can get something different but don't be surprised if you end up buying another one.

When you say you had a bad experience with the TTS what do you mean? If it's handling wise then don't expect the R to be better.

The R32 is a good car my nan recently changed hers & she loved that car she still misses the noise from the Miltek, I find them more than a sum of their parts as they get under your skin.

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

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

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

Maybe get an M135/235i & then add the M3 bits/exhaust etc.

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

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

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

Leftfield:

G37

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

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

Prodrive Brera

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

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

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

Lexus IS-F

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

[300bhp/ton]

DUBS73P said:

At the other end of the spectrum, ive been considering an R32 just to knock it off my bucket list

??

[IAmTupperware]

300bhp/ton said:

??

Unfortunately I think he means an R32 golf. But i prefer your suggestion

[designforlife]

FD2 civic type R is where I would be putting £15k.

It's the best NA type R, won't depreciate, and is pretty practical.

[DUBS73P]

CrippsCorner said:

Sounds like you should just stick to the Megane no? What's your reason for wanting to move on?

I already know what I'm replacing my cars with about 3 years before selling!

Stupid man maths spreadsheet is whats making me sell. Its a top spec 13 plate, its due belts soon even though its on 20k miles so its either put £1000+ into it and then lose that + depreciation or sell up and only lose a small amount over my initial purchase price.

This was my 3rd Mk3 Megane and they came after an R26 so I almost have no doubt ill add a fourth while i wait for the Civics to depreciate

[DUBS73P]

designforlife said:

FD2 civic type R is where I would be putting £15k.

It's the best NA type R, won't depreciate, and is pretty practical.

I was considering these last year, I ended up with a DC5, I know the FD2 is superior all round but I just cant stand the looks whereas to me the Integra was absolutely gorgeous from every angle. Its always looked like it should be a hybrid to me, shame really as the FN2 was much more of a looker at the same time as being much worse to drive.

[Darren93]

ZX10R NIN said:

The R32 is a good car my nan recently changed hers & she loved that car she still misses the noise from the Miltek, I find them more than a sum of their parts as they get under your skin.

Hold on... Your Gran had an R32 with a Miltek exhaust??? Perhaps the most PH Gran out there.

[ZX10R NIN]

Darren93 said:

Hold on... Your Gran had an R32 with a Miltek exhaust??? Perhaps the most PH Gran out there.

It came on the car when we got it for her along with the Eibach springs & 19's I'd planned to change it back to standard but she liked it.

[Darren93]

ZX10R NIN said:

Darren93 said:

Hold on... Your Gran had an R32 with a Miltek exhaust??? Perhaps the most PH Gran out there.

It came on the car when we got it for her along with the Eibach springs & 19's I'd planned to change it back to standard but she liked it.

That's awesome, what a difference from the usual selection of Honda Jizz's and Micras.

[ZX10R NIN]

If I ever showed her or my Grandad a Jazz or Micra I'd be sent packing. Nan is now looking for at an M240i or 3.0T Q60, grandads happy with his fettled 335i.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 6th March 22:33

[OFORBES]

Oh Behave said:

Maybe not an upgrade but Clio Trophy and pocket the cash to give you a bigger deposit. Or 130i with some small handling modifications?

Great shout on the Clio Trophy. A good one certainly won't disappoint and with that kind of mileage you'll probably find you wont lose much if any money on it.

Having had 225's, R26's and and R26.R I understand your dilemma.

[DoubleD]

DUBS73P said:

Stupid man maths spreadsheet is whats making me sell. Its a top spec 13 plate, its due belts soon even though its on 20k miles so its either put £1000+ into it and then lose that + depreciation or sell up and only lose a small amount over my initial purchase price.

This was my 3rd Mk3 Megane and they came after an R26 so I almost have no doubt ill add a fourth while i wait for the Civics to depreciate

Whos asking £1000+ to change the belts? Must be a main dealer? An indy will do it for £600.

Also selling a car that needs work will reduce its value.

[mercedeslimos]

ZX10R NIN said:

If I ever showed her or my Grandad a Jazz oe Micra I'd be sent packing. Nan is now looking for at an M240i or 3/0T Q60, grandads happy with his fettled 335i.

Your grandparents are epic.

I hope they drive them, ahem, properly...

[ZX10R NIN]

Yes they do enjoy their cars, they're both known for pressing on.

[covmutley]

DUBS73P said:

I had my heart set on an M135i/M235i but they have been really awkward to find with the sort of spec i want (ZF8, Pro Nav, Adaptive Sus, M Exhaust) without going way up in budget and approaching the 40i

Only thing I would say is, have you been watching too many YouTube videos? I am interested in a 135/140 soon and all the videos say 'you have to have this, you have to have that'. It does start to creep on your thoughts.

Reality is, you don't. You are considering R32, which is probably another good shout, but I'm guessing that doesn't even have a screen let alone a wider screen version.

Doing 4k a year, I very much doubt you will miss pronav or adaptive. And it sounds li lk e in reality it is the engine you are actually more interested in.

[TheJimi]

IAmTupperware said:

300bhp/ton said:

??

Unfortunately I think he means an R32 golf. But i prefer your suggestion

Something tells me that 300 knew exactly what the OP was referring to, particularly given the context.

[DUBS73P]

DoubleD said:

Whos asking £1000+ to change the belts? Must be a main dealer? An indy will do it for £600.

Also selling a car that needs work will reduce its value.

It was Ktec who had quoted £499 for the Belts and waterpump, also needed 4 tyres £4-500, Service Due this month £190, MOT this Month £35+

I paid 12k for it a year ago, sold it yesterday for £11650 so £350 for a years motoring in a modern car seems pretty good to me, certainly done worse before. Depreciation is my biggest fear in car ownership so i usually go for desireable spec to combat it as much as possible.