Fun used car under £20k, fast 0-60... M240i?
Discussion
Looking for a fun sporty second car.
We have a family car already so thankfully don’t need to worry about comfort or practicality.
I’m leaning towards the BMWs so far… M140i or M240i.
I did consider the S3 but seems the M240i is better for performance all round. Plus it's to replace my current Audi A5 so although faster, it would seem a bit too similar. The TTS would have been nice but more expensive for less power.
Not a fan of the A45 AMG.
No real criteria other than it has a fast 0-60 time (5 seconds or less) and its around 2015 onwards.
Not a badge snob so open to all car manufacturers.
We have a family car already so thankfully don’t need to worry about comfort or practicality.
I’m leaning towards the BMWs so far… M140i or M240i.
I did consider the S3 but seems the M240i is better for performance all round. Plus it's to replace my current Audi A5 so although faster, it would seem a bit too similar. The TTS would have been nice but more expensive for less power.
Not a fan of the A45 AMG.
No real criteria other than it has a fast 0-60 time (5 seconds or less) and its around 2015 onwards.
Not a badge snob so open to all car manufacturers.
I ran an S3, which became my “toy” when I unexpectedly gained access to a garage and swapped my wife over to a runabout. It soon became an RS3 - and I suspect a 140i wouldn’t quite be special enough either.
If you like VAG and / or big engines in a family-friendly package then I’d be looking at older RS3 / RS4, Golf R32 etc.
If you like VAG and / or big engines in a family-friendly package then I’d be looking at older RS3 / RS4, Golf R32 etc.
The Cardinal said:
I ran an S3, which became my “toy” when I unexpectedly gained access to a garage and swapped my wife over to a runabout. It soon became an RS3 - and I suspect a 140i wouldn’t quite be special enough either.
If you like VAG and / or big engines in a family-friendly package then I’d be looking at older RS3 / RS4, Golf R32 etc.
I could get a 11-12 plate RS3 for just under £20k but then I can get an 2017 M140i for £16-17k, so to me the BMW seems the better dealIf you like VAG and / or big engines in a family-friendly package then I’d be looking at older RS3 / RS4, Golf R32 etc.
If you want a fun drivers car then take a look at the 370Z Nismo, you won't get a 2015 one but you will get a nice one for 20k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110288...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206166...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110288...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206166...
London1986 said:
Looking for a fun sporty second car.
We have a family car already so thankfully don’t need to worry about comfort or practicality.
I’m leaning towards the BMWs so far… M140i or M240i.
I did consider the S3 but seems the M240i is better for performance all round. Plus it's to replace my current Audi A5 so although faster, it would seem a bit too similar. The TTS would have been nice but more expensive for less power.
Not a fan of the A45 AMG.
No real criteria other than it has a fast 0-60 time (5 seconds or less) and its around 2015 onwards.
Not a badge snob so open to all car manufacturers.
For your budget a 1.35I I’d say is a cracking buy esp in manual We have a family car already so thankfully don’t need to worry about comfort or practicality.
I’m leaning towards the BMWs so far… M140i or M240i.
I did consider the S3 but seems the M240i is better for performance all round. Plus it's to replace my current Audi A5 so although faster, it would seem a bit too similar. The TTS would have been nice but more expensive for less power.
Not a fan of the A45 AMG.
No real criteria other than it has a fast 0-60 time (5 seconds or less) and its around 2015 onwards.
Not a badge snob so open to all car manufacturers.
Just my 2P
I find the 4wd stuff golf R’s, rs3 etc just become point and squirt cars, quick off the line but bit boring.
I wanted something practical, rear drive, decent engine and ended up with an m140 and love it so far.
Used daily and on track, probably won’t win the traffic light gp against an rs3 but it’s fun and can get some good slides out of it.
Iv gone down the Bilstein suspension route with some other bits and it handles very well now. Soon to be around 550bhp also should be a little rocket don’t know what I’d replace it with for the money.
And it can return over 40mpg.
I wanted something practical, rear drive, decent engine and ended up with an m140 and love it so far.
Used daily and on track, probably won’t win the traffic light gp against an rs3 but it’s fun and can get some good slides out of it.
Iv gone down the Bilstein suspension route with some other bits and it handles very well now. Soon to be around 550bhp also should be a little rocket don’t know what I’d replace it with for the money.
And it can return over 40mpg.
London1986 said:
Yes I did consider the M135 as i've heard its pretty brutal but then I thought for about £3k more could pick up the more refined m40i.
Yes you can and maybe worthwhile upgrade. I drove a nicely spec’s 135i a few years back and was very impressed.
Most won’t have the LSD fitted which makes them a real handful in the wet .
You can get one retro fitted however .
GT3Manthey said:
Yes you can and maybe worthwhile upgrade.
I drove a nicely spec’s 135i a few years back and was very impressed.
Most won’t have the LSD fitted which makes them a real handful in the wet .
You can get one retro fitted however .
Yes good point. Funnily enough I was looking at the 135i initially as for the price point, it seemed like a no brainer. It was only when I started doing a bit more research I thought the M140i would make more sense.I drove a nicely spec’s 135i a few years back and was very impressed.
Most won’t have the LSD fitted which makes them a real handful in the wet .
You can get one retro fitted however .
Glenn63 said:
I find the 4wd stuff golf R’s, rs3 etc just become point and squirt cars, quick off the line but bit boring.
I wanted something practical, rear drive, decent engine and ended up with an m140 and love it so far.
Used daily and on track, probably won’t win the traffic light gp against an rs3 but it’s fun and can get some good slides out of it.
Iv gone down the Bilstein suspension route with some other bits and it handles very well now. Soon to be around 550bhp also should be a little rocket don’t know what I’d replace it with for the money.
And it can return over 40mpg.
I agree, I'm after something that is fast but also handles really well. I wanted something practical, rear drive, decent engine and ended up with an m140 and love it so far.
Used daily and on track, probably won’t win the traffic light gp against an rs3 but it’s fun and can get some good slides out of it.
Iv gone down the Bilstein suspension route with some other bits and it handles very well now. Soon to be around 550bhp also should be a little rocket don’t know what I’d replace it with for the money.
And it can return over 40mpg.
How are you getting it to 550bhp? Is that a stage 1 remap?
Hoofy said:
I guess for me it's about what makes it fun. Sure, having lots of power is nice but is that the only criteria for fun? I feel like modern cars feel too safe and cosseted. As someone suggested, having the roof off would make you feel like you're more in contact with the environment.
Yes I guess there is a degree of subjectivity involved in the word 'fun'. However I'm sure I speak on behalf of many who post on PH that when they're looking for fun cars, they're referring to cars that tend to be fast, good power and good handling. The type of cars you'd take on a track but obviously within your budget. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff