Alternatives to BMW M140i?

[warp9]

So we're after a small family all rounder, a hot hatch seems to fit the bill. I've kind of settled on the M140i for the following reasons:

Manual (I'm old school)
RWD
Petrol 3.0 6 cylinder engine 335bhp
Meets ultra low emission zone requirements
Its a bit of a sleeper
Something like: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Budget is £20K ish. Don't want an R, RS, AMG or full fat M due to running costs and attracting too much attention.

Is there anything else I should be considering that ticks all the boxes?

[mbwoy84]

warp9 said:

Is there anything else I should be considering that ticks all the boxes?

No.

You've singled out that car for a reason, and for the parameters you have set out, it is without peer.

For the price, and the amount of extras they seemed to throw in for free with most deals that were on, they are untouchable.

Like you say, it's not a fully blown "M-Car" in name, but apart from the very hardcore, track-focused type edge that modern M-Cars seem to have, it is in terms of performance and spec, a worthy M-Car, it just shouts about it a little less, which is what you're looking for.

If it's the kind of car you want, just go for it. I don't think you'll find anything to touch it elsewhere.

[Martyn76]

Not a hatch or manual but...Jag XE V6?

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

[Court_S]

They're hard to beat (for me at least). I've only had mine for two weeks and have zero idea what will replace it in a few years time, despite the compromises (bit small inside, badly packaged etc) nothing else came close for me - I looked at the usual suspects (Golf R, Audi S3, A35) but none of them convinced me to buy owt else.

[NerveAgent]

I had an m135i and the only negative for me was the boot space. It’s probably the least practical car I’ve owned. Whilst that might not be an issue...I thought, well why bother with a hatchback.