8-12k special car

[iacabu]

Currently got my TTS for sale. It's manual and running around 350bhp so pretty quick. Although I like it, I've had it around a year and want to move on to the next thing. Something which I hope will feel special.

Want a decent bit of power, look good (subjective, I know) auto, and no other real requirements.

I work from home so fuel costs aren't a major concern. Have a velar as the family car.

Cars like an e60 m5 would be ruled out due to potential running costs.

Current list is now very short:

W211 e55 amg - love these, have everything I want and well within budget. Looks are fine to me but the Mrs hates it hence also considering other options

E92/3 M3 - I'm not convinced these suit my driving style, pushing the budget a little and would most likely be an e93. Otherwise a nice car and convertible would be good fun for the family

W204 c63 - better suited for my driving style but I think pushing the budget too much?

Engines issues on both the m3 and c63 could be a concern

I have thought about Mx40i/Mx35i but I really fancy a v8 and I'm not sure they'll feel overly special

I feel like I've looked at every car on Auto trader now but any other options for me to look at?

Edited by iacabu on Saturday 1st November 11:59

[ric p]

Jaguar XKR X150 generation, maybe. Got a convertible one and it is a great car. Engine is epic. You d definitely get a v nice 4.2 and maybe a 5 litre.

Also proved to be v reasonable to run (for 500+ bhp) and absolutely no issues so far.

Edited by ric p on Saturday 1st November 12:17

[iacabu]

ric p said:

Jaguar XKR X150 generation, maybe. Got a convertible one and it is a great car. Engine is epic. You d definitely get a v nice 4.2 and maybe a 5 litre.

Also proved to be v reasonable to run (for 500+ bhp) and absolutely no issues so far.

Edited by ric p on Saturday 1st November 12:17

Great suggestion, and one I have considered for a while. Interior space is probably comparable with the TT, which hasn't been an issue so far.
I can't put my finger on it, but it doesn't quite do for me as much as the E55 or M3 does.

[Defcon5]

Is the 8-12k in the title the budget? Or mileage?

[iacabu]

Defcon5 said:

Is the 8-12k in the title the budget? Or mileage?

Budget. Wish it was the other way round!

[Chris_i8]

S6?

Lots of XK's to choose from but you've discounted those.

Big barge with a V8? - XJ 5.0?, S500?

[ZX10R NIN]

SLK55 AMG, great cars & pretty much bulletproof:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509096...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506303...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509266...

CLS63 AMG:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509206...

55 AMG:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407071...

5.5 E500 Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510287...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510147...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503300...

650i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410245...

XF R:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510056...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509156...

4.7TT CL500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411156...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 1st November 19:11

[James-gbg1e]

You said nothing of what you really need from the car?

Velar as a family car? So can you get away with a 2 seater still? Barring the W204 C63 (which will absolutely try to kill you!) everything else is pretty run of the mill and isn't going to be a step up in excitement.

[biggbn]

The best original shape 6 series BMW you can find? Coupe or convertible in 650i flavour? These can't go much cheaper can they? I'd love a manual 630i!

[Gustavo7]

[Mr Tidy]

Gustavo7 said:

That looks lovely!

[georgeyboy12345]

iacabu said:

Currently got my TTS for sale. It's manual and running around 350bhp so pretty quick. Although I like it, I've had it around a year and want to move on to the next thing. Something which I hope will feel special.

Want a decent bit of power, look good (subjective, I know) auto, and no other real requirements.

I work from home so fuel costs aren't a major concern. Have a velar as the family car.

Cars like an e60 m5 would be ruled out due to potential running costs.

Current list is now very short:

W211 e55 amg - love these, have everything I want and well within budget. Looks are fine to me but the Mrs hates it hence also considering other options

E92/3 M3 - I'm not convinced these suit my driving style, pushing the budget a little and would most likely be an e93. Otherwise a nice car and convertible would be good fun for the family

W204 c63 - better suited for my driving style but I think pushing the budget too much?

Engines issues on both the m3 and c63 could be a concern

I have thought about Mx40i/Mx35i but I really fancy a v8 and I'm not sure they'll feel overly special

I feel like I've looked at every car on Auto trader now but any other options for me to look at?

Edited by iacabu on Saturday 1st November 11:59

Out of those on your list, I'd go for the M3 or C63.

Those SLK55's that ZX posted look great.

[AddyT.]

Gotta be a v8 Merc

[Ricky997GT]

£8-12k for an m3 e92/3, a c63 or m140i?

Would be ropey examples at that price point I’m afraid.

If your in a tts already and like it, the Audi s5 would be a great choice. Lots of good 4.2 V8’s at that price point.

[andy43]

ZX has covered most of my V8 supercharged options but I’ll add the SL55.
Big boys trousers needed but heck, they’re just awesome. When they’re not full of water…

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509216...

[ZX10R NIN]

andy43 said:

ZX has covered most of my V8 supercharged options but I ll add the SL55.
Big boys trousers needed but heck, they re just awesome. When they re not full of water

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509216...

+1 to the above but they're more expensive to run (ask me how I know) the E500 coupe is a very good option with no AMG tax as well as good performance aligned with sensible running costs they would get my vote.

Every now & then the 4.7TT E500 coupe will come up for sale at this price point, if you see one come up OP buy it.

[MattsCar]

iacabu said:

ric p said:

Jaguar XKR X150 generation, maybe. Got a convertible one and it is a great car. Engine is epic. You d definitely get a v nice 4.2 and maybe a 5 litre.

Also proved to be v reasonable to run (for 500+ bhp) and absolutely no issues so far.

Edited by ric p on Saturday 1st November 12:17

Great suggestion, and one I have considered for a while. Interior space is probably comparable with the TT, which hasn't been an issue so far.
I can't put my finger on it, but it doesn't quite do for me as much as the E55 or M3 does.

Do you have an image imprinted in your mind that the XK might be a little on the soft/ wafty side, a bit like Jaguars of old?

The XK150 is light years ahead of the previous XK8 in terms of handling and feels light and sprightly, thanks to the aluminium construction.

Also, the 4.2 is a very reliable unit. I've mentioned this before, but there really isn't that much to go wrong with these cars or cause you headaches. Make sure the timing and tensioners have been done, a couple of recalls including the hand brake and watch out for aluminium corrosion caused by stone chips and you'll have a dependable car.

[Matt_T]

A good friend had a W211 E55 AMG. It made a lovely sound but was still a big wafty saloon. In a straight line it was fun but it got out of shape very quickly on twisty or narrow roads.

I think compared to a TTS it will be a disappointment.

Edited by Matt_T on Sunday 2nd November 17:59

[chocolatefingers5000]

ZX10R NIN said:

andy43 said:

ZX has covered most of my V8 supercharged options but I ll add the SL55.
Big boys trousers needed but heck, they re just awesome. When they re not full of water

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509216...

+1 to the above but they're more expensive to run (ask me how I know) the E500 coupe is a very good option with no AMG tax as well as good performance aligned with sensible running costs they would get my vote.

Every now & then the 4.7TT E500 coupe will come up for sale at this price point, if you see one come up OP buy it.

Would the twin turbo v8 not risk beimg more unreliable than the N/A 5.5?

[ZX10R NIN]

chocolatefingers5000 said:

Would the twin turbo v8 not risk beimg more unreliable than the N/A 5.5?

Yes there's potentially more to go wrong but it's a very unstressed drivetrain.

My uncle put 60k on his mapped CL500 with the 4.7 drivetrain he liked it so much he then bought an S500 with the same drivetrain to which he's added 20k.

They really don't have issues.

Mine has been spot on as well as the extra grunt being an added bonus but you'll need to add an X pipe to both the 5.5 & 4.7 to get a nice engine note.