E90 M3, C63 or Jag XFR.

[BUG4LIFE]

If I'm feeling especially brave, I might replace my Forester STi with one of these.

Ideally I want an Lexus ISF as they seem to have the least problems from this list, and I love Jap cars.

The problem with the Lexus however is it's rare to find a very good one within my budget [£17k], so I thought I'd look at the option of other V8 saloons.

I imagine I'd be running any of these without a warranty, due to my budget.

£17k seems a good figure for the Jag [if I wanted low-miles]. Just been looking at the M3Cutters site and although most seem to be wanted closer to £20k, it is a buyers market for this type of car. regarding he C63, I've always thought one of these to be rather expensive to run [brakes etc] - maybe I'm wrong?

Be good to get your opinions.

[jas xjr]

There are a few isf's on eBay...

[BUG4LIFE]

jas xjr said:

There are a few isf's on eBay...

I do keep my eye out but there's no ISFs out there at the moment that tick all the boxes. I had the chance to buy a very very nice one just before I bought my Forester, so I kind of compare any potential buys with that one [it was a low-miles, 3-owner car with just over 1 year left of the Lexus warranty and owned by a member of the Lexus Owner Club]. I'll have a butchers at eBay again.

[Mark83]

I own a C63 estate (with performance pack plus). Nothing has gone wrong. New front pads 7000 miles ago and still 80% left. Front discs and pads on the PPP cars are more expensive than regular C63s, c.£800 for the axle. VED hurts at £570(?). Servicing, I pay £46pcm for a Mercedes service plan so nothing to pay at the dealership. Buy at the right time and you can save money. Also depends if you want FMBSH or FSH come resale and independents will be cheaper for servicing. My last service should have been four figures. MPG is low 20s on average. It's shockingly poor around town but decent enough on a motorway run. I wanted a facelift for no headbolt issues and the updated interior. PPP is nice to have in my opinion especially if you want to keep it standard. 489bhp, some SLS internals, alcantara steering wheels etc. Buy a standard car if you want to modify. They all remap to c.510bhp. I sold my OEM 19s for OEM 18s as the 19s will crack at some point. It's not if, but when.

M3 is better dynamically and driven at 8-10/10ths. I spend 99% of my time below this and love the almost 500bhp armchair and noise, oh the noise.

I've never driven an ISF.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm bias but I'd say try to find a C63 (I'm bias though) the IS-F is a good shout a car you missed but is well worth considering is the VXR8 it's a good drivers car & at 17k you'll get a good one the running costs are sensible too.

C63

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

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

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

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

VXR8

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

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

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

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

IS-F

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

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

[acme]

Three months since I bought an E92 manual LCI M3 - I wanted the last of the line naturally aspirated manual V8's (yes the DCT is 'better' and arguably suits the engine better, but it had to be manual).

Can be driven like a normal 3 series, a positive or negative depending on your viewpoint, but incredible when using it. But you need a LOT of space to really use it. And it loves a drink if used, but low to mid 20's if driven sedately, which of course is a bit pointless. And the tank is tiny, circa 250 miles to fill. I'm very happy with it, but it isn't a daily and I can see for some it wouldn't be, plus I do think it feels its weight.

Overall though these won't be around forever so enjoy now.

Good luck

Edited by acme on Friday 11th October 21:11

[BUG4LIFE]

Mark83 said:

I own a C63 estate (with performance pack plus). Nothing has gone wrong. New front pads 7000 miles ago and still 80% left. Front discs and pads on the PPP cars are more expensive than regular C63s, c.£800 for the axle. VED hurts at £570(?). Servicing, I pay £46pcm for a Mercedes service plan so nothing to pay at the dealership. Buy at the right time and you can save money. Also depends if you want FMBSH or FSH come resale and independents will be cheaper for servicing. My last service should have been four figures. MPG is low 20s on average. It's shockingly poor around town but decent enough on a motorway run. I wanted a facelift for no headbolt issues and the updated interior. PPP is nice to have in my opinion especially if you want to keep it standard. 489bhp, some SLS internals, alcantara steering wheels etc. Buy a standard car if you want to modify. They all remap to c.510bhp. I sold my OEM 19s for OEM 18s as the 19s will crack at some point. It's not if, but when.

M3 is better dynamically and driven at 8-10/10ths. I spend 99% of my time below this and love the almost 500bhp armchair and noise, oh the noise.

I've never driven an ISF.

I need to read up on the headbolt issue.

I’ve always been a fan of the C63, for the reasons you mention above. An estate would be perfect too!

Was your bought through a Merc dealer mate, so you have a warranty?

[BUG4LIFE]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'm bias but I'd say try to find a C63 (I'm bias though) the IS-F is a good shout a car you missed but is well worth considering is the VXR8 it's a good drivers car & at 17k you'll get a good one the running costs are sensible too.

C63

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

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

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

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

VXR8

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

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

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

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

IS-F

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

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

A VXR8 was actually top of my list until I found out they don’t have ISOFIX on the rear seats. I have a 17 month old so ISOFIX just makes sense. I was gutted when I found out...my Forester does for god sake!

[Mark83]

BUG4LIFE said:

I need to read up on the headbolt issue.

I’ve always been a fan of the C63, for the reasons you mention above. An estate would be perfect too!

Was your bought through a Merc dealer mate, so you have a warranty?

No, bought it from BMW. They took it as a trade in and sold it themselves. I don't have warranty on it. I'd have preferred to buy from Mercedes as AMGs come with two years warranty. I was just really particular on the specification I wanted so bought it.

I was toying between the C63 and F10 M5 but the C63's reliability over the M5's lack of reliability swayed it for me.

[BUG4LIFE]

acme said:

Three months since I bought an E92 manual LCI M3 - I wanted the last of the line naturally aspirated manual V8's (yes the DCT is 'better' and arguably suits the engine better, but it had to be manual).

Can be driven like a normal 3 series, a positive or negative depending on your viewpoint, but incredible when using it. But you need a LOT of space to really use it. And it loves a drink if used, but low to mid 20's if driven sedately, which of course is a bit pointless. And the tank is tiny, circa 250 miles to fill. I'm very happy with it, but it isn't a daily and I can see for some it wouldn't be, plus I do think it feels its weight.

Overall though these won't be around forever so enjoy now.

Good luck

Edited by acme on Friday 11th October 21:11

Fuel tank is about the same size as my Forester and I get roughly 280 to a tank (24mpg I believe). So pretty similar.

I’ve been on the M3Cutters site the last couple of days, reading about the throttle actuators and rod bearings. Either of these worry you?

[Macron]

XFR. So much drama and presence.

[Glasgowrob]

Xfr is lovely and a great steer

[acme]

BUG4LIFE said:

Fuel tank is about the same size as my Forester and I get roughly 280 to a tank (24mpg I believe). So pretty similar.

I’ve been on the M3Cutters site the last couple of days, reading about the throttle actuators and rod bearings. Either of these worry you?

The tank size of you do reasonable mileage would annoy I think. And that engine really does love to rev so one tank I was on about 230 miles!

I bought from a BM dealer so have a warranty, will renew after a year. If I didn’t I’d have the shells done, about £1500 or the same as the warranty. Actuators can be rebuilt for about 400 so I’d wait til they went.

Now I’ve got the car I see why shells go, rev counter light goes out a few miles in whilst it takes 10+ miles to reach operating temperature. Mixed with 10W 60 & tight tolerances is a bad combination. Arguably a poor design.

[Macron]

Read, watch vids (listen!) Then tell yourself you really want a 3-series.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[cerb4.5lee]

No bad car here and they all have an engine that will raise a nice smile. If you aren't a fan of an auto gearbox then the M3 is the only one offered with a three pedal manual.

[BUG4LIFE]

Macron said:

Read, watch vids (listen!) Then tell yourself you really want a 3-series.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I am drawn to the XFR cos of its value for money, performance and luxury. Only issues with the XF is that I need a car that can fit in a single garage (so I’ve got to do some measuring) and figure out if the timing chain/tensioners problem I’ve read about is something to worry about.

[BUG4LIFE]

cerb4.5lee said:

No bad car here and they all have an engine that will raise a nice smile. If you aren't a fan of an auto gearbox then the M3 is the only one offered with a three pedal manual.

I’d definitely want an auto...that’s one of the reasons I’m looking to change from my Forester.

[acme]

BUG4LIFE said:

I’d definitely want an auto...that’s one of the reasons I’m looking to change from my Forester.

One thing about the M3 that may or may not appeal is that it really can be two cars, comfortable cruiser one minute, almost a race car the next. Or at least appear like one due to the engine. I’m not so sure it’s a sports car though, and arguably may not pretend to be one. I’ve only driven the C63 & for me at speed it wasn’t as sharp, but oh that engine could make up for almost anything.

[brythered92]

Am i right in thinking that also the launch control feature on the C63 is only available post 2011? Meaning the first generation didn't have it?

[ZX10R NIN]

One thing I will say is that the M3 costs more to run than the C63 (my brother has an E90 M3) due to certain issues.