Potential upgrade

[pb8g09]

Hi all,
Looking for some thoughts to help push decision making along.

Currently run a BMW M235i. Car I always wanted but whilst it's been great for my short 20 mile each way commute (motorway) and monthly 100 miles of weekend activities, I haven't really gelled with it when pushing on/having fun. I find the ride a bit uneasy and disconnected, leaving me with little confidence and it also doesn't feel that special besides the noise. Insurance has seriously gone up to the point that residuals are dropping hard and whilst I can take the cost, it seems somewhat mad that I can insure similar cars (Golf R/S3 etc.) for less or more exciting metal for the same (Cayman etc.).

TLDR: Looking at therefore moving it on for something a bit more special-to-me feeling without a significant step up in maintenance costs (currently around £1k a year).
Budget: Whatever I can get for the M235i (approx. £13k) plus up to £15k cash.
Must haves: Boot big enough to be useful (odd minor tip run, golf clubs, B&Q purchase, Christmas shop), under 6 secs to 60 (though more bothered about 30-70mph in reality, but not keen on axle tramp...), not convertible unless hard top (won't be garaged and used all year), 25mpg+, ULEZ compliant as family based in London. I do about 5k miles a year but don't want to buy something leggy that's going to become needy within 2 years.

Current thoughts are 4.0 Mercedes C63, Porsche Cayman 981. I've always been BMW but I suspect insurance has steepened on all their 6 cylinder stuff and not just the 1/2 series models but happy to be taught otherwise. Thoughts on alternatives or feedback much welcomed!

[CG2020UK]

Going to shamelessly pump the M2 in here and be the most unimaginative poster in this thread

Quite the upgrade on the M235i it’s like a completely different car.

Running costs should be the same if you get an OG N55 car. Insurance is what it is unfortunately and could be the same.

Maybe find a bit more for a Yaris GR?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

Edited by CG2020UK on Friday 5th April 22:51

[Jag_NE]

Sorry I know I’m being a dick but I’ve never seen a TLDR that was longer that the first piece

[ridds]

Jag_NE said:

Sorry I know I’m being a dick but I’ve never seen a TLDR that was longer that the first piece

[MC Bodge]

Jag_NE said:

Sorry I know I’m being a dick but I’ve never seen a TLDR that was longer that the first piece

The TL:DR was too long. I didn't read it.

[pb8g09]

Ha fair, I think I meant ignore the backstory and get to the brass tacks of it!

[MC Bodge]

pb8g09 said:

Ha fair, I think I meant ignore the backstory and get to the brass tacks of it!

Please summarise the tldr

[SmithCorona]

M2C is probably right on paper, but won't feel too far departed from the 235i, so you will be bored in three months. We preferred the 235i tbh. C63 205 is to be honest nothing more than a noise, ride is awful on the pre-facelift, which is where your budget is (though the coupe is better than the W or T), and you won't have opportunity to stretch its legs over 5k miles per annum.

Look at a 5.0 RCF Lexus or an F type.

[blacksun80]

If you like convertibles take a look at F83-generation M4 with hard top, you can get a nice one for 25k - good and sporty 4 seater car that you can also use to commute.
But of course different experience than a with 2 seater sports cars like a boxster
(I had an M4 for 2years)

[M.F.D]

Yaris GR-Four is surely a contender? Top of your budget but does everything and more importantly hits your 'special' brief.

Megane Trophy 300 in manual? Last proper Renaultsport product and will be an awesome steer.

GR86? Perhaps not amazingly practical, but special and ticks your boxes.

M2/M3 are obvious answers, but running costs will likely be more. Even the OG N55 M2 will be a step up in terms of consumables.

[fflump]

I'd advise some time out of BMWs just got a change of scene.
The C63 or Cayman you mention may be a bit of a leap in terms of running costs?

They are also very different propositions in terms of practicality which makes recommendations tricky.

Have you considered a CLA45 shooting break? Always liked the look of these as a package but not big enough for 3 teenagers in the back. Never driven one though-I imagine the engine needs working quite hard though that could be part of the appeal.

[pb8g09]

Thanks for he sensible reply…

My thoughts on anything 4 cylindery is I’ll have plenty of time for those in 5-10 years. I feel like this is my last opportunity for a “big engine” motor.

981 cayman’s seem to have a similar running cost to my current, the c63 is a bit more. I don’t mind paying £1-2k a year to keep something tip top, I just don’t want to be paying £5k for borkage (I.e. Maserati territory). The F-Type seems to be appearing in a lot of my searches but I don’t know anything about them from an ownership perspective.

[fflump]

pb8g09 said:

Thanks for he sensible reply…

My thoughts on anything 4 cylindery is I’ll have plenty of time for those in 5-10 years. I feel like this is my last opportunity for a “big engine” motor.

981 cayman’s seem to have a similar running cost to my current, the c63 is a bit more. I don’t mind paying £1-2k a year to keep something tip top, I just don’t want to be paying £5k for borkage (I.e. Maserati territory). The F-Type seems to be appearing in a lot of my searches but I don’t know anything about them from an ownership perspective.

What is it exactly about Maseratis that make them a greater bork potential?
Do they even have a car that you'd be interested in?
If I had £30k to drop on a 2+2 GT the Granturismo Sport would be very tempting, but I'm a bit of a fanboy (though don't own one currently). As with most modern cars its all about servicing/maintenance/history and a thorough PPI!

[Belle427]

A Cayman wont be much use on a tip run but its got to be a contender.
The M2 is a good shout though, im considering one next but maybe too close to your existing car.
Could you live with the looks of a Civic Type R as they are very practical and fun cars.

[M.F.D]

pb8g09 said:

Thanks for he sensible reply…

My thoughts on anything 4 cylindery is I’ll have plenty of time for those in 5-10 years. I feel like this is my last opportunity for a “big engine” motor.

981 cayman’s seem to have a similar running cost to my current, the c63 is a bit more. I don’t mind paying £1-2k a year to keep something tip top, I just don’t want to be paying £5k for borkage (I.e. Maserati territory). The F-Type seems to be appearing in a lot of my searches but I don’t know anything about them from an ownership perspective.

Fair enough, I get that. The Porsche must be up there then, I just don't have any first hand experience to provide advice.

What about a Mustang 5.0 V8? Not sure how special it would be in terms of driving dynamics, but I have friends who love theirs.

[LeeM135i]

I traded my M135i in for a C63S coupe just over 3 years ago. It's a great car, great noise, very fast, very reliable but the running costs, tax and insurance do add up. Depending on how you drive it you should get 25 mpg, I manage 30-35 mpg on a run and I've averaged 26.6mpg over the last 2000 miles. It's been a very reliable car with only a coil pack and squeaky aux belts needed over serviceable items. The real cost comes from Mercedes servicing, brakes (big discs and 6 pot callipers) and tyres (285/30/20 on the rear of mine), there is an AMG tax at MB dealers (similar to the M car tax t BMW) you should be able to keep this down if you find a good indy. Its very happy to pottle around in Comfort mode making a great noise and will then squat down and really get a move on in Sport + or Race.

The coupe is a lot more special than the saloon, wider tracks, high strength steel sub frames and steering boxes, have a look through the old you tube videos from its launch. The C63 coupe only shares the boot lid, doors and roof with the standard C class coupe as it's both longer and wider.

I also looked at (opinions are mine and not meant to offend)
Cayman (not a 911)
911(lovely but needed to be driven hard to feel special and I could only afford an older car)
Aston V8V (scary running costs and I could only afford an older one)
Jag F Type (Jag don't have the greatest reputation for reliability)
Toyota GT86 (didn't feel fast or special)
M2/3/4 (Loved the M2 but to similar to the M135i in my head)

The V8 noise is really special if you like that kind of thing!!

[pb8g09]

Thanks for the detailed replies.

Interesting info on the coupe- I wasn’t aware it was that much different to the saloon.

Mustangs have also intrigued, I think I’d need to sit in one to decide if I’d like it having heard about build quality.

Definitely agree that a 911 of vintage i’d want is far out my budget sadly.

[Ezra]

My eldest son has been sniffing around M4's recently and we went out a few weeks ago and took a couple of franchised dealer used examples out for a spin. They were awesome. Definitely franchised examples with warranty etc in your price range with good mileage and nicely specced, even Competition Package ones. Think that's where I'd be heading with your requirements.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202401296015620...

[ZX10R NIN]

At this price point I'd find it hard to look past an M3 (for me they're the best looking car in this class) the only downside is the sound but there are options to improve this.

I'm bias to Mercedes but the M3 would get the nod but here's the thing I'd take a C63 over the M4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403097...

Competition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306038...

C63 Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403157...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404048...

I'd actually go for the 6.2 AMG Edition 125 form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402297...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307139...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...

Properly leftfield is the C6 Corvette they're very practical & a special car:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235509381544?itmmeta=01...

[pb8g09]

Thanks for those suggestions, of that lot it’s the C63s that are doing it for me. Can’t help feel that the M3 and M4s linked have too similar an interior to my M235, and therefore might only notice I’m in a different car when I plant my foot..

Corvette looks cool but I’d struggle with LHD with the car parks I use for work. Would you not recommend a Mustang or F-Type?

New shape TTRS hasn’t fallen into budget which is a shame, I thought that might be an option too. Any other suggestions I might have missed? - I’ll start looking at insurance comparisons.