Brun

Planning to splash £35k on a new car. Ideally less but not averse to a smidge more.
The important factors are:
Fast as ****
4wd
4 door
Having driven around in a fully loaded 330d for the past 3 years I also appreciate quality so Imprezas are a deffo no no

I'm leaning towards an A45 amg but I'm struggling to come to terms with the 4 pot engine which sounds like somebody blowing a raspberry in a baked bean can.

An RS3 is a consideration as it is equally as quick and sounds lush but feels ever so slightly plain alongside the Merc and I'm not really feeling the Sportback.
I've looked around the Audi website to see if a Saloon version is available but can't seem to track it down although a Google search suggests otherwise???

Looked at a Focus RS and can't get past it being a Focus in a skirt!


Are there any cars that I'm missing?

Shaun

A saloon RS3 is not (or won't be should I say) available...... unless you move to the US! Ha

Get a new TTRS.... you'll need another £15k though for the base model.

DoZZa

iTrader: (4)

Some type of large *** Range Rover?

Brun

TTRS 4 door?

2 nippers and a rear set of isofix essential

Brun

Not fast as ****

DoZZa

iTrader: (4)

Tesla?

DoZZa

iTrader: (4)

Cayenne Turbo?

Brun

Need an engine so Tesla not really my thing.
I really want a nearly new car so a Cayenne is way out of my league.
I did consider looking for a GTR (although it breaks the 4 door rule) but it's still a £70k car which comes with £70k car problems and I would be looking at the bottom of the market.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

S4/s6/s8 or some rs models if in price range for newish.
You can't beat the proper torsen Quattro systems on these, not the inferior fwd Haldex

Rbon91

iTrader: (6)

C63 AMG? Jag Xrf?

Brun

S6/8 way too big but never thought S4.
Do they still have the 4.2 v8 or have they gone blown v6 now?

Brun

Jag probably to large.
Have looked at C63s and they are in the price range.
I keep coming back to the rwd thing. My 330 is very capable but I've lost count of the times when I've tried to put the power down in the wet and the tcs has had to cut in. Just want to plant and go in all weathers.

poffer1

+1 for the Jag XRF.

Friend had a 5.0 Supercharged V8. Hell of a car and surprisingly economical on fuel. If it was a hatch, I would have one in a heartbeat.

500

340i xDrive M sport Touring...

500

or C63 estate with an LSD.

although with another on the way to make 2 (One will be 2 1/2 when the next arrives), we chopped the C63 in (which we both adored) and got a slightly older Cayenne 957 turbo. Boot space has become more easily accessible, so has the car with air suspension. The de backbox was maybe a step too far but its not that bad that I would want to get another backbox.

The C63 was better in nearly every other way.

john banks

Obvious choice to me that is genuinely "fast as ****" and "plant and go" is the 450 HP S6 4.0 twin turbo V8 which remaps to 550 HP. Once you get to that power you have to be careful in the wet though like you would in a 3 series, they can spin up all four but stay neutral or with the sport diff adopt mild power oversteer like an Evo.

The small size increase is worthwhile to get a proper engine.

I might seem an Audi fanboy, but I also have an E46 M3 and E92 335i (N55, tuned). The bigger Audis beat them into a cocked hat IMHO. Only advantage of the 3er is budget.

john banks

http://www.williamsgroup.co.uk/used-...c-quattro-4dr/

2014, negotiate hard and it is near to budget. Couple of 13 plates offered for £33k.

I guarantee that engine will captivate you if you try it.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Wtf isa XRF lol. Don't you mean XFR.
Ive driven one of my mates, excellent value for money and a nice place to be, but you'll kill yourself if you're not careful as coupled with a supercharger it is very lively

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

The b8 s4 has a 3.0 FSi V6 supercharged
And after they changed the charger to a turbo, very capable cars once mapped, trust me once you get used to the size youll want the new a6 variant like me LOL.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Actually you should try driving a 4.4TD V8 or supercharged 5.0...not to buy (I'd never own one), but just for a giggle at how quick they can shift.

I can see why many people drive these like d**kh**ds, they just make you feel like shouting "get orf my road" at everyone in the way LOL.



Agree about the RS3, the 5pot sounds nice, and it ticks most boxes but with limited options on UK models meaning you can only specify a sportback and autobox ruins it for me.

Jury is out for the A45s for me; there's a few hooning about near me with various exhausts mods and whilst it sounds far better than VAG's TFSI 4pots ( Golf R, Gti etc.) , it just sounds, well as you say. Not my cup of tea.

I'm at the point of giving up on the R32's replacement...it's now either ditch the nice daily driver and just make do with a cheap used Fiesta ST or keep the R32 and spend a few more grand on refurbishing and repairs.


Unless a "true mint" (I.e concours/as new/unmodded/unmolested) condition B7 RS4 Avant appears at a sensible price. B8 Rs4 has been ruined...like the RS3; auto only Driven a few S4 and S5s but for some reason they don't feel special enough to drive (the problem is we look after a fleet of high specification 2.0tdi and 3.0tdi A5 sport lines).

stilover

S3 Saloon. Car be ordered with a manual gearbox, and a simple remap (not done it myself) will make it quicker than the RS3.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Pity a remap doesn't make it sound like RS3

VAG's 4pots really do sound rubbish, no matter how quick they are.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

Don't nearly all 4 pots sound rubbish though! Think the flat 4 has ruined the rest.


RS3 for me, the engine!!

I'm seriously thinking of selling my Imprezas and getting an S3, only a pauper's 2009 model though!

jonc

What about one of these
Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 EVO X GSR FQ-400
or
BMW 335d xDrive M Sport

Shaun

Ali,
Manuals are for ****...... join the future. Get a DCT, DSG etc.

Of course I totally understand I'm not "as involved" in the "experience". Then again not many people have been "involved" since the introduction of 4WD, ABS, Power Steering and electric windows!

Don't be weak!

Shaun

Ahhh.... I can't read!

Brun

To be honest, an S4 is probably a tickle on the large side so a 6 deffo run ain't my thing

Brun

In a Saloon I would (in the past) have jumped at such a thing but I've already done the floaty cruiser thing and now want a fairly sharp tool for some fun.
I may still cast my eye though

Brun

I appreciate what you're saying but I'd class an A4 as a little on the large size.

Brun

The Evo doesn't come under my quality requirement
335d is a fab car but I really want petrol and I think I need to try something else other than a 3 Series