Dad is retiring and wants something a bit different…

[SiKkBaSs]

Hi All,

So my dad is retiring and has used his E90 BMW 325i forever.

He says it’s now time for him to upgrade but he wants a car that’s similar in dimensions to his E90, 4 door as grandkids, not too flashy (his words) but something of the ilk of a BMW M, Mercedes AMG, Audi RS.

I’ve seen some quite sleeper looking Audi RS5s but keen to get some thoughts…

[LastPoster]

Late M140i?

Edited by LastPoster on Saturday 19th October 14:56

[Deerfoot]

Lexus ISF would fit the bill.

[Resolutionary]

This version of S6. Classy / understated, thumping V8, quite rare, refined etc.


https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16327052

[vaud]

a6 biturbo will take all of the grand kids stuff, has 4wd and will go at quite a pace

[MrGTI6]

Kia Stinger GTS?

[kiethton]

CLA 45 AMG (or 35)
BMW M235i GC
Late Subaru Impreza
Alfa Gulia QF

[fflump]

What budget and any other criteria e.g age, performance, drivetrain

[dave123456]

C43 Merc C Class. On my 2nd and can’t fault them.

Nobody apart from a few ‘in the know’ seem to notice them.

[Ezra]

Resolutionary said:

This version of S6. Classy / understated, thumping V8, quite rare, refined etc.


https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16327052

I'd second this. Had 1 a few years ago. Wasn't my cup of tea (swapped it for a Panomera) but it absolutely nails your Dad's brief.

[fflump]

Ezra said:

I'd second this. Had 1 a few years ago. Wasn't my cup of tea (swapped it for a Panomera) but it absolutely nails your Dad's brief.

A fair bit bigger than the E90?

[DT1975]

BMW 340i? Not an M obviously more M lite. Not too flashy, 4 doors and he still has a smooth six pot, probably BMW's most reliable ever with the B58. He can drive it like he stole it or get 45mpg on a motorway run. Insurance is very decent and F30's are now out of the luxury tax category.

[SiKkBaSs]

Thanks for the responses.

Had a look at all those cars and only one really has come close to his requirement being the C43 AMG as it’s got the special factor but even then still isn’t the full fat C63 that he’d probably want now. Some would say that’s flash, but there’s some on the market I’ve seen that are basic spec and don’t look overly standout.

Shortlist has become:

Audi RS3 Saloon
F80 M3
C43 AMG

Price £25-30k
Mileage 30-50k

[Terzo123]

I'd forget the C43 and just go the C63 route.

[dave123456]

Terzo123 said:

I'd forget the C43 and just go the C63 route.

Why ?

[macron]

SiKkBaSs said:

Hi All,

not too flashy (his words) but something of the ilk of a BMW M, Mercedes AMG, Audi RS

SiKkBaSs said:

Shortlist has become:

Audi RS3 Saloon
F80 M3
C43 AMG

Price £25-30k
Mileage 30-50k

RS3/ M3/ not too flashy, lol!

I already like your dad

And the 63 is deffo the better comparator than the 43 which is more S3/ 340i, so I can understand that comment. He's going to make a great choice regardless.

[Dog Biscuit]

F80 M3 all day long for me

RS3 saloon has less interior space and more on the 'follow me home and nick me' profile

I loved my F80 and they hold their value well.

[SiKkBaSs]

F80 M3 will be the car from what we’ve spoken about. You do get some really boring looking RS3 saloons. I’ve seen a white with metallic grey rims which just looked like a bog standard car.

Now the challenge is finding an F80 that hasn’t been beat up or categoried!

[ZX10R NIN]

The C43 isn't that special the F80 M3/IS-F/C63 are the picks.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410054...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406120...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410094...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409204...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409204...

IS-F:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408022...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410155...

C63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410175...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408072...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409123...

An often overlooked car is the XE S it's a peach of a driverain & the car drives well too, it's also very good value as well as ticking pretty much every box:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409274...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409204...



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410024...

[dave123456]

Accepting I’m biased, however I have owned a C43 and an M3.

If I could have both I would, although there’s barely any point, but if I was forced to choose one I’d go with the C43.

I have driven a C63 and for me it was like a curry that’s just too hot. A nice idea but not one to enjoy for any period of time.

The M3 is a more exciting car some of the time but I would pick the C43. In most hands it’s probably the quicker of the two.