Decisions decisions ( car conundrum thread)
Decisions decisions ( car conundrum thread)
Author
Discussion

mobile chicane22

Original Poster:

316 posts

205 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
So my 50th birthday is on its way and I deserve a special treat ( no not that get your minds out of the gutter).

I’m talking a new to me nice car.

For reference I currently have a 2021 VZ2 Cupra Formentor which is quick (sub 5 second 60) and fun to drive but lacks luxury refinement.

I have a £30-£40k budget and after several test drives have narrowed it down to a choice of two.

Either a BMW X3 M40i petrol from 2019 - 2021 or a Porsche Macan 3L V6 petrol 2017 -2019, I’m not interested in hybrids or diesels and I’m intending to source from main used approved dealers.

I’ve driven both and like both, the car will be used for occasional 9 mile each way commuting to work, road trips, weekend blasts and taking 2x e bikes for adventures.

The Mpg on both I’m fine with it’s more the ownership experience over 3 to 6 years.

I’ll be buying outright and have run a diesel Macan and a 2003 996 c4 previously so maintenance costs are known and within my continued budget, I know that anything 2021 will cost me about £400 a year more to tax until it goes past the 6 year point.

Insurance is the same on both, I do live very close to Northway Porsche who have always looked after me very well so that’s a mark in the Macan’s favour, I suspect the BMW would go to main dealer for service.

So I’m looking for advice and experience from those who have owned either the X3 M40i 2018 -2021 or the 2017 -2019 V6 petrol Macan. Due to my budget it’s likely that the BMW will have 25-40k miles and the Macan will be 10k higher up that range.


dibblecorse

7,166 posts

209 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
What luxury bar the badge does the Macan have?

I personally prefer the Formentor...

That's not coming from anti Porsche stance as Ray at Northway looks after my car ...

Audi SQ3 would be preferred choice over the Macan too, but again, not to replace a Formentor.

Surely the next step up luxury wise is a Velar or similar ?

Earthdweller

16,381 posts

143 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
I'm not sure a 2 tonne SUV is really a treat for weekend blasts and fun tbf

If you want the M40 engine buy a Z4 or supra

mobile chicane22

Original Poster:

316 posts

205 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
dibblecorse said:
What luxury bar the badge does the Macan have?

I personally prefer the Formentor...

That's not coming from anti Porsche stance as Ray at Northway looks after my car ...

Audi SQ3 would be preferred choice over the Macan too, but again, not to replace a Formentor.

Surely the next step up luxury wise is a Velar or similar ?
JLR product nope never again, sq3 interior is not right for me and its just to small. having owned a 2015 SD Macan prior to the formentor I'd say the macan was much nicer to be in.

mobile chicane22

Original Poster:

316 posts

205 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
Earthdweller said:
I'm not sure a 2 tonne SUV is really a treat for weekend blasts and fun tbf

If you want the M40 engine buy a Z4 or supra
Already scratched those itches with an S2000 then a 996C4, I need a multi use daily so mid size suv it is + I have motorbikes for proper speed (ing)

ZX10R NIN

29,497 posts

142 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
The Porsche has the nicer interior but as an overall package the BMW edges it for me,neither is a bad choice but the M40i would get the nod.

mobile chicane22

Original Poster:

316 posts

205 months

Tuesday 23rd September
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
The Porsche has the nicer interior but as an overall package the BMW edges it for me,neither is a bad choice but the M40i would get the nod.
At the moment that's my option but finding a BMW with radar cruise but not a white interior (WHY DO PEOPLE SPEC A WHITE INTERIOR ARGGGGG) is proving dificult

dannyt331

20 posts

222 months

Tuesday 23rd September
quotequote all
Does it need to be an SUV?

I've recently bought a 2022 M440i Gran Coupe and it's a lovely thing. I had a previous shape 440i GC before and the M440i is a big step up.

There's enough room inside and the hatchback gives a good level of practicality. The bikes can go on the roof when needed.

LayZ

1,752 posts

259 months

Tuesday 23rd September
quotequote all
Neither of those seem exciting enough for the money to me. What about a Stelvio Quadrifoglio?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504020...

Josemartinez

75 posts

7 months

Tuesday 23rd September
quotequote all
LayZ said:
Neither of those seem exciting enough for the money to me. What about a Stelvio Quadrifoglio?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504020...
I was going to post the same one.

BikeSausage

598 posts

85 months

Tuesday 23rd September
quotequote all
LayZ said:
Neither of those seem exciting enough for the money to me. What about a Stelvio Quadrifoglio?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504020...
Absolutely. I'd say that the two chosen options are more about brand status. The Alfa's an enthusiast's choice - looks and drives way better.

mobile chicane22

Original Poster:

316 posts

205 months

Wednesday 24th September
quotequote all
Several friends have had Alfa’s every single one made JLR stuff look super reliable plus I don’t like the interiors.

It’s not a badge snob thing either, I just like both, nothing else ticks the boxes, when I got my last Macan it took about 6 months to find one, only reason it went was it was a diesel and my commute became sub 10 miles each way so went to the cupra for something different.

mobile chicane22

Original Poster:

316 posts

205 months

Wednesday 24th September
quotequote all
dannyt331 said:
Does it need to be an SUV?

I've recently bought a 2022 M440i Gran Coupe and it's a lovely thing. I had a previous shape 440i GC before and the M440i is a big step up.

There's enough room inside and the hatchback gives a good level of practicality. The bikes can go on the roof when needed.
Not enough boot space for the bikes unfortunately to heavy for the roof as they are 20kg + e bikes

SDK

1,935 posts

270 months

Wednesday 24th September
quotequote all
I have 2x eMTB's and use a BMW iX : £40k can get you a nice 2022 / 2023 iX40 M-Sport which has enough range to get us from the Midlands to Wales and back easy smile

ChrisNic

632 posts

163 months

Wednesday 24th September
quotequote all
2017 onwards E63 estate?

Having just bought one I am totally biased but it’s a lovely thing.

BikeSausage

598 posts

85 months

Saturday
quotequote all
mobile chicane22 said:
dannyt331 said:
Does it need to be an SUV?

I've recently bought a 2022 M440i Gran Coupe and it's a lovely thing. I had a previous shape 440i GC before and the M440i is a big step up.

There's enough room inside and the hatchback gives a good level of practicality. The bikes can go on the roof when needed.
Not enough boot space for the bikes unfortunately to heavy for the roof as they are 20kg + e bikes
How about a tow bar and bike rack on something that’s not an SUV? I’ve recently changed from roof to one of these and have a tow bar on a couple of cars.

mobile chicane22

Original Poster:

316 posts

205 months

Yesterday (08:26)
quotequote all
Macan acquired

ilikejam

1,159 posts

133 months

Yesterday (09:59)
quotequote all
Pics or it didn't happen! biglaugh

I've only just read through this thread and it was quite clear from the start that you really just wanted the Macan. Glad you've gone with it and hope it gives you many good miles.

mobile chicane22

Original Poster:

316 posts

205 months

Yesterday (13:45)
quotequote all
The Macan was top of my list tbh, the lack of even lumbar support on most of the x3’s and radar cruise being only available on cars with full white interiors (yuk) and no provision for a spare wheel kinda sealed the deal.

Also the Macan I got was very much under budget with everything bar the spare wheel (but space for it) on my wish list 27 months Porsche warranty and having had the transfer case and cam chain oil leak already done by Porsche so if they re occur ( hopefully not ) then Porsche will fix it.

Being a 2017 may reg its only £200 ish a year to tax as well.

I even managed to get a bump on my trade in price by selling the cupra to a cupra dealer.