£20-25k Fun, Reasonably Practical Daily (M140i Replacement)

[JQuattroCK]

Hello all, I am currently running a BMW m140i - a really nice Melbourne red 3 door, on bilstein b8 suspension, res-deletes, rear subframe bushes. It is nice inside, brilliant engine, good for cruising and handles a lot better with the suspension done, but probably still not as sharp as the mk7 gti I had previously. It is probably not far off the ideal car for me but as always seems to be the case, I start to fancy a change after about a year of ownership. I will probably end up swapping it near the end of this year or early next year and wouldn't mind selling it on before the mileage gets too high and things start to need done.

I'd be looking to spend around £20-25k most likely on a replacement. The main criteria are:
- Reasonable running costs (I'm 25 and do around 15k miles a year, so an e92 m3, 911 etc is off the cards!)
- 4 seats (need to take people in the back now and again)
- Probably under ~40k miles
- Heated seats if leather
- Auto or manual. Auto is just better for dailying but have missed a manual at times in the m140i

The other thing is the roads I'm on. I'm often rattling over Scottish back roads so don't want anything too big and sort of puts me off something too bespoke/fancy - though I do like a car to feel special and worth the money I've paid for it. I also often have bikes on the roof and use it through the depths of winter every day.

Some of the cars I've considered are.
- Megane 300 trophy (hard to get the right spec - has to be yellow really)
- I30n (special enough?)
- GR yaris (too small, not luxurious enough after bmw?)
- Civic type r fk8 (never think they look great in the photos and not sure about the image they promote, but look purposeful in the flesh in the right colour)
- Golf gti clubsport mk8 (too boring?)
- Golf Gti clubsport mk7 (been there, done that?)
- M2 (too fancy, high running costs for mileage & roads I'm driving?)

I know these are nothing revolutionary, but wondering if anyone has any input/suggestions to this. Of course I could just keep my m140i and stick an LSD and M4 LCAs on it but need to commit to it long term to be worth doing that and thinking I may as well try out different cars whilst I'm young and not restricted to some electric box.

[Belle427]

You probably have the perfect interesting all rounder.
Maybe throw a Golf R into the mix, can be tuned easily.
Type R would be a great shout but most cant get over the looks.

[venster70]

I'd only consider the M2, the rest of those sounds like a yawn-fest in comparison to your current car.

I don't think the running costs will be as bad as you'd think, and they are superb drivers cars.

Nuff said.

[cerb4.5lee]

I'm another one who would go in the direction of the M2(or maybe the M4?).

[paddy1970]

Audi RS3 (8V 2017-2020)

Pros:

2.5L 5-cylinder turbo (400bhp, amazing sound, feels special).
DSG gearbox – fast shifts, refined daily use.
Haldex AWD – good in winter, easy to drive fast.
Comfortable – good ride quality.
Very tunable – simple remap can get 500bhp+.

Cons:

Haldex AWD = More front-biased (not as engaging as RWD or rear-biased AWD).
Heavy at ~1,570kg, so not as agile as a Megane Trophy.
Can feel a bit “safe” and understeery on back roads.
Brakes can struggle with track work (OEM discs warp easily).
Prices still strong – newer ones hold value better

Mercedes-AMG A45S (W177, 2019+)

Pros:

Progressive chassis – proper rear-biased AWD (drift mode!).
421bhp from a 2.0L – highest bhp per litre in any production 4-cylinder.
Focused handling, grip in corners.
Modern interior tech (MBUX screen, digital dash).
Tunable – simple map can hit 500bhp+.

Cons:

Firm ride – not ideal for rough roads.
Not refined for long journeys – noisy.
Complex AWD system – more to go wrong.
High insurance costs (especially under 30 years old).
High running costs – tyres, servicing, brakes wear.

[ZX10R NIN]

Personally I'd keep what you've got you've already started down the mods road so add the diff & LCA's it'll be cheaper than changing.

[CG2020UK]

M2 is the answer and I’ve drove every car mentioned so far.

Running costs won’t be much higher in all honesty against your M140i but the driving experience is vastly superior. It’s just a different level and truely special cars.

I came from a MK7 GTI into my M2 and used it everywhere even in the depths of winter in the snow with winter tyres.

[ZX10R NIN]

For me if you want to change then it would be the M3, they look special & will feel more special if your doing 15k a year I'll admit depreciation will take a hit & maintenance will be a bit more than what you have now:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404238...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502259...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502068...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503039...

Manual:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410145...