Could you call it downsizing?? 2 cars down to 1.
Discussion
Well i recently posted that i was in the midst of pondering selling my e93 m3 daily driver. A number of woes all coming at once meaning big bills and in this climate, big bills are the last thing you want.
While the m3 was off the road, i was using my weekend hot hatch to fill in duties and i've decided that i'm going to be selling both cars and go down to one, less fuel, less insurance, less tax etc. All a bit of a money saving idea.
However, being the petrolhead i am, downsizing doesn't necessarily mean downsizing on fun.
So i figure once sold and pay off the bills on the m3 that have come up i may have in the region of £20-30k to spend. So. I'm going to set a sensible conservative lower end budget of £20k.
I'll be going down to one car so ultimately i know this car will be a compromise. But i'm looking to maximise my driving fun, whilst retaining as many of the elements that both cars gave.
My hot hatch is an renaultsport and as such offers precise sharp fun handling. Something that i love to drive on the welsh mountain roads as its light, nimble, can drive the line between corners nicely and doesn't give up much in terms of size on the road, weight and ultimately the smile on your face.
The m3 has theatre, noise, presence. All things i love about cars. Whilst i love my RS. I think the m3 got more nods, waves, cap wafts in its first week of ownership than i've had in the 4 years of owning the Renault.
So, what do i need to combine? Well i love the theatre of the M3 BUT i know that comes of having a big thumping engine upfront and honestly, downgrading to one car, i can't see that having a big engine (say over 3.0 litres) is going to make much sense economically. So that is something that i feel will be lost when i downgrade to 1 car.
I do however, enjoy the presence of a good car and the attention of it so i'm looking to keep "elements" shall we call it of that m3. Something that captures attention - in a good way. Not a chav at the lights with his stupid pops and bangs map. That is about as far from who i am as i can get.
I want something that will handle precisely and provide good feedback. Something i can drive through Wales with a big grin no my face.
Now mostly the cars i know people will be thinking of are 2 seaters - but being one car, it has to remain now a commuter too for the school runs. So need it to have 4 seats or 5 doors.
It also needs to have air con/bluetooth and preferably not be spine shattering along the way. So an element of comfort when you want and when you don't, that it pushes you back in your seat.
I guess i'm after a bit of a jekyl and Hyde car? Grabs attention but isn't chavvy, goes like the clappers but is perfectly acceptable on the school run and also something that i am hoping doesn't throw up hugely stupid bills.
Any suggestions?
While the m3 was off the road, i was using my weekend hot hatch to fill in duties and i've decided that i'm going to be selling both cars and go down to one, less fuel, less insurance, less tax etc. All a bit of a money saving idea.
However, being the petrolhead i am, downsizing doesn't necessarily mean downsizing on fun.
So i figure once sold and pay off the bills on the m3 that have come up i may have in the region of £20-30k to spend. So. I'm going to set a sensible conservative lower end budget of £20k.
I'll be going down to one car so ultimately i know this car will be a compromise. But i'm looking to maximise my driving fun, whilst retaining as many of the elements that both cars gave.
My hot hatch is an renaultsport and as such offers precise sharp fun handling. Something that i love to drive on the welsh mountain roads as its light, nimble, can drive the line between corners nicely and doesn't give up much in terms of size on the road, weight and ultimately the smile on your face.
The m3 has theatre, noise, presence. All things i love about cars. Whilst i love my RS. I think the m3 got more nods, waves, cap wafts in its first week of ownership than i've had in the 4 years of owning the Renault.
So, what do i need to combine? Well i love the theatre of the M3 BUT i know that comes of having a big thumping engine upfront and honestly, downgrading to one car, i can't see that having a big engine (say over 3.0 litres) is going to make much sense economically. So that is something that i feel will be lost when i downgrade to 1 car.
I do however, enjoy the presence of a good car and the attention of it so i'm looking to keep "elements" shall we call it of that m3. Something that captures attention - in a good way. Not a chav at the lights with his stupid pops and bangs map. That is about as far from who i am as i can get.
I want something that will handle precisely and provide good feedback. Something i can drive through Wales with a big grin no my face.
Now mostly the cars i know people will be thinking of are 2 seaters - but being one car, it has to remain now a commuter too for the school runs. So need it to have 4 seats or 5 doors.
It also needs to have air con/bluetooth and preferably not be spine shattering along the way. So an element of comfort when you want and when you don't, that it pushes you back in your seat.
I guess i'm after a bit of a jekyl and Hyde car? Grabs attention but isn't chavvy, goes like the clappers but is perfectly acceptable on the school run and also something that i am hoping doesn't throw up hugely stupid bills.
Any suggestions?
I prefer the term downshifting. It is PH after all!
Would a nice understated M140i/M240i be too chavvy? Maybe in a subdued colour or not.
Similar acceleration to the M3 and not as crisp on the handling front but a whole lot cheaper to run?? IL 6 goodness, possible 40mpg on a run.Nice leather interior with memory seats, idrive 6, professional nav, Apple car play, Harmon-Kardon, 4 seats, decent boot etc etc
Your trips through Wales may be curtailed somewhat, what with the upcoming 20mph limits!
Would a nice understated M140i/M240i be too chavvy? Maybe in a subdued colour or not.
Similar acceleration to the M3 and not as crisp on the handling front but a whole lot cheaper to run?? IL 6 goodness, possible 40mpg on a run.Nice leather interior with memory seats, idrive 6, professional nav, Apple car play, Harmon-Kardon, 4 seats, decent boot etc etc
Your trips through Wales may be curtailed somewhat, what with the upcoming 20mph limits!
Hi OP - i am currently in the same position and thinking of downsizing from 2 to 1. Similar sort of remit, have a V6 TT and a 640d - initial thoughts were to get something like a Jag XFR or an Audi RS5... idea being either would have noise, theatre, speed and be good for the odd motorway journey as mileage is now lower than i used to do but stil the fuel costs would be high with either!
I have since decided (for now) to keep the 640d as aside from the noise (which isn't bad for a diesel anyway as it is IL6) it does everything & with the added benefit of lots of toys, prescence and luxury. If you haven't considered one as a do it all it may be worth a look. The room in the back isn't massive but it is capable of taking 4 adults if needed for shorter journeys and the interior fitment is signifcantly better than any lower BM (in my opinion) for your budget you could get into a late model with all the trimmings and more torque than the M3 would ever have had! haha
I have since decided (for now) to keep the 640d as aside from the noise (which isn't bad for a diesel anyway as it is IL6) it does everything & with the added benefit of lots of toys, prescence and luxury. If you haven't considered one as a do it all it may be worth a look. The room in the back isn't massive but it is capable of taking 4 adults if needed for shorter journeys and the interior fitment is signifcantly better than any lower BM (in my opinion) for your budget you could get into a late model with all the trimmings and more torque than the M3 would ever have had! haha
Down on the Farm said:
I prefer the term downshifting. It is PH after all!
Would a nice understated M140i/M240i be too chavvy? Maybe in a subdued colour or not.
Similar acceleration to the M3 and not as crisp on the handling front but a whole lot cheaper to run?? IL 6 goodness, possible 40mpg on a run.Nice leather interior with memory seats, idrive 6, professional nav, Apple car play, Harmon-Kardon, 4 seats, decent boot etc etc
Your trips through Wales may be curtailed somewhat, what with the upcoming 20mph limits!
The m235i/240i is something i would consider as much rarer than its cousin. Would a nice understated M140i/M240i be too chavvy? Maybe in a subdued colour or not.
Similar acceleration to the M3 and not as crisp on the handling front but a whole lot cheaper to run?? IL 6 goodness, possible 40mpg on a run.Nice leather interior with memory seats, idrive 6, professional nav, Apple car play, Harmon-Kardon, 4 seats, decent boot etc etc
Your trips through Wales may be curtailed somewhat, what with the upcoming 20mph limits!
Sadly the M140i/S3/Golf R and A45 amg - all of which should, on paper be contenders, are out of the picture because they are chariot of choice in Birmingham where i live for every pot smoking, drug dealing, scumbag that has the misfortune to carry a licence and most i see, sit banging off the limiter with over the top artificial pops and bangs (you may tell i have a sincere dislike for them). Seats tilted all the way back and driving with what must be their knees. Alas only one word for them where i live pr*cks. Apologies if that causes anyone any offence.
Thanks.
ajguk said:
Considering something similar for myself in a few months, same kind of budget too. Favourites at the moment are a 340i or a Cupra 300 estate. There seem to be plenty of both available in budget?
Alas too big for me to consider "fun". The roads where most of my driving happens are Elan Valley, Black Mountain pass, Devils Bridge, some of the best driving roads in the uk. Anything saloon or estate sized i couldn't consider, the roads are too narrow and they aren't cars i would consider being able to thread through the intricate twists and turns of the roads in question.
Both good cars i don't disagree but far too large i think to be considered.
mat205125 said:
Keep the M3 and buy a diesel daily
I swapped my 435d for the M3Diesel i was barely getting over 24mpg as the commute is only minutes door to door with the kids.
THe issue on spending on the m3 is even when you want to drive it for an occasion, petrol costs just make it almost unbearable.
I went to dunsfold at the weekend, a steady 70-80mph nigh on the whole way there and back. Nothing hard or silly, children in the car and it isn't how i drive regardless.
For that journey (though i have half a tank left over now) cost me £180 in fuel. To surrey and back. I've never minded about fuel prices before and i've owned plenty of high powered cars that drink more arguably than the M3. But now you are talking 207 per litre in surrey for V-power where i stopped and its over 196 here in Birmingham.
I spent the same going to Rhyader in Wales the other week. So in two weeks i've spent probably over £400 in fuel to go to two locations and back, which being a petrolhead its my only hobby/vice. But i can have as much fun in another car that doesn't cost as much to run. I'm sure of it.
R2Detour said:
I swapped my 435d for the M3
Diesel i was barely getting over 24mpg as the commute is only minutes door to door with the kids.
THe issue on spending on the m3 is even when you want to drive it for an occasion, petrol costs just make it almost unbearable.
I went to dunsfold at the weekend, a steady 70-80mph nigh on the whole way there and back. Nothing hard or silly, children in the car and it isn't how i drive regardless.
For that journey (though i have half a tank left over now) cost me £180 in fuel. To surrey and back. I've never minded about fuel prices before and i've owned plenty of high powered cars that drink more arguably than the M3. But now you are talking 207 per litre in surrey for V-power where i stopped and its over 196 here in Birmingham.
I spent the same going to Rhyader in Wales the other week. So in two weeks i've spent probably over £400 in fuel to go to two locations and back, which being a petrolhead its my only hobby/vice. But i can have as much fun in another car that doesn't cost as much to run. I'm sure of it.
From what you describe I'd say a 308 GTI is the pick, they're sensible on fuel (well depending on usage Diesel i was barely getting over 24mpg as the commute is only minutes door to door with the kids.
THe issue on spending on the m3 is even when you want to drive it for an occasion, petrol costs just make it almost unbearable.
I went to dunsfold at the weekend, a steady 70-80mph nigh on the whole way there and back. Nothing hard or silly, children in the car and it isn't how i drive regardless.
For that journey (though i have half a tank left over now) cost me £180 in fuel. To surrey and back. I've never minded about fuel prices before and i've owned plenty of high powered cars that drink more arguably than the M3. But now you are talking 207 per litre in surrey for V-power where i stopped and its over 196 here in Birmingham.
I spent the same going to Rhyader in Wales the other week. So in two weeks i've spent probably over £400 in fuel to go to two locations and back, which being a petrolhead its my only hobby/vice. But i can have as much fun in another car that doesn't cost as much to run. I'm sure of it.
) as well as being a great steer.You'll also get a fairly new one under budget & it'll come with a warranty:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207137...
Or the i30 N Performance:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208028...
308 GTi by PS is a good idea.
Alternatively there's the Meg 280 in flame red;
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13655493
Assuming fwd Frenchies are acceptable. (They are for me
)
Alternatively there's the Meg 280 in flame red;
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13655493
Assuming fwd Frenchies are acceptable. (They are for me
)Brett748 said:
Keep the M3. If you buy a front wheel drive four banger it will be boring by comparison and you may as well just get a comfy barge.
Whilst modern hot hatches are technically hugely impressive, the lack character.
I'd say drive a PS 308 GTI before saying that, while it won't have the 6 pot (I'll don my flame suit now) that doesn't sound that great anyway for the OP's usage it really hits the spot.Whilst modern hot hatches are technically hugely impressive, the lack character.
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