Hot hatch £5000

[jordmcd151]

Long story short I have recently sold my F11 530d after my weekly mileage dramatically reduced and the need for a diesel was non existent.

I have a cheap to run polo 6R as a daily (kept this with the BMW)

Back to the title.. I am now looking for a hot hatch for weekend and occasional track work up to £5,000 under 100,000. Particularly keen on a clio RS 182/197/200 etc.

What're the opinions on cars that fit this description?

[jordmcd151]

Thanks for the suggestions

I'd not considered a focus st.
What mods did you do to yours?

The NA engines are appealing but I don't know if I'd be left wanting more and then it gets very expensive very quickly.

[jordmcd151]

RichFN2 said:

had my FN2 a few years now and although something faster would be nice i never find myself 'needing' more power or wishing i had more, my previous car was a manual 330 which had similar performance but was much heavier and lazy.

You need a flashpro & mapping which is the best part of £1000 to 'remap' an FN2/EP3 but that will get you about 15bhp with a lower VTEC. While doing it you might aswell go for an exhaust, intake and IMO bigger cams but that's about £3000 for £250bhp max, would be fairly savage though.

If your tempted to mod then i would go for the 2.5 ST

I think I've been spoilt with the torque my 530d put out.

Circa 200bhp should be plenty and I think as a weekend/track car there is something to be said about high revs.. Maybe makes it more special??

How have you found your FN2? It's a lot of car for the money when looking on Auto Trader.

[jordmcd151]

stevekoz said:

So i was recently in your position and it came down to the ST or the Megane F1 for me - went with the megane. It just felt a tiny bit more alive than the Ford and the maintenance didn't scare me too much. But it is a bit more involved spanner wise probably. The focus felt good but i've not lived with one long term, i shall refrain from comment on the ST more than that.

I did look at the clio, but it just didn't have the go that the megane offered with the turbo, you had to wind it up quite high but it soon felt a little lacking for me, so that was another reason for the F1.

In terms of other likely candidates, you've mentioned the Type R - i have had an EP3 and FN2 and they are both different, but fairly good. There is a lot of naysayers about the FN2 - it doesn't handle quite as well as the EP3 - only in so far it doesn't feel as alive. An EP3 will cost you more for a good one over an FN2 - but i liked the design and feel of the FN2 and it never felt like it was lacking in the performance stakes. Just not quite as honed as its predecessor.

My other option would be a 130i - you can pick up for about £5-6k with decent mileage on. I had a 5dr Le Mans Blue one, with the N52 engine and the non assisted steering, and it was a great car. I made changes to the suspension with LCA's from an e46 M3 and new shocks and springs by Birds - check them out. It was totally worth it and i would very much recommend one if N/A is the way you want to go - with the 265hp it felt alive and zingy at any rev point and never felt like it was running out of puff, unlike the clio. Plus on top, it had a a nicer cabin/build quality - i can't recommend them enough really. I know its out your price bracket and did see one for sale recently at £7k with the aftermarket BMWP parts and LSD fitted - well worth the money if you can get a deal on it and its still for sale.

I have a thread in readers cars talking about the F1 R26 - i'm in love with it to be honest, i think its great, so for me, that was the choice i made and i'm happy with it, totally. I can definitely say they put a smile on your face.

Thanks for such a thorough reply.
A bit more spanner work doesn't matter too much I'd like to think I wouldn't shy away from most jobs.
How has your megane been?

I'll have to look into the 130i. I would own another BMW. Yes I agree the cabin would be a step up in quality.

I'll go through your thread. Thanks for the opinions!

[jordmcd151]

Thanks again for all the input everyone. It's been really helpful.

I've lined up a handful of viewings this weekend.

Honda Civic EP3 and FN2
Cooper S supercharged version
Clio 200

Hopefully see a focus st and a golf GTI at some point next week.

[jordmcd151]

Sam-uof9s said:

A note of caution if you consider the Mini.

They are amazing cars, but very delicate - and not a daily driver IMO.

Spend 2.5K and budget the same for troubles and fixed, unless you are handy with a spanner and have a pit/lift.

Even though ownership was a financial and emotional nightmare, I still wish I'd kept it - weird right?

Thanks for such a thorough reply. I'm fortunate enough that's it would just be a weekend car.

I have access to a pit and I'm fairly handy with the spanners.

Financial pits.. That's cars right? haha

stevekoz said:

I am not sure where you are. But oddly enough i have a friend whos car i just detailed for sale.

R53 supercharged Mini Cooper S
Fully loaded.

It's in good condition and cheap too leave you money in your budget - https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2747323337...

It may be worth a look.

Thanks Stevekoz, I did message the seller but the car had a deposit placed.

[jordmcd151]

Only managed to see 2 cars this weekend.. Clio 200 and a CTR FN2.
Mini and EP3 were sold

My quick opinions on each....

Clio 200 - Test drive in the dry
Pros
Plenty of front end grip even with some ditch finder tyres
Felt compliant on the test drive when compared to the civic
High revving engine was fun to work
Cabin was better than expected
Exhaust volume was good.
Strong brakes.

Cons
Seats in this example had 'bent' bolsters (I know this doesn't apply to all clios)
Cabin still felt cheap when compared to my polo 2010 moda.
Didn't feel as quick as what I expected.
4th gear was crunching on a 67k 2010 car.


CTR - Test drive was in the rain
Pros
Vtec sounds is good and feels like you go faster than you actually are
Feels more grown up compared to the clio
A surprising amount of room in the boot with the seats flat. This really did shock me.
Grip felt good couldn't compare to clio due to the weather and ditch finder tyres
Seats felt supportive
Futuristic rpm gauge

Cons
Very firm ride even on a fairly smooth road

[jordmcd151]

I test drove an R56 Cooper S and R53 Cooper S tonight.

I bought the R53 Cooper S

The car was in superb condition and the previous owners (4) had taken really good care of it.

In the last 4 years (20k miles)
Timing chain done 20k ago in 2016 (off the top of my head)
New exhaust
2 new wheel bearings for the front
New brakes front and rear
New driveshafts
Interior was immaculate
Xenon lights

Happy with what I paid for it.
Collecting it tomorrow

Thanks to everyone for their input.

[jordmcd151]

Rustybits said:

Good work, now reward us with pics!