stiscooby

I currently have a 2006 Audi A3 (2L TFSI S Line) which I have had for about 5 years now and starting to think about getting something a bit newer/have a change.

I have had the idea of a BMW 335i in my mind for a while, but not sure if I will find it a bit 'boring'. I have had a couple of scoobs in the past and a Civic Type R and although the Audi has, so far, been 100% reliable and I can't really complain about it at all, it would be nice to have something which is a little bit more 'fun'.

I only do about 5-6k a year, so petrol is fine, no diesels required Can be 3 or 5 door as we have no kids at the moment, budget something like £20k. No older than say 2008 ish and under 60k miles.

I suspect an M3 would probably be high on the list for most but the potential repair costs scare me so I probably wouldn't go there.

So, looking for some suggestions please?

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

UK STi Hatch. With the, ahem, coveted 2.5 engine.


Seriously, this would fit your criteria...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...-miles/2281834

The 2.5 forged by the Clinic, so should be fine for low miles road use.

I've been in a hatch, exact same spec as that, but built by API. The effortless torque on the road is a revelation, and the SC46 is such a great turbo on that engine. It really, really shifts - the surge is so, so strong. Very exciting drive (and I was only the passenger!)...


...EXCEPT... Look who's selling it! Damn it. : mad:

stiscooby

450bhp........ hmmm that should cover my 6 mile journey to work pretty quickly, lol. That one a little bit too chaved up for my daily drive tho

Not sure so I would want a standard one though, aren't the engines in those a little, well "chocolate" so to speak??

I have no idea who that place is but I guess by your comment they have a "reputation" (it's been a number of years since I was last looking around for a Scoob)?

Another thing with getting a Scoob is there are no local places to do the Servicing etc, and with my last ones I had to drive for an hour or more to take them for a Service, which was a bit of a pain.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

I reckon you'd like the drive though.

Look for another one?

Std. 2.5 should only be taken to around 350bhp at no more than 1.3 bar. It's the boost (and bad mapping) that kills them. Typically suffer ringland failure. They have hypereutectic pistons.

When properly forged, they can run 450-470 at 1.7/8bar (and have numerically more lb ft than bhp, due to that extra 500cc).

But I'm guessing you're not really into the Impreza looks these days? What about a Hawk Spec D in crystal grey? Looks like a (relatively) unassuming WRX with low spoiler, but has creature comforts. Ltd to 300, so kinda exclusive too.



Where abouts are you?

Do a search re. the trader, and see for yourself. I'm not gonna diss them as such, as I have never bought from them. But it's worth being made aware, for your own research purposes, if nothing else. (No smoke without fire and that jazz...)

Razorwrx1

iTrader: (21)

How about.....
Ford Focus RS 2010
Classic Escort Rs cosworth (could be an investment)
Jaguar xf (supercharged if you could)
Audi a8 4.2 or S8 or (w12)
Audi S5
Audi rs4
Mercedes e55 amg
a Lotus!
Or how about a kit car already built With a decent engine. Loads out there.(Only you and your Mrs)
Range Rover khan/over finch
Vw Golf R32 newish shape, comfy and power with low repair bills (guessing)

Sorry mate I think I've listed the cars I'd be looking at with your money. That's what happens when you have kids And drive a van. Always dreaming!

bigredrob

I would buy two cars, cheap reliable, park any where, .."disposable"....and a fun car,

Littleted

If it was me I would have something fast, pretty economical in both fuel and servicing.

Being a once owner of a new E350 Merc it's fun but as you say boring all the same, I feel the 335d may verge on just that, but it also may have the edge..

I think if I had to choose I think I'd get one of Mattys M135s stretch the budget a little, after driving one there very fast capable and I think if you google enough you'll find one within budget....
http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/1-Series/3...cmdc=se_na_re_

stiscooby

I wouldn't mind a kit car of some description and did think about that a while ago but my main problem there is I don't have a garage so where to keep it would be a problem.

Ford focus RS, hmm na not really for me, bit too plasticky inside and a bit too much in ya face.

M135i, that wouldn't be a bad choice, mate of mine has just ordered one as it happens so we have been talking about them a fair bit recently. A few k more than my budget though and it's a shame they are not that great to look at?

Some of the other cars mentioned such as the S5 I have looked at too, but for my budget I would be looking at one with a good 60k plus on it.

Anyone would think I'm picky!!

Carnut

S4 saloon, not a estate like in the vid.

Less in ya face than a RS4, (sleeper) cheaper to run, (l think the cats for a RS4 are thousands) newer for like for like price and a choice of manual or auto. You could buy the tuning box for a weekend blast and put it back to standard for the better MPG. The S4 in the vid is also a auto so a manual one l believe is a little quicker.
Im sure these boxes are also made for the S3.

Audi S4 v Audi RS4. Does Supercharging Rule? - /C…:

stiscooby

Carnut - the S4 is one I hadn't thought of, good shout a lot of them seem to be the estate version so could take a bit of hunting to find one. I like the idea of the tuning box too

I have also seen a few of the new S3 saloons about and wouldn't mind one of those but unfortunately they are all virtually new at the moment so prices way over my budget.

Might have to have a search...........

Carnut

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

I have something a bit leftfield for you.

How's about a Jaguar XKR.... I know you will think old man's car, but look again and look at what you get:

Jaguar XKR £19,995

A lot of ponies, all the toys, uber reliable (yes I did say that cos they are), dealers everywhere, a great specialist network too. And just look at it

Carnut

That's not a old man's car, they are very small inside though, l was opening the window to give me more room.

(Edit) just had a look at the ad and the MPG is worth a laugh, would have respect for someone not following the pack and getting one though.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Wrong, the auto (dsg/stronic) is quicker than the manual.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

5-6K per year? Who gives a **** about MPG?

Carnut

No, just thought it was funny on Autotrader.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Yep...B8 v6 S4 audi is DSG.

Not to be confused with the older B7 V8 S4...which is a 6 speed ZF conventional auto...same 'box as the auto e60 BMWs but in a transaxle casing.

lozgti1

Range Rover Khan or Kahn or anything to do with their stuff makes me cringe.....

lozgti1

I bloody love them....

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

My mate has the XKR. But the fool got it in that metallic burgundy-red colour. Shoulda got it in the black, IMO.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Ahh yes...that'll be the left over nightfire red paint they got cheap from Longbridge when Rover went belly-up

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

lol

stiscooby

I'm 36 not 56 lol!

Seriously though, one of them aint for me. I think the interior looks rather cack and I wouldn't want the £500 a year tax either!

apac

iTrader: (2)

Get a two seater while you can. I would get a kit car or lotus exige with all the packages.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Never mind, one day when you gain some class you'll realise what a proper car is!

LOL at anyone who drives a fecking Audi rep mobile calling a Jag interior

stiscooby

Alright, calm down. Everyone is different, I personally just ain't keen on the Jag's interior, that’s it.

Devildog

Used M135i ?

Starting to get down to the £20k mark now

stiscooby

To be honest I think this would probably be the ideal, they seem to be good to drive, quick, not bad on fuel etc for what it is. The only thing that is putting me off slightly is the look, mainly it's rear end! Most of them still seem to be mid £20k too although when the new/latest model comes out hopefully this will bring the price down on the 2012/2013 models.

My mate is due to get a new one in a month or so (not the 'new new' model), so I might be more keen once I have had a look/ride in his. I think one of these would be more 'interesting' to drive than say another Audi, maybe I will need to compromise on the look and just enjoy the drive instead!?!?!

BBB3

iTrader: (7)

Jaguar XF super charged ?

hodgy0_2

I Think you have to bite the bullet and just accept that you don't like the looks, let all the other aspects of the car compensate, engine, power, economy, driving dynamics etc

And simply say "fvck" to the looks

I had a classic wagon, and that was pig ugly, but I loved driving it