I've sorely missed my Scooby since it went and I've always promised myself another fast car once we were in a better position financially after renovating our house. Initially I didn't really think about practicality and therefore another Scoob/EVO/etc. would be fine however now with the kids and all their paraphenailia most of my leisure driving is in the estate car so I'm thinking change that for something fast for the weekends and get something small / economical / cheap for the commute.

So I've a max of £15k to spend, maybe a bit more for the right car, would prefer it to be petrol and manual (but it doesn't necessarily rule out diesels and (semi)autos). Needs to be 300bhp+ and a 0-60 of less than 6s

The shortlist:

1. BMW M5 Tourer - if money was not an object this is the ultimate but a good one seems to be £25k+
2. Audi RS4 Avant (4.2L V8) - as above and too many stories of huge bills.
3. Audi RS6 Avant - Affordable to purchase but astronomical running costs.
4. Audi S6 (5L V10) - rare as rocking horse poo and probably too expensive.
5. Audi S4 (4.2L V8) - current favourite, over 300bhp and less to go wrong than an RS4/6.

Other options

BMW 3 Series Touring - preferable a 335i with a manual box - v.rare
BMW 5 Series Touring
VW Passat R36 - Different, rare, and I quite like it.
Saabs? - Just Vauxhalls with turbo engines?
Volvos? - Presumably with an R after the model number.

Your thoughts are appreciated

 

If you can't stomach the running costs of any of the RS Audi's or big engine BMW why not get a 2.0TFSI A4 and chuck some mods at it? With the budget you'll easily get a nice B7 A4 Quattro SLine and they its not so hard or that expensive to get them over 300HP?

 

Have you considered some of the big TD variant

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

Okay so 60 might be 7s and it only has 230bhp, but a little tweak to the ECU and it already has over 300lb/ft of torque

 

It's a thought but I'm thinking that I don't want to modify whatever I go for. Whilst I've been there with the Scoobs etc. this time I'd prefer not to have the hassle of modified insurance. Also the thought of putting it back to standard if I were to sell on later as lets face it they are harder to sell and you never get the money back you spent on the mods.

That said wouldn't completely rule it out, e.g. an ECU tweak to a TDi

 

It's good for the money and potentially could be an all rounder as if I can get 35mpg out of it for the commute (40 miles a day on the motorway) then I wouldn't need a seperate car for commuting. But will it provide the fix I need

 

Have you considered the B5 RS4?

autotrader

Goes like stink, and has (relatively) cheaper running costs.........

 

Forester STi.

 

RS4 every time

 

The 3.0TDI is a good shout and should be good for a decent shove in the pants. I've got a 170TDI (4 pot) in the same shape and although when you get it right (Diesels are a bugger for either feeling awesome or complete sh1te depending on the revs). I'd want to drive one to see how much better (i.e. quicker) the V6 is over the 4 pot to make it worthwhile. The 2.0TDI engines are not the best though - I'm OK with mine but its not great.

Some say that even the quattro petrol 2.0 turbo will return 40 on a run.

 

If it was my money yes, and add a milltek exhaust, decent filter and a remap, but as the OP says he's not sure about running costs

 

i have just changed my mitsubishi to an 07 rs4.
its not the estate version but they are available and doubtful you will find a faster car.

 

I absolutely love them and if budget would allow I'd go for it but it's at least £20k for B6/7 RS4 and relistically £25k for a decent low miler. And then I hear abour the DRC system leaking and needing complete replacement / overhaul, £1k for a set of front discs / pads, £250 per corner on tyres, it's just too much unfortuantely. Need more money

 

Great car but not steathly enough for my tastes. Want something that for the most part looks like an everyday estate car but can give low end Porsche drivers a fright

 

STI wagon it is then

 

Tubby what's the RS4 like compared to the scoob?

 

only just got it but the power feels endless and the torque is amazing.
i doubt an impreza would get anywhere near in a straightline.
slightly nose heavy in the twisties where an impreza would probably be equal.
interior is miles ahead but its 3 times the pricr nearly.


still wouldnt part with my impreza though.

 

AMG Merc estate

 

Cheers Buddy, Car looks good. You've got the best of both worlds

Now back onto the thread

RS4 estate

 

same car and its called avant according to the dealer

 

Slight curve ball, and not an estate as such but still good sized boot and rear seats drop.

But I've just replaced my wifes car with a BMW X3 3.0sd M sport. Basically a X3 will loads of extras, colour coded bumpers and M sport bits, but best of all running the Twin turbo 35d lump. best part of 300bhp/400ft/lb standard and stage 1 maps to 330bhp/500+ft/lb. Handling is very good all things considered and packs a serious punch, and enough to keep up and see off most things. Yet running costs are good, and has every creature comfort you could want and unlike any of the other 35d range, the X3 has AWD which we couldn't do without.

It may not for you, but it ticked pretty much every box for our needs.

 

STi wagon with 500bhp,should be good option


Jura

 

Go on then RS4 owners how much do they cost you to run i.e. servicing, consumables (brakes, tyres, clutch, etc.), I don't mind fuel costs it's the rest of it that scares me.

Heart says yes, head says no

 

+1

 

I considered this a while ago and had a similar list. One that was on my possibles list not here was the 300c SRT. More to do with straight line grunt than handling though. But cheap and understressed.

 

E55 AMG estate. Looks standardish apart from the wheels

Or go for a C Class AMG for a cheaper option

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/4017305.htm

 

Tubby you jammy get, I like it. Look into the common issues, there is a few. But nice.

Another thought for op.
Forester sti new model
Or Mercedes c class c350 blue efficiency diesel, loads of power, faster than BMW 335i petrol worth a look.
And of course rs4 avant if you can afford running costs.
This is we're I narrowed it down to.
But no need for estate anymore as I have plans lol.
Good luck

 

Have to say that looks

 

The car that will be perfect for you isn't out until 2013:

M340xd touring.
349bhp standard + torque to match, and 4wd. 0-60 must be low 5s, mid range must be spectacular.

 

Remember the old maxim that a car that cost 100k originally will eventually have the bills of a 100k car even if you can buy one for 15k..