///M Power family car - £20-25k. Or what else to consider?

[Daaaveee]

After being out of the M fold for nearly 10 years now, I'm fortunate enough to be in the position to re-enter again soon.

Have previously owned an E60 M5, as epic as it was, it always felt a bit of a barge and nose heavy to me. We had an E90 330i M Sport some time after, and for the roads I frequent this felt like a better size and weight, hence I am now leaning towards an F80 M3.

I haven't discounted an E90 though, and feel for my 20-25k budget, I may be scraping the barrel a bit for the F80, plus the E90 may have better residuals.

The F10 M5 and F06 M6GC also seem to be just about available for the budget as well, however unsure on the upsizing, as well as potential upsizing of bills?!

Any thoughts on the above appreciated, or any other family friendly high performance suggestions if you were in my position?

[Inspectorclueso]

Hi, I'd certainty recommend an F80 M3, I have an M4 and it's been very useable, I can only imagine the M3 adds practicality. However, as you point out, you may struggle at £25k, looks like £30ish is more realistic for a decent one after a brief scan on AT.

A couple of options that come to mind, Merc C43 - looks like £25k gets a decent saloon, or you could go estate for a few more quid, or how about an Alfa Giulia Veloce - the 280 BHP version. Looks like £25k gets you a decent 19 plate with high spec....

I'm not an Audi fan, but I guess you could go S4. I have looked at M5's after having an E39 (epic, why did I sell it) but I concluded I'd only run one under warranty, hence you're looking at BMW dealer or a rare private sale with transferable...

[Pistonheader101]

The obvious answer here is the 340i with the mppsk kit

[Mr Tidy]

I'd go for a manual E90 M3 for the last of the N/A V8s.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say if you can find a good F80 then go for it.

M3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210130...

V8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110299...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...

M5 with a years AUC Warranty:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208028...


Alternates.

Maserati Ghibli S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210100...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208098...

E63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210040...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209099...

[cerb4.5lee]

I absolutely love my F82 M4 as an all round performance car, and I can't think of many cars that are better for me. So I'd definitely recommend the F80 M3 with its added family ease factor with the rear doors/3 rear seats(I have a missus and 2 kids but I prefer coupes to saloons though).

As mentioned the E90 M3 has its appeal too, and you can't get many cars nowadays that have a V8 engine mated to a 3 pedal manual gearbox(even though I'd argue that the DCT suits the engine better).

[ZX10R NIN]

Have to agree the DCT ia a much better match to the V8.

[Daaaveee]

Thanks for the replies all, some good food for thought.

I've noticed there are also a few manual F80s kicking about... the thing is are autos that good these days that only the die hard enthusiasts buy the manual? I do like the extra engagement they give but feel like I'd be better off getting a second car, something older, smaller and lighter for that manual drivers car kick.

The M5 with approved used warranty is also a good shout, possibly even more so as I have heard in the past you can sometimes negotiate that to two years if you're lucky?

The Ghibli is a little too left field for me, although I am a fan of the rarity, it doesn't quite have the looks in my eyes.

The E63 is definitely worth a look though, honestly they hadn't really hit my radar yet, and look a little more up to date in comparison to the F10, although that may be a bit tainted by having owned an F11 535i in the past.

[cerb4.5lee]

Daaaveee said:

I've noticed there are also a few manual F80s kicking about... the thing is are autos that good these days that only the die hard enthusiasts buy the manual? I do like the extra engagement they give but feel like I'd be better off getting a second car, something older, smaller and lighter for that manual drivers car kick.

I have the DCT in the F82 M4 and I think that it really suits the car(fast car/fast gearbox), however it is my daily though. Whereas for an occasional/weekend car I would probably go in the direction of a 3 pedal manual (my 370Z has a manual gearbox for example).

[cerb4.5lee]

Daaaveee said:

The M5 with approved used warranty is also a good shout, possibly even more so as I have heard in the past you can sometimes negotiate that to two years if you're lucky?

Funnily enough I was only looking at M5's last night. I've always liked them and their performance, however I'd imagine that I'd struggle to keep up with the fuel bills though!

[ZX10R NIN]

CLS 63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208128...

[E63eeeeee...]

Daaaveee said:

The E63 is definitely worth a look though, honestly they hadn't really hit my radar yet, and look a little more up to date in comparison to the F10, although that may be a bit tainted by having owned an F11 535i in the past.

While the E63 is awesome, it has to be said that the interior design and build quality, and the infotainment, are better in the F10 (and F13 for that matter).

I'm comparing the E63 estate with an F10 550i saloon, but pretty sure there's more room in the back of the Merc, if that's important, and the boot is bigger.