The great dilemma..How best spend 16K max.....

[Frank the Tank]

Greetings gents,

I have a budget of about 16K max, and am looking at various cars to go for. What are you thoughts on the following options? I can't nail down any specific one and would like to avoid high miilegae eg's I think....

Alpina B10 V8
BMW 540i Sport
M3 evo
M Coupe
BMW 330 CI Sport
BMW 740i
BMW 840CI (No awfully keen I think!!)
Audi S4 Avant

I know it's a pretty varied field. Not too sure I could go back to an E-36 M3. I'm currently driving around in my girls Cooper S, hence some large saloons for space!!! I miss space!!

Answers on a postcard please!!! Would love to hear any advice/ideas/ info/ tips, etc. Car would not be used on Track days...Mainly day to day/ Long haul across Ireland etc...

[StuB]

M Coupe is out if you want space.

What about an E34 M5 Touring or you could maybe find and E39 M5 if you're lucky?

[Frank the Tank]

Stu,

I hear you...I'm torn between pure fun/space/cross contry pace/refinement. Basically I want everything in one car!!!

I do a bit of out door activity too, so unless I went for a touring/estate, I'd probably get a cheap Toyota Hilux Surf or something to lug around boards/ bikes, etc.

That leaves me to enkoy the car as it was meant to be. I think we all need at least 3 cars!!! The load lugger, the passion machine and the executive top of the line cross country cruiser!!! Hence my varied options!!!

[v15ben]

M Coupe has to be the way forward surely, although depending on the type of car you want, a B10 is awfully nice

[hughjayteens]

www.pistonheads.com/sales/42738.htm

[nixB10]

Frank thats a fine list of cars but all so different.
I own an Alpina B10 3.3 which is a superb car. I`d love a V8 but can`t live with 20mpg with the mileage I do. I can get over 30mpg out of the 3.3 when driving `sensibly` and 25-30mpg the rest of the time. Theres something special about Alpinas thats hard to define but they feel that bit special and just do everything without breaking a sweat or showing off. The V8s a beaut but then so is the 3.3.

You can`t go wrong with a 540 Sport(can you?)

I was given a 330CI Sport Deisel as a coutesy car when I got the Alpina serviced last year and that is one great car. I loved it but I would need more space.

For sheer practicality the S4 Avant has got everything going for it.

Deep down you know you don`t really want an 840

Why spend £16k ? If you fancy my W reg B10 3.3 for £12k let me know.

[bigpow]

Frank, My solution is

528 e39 all the toys for the kids and everyone 5K
Transit for all the crap 1k

On the look out for a toy 3k / year

elise 135 (or normal)10k
boxster S 20k
996 25k

All hold their value well . Just an idea .....

Best all rounder would be a 540 Sport touring manual..
or 530d with a chip . They are quick



>> Edited by bigpow on Sunday 14th August 22:47

[darreni]

Audi RS2?,4WD, 0-60 in 4.8, 163 before it hits the limiter, all the toys. You won't get stung when you decide to sell either.

[granville]

Either the Alpina or the breadvan, depending on your domestic necessities.

For me, having run an M5 for a while now, I'd go for the slushtastic thrape alternative as a solution to the groan inducing horrors of commutational toil.

[Boss Hogg]

M Coupe.

I have one and love it At 16K you may need to go for a highish miler, but worth every £.

[gangstatom]

For me It would have to be the 330... They are out of this world to drive(dont own one but have driven many times)They wouldn't have the astronomical servicing costs associated with, M's and Alpina Cars. Essentially the performance is the same / better than most of them apart from the M coupe and M3 Evo. (coupe is seriously spaceless as you know.)
The 540 is good but isn't as nice to drive
Test drive a 330 you'll totally love it.
Nice selection of cars though!