Cars for around 20k? - Page 1 - Car Buying

BenGpistonhead

Original Poster

144 posts

63 months

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Sunday 25th September 2022

Looking to get out my car soon and get into a petrol. I currently have a 430d x drive but want a nice sounding petrol! I’m after something that sounds good, is 5 sec or less 0-60, isn’t going to put me in a hedge or cost an arm and a leg to maintain/run.
I’m currently browsing cars and currently looking at:
Bmw M240i - I’ve heard not very responsive steering + twitchy
Bmw 650i - high maintenance cost I believe?
Bmw 640i - high maintenance cost I believe?
Maserati granturismo - poor interior / outdated compared to the others.

Is there anything I’m missing I should be looking at?
Has anyone got any opinions on the cars mentioned and/or things to look out for when buying?

paradigital

1,095 posts

180 months

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Sunday 25th September 2022

I don’t think I could bring myself to go from a 4er to a 2er. I love my F33 (convertible) 440i, lower running costs than the 6er, and roof-off allows you to enjoy the sound of the b58 even moreso than in an enclosed cabin.

Edited by paradigital on Sunday 25th September 20:02

BenGpistonhead

Original Poster

144 posts

63 months

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Sunday 25th September 2022

paradigital said:

I don’t think I could bring myself to go from a 4er to a 2er. I love my F33 (convertible) 440i, lower running costs than the 6er, and roof-off allows you to enjoy the sound of the b58 even moreso than in an enclosed cabin.

Edited by paradigital on Sunday 25th September 20:02

Completely forgot to mention I also looked at 440i’s but I feel it would be too similar to my current 430d. I think I was to get another 4 it would be an m4 but I’m not sure I can justify the step up to an m4 just yet! I’ve also looked at C63’s but the only ones I can afford is the w204 c63 which personally I find the interior to be very outdated

BenGpistonhead

Original Poster

144 posts

63 months

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[news]

Sunday 25th September 2022

paradigital said:

I don’t think I could bring myself to go from a 4er to a 2er. I love my F33 (convertible) 440i, lower running costs than the 6er, and roof-off allows you to enjoy the sound of the b58 even moreso than in an enclosed cabin.

Edited by paradigital on Sunday 25th September 20:02

What mpg are you getting out of your 440i? I know someone with an m240i who says he gets good fuel consumption and I believe the 440i has the same engine?

Silvanus

6,910 posts

51 months

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Sunday 25th September 2022

Maybe something a little bit different, Kia Stinger 3.3V6T Gran Turismo. Maybe not as much badge as some cars but certainly has lots to offer.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022060765...

How about this, only problem LHD, Roush Mustang

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022062069...

Maybe something a little more more discreet, Jaguar XE 3.0 V6 Supercharged

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022091296...

Maybe something big, Vauxhall VXR8 6.2

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022072681...

Maybe a sod it car, Aston Martin V8 Vantage

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022090895...

Last but not least a different kind of Maserati, Ghibli V6 S

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022090895...

paradigital

1,095 posts

180 months

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[news]

Sunday 25th September 2022

BenGpistonhead said:

What mpg are you getting out of your 440i? I know someone with an m240i who says he gets good fuel consumption and I believe the 440i has the same engine?

That is very dependent on how I drive it. When I used to do a primarily A road 20 mile commute, 40mpg or thereabouts was order of the day. Driving it now, purely for fun, low 20s.

BenGpistonhead

Original Poster

144 posts

63 months

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[news]

Sunday 25th September 2022

Silvanus said:

Maybe something a little bit different, Kia Stinger 3.3V6T Gran Turismo. Maybe not as much badge as some cars but certainly has lots to offer.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022060765...

How about this, only problem LHD, Roush Mustang

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022062069...

Maybe something a little more more discreet, Jaguar XE 3.0 V6 Supercharged

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022091296...

Maybe something big, Vauxhall VXR8 6.2

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022072681...

Maybe a sod it car, Aston Martin V8 Vantage

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022090895...

Last but not least a different kind of Maserati, Ghibli V6 S

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022090895...

Thank you for posting all the links I appreciate the effort gone into this! I’ve also not actually considered any of these before! The Kia does tick all the boxes but is it worth the price tag for a Kia? I like the look of mustangs but I’ve heard they don’t handle very well and if not careful it can be easy to end up in a hedge. I look the look of the jag and the interior looks premium however I’ve heard they aren’t very ‘fun’ to drive and it seems has a lack of rear seat space (like the 6 series). The Vauxhall doesn’t entice me as much, I know they are great cars to drive but the interior doesn’t look great and I’ve been told by many mechanics Vauxhalls are nightmares to deal with. The Aston Martin Vantage caught my eye the most but I would imagine it comes with Aston Martin pricing to maintain it? I’ve heard they sound great but I’m not sure I can stretch to buy one let alone maintain it! The Maserati is a funny one, I can’t quite decide if I like the look of them. I’m sure they sound great though! Thank you for these ideas, it’s all definitely made me think!

BenGpistonhead

Original Poster

144 posts

63 months

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Sunday 25th September 2022

paradigital said:

That is very dependent on how I drive it. When I used to do a primarily A road 20 mile commute, 40mpg or thereabouts was order of the day. Driving it now, purely for fun, low 20s.

Wow that’s ideal, I don’t get much more out of my diesel! I get 50-60mpg on long commutes or driving for fun 35-40. How do they sound? What’s the general things to look out for when purchasing?

Silvanus

6,910 posts

51 months

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Sunday 25th September 2022

BenGpistonhead said:

Thank you for posting all the links I appreciate the effort gone into this! I’ve also not actually considered any of these before! The Kia does tick all the boxes but is it worth the price tag for a Kia? I like the look of mustangs but I’ve heard they don’t handle very well and if not careful it can be easy to end up in a hedge. I look the look of the jag and the interior looks premium however I’ve heard they aren’t very ‘fun’ to drive and it seems has a lack of rear seat space (like the 6 series). The Vauxhall doesn’t entice me as much, I know they are great cars to drive but the interior doesn’t look great and I’ve been told by many mechanics Vauxhalls are nightmares to deal with. The Aston Martin Vantage caught my eye the most but I would imagine it comes with Aston Martin pricing to maintain it? I’ve heard they sound great but I’m not sure I can stretch to buy one let alone maintain it! The Maserati is a funny one, I can’t quite decide if I like the look of them. I’m sure they sound great though! Thank you for these ideas, it’s all definitely made me think!

Interesting comment about the Kia, its our UK hardwiring that tells us that, we've bought into the German premium thing more than anywhere else. I'd much rather have it than any of the BMW mentioned, I find them all rather boring and unimaginative. Maybe are BMW actually worth it, should be the question? Personally I'd rather have the Maserati too, what I'd really want is a Guilia QV but they're out of the budget. Not that the beemers are bad, far from it, just a bit obvious.

BenGpistonhead

Original Poster

144 posts

63 months

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Sunday 25th September 2022

Silvanus said:

Interesting comment about the Kia, its our UK hardwiring that tells us that, we've bought into the German premium thing more than anywhere else. I'd much rather have it than any of the BMW mentioned, I find them all rather boring and unimaginative. Maybe are BMW actually worth it, should be the question? Personally I'd rather have the Maserati too, what I'd really want is a Guilia QV but they're out of the budget. Not that the beemers are bad, far from it, just a bit obvious.

Deep down I know I shouldn’t be looking at the brand name but I can’t help but not. I’ve convinced myself bmw are worth it as to be honest I find my current 430d very high quality for the price tag. I am extremely tempted by the Maserati granturismo but the interior technology being so outdated along with the maintenance costs does concern me. Do you have any idea how much per year I would need to maintain one? I’ve currently not had to spend a penny on my 4 series and have had it 18 months now. The Alfa’s do look and sound very nice however slightly out the price range for now

ZX10R NIN

30,422 posts

153 months

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Sunday 25th September 2022

roca1976

677 posts

143 months

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Sunday 25th September 2022

I had similar budget and ended up with W212 E63 AMG. MCT dual clutch with NA 6.2.
Interior is lovely place to be.
With your budget should be able to get the slightly more efficient 5.5 biturbo.
V8 RS4 was close second place, just little older/ higher mileage for same cash.

paradigital

1,095 posts

180 months

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Monday 26th September 2022

BenGpistonhead said:

Wow that’s ideal, I don’t get much more out of my diesel! I get 50-60mpg on long commutes or driving for fun 35-40. How do they sound? What’s the general things to look out for when purchasing?

With the convertible specifically, ensure that there’s no water ingress into the battery compartment on the rear offside (in the boot). You might also be able to hear this as a sloshing sound under braking.

Other than that it’s just a case of ensuring you get the spec you want. For me Air Scarf would mean more occasions to use the car roof down, the extended leather dash option really makes the cabin feel more premium than a standard 3er/4er. The digital cockpit lifts the age of the car considerably even if it doesn’t offer anything over full black panel. Carplay is an easy activation assuming you have ID5 or ID6 (all should).

Zero7

568 posts

211 months

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Monday 26th September 2022

How about a 440i, I'm thinking of a GC which has loads of practicality and doesn't look too bad either

Pistonheader101

2,206 posts

135 months

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Monday 26th September 2022

340i with mppsk kit

Zero7

568 posts

211 months

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Monday 26th September 2022

Pistonheader101 said:

340i with mppsk kit

Can they be had for 20k with the kit?

paradigital

1,095 posts

180 months

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Monday 26th September 2022

Zero7 said:

Can they be had for 20k with the kit?

With a touch over average mileage, probably. The kit can (still) be added for around £1,500 - £1,700.

BenGpistonhead

Original Poster

144 posts

63 months

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Monday 26th September 2022

ZX10R NIN said:

thank you! What should i be looking out for when looking for the m240i's? Ive been a passenger in one and it was all over the road!

i do quite like jag's but i think if i were to get a jag i would just save up and get an F type as ive heard every other jag is very much an 'old mans car'.. i forgot to mention i'm 22.

the Alfa is far too slow for me personally.. i have almost double the torque in my current car so it would be a huge downgrade in both power and quality/looks in my opinion.

the infiniti looks interesting, seems to tick most the boxes. I don't know too much about them to be honest. I will definitely have a look into these.

640i does tick all the boxes however i don't think they sound that great which is quite a big downside for me, coming from a diesel i want a nice sounding petrol.

i want to avoid anything audi at all costs. everyone i've ever known to own an audi has said the same to me. They are nightmare to own and are miles behind on quality and performance swell as being incredibly unreliable.

i am leaning more towards an m240i but find them to be quite 'common' ish cars. Im after something that sounds nice, with nice interior and is reasonably fast (atleast sub 5 sec 0-60 as a min). the thing im finding is that the cars that tick all those boxes are BMW or cars that have very high maintenance.

BenGpistonhead

Original Poster

144 posts

63 months

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[news]

Monday 26th September 2022

roca1976 said:

I had similar budget and ended up with W212 E63 AMG. MCT dual clutch with NA 6.2.
Interior is lovely place to be.
With your budget should be able to get the slightly more efficient 5.5 biturbo.
V8 RS4 was close second place, just little older/ higher mileage for same cash.

E63 is a beast of a car but personally im not a great fan of the long saloon look and the interior is a huge downgrade compared to my current BMW which does also put me off.

BenGpistonhead

Original Poster

144 posts

63 months

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Monday 26th September 2022

Zero7 said:

How about a 440i, I'm thinking of a GC which has loads of practicality and doesn't look too bad either

to be honest a 440i would be absolutely perfect if i hadn't already (currently) own a 4 series.. it ticks all the boxes, looks by far the best out of all the cars posted in the thread, sounds nice, is fast, has great interior...but im just concerned i would get bored fast having already owned a 4 series which is just as quick..