Smallish and comfy, but not boring. £20 to 25k?
Discussion
What's out there that's not too big ( 3 series size max), reasonably interesting to drive (at least 250bhp), comfortable ride on rubbish roads, and costs no more than £25k?
Currently have a 2019 M140i, which does everything I need apart from having a crashy ride at normal speeds on poor road surfaces.
This was brought home to me when I had a 530d as a courtesy car last week - ride was far more compliant. 5 series is a bit big for me though, struggle to get 3 cars on the drive.
My day to day car is a 2022 Citroen C3 Aircross, which is very comfy and practical, but a bit slow, and very boring to drive. I still find myself picking it over the M140i most of the time though.
Previous "interesting" cars have been a 911 964, Z4, Boxster 987, Mercedes C220d coupe, and Abarth 595. Not looking to try any of those again.
Currently have a 2019 M140i, which does everything I need apart from having a crashy ride at normal speeds on poor road surfaces.
This was brought home to me when I had a 530d as a courtesy car last week - ride was far more compliant. 5 series is a bit big for me though, struggle to get 3 cars on the drive.
My day to day car is a 2022 Citroen C3 Aircross, which is very comfy and practical, but a bit slow, and very boring to drive. I still find myself picking it over the M140i most of the time though.
Previous "interesting" cars have been a 911 964, Z4, Boxster 987, Mercedes C220d coupe, and Abarth 595. Not looking to try any of those again.
clockworks said:
What's out there that's not too big ( 3 series size max), reasonably interesting to drive (at least 250bhp), comfortable ride on rubbish roads, and costs no more than £25k?
Currently have a 2019 M140i, which does everything I need apart from having a crashy ride at normal speeds on poor road surfaces.
This was brought home to me when I had a 530d as a courtesy car last week - ride was far more compliant. 5 series is a bit big for me though, struggle to get 3 cars on the drive.
My day to day car is a 2022 Citroen C3 Aircross, which is very comfy and practical, but a bit slow, and very boring to drive. I still find myself picking it over the M140i most of the time though.
Previous "interesting" cars have been a 911 964, Z4, Boxster 987, Mercedes C220d coupe, and Abarth 595. Not looking to try any of those again.
Why are you choosing the C3 over the M140i? Currently have a 2019 M140i, which does everything I need apart from having a crashy ride at normal speeds on poor road surfaces.
This was brought home to me when I had a 530d as a courtesy car last week - ride was far more compliant. 5 series is a bit big for me though, struggle to get 3 cars on the drive.
My day to day car is a 2022 Citroen C3 Aircross, which is very comfy and practical, but a bit slow, and very boring to drive. I still find myself picking it over the M140i most of the time though.
Previous "interesting" cars have been a 911 964, Z4, Boxster 987, Mercedes C220d coupe, and Abarth 595. Not looking to try any of those again.
survivalist said:
clockworks said:
What's out there that's not too big ( 3 series size max), reasonably interesting to drive (at least 250bhp), comfortable ride on rubbish roads, and costs no more than £25k?
Currently have a 2019 M140i, which does everything I need apart from having a crashy ride at normal speeds on poor road surfaces.
This was brought home to me when I had a 530d as a courtesy car last week - ride was far more compliant. 5 series is a bit big for me though, struggle to get 3 cars on the drive.
My day to day car is a 2022 Citroen C3 Aircross, which is very comfy and practical, but a bit slow, and very boring to drive. I still find myself picking it over the M140i most of the time though.
Previous "interesting" cars have been a 911 964, Z4, Boxster 987, Mercedes C220d coupe, and Abarth 595. Not looking to try any of those again.
Why are you choosing the C3 over the M140i? Currently have a 2019 M140i, which does everything I need apart from having a crashy ride at normal speeds on poor road surfaces.
This was brought home to me when I had a 530d as a courtesy car last week - ride was far more compliant. 5 series is a bit big for me though, struggle to get 3 cars on the drive.
My day to day car is a 2022 Citroen C3 Aircross, which is very comfy and practical, but a bit slow, and very boring to drive. I still find myself picking it over the M140i most of the time though.
Previous "interesting" cars have been a 911 964, Z4, Boxster 987, Mercedes C220d coupe, and Abarth 595. Not looking to try any of those again.
georgeyboy12345 said:
survivalist said:
clockworks said:
What's out there that's not too big ( 3 series size max), reasonably interesting to drive (at least 250bhp), comfortable ride on rubbish roads, and costs no more than £25k?
Currently have a 2019 M140i, which does everything I need apart from having a crashy ride at normal speeds on poor road surfaces.
This was brought home to me when I had a 530d as a courtesy car last week - ride was far more compliant. 5 series is a bit big for me though, struggle to get 3 cars on the drive.
My day to day car is a 2022 Citroen C3 Aircross, which is very comfy and practical, but a bit slow, and very boring to drive. I still find myself picking it over the M140i most of the time though.
Previous "interesting" cars have been a 911 964, Z4, Boxster 987, Mercedes C220d coupe, and Abarth 595. Not looking to try any of those again.
Why are you choosing the C3 over the M140i? Currently have a 2019 M140i, which does everything I need apart from having a crashy ride at normal speeds on poor road surfaces.
This was brought home to me when I had a 530d as a courtesy car last week - ride was far more compliant. 5 series is a bit big for me though, struggle to get 3 cars on the drive.
My day to day car is a 2022 Citroen C3 Aircross, which is very comfy and practical, but a bit slow, and very boring to drive. I still find myself picking it over the M140i most of the time though.
Previous "interesting" cars have been a 911 964, Z4, Boxster 987, Mercedes C220d coupe, and Abarth 595. Not looking to try any of those again.
I'm choosing the C3 because it's more comfortable for pootling around in at normal speeds on rubbish local roads.
I forgot to add a Skoda Superb 280 to the list of vaguely interesting cars that I've owned.
The C3 Aircross was bought to be my "business" car, as it's the smallest car that I could find that'll easily carry an 8 foot load. I find myself using it for non-business uses too.
Although the Aircross and the M140i are both 5 door hatches of similar size, they are quite a bit different. Maybe not different enough though?
Maybe I should take a punt on smaller wheels, or a suspension upgrade? The M140i is probably going to hold more of it's value than anything else at the price and age. Or just drop down to one car.
I forgot to add a Skoda Superb 280 to the list of vaguely interesting cars that I've owned.
The C3 Aircross was bought to be my "business" car, as it's the smallest car that I could find that'll easily carry an 8 foot load. I find myself using it for non-business uses too.
Although the Aircross and the M140i are both 5 door hatches of similar size, they are quite a bit different. Maybe not different enough though?
Maybe I should take a punt on smaller wheels, or a suspension upgrade? The M140i is probably going to hold more of it's value than anything else at the price and age. Or just drop down to one car.
clockworks said:
I'm choosing the C3 because it's more comfortable for pootling around in at normal speeds on rubbish local roads.
I forgot to add a Skoda Superb 280 to the list of vaguely interesting cars that I've owned.
The C3 Aircross was bought to be my "business" car, as it's the smallest car that I could find that'll easily carry an 8 foot load. I find myself using it for non-business uses too.
Although the Aircross and the M140i are both 5 door hatches of similar size, they are quite a bit different. Maybe not different enough though?
Maybe I should take a punt on smaller wheels, or a suspension upgrade? The M140i is probably going to hold more of it's value than anything else at the price and age. Or just drop down to one car.
I’d suggest looking at the smaller wheels and a suspension upgrade, ditch the run flats if you have them. Get Birds BMW to take you out in their demonstrator - I had a 130i (previous gen) with their suspension and it was great on British B-roads. I forgot to add a Skoda Superb 280 to the list of vaguely interesting cars that I've owned.
The C3 Aircross was bought to be my "business" car, as it's the smallest car that I could find that'll easily carry an 8 foot load. I find myself using it for non-business uses too.
Although the Aircross and the M140i are both 5 door hatches of similar size, they are quite a bit different. Maybe not different enough though?
Maybe I should take a punt on smaller wheels, or a suspension upgrade? The M140i is probably going to hold more of it's value than anything else at the price and age. Or just drop down to one car.
If you’re going all out it’s probably worth installing an LSD as well.
Other option would be 340/335i.
I've been thinking about the Birds suspension for a few months. If it resolves my issues with the car, it would be cheaper than swapping cars. If it doesn't, then I'm £2k down.
If I lived closer, I'd book a demo with them. 500 mile round trip though.
Were BMW still fitting RFTs in 2019? I had them on a 2007 E61, getting rid made a big difference. Pretty sure my car doesn't have them, but I'll have a closer look at the markings.
If I lived closer, I'd book a demo with them. 500 mile round trip though.
Were BMW still fitting RFTs in 2019? I had them on a 2007 E61, getting rid made a big difference. Pretty sure my car doesn't have them, but I'll have a closer look at the markings.
clockworks said:
I've been thinking about the Birds suspension for a few months. If it resolves my issues with the car, it would be cheaper than swapping cars. If it doesn't, then I'm £2k down.
If I lived closer, I'd book a demo with them. 500 mile round trip though.
Were BMW still fitting RFTs in 2019? I had them on a 2007 E61, getting rid made a big difference. Pretty sure my car doesn't have them, but I'll have a closer look at the markings.
They were. Do you have a spare in the boot? Changed ours to non rft and difference night and day.If I lived closer, I'd book a demo with them. 500 mile round trip though.
Were BMW still fitting RFTs in 2019? I had them on a 2007 E61, getting rid made a big difference. Pretty sure my car doesn't have them, but I'll have a closer look at the markings.
bennno said:
They were. Do you have a spare in the boot? Changed ours to non rft and difference night and day.
It's fitted with Pilot Supersports. No spare, no space to put even a space-saver, as the battery is right in the middle.Did they do the PSS as runflats? Can't see any obvious markings
clockworks said:
It's fitted with Pilot Supersports. No spare, no space to put even a space-saver, as the battery is right in the middle.
Did they do the PSS as runflats? Can't see any obvious markings
Pilot super sport zp is a run flat, it will have zp on the sidewall if it’s a run flat.Did they do the PSS as runflats? Can't see any obvious markings
ScoobyChris said:
clockworks said:
It's fitted with Pilot Supersports. No spare, no space to put even a space-saver, as the battery is right in the middle.
Did they do the PSS as runflats? Can't see any obvious markings
No - runflats were Bridgestone something or other.Did they do the PSS as runflats? Can't see any obvious markings
Chris
SWoll said:
Surely just keep the C3 for all of the boring daily stuff and buy something far more interesting than the M140i to get your kicks as it's clearly not special enough if a bit of a poor ride stops you picking up the keys?
Like what?I'm 66 in a few months, that's why I'm looking for something comfy and relatively easy to get in and out of - back and knees aren't as good as they used to be.
Reaction times and spatial awareness are also slipping a bit, so "hooning" around the lanes has less appeal. I can really only get my kicks from a bit of rapid acceleration and some overtaking.
Back in the day, I built a Westfield. I had a 964 for 3 years, a Boxster S for 2 years. I've had a few convertibles - a couple of MX-5s, a Z4, and a Cooper S. Out and out sports cars will be a bit "hard-core" for my back and knees, and convertibles are just too unrefined (wind noise).
I'm avoiding VW group, after bad experiences with a Superb and a Touareg. Rules out Audi for me.
I find Mercedes interiors a bit too chintzy.
Not too wide, so I can get it on the driveway, and down the local lanes without worrying too much.
That leaves me looking at 3 and 4 series
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