Fun daily occasional track car for 20k less than 5yrs old

[tomwilliams0326]

So I’m looking to buy a new car in March 2021
And so far I’m stuck between a 2017 m140i and a 2018 Hyundai i30n performance
I have a Max budget of 20k and ideally don’t want a car less than 5 years old
Now I love the German quality of the bmw, and the rwd but I also like the shoutyness and almost childishness of the i30n with its bodykit and amazing exhaust just the let down slightly of the interior and fwd
I just want to know your opinions on both and which you think would be worth it
Any other cars you think i should consider I would love to hear about.
Need it as a daily so around 30mpg at least and plan to go to the Nurburgring if corona lets me in 2021!
It’ll do around 15k miles a year with my total commute being a 50 mile round trip.

[zestyfesty]

Haven't driven either (owned an E82 125i manual). What about a BRZ/GT86? They're cracking on circuit (likely more fun than both your shortlisters), we get great fuel consumption around town and its a perfectly decent daily too.

[MrC986]

A 135/140i are great cars though depending on where you live could be a magnet for “scrotes” - A couple of friends have had them and used them on track (with one having experienced having his car taken from him). A set of uprated front brake pads and brake fluid are the first improvement for track use & some good tyres & they remap easily.

I can’t speak for the Hyundai but I guess it would do the job without doubt, so would a Golf GTi or even an A45 AMG (just in your budget) and if you didn’t need 4 seats/doors, a Nissan 370Z could be a good alternative.

[ZX10R NIN]

Megane RS265/275 with the Cup Chassis great on track & very much a drivers car

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011116...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011065...

If you can live with two seats then the 370Z Nismo is the imo the pick, a proper drivers cars & it'll daily with ease real world mixed driving will see 26-28mpg.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011126...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010315...

Civic Type R GT sometimes overlooked but I rate these as a better steer than both of your options but it may no be the best daily.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007020...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009183...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010305...

Leftfield:

Lookout for the 2.3 Ecoboost Mustang you get the odd one with around 60k on the clock for your budget, they're a good car but you'll get your 30mpg average.

Budget stretch & hard haggling M4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010114...

The VFM pick is the Astra GTC VXR, they're good on the track (the LSD & revoknuckle setup help) & is a nice daily (a nice set of heated Recaros) you'll get a newish one for your budget too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009113...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010165...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006130...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009053...

[jwilco]

Sounds like you're willing to accept some compromises so the Leon Cupra is worth having on the list. You'd easily get a 2 or 3 year old one under budget. They are stealthy, fast, practical, comfortable and pretty reasonable on the economy and fun. Fairly hard to beat as an all rounder.

[Spidersleg]

jwilco said:

Sounds like you're willing to accept some compromises so the Leon Cupra is worth having on the list. You'd easily get a 2 or 3 year old one under budget. They are stealthy, fast, practical, comfortable and pretty reasonable on the economy and fun. Fairly hard to beat as an all rounder.

This.
My cupra goes back in a year, so I'm thinking what to replace it with and really struggling. Probably end up buying a cupra 300

[Jamescrs]

I own a 240i so same engine as the 140i and I love the car but depending on the type of driving you do daily you are unlikely to see at least 30mpg on average, unless you are mainly clear motorways but if you want to actually enjoy the car then min 30mpg is not realistic, mine shows an average of 26mpg.

[tomsugden]

Audi S1, and you'll see 40mpg if you drive sensibly.

[colin79666]

Bit of an alternative option at half your budget, Suzuki Swift Sport 2nd generation. Nothing like the straight line pace of the above but it makes up for it in handling by being lightweight and nimble. There is a reason why rent 4 ring used them for years at Nurburgring, good handling and pretty bulletproof. I average around 40 mpg in mine, was a hoot on a B road.

Edited by colin79666 on Saturday 14th November 19:39

[anonymous-user]

tomwilliams0326 said:

Need it as a daily so around 30mpg at least and plan to go to the Nurburgring if corona lets me in 2021!
It’ll do around 15k miles a year with my total commute being a 50 mile round trip.

On a run the B58 is quite frugal, I can manage mid 40's in my 340i but I guess it depends on the nature of your commute. Around town and giving it some poke on occasion I'm averaging 27.8 but that's a hell of a lot of short trips and cold starts.

[g40steve]

Set of decent pads & the Meganes are hard to beat, handling is sublime & very accomplished package.
Three or five door models available, decent boot, running costs including Trackday use is minimal.
Get the right options & you could actually walk away without losing money.

[tomwilliams0326]

Yeah the 140i seems tempting tbh! But the inner child on me thinks the shoutiness of the i30 would be awesome.
Just wondering what are peoples thought on a fwd performance car? Are they compromised compared to there rwd competition?

[Latters]

tomwilliams0326 said:

Yeah the 140i seems tempting tbh! But the inner child on me thinks the shoutiness of the i30 would be awesome.
Just wondering what are peoples thought on a fwd performance car? Are they compromised compared to there rwd competition?

I’ve got an M140i with the upgraded M Performance exhaust and it sounds awesome. It doesn’t pop, per se, on the overrun, more rumbles. It’s a very satisfying noise.

The i30N sounds good for a four cylinder turbo. The m140i just sounds good, full stop.

[Jamescrs]

tomwilliams0326 said:

Yeah the 140i seems tempting tbh! But the inner child on me thinks the shoutiness of the i30 would be awesome.
Just wondering what are peoples thought on a fwd performance car? Are they compromised compared to there rwd competition?

Depends on your view I guess, I own a 240i and a R53 Mini Cooper S which is mainly a track car now, I can't honestly say I've had any less fun in the Mini because it's front wheel drive, I love it on track. The rear wheel drive of the BMW does add an extra something for sure but I think it's very subjective and something you need to decide for yourself.

Have you had a drive in either car yet?

[06andiano]

I have an I30n, I've used it for some track work. It does very well as standard tbh, the brakes don't fade much at all and I was able to compete with most things on the days. Practically day to day it works great too for me.
M140i would take a few mods to get it track ready imo, as previosuly discussed by a few people its a good 7-8/10ths car, beyond that it loses composure.

[tomwilliams0326]

Interesting, thanks for all the input! Considering I don’t have much experience with a rwd fast car, do you think with the 140i that’ll be an issue? I’m not the type to try and push the car on public roads or just act unsafe, but more on track do you think I should almost test the waters of having a fast car with something fwd first?

[Burgerbob]

I wouldn't be concerned about the rwd in the BMW if that's the car you fancy.

Often discounted by many, but you could look at the Peugeot 308 GTi. It is surprisingly well made, comfortable and with a 1.6 you get good mileage. Its got 270bhp and is lighter than most is competitors. Its never been officially timed round the nurburgring, but there is a chap who races them there who also owned one. He reckons with the right conditions he could get round in 7:50.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11026675?c...