What should I buy next? Budget £30k, 450hp +

[Flyingsparks]

Hi all

My current car is a BMW 135i with N54 engine. It's got a JB4 (piggyback) fitted, so is producing around 360-370hp .

I do love the car but I've had it for 5 years now and want something newer...and quicker. My budget is around £30,000 and this is what I'm looking for:

-2 door coupe/convertible, currently undecided which one.
-Has to be a good bit quicker than what I've got now, ideally 450hp +
-Fairly reliable - I've had the usual stuff go wrong with the N54, so I'd like something a bit more reliable
-Up to about 3 or 4 years old
-Mileage up to about 40,000

Research so far
-Porche doesn't really fit into my price range - any models that do are similar/less power than my current car.
-I love the look of the BMW 2 series and M2 but again, not enough power

Possible BMW options
M4
M6 (560hp! But why is it such a big car!)
650i (But if I was going to get a 6 series, I'd probably spend an extra £5k for an M6)

Possible Mercedes options
SL500 4.7L AMG Roadster
C63 AMG 4L (slightly above budget)

Possible Audi option
RS5 4.2L (wow what a boring looking car - ruling this out)

Possible Ford option
Mustang GT 5L

It looks like it comes down to Mercedes vs BMW in this price range, unless there are others I've missed?

I'm guessing the Mustang isn't on the same level as the german cars in terms of handling, interior, etc..?

I've never owned a Mercedes, how are those models reliability-wise?

Has anyone owned both a BMW and Mercedes from my list? Any comparison of the two?

Edited by Flyingsparks on Wednesday 22 July 23:18

[tuonopepper]

FWIW I've got a 440 GC, not the power of the M4 but still goes when you want it too.... The twin turbo straight six is a great engine, big and lazy or loud, poppy and responsive....I imagine the M4 is above and beyond.

That said the C63 noise is crazy and I managed to get the tail wagging on a dry road, straight road, from a set of traffic lights, mental. I think that would be top of my list from your suggestions.... Just be prepared to get the bus in winter 😂😂

[BlueJ]

I have been known to promote Lexus before so at the risk of being boring:

Lexus RC F. 470 bhp, NA V8, completely reliable. Available privately (and occasionally from dealers) at £30K or less.

I've had one for almost 2 years now after several BMWs including an E92 M3 and it's superb.

[Benbay001]

Id definately look along the lines of "more bhp/ton" than more BHP outright

https://www.autosnout.com/Cars-Bhp-Per-Ton-List.ph...

Edited by Benbay001 on Sunday 26th July 15:24

Edited by Benbay001 on Sunday 26th July 15:25

[Throttlebody]

Nissan GTR.

Hold their value well. Map to 600 bhp. A lot of car for the money.

A bit love it or hate it type thing.

[ZX10R NIN]

With your budget is you want something a bit special that'll get under your skin then I'd say take a good look at the RC-F (some will tell you they lack torque they don't) yes you have will have give them the beans if you want to disappear up the road but no more so than you would an E90 M3/RS4.

You'll be looking at a 2015 car, running costs are very sensible it won't have that straight out of the box low down torque of a blown six pot but get it on song & these are relentless.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

2016

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Personally I'd (I am bias so take that into account) buy the best 6.2 C63 Coupe I could find & then add a Map LSD (unless you get a PP Car then there's no need for the LSD & X pipe to it & you'll have an absolute hoot of a car that like the Lexus above will get under your skin but these also have that low down wall of torque you're used to whilst having a searing top end.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Again the RS5 with a little fettling can be another great car, the one below looks stunning

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Leftfield Infiniti Q60 a Map will see you clear 450bhp with ease:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Here are a couple of comparisons:

C63 vs C63 BiTurbo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwLxzxsLf1g

RS5 vs RS5 TT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kf-2D1vge8

[Denno B]

I think the problem you might find is these bigger more powerful cars are heavy and may not feel/ be in quicker than your current car. Someone mentioned lighter maybe the way to go rather than outright bhp, could be something to consider.

[Dave Hedgehog]

pushing the age, millage and price a little but the V8 F type is supposed to be a beast, and sounds monumentally good

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Flyingsparks]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I didn't get any replies for a few days so then started posting on a Mercedes forum and doing a bit of research on the C63...ended up taking one for a test drive as well. That V8 rumble...wow.

Whatever I get, I've decided on a coupe now.

Going through your suggestions...

Lexus RC F - aren't many of those about! Never even appeared in any of my initial searches. Six for sale under £40k in the country right now (on autotrader). Any reason they're so rare?

Infiniti Q60...interesting...but as above why is there 1 for sale in the whole country! It does look nice but I don't fancy a car which is so specialist when it comes to repairs and maintenance.

F-type - not bad but I do need 4 or 5 seats

Nissan GT-R - a little bit too showy for me and also well over my budget unfortunately

Interest suggestion regarding BHP per tonne...I like it! From that website:

Mercedes C63 4L - BHP Per Ton: 273.4 bhp Torque Per Ton: 279.3 lb-ft
BMW M4 - BHP Per Ton: 262.8 bhp Torque Per Ton: 251.0 lb-ft
Lexus RC-F - BHP Per Ton: 255.4 bhp Torque Per Ton: 212.5 lb-ft

After some careful thought (and looking at realistic prices for a low mileage C63 with good spec), my budget has increased to the high 30s...so on that basis, are there any other options?

I do still need to test drive an M4 but the C63 is currently top of the list. Although I never really had a chance to put my foot down on the last test drive...might have to go and have another look.

[ZX10R NIN]

The RC-F's are rare because they didn't sell lots (in the UK you don't sell well if your nor German especially a performance model) but they're a very good car & well worth at least a test drive at the high end of your budget you can get a 2018 model.

These & the ISF are getting a following so don't discount them, I'd still take the 63 but I'm bias but in all honesty this would be my second pick.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Flyingsparks]

Thanks for the replies. I took a c63 on a long solo test drive the other day and I'm sold I love everything about the car...the sound, looks, interior, driving feel.

[Over over under steer]

Gosh, this thread has got me hooked on the RC-F.

Won't come across another on the road, a nasp 5.0 V8 would be such a treat and it looks so special.

C63, whilst very competent, it also pretty ubiquitous, but if you want to fly under the radar more then that's the one for you. Either way you can't go wrong OP.