£20k budget - can’t decide…

[ldnzed]

So after selling my e92 m3 a few years ago to fund home renovations (should have kept it with the way they’re going now!) I have a budget of £20k for something exciting to fill the void.

Requirements: Auto box, reliability, decent technology and of course, smiles per gallon

I find myself (and judging by my autotrader watch list) looking at facelift w204 c63s and f82 m4s. Both of which seem to pop up with rather questionable and ropey looking examples for my budget. The w204 I could stomach running without a warranty, I don’t think I can say that same for the M4.

Mustang unfortunately not within budget (would need to be a 5.0)

M140i’s / 440i’s (as capable as they are) just don’t seem to have the special factor that the above do, and certainly not enough to fill the void of the V8 M3.

Also find myself looking at SLK55s just for pure enjoyment, but feel that they’re pretty dated tech wise in comparison.
XKR - just doesn’t seem to do it for me at all.

Any other suggestions would be most welcome!

Thanks

[bmwmike]

jaaag XFR ?

[M.F.D]

Lexus IS-F must be a strong contender?

[Marc p]

Guessing this is a daily driver?

When you say 'tech', what is it that you actually require? Most stuff can be had on older gen cars that were well spec'd (DAB, active cruise, 360 cameras, etc)

[cerb4.5lee]

Not a V8, but you can get the 370Z with an autobox if you don't need 4 seats. I can personally recommend the F82 M4, and they are a great all round performance car I reckon. For noise though a V8 Mustang or a C63 are the ones to choose for definite I think.

[SWoll]

F Type V6?

Convertible

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306108...

Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305127...

A little over budget I appreciate, but could possibly get a deal done? The coupe looks a beauty, and the way they look + the noise they make should more than fill that M3 V8 shaped hole.

[ldnzed]

bmwmike said:

jaaag XFR ?

Love the engine, just not the car! Would much prefer an F Type but, sadly, not within the budget

[ldnzed]

M.F.D said:

Lexus IS-F must be a strong contender?

It’s on there, but with prices now so close the the c63 it doesn’t really add up

[C5_Steve]

M.F.D said:

Lexus IS-F must be a strong contender?

Another vote for the IS-F, especially as a daily.

[ldnzed]

Marc p said:

Guessing this is a daily driver?

When you say 'tech', what is it that you actually require? Most stuff can be had on older gen cars that were well spec'd (DAB, active cruise, 360 cameras, etc)

Yes it would be a daily. Not covering huge mileage though.
Basic tech would be the requirement to be honest - parking sensors / reverse cam, heated seats, HUD (where available), bluetooth, premium sound. The likes of car play etc i’m not to fussed about. I guess my requirements are more along the lines of basic tech compared to what’s available on newer cars nowadays

[ldnzed]

cerb4.5lee said:

Not a V8, but you can get the 370Z with an autobox if you don't need 4 seats. I can personally recommend the F82 M4, and they are a great all round performance car I reckon. For noise though a V8 Mustang or a C63 are the ones to choose for definite I think.

Not a bad shout actually. They do sound great with a decent exhaust. I’d love either of the M4, C63 or mustang and would have expected them to be well within budget given their age (earlier models). But the whole used market unfortunately still seems to be sitting a few grand higher than it should.

[ldnzed]

SWoll said:

F Type V6?

Convertible

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306108...

Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305127...

A little over budget I appreciate, but could possibly get a deal done? The coupe looks a beauty, and the way they look + the noise they make should more than fill that M3 V8 shaped hole.

Do love an F Type, but massively concerned about running these without a warranty given they’re a JLR product. Then there’s the fact there’s a 5.0 v8 version which would always be on my mind!!

[SWoll]

ldnzed said:

SWoll said:

F Type V6?

Convertible

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306108...

Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305127...

A little over budget I appreciate, but could possibly get a deal done? The coupe looks a beauty, and the way they look + the noise they make should more than fill that M3 V8 shaped hole.

Do love an F Type, but massively concerned about running these without a warranty given they’re a JLR product. Then there’s the fact there’s a 5.0 v8 version which would always be on my mind!!

The V6 or V6S are widely considered a better car overall than the V8, sound amazing and can be easily tuned to 400hp.

You're going to be taking a risk with any interesting performance car at your budget I'd suggest, just do your research and once you think you've found the right car spend a few quid on an inspection.

[bmwmike]

ldnzed said:

bmwmike said:

jaaag XFR ?

Love the engine, just not the car! Would much prefer an F Type but, sadly, not within the budget

Yeh feel the same tbh. One look under an xfr was enough to put me off.

M5?

[Johnniem]

Perhaps a 2.9L 987.2 Cayman or Boxster. Sound engines, no IMS failure issues and plenty of fun. Could get a decent (non S) car for around your budget.

JM

[MuZiZZle]

Have you considered an E92 M3?

[ZX10R NIN]

ldnzed said:

So after selling my e92 m3 a few years ago to fund home renovations (should have kept it with the way they’re going now!) I have a budget of £20k for something exciting to fill the void.

Requirements: Auto box, reliability, decent technology and of course, smiles per gallon

I find myself (and judging by my autotrader watch list) looking at facelift w204 c63s and f82 m4s. Both of which seem to pop up with rather questionable and ropey looking examples for my budget. The w204 I could stomach running without a warranty, I don’t think I can say that same for the M4.

Mustang unfortunately not within budget (would need to be a 5.0)

M140i’s / 440i’s (as capable as they are) just don’t seem to have the special factor that the above do, and certainly not enough to fill the void of the V8 M3.

Also find myself looking at SLK55s just for pure enjoyment, but feel that they’re pretty dated tech wise in comparison.
XKR - just doesn’t seem to do it for me at all.

Any other suggestions would be most welcome!

Thanks

Firstly if you're looking at an SLK55 you can update the headunit so you have all the connectivity Android Auto etc.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305107...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306018...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306118...

A car that'll get under your skin is the Lexus IS-F with cracking V8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305287...

RS5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305237...

I'm bias but the C63 would be my pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210180...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305217...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211251...

[MrManual]

Why is everyone put off by the XFR, is it because it looks like a regular XF to the general public which can be had for £5k? Or is there more to it?

[ZX10R NIN]

MrManual said:

Why is everyone put off by the XFR, is it because it looks like a regular XF to the general public which can be had for £5k? Or is there more to it?

The XF-R is a cracking car that rides better than most & isn't a bad pick at this price point as is a Ghibli S, it's just seen as a leftfield option but the OP would be happy with one.

[TameRacingDriver]

My immediate first thoughts were the SLK and XKR and then I got to the bottom of your post

Is a 650Ci in budget?