Thinking of a change - what next ?
Discussion
Currently running a Yr 2000 BMW 523 which I've enjoyed for a year or so but fancy a change and a bit more poke - had a Chimaera previously. I need some element of practicality as it's my main car, want some comfort and preferably an autobox. Budget is around £20k. Current thinking is :
XKR / 8 ( could get one for less than 20k but dont want to go much over 5 yrs old )
Audi S6 Avant about a yr 2001 model
BMW M3 SMG
BMW 530 Sport and save some cash (would it be much quicker than mine ? )
BMW 740 Sport - about 2001 yr and again save some cash
M5 - but no autobox
E55 AMG
I'm also after 'low hassle' ownership i.e. minimum repairs and hopefully few nasty surprises. Intend to keep for a year or so hence, also would like to think I'd be able to see whatever I get fairly easily. Any thought ? Any other ideas to add to this mixed bunch ? Cheers.
XKR / 8 ( could get one for less than 20k but dont want to go much over 5 yrs old )
Audi S6 Avant about a yr 2001 model
BMW M3 SMG
BMW 530 Sport and save some cash (would it be much quicker than mine ? )
BMW 740 Sport - about 2001 yr and again save some cash
M5 - but no autobox
E55 AMG
I'm also after 'low hassle' ownership i.e. minimum repairs and hopefully few nasty surprises. Intend to keep for a year or so hence, also would like to think I'd be able to see whatever I get fairly easily. Any thought ? Any other ideas to add to this mixed bunch ? Cheers.
What about an Audi...?
Plenty of previous gen S4's about - rapid, built like the proverbial and in Avant trim you can really load them up. Also spotted an S6 at an indpendent garage the other day, alternatively they made a 4.2 quattro (with auto!), which didn't sell very well and can be had for less than £20k these days.
None of them have the finesse of a rwd BMW, but they're brutally quick!
P-M
Plenty of previous gen S4's about - rapid, built like the proverbial and in Avant trim you can really load them up. Also spotted an S6 at an indpendent garage the other day, alternatively they made a 4.2 quattro (with auto!), which didn't sell very well and can be had for less than £20k these days.
None of them have the finesse of a rwd BMW, but they're brutally quick!
P-M
Just got rid of an s4 tiptronic and would recommend one long service intervals, tiptronic auto and quick
Now got a TVR350C most enthralling drive ever dogs danglies
A 350Z is also a good daily hack althogh not as quick as the other two but comfortable day to day
A standard WRX 2003/4 year with prodrive performance pack is also an excellent daily hack returning 24mpg and 28mpg on a run - better than an STI and torquey as hell and relatively comfortable
Had all the above and all good
Now got a TVR350C most enthralling drive ever dogs danglies
A 350Z is also a good daily hack althogh not as quick as the other two but comfortable day to day
A standard WRX 2003/4 year with prodrive performance pack is also an excellent daily hack returning 24mpg and 28mpg on a run - better than an STI and torquey as hell and relatively comfortable
Had all the above and all good
Cars are very cheap at the moment. don`t go looking at new cars they are so bland. With a budget of 10k you can replicate a lottery win. jaguar soverign 2K...rover sd1 vittesse...2k honda fireblade..3k honda CR250 motocrosser...2k polini 14hp minimoto...1k... all of which will set you up funwise till your retired, much better than a brand new hoover( ford mondeo etc
i'd go for a impreza wrx - you'd get a good one for £20. Personally speaking the STI are a bit OTT, but a WRX with prodrive should hit the mark. If the wrx is a little too bling, then how about a legacy. Great 3.0 engine. For me BMW & Merc are the easy choice (some would say for the right reasons, i.e. build quality, performance etc etc) but I'd go for something a little differant. How about a Mondeo St220 - great car; 3.0 V6, sat nav, leather, 6 CD changer etc - get a lot more for your cash than BM or Merc
£20K will get you an 04 Monaro CV8( with 2 years warranty left) add £2000 for a Wortec re-map,exhaust and ripshift( no Auto though) and you'll be gobsmacked at what you've bought yourself 400BHP,4 seats and an exhaust note like an SE-AC! Forget the Vauxhall badge ,the're only the importers and it'll only bother badge snobs.
>> Edited by sjc on Sunday 1st January 21:58
>> Edited by sjc on Sunday 1st January 21:58
Or if you do want an auto, how about these two (genuine HSV/LSV's)
www.pistonheads.com/sales/58873.htm
www.pistonheads.com/sales/59652.htm this one may be a lot more money though.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/58873.htm
www.pistonheads.com/sales/59652.htm this one may be a lot more money though.
Thanks for some thought provoking responses !
On the Audi front - yes def fancy an S6 avant, just a matter of tracking one down to try !
W8 Passat ! I can see it being a resale mare as you say ! Mondeo ST220 - actually had a mondeo (although only a 2 litre) as a daily driver when I had the TVR. I noticed a massive difference in build and general quality feel with the BMW and would not want to go back. I got rid of the Mondeo on 90,000 miles and it felt worn out. The BMWs on 97,000 and feels better than when the Mondeo was new. Not knocking the suggestion btw, just my experience. On the Subaru front, yes think I will also try one and having looked on autotrader, amazed at just how cheaply you can get an under 3 year old WRX. Need not spend anything like 20k - more like 10k !
Monaro is an interesting suggestion. Spent November in Australia and saw loads. Loved them over there, but I have a feeling that here it would fit into the 'niche' market that could make it hard to shift in a year or so.
Not sure why an E46 M3 would give 'big' running costs ? Surely no bigger than a subaru, Monaro or big Audi. Also, with prices going the way they are, I'm inclined to sit the year out and pick up a more recent M3 as they continue to drop. Assuming they will with the new one en route. Thanks for the responses !
On the Audi front - yes def fancy an S6 avant, just a matter of tracking one down to try !
W8 Passat ! I can see it being a resale mare as you say ! Mondeo ST220 - actually had a mondeo (although only a 2 litre) as a daily driver when I had the TVR. I noticed a massive difference in build and general quality feel with the BMW and would not want to go back. I got rid of the Mondeo on 90,000 miles and it felt worn out. The BMWs on 97,000 and feels better than when the Mondeo was new. Not knocking the suggestion btw, just my experience. On the Subaru front, yes think I will also try one and having looked on autotrader, amazed at just how cheaply you can get an under 3 year old WRX. Need not spend anything like 20k - more like 10k !
Monaro is an interesting suggestion. Spent November in Australia and saw loads. Loved them over there, but I have a feeling that here it would fit into the 'niche' market that could make it hard to shift in a year or so.
Not sure why an E46 M3 would give 'big' running costs ? Surely no bigger than a subaru, Monaro or big Audi. Also, with prices going the way they are, I'm inclined to sit the year out and pick up a more recent M3 as they continue to drop. Assuming they will with the new one en route. Thanks for the responses !
The M3 would give way higher running costs than the Monaro. There is hardly any difference in real world mpg from experience (18-27 depending on type of driving)but of course their would be no repeir bills for a couple of years on the Monaro where an M3 would be out of warranty for the same money, and Monaro servicing is cheap as chips. Friend of mine has just swapped his 03 M3 for a new Monaro with the mentioned upgrades and has not stopped grinning. If you loved your TVR it's a must try car ( see my profile!)Pop onto the HSV/Monaro forum and fire a couple of questions,you'll will not find one unhappy owner.
The monaro and M3 will cost about the same in tyres and fuel. M3 is gp 20 but I suspect the monaro is too. The difference is servicing on the M3. You just have to keep the extended warranty up (for peace of mind and resale) so thats a grand, then parts and labour means big running costs. My M3 went through a set of 4 (fronts were nearly shot) tyres in 11K. Thats no trackdays but probably 2K around the 'ring (which is fairly easy on brakes and tyres, honest!) Very easy to curb those alloys too!
I know subaru's need servicing at short intervals but the monaro and M3 will be alot of car for £20K. You have to pay for that one way or another!!!
How about an E46 BMW 330D sport? You should be able to pick up an 04 plate with service pack for £20k meaning only bills will be for consumables... That diesel engine is absolutely fantastic and mates well to the auto. 40+ m.p.g. easy on motorways, I was getting around 36 m.p.g. on a pretty mixed commute. Great drive - only downside are there are plenty of other 3-series about...
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