fcuk1_6

I may be selling my 330-340bhp blobeye WRX in the next couple of weeks and I'm thinking on what I can replace it with that will be just a reliable with a noticable step forward in performance. It's my daily driver and I do a 50 mile round trip for work 5 days a week.

I'd like to stick with 4wd so the power is usable up here in Scotland although I am slightly tempted by a E60 M5 or Merc E55 AMG with their impressive power outputs but think the rwd, weight/size and auto box means they'll be no real (safe) fun on twisties and just wheelspin (or have T/C cut in) unless its bone dry.

I'm drawn to an Evo 9 FQ340 tuned to around 400/400 as they should be similar MPG, handling and reliability to the scooby while offering the step up in power. I am also looking at the B7 RS4 but I would be looking at higher mileage examples, it would stretch my budget by maybe £3k (I should have up to around £14k to put towards Evo/whatever), the real power output is always well short of the claimed 420bhp and the suspension on them is troublesome.

Opinions, input, suggestions?

Matteeboy

You'd need an Evo 9 FQ360 to be much quicker than your Scoob. I tested one and it was great.

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

There's a nice JDM Impreza STI in the sale section at the moment, with 440bhp and a lot of mods.

That would be my choice.

Razorwrx1

iTrader: (21)

My mates a car dealer and his sold a E55 AMG 03 reg last year. Said it was a great car but couldn't keep the power down through the rear wheels. Said it just kept spinning in lows gears! Looked a beast tho with nearly 500bhp

fcuk1_6

Did see that and owner has similar taste to me style wise (mine is black with same wheels in hyper black and same BC BRs) but I think it is awfy dear for a 2003 car even with the mods it's running.

fcuk1_6

Looked into the FQ360 (and FQ MR360) runing 400 and would defo consider one but would prefer modified FQ340 running the 400 if possible as the FQ360 and MR360 is only available after the higher tax band cut off date, doesn't come with the smartnav std and the MR runs the 71 series turbo which drops boost at top end and is really at its limits at 400 where as the non MR cars run the more reliable (all be it slightly laggier) 80 series turbos.

Matteeboy

You know your stuff way more than I do but I was blown away by the one I tested; about the most accessible crazy performance I have experienced. Exceptional machine; shame about the fuel range and daft service intervals.

fcuk1_6

Scoob went on Saturday, found a couple of silver FQ360s but silver doesn't really float my boat being honest. Found a blue one with 20k on the clock so phoned the guy and he said he'd accept £14,200 and that he'd come back to me to let me know if he was off on Sunday for me to come see it then ad dissapeared off PH and he won't return my calls!?
I've seen another blue one on ebay with 16k miles but guy wants £18k for it and some things don't seem to add up as he says it's cheaper road tax but is a 2007 car and it has the FQ300/320/340 wheels on it rather than the 360s speedline wheels.
Must try to keep my sensible hat on as money is burning a hole in my pocket!

Still open to suggestion if theres anything else out there?

Matteeboy

You're not far off an E90 M3 although I don't think it will be any quicker than your Scoob (except above 100).
RS4, keep it for a bit then take it to the nice supercharging people?!

Dave Thornton

OP - on your first post I was thinking you're focusing a little too much on bhp/speed etc and less on enjoyment. And that you would one day own a GT-R and still want more!

Then you have come round to Evos and that's where I think you should end up. If you can sit tight and wait for the right one to come along, a 9 MR FQ-360 (the true last of the line) is probably where you want to be. Keep it standard (or modified but able to return to standard) and the mileage down and you'll be owning a future classic (like the Evo 6.5 TME is already becoming). Bite the bullet on the road tax - you'll probably save twice that in lower depreciation. Less than £20k, I doubt there's a faster standard everyday road car for the UK.

theboy

Why is road tax such a issue when your spending that amount of money on your car?

fcuk1_6

Not too fussed on road tax but if whatever I'm looking at doesn't come taxed I need to allow for it in my budget.
I am focused on performance and yes I'm pretty sure I won't be happy until there's a veyron parked outside but until my numbers come up I need to make do,lol. I know an R33 GTR would be fast but don't want something as old as that and it just won't do for a daily driver.
I think my hearts set on a low mileage evo IX now up to £14k to be comfortable but trying to find one that ticks all the boxes ain't proving easy. I've seen a silver MR FQ360 but its a bit high on miles at 49k and silver isn't my favourite colour or am I just being picky?

Matteeboy

I think 49k should be okay on an Evo - fairly solid cars. Grey is best but silver gains "sleeper" points.

Damn fine cars IMO.

john banks

The earlier IX FQ320 will have the 80 series turbo, low road tax, and with just a map will do about 380 BHP with the supplied exhaust and fuel pump. If you want more noise and a bit more power you can go for a full 3" exhaust, upgraded fuel pump and airbox lid mod to get 400 BHP.

I had a IX FQ340 and the half leather seats, Smart Nav and crappy map were not worth the extra, but I bought it six months old at a good price. Not being able to quieten down the exhaust was a big reason for moving onto a GTR. The Evo was more fun on narrow roads and flatters your driving. The GTR is much more of a handful but the engine, gearbox, aero, refinement are much better. Ride is just as firm though, perhaps firmer than the Evo and the consumables and repairs are expensive.

E60 M5 is wicked, with winter tyres it would be fine in Scotland in winter compared to an Evo on summer tyres, but will be nowhere near as good in the wet. B7 RS4 is relatively gutless whereas the M5 wound out to the red line is a weapon. The M5 is also very comfortable and refined.

fcuk1_6

It's not so much that I'm worrying about it having problems more that I'm worried bout trying to sell it on after a couple of years as I'm covering around 15k/annum.

Matteeboy

I think you'll get more for your money with an Evo. An RS4/M5 at that budget will be pretty leggy. An Evo will also seem quite economical compared to a V10 M5!

neilwrx

iTrader: (7)

I can agree with this,i drive a jag str and mine gets 15mpg combined town and fast road driving so can see the m5 being better.The evo will be far easier to repair aswell as many newer performance cars are electric everything and sometimes can be a pain in the ***.

movi-star

iTrader: (1)

I went from Scoob to Evo IX FQ320 which was modified up to 380 and I found it dull, they are fast competent cars and it looked great in met blue with plenty of carbon bits but it was just DULL, hard to explain but it didn't excite me to drive, it could have been any old jap tin top. It was like driving a fast fax machine...boring boring boring.

Best value of the fast Mercs would be a C63, drive fast, SOUND fast and luxurious.

They all fail (imho) to even come close to the best daily driver out there........R35 GTR....BIBLICAL!!!

fcuk1_6

I was lucky enough to get regular use of an R35 GTR for a year or so as my dad had one, MEGA car but somewhat beyond my means, lol. Maybe an R34 GTR in a couple of years after whatever I get next if the finances allow .

fcuk1_6

Deposit put down on this:
http://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=448581

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

Very nice, bet you can't wait to get into the driving seat of that.

grahamc

iTrader: (10)

I was going to suggest a 996 carrera... but that looks good!

fcuk1_6

Defo looking forward to getting it but I am a bit nervous about trying to get it on and off the ferry with how low it is.

Matteeboy

One word.

WEAPON!!

fcuk1_6

Picked the car up on Saturday and OMG it feels like ur driving a race car, good in that it's fast as fap, handles amazingly and looks the business but hoping I've not gone made a mistake as u need a leg like Popeye's arm to operate the double plate clutch in a traffic jam, the brakes squeek until warmed up and the sound is great when ur going for a blast but a bit loud for motorway commute but hopefully a bung will sort that.

fcuk1_6

Evo moved on back in June and now got a B8 audi S4 that I had remapped to 489bhp, more like it, must be getting old :-(

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

wrx with ppp

Maz

iTrader: (34)

150ish bhp with just a remap?!

john banks

And a pulley. Fuel system, exhaust, supercharger are all quite competent.

More driving impressions would be interesting to hear...

fcuk1_6

Recently took it to MRC for stage 2 tune which is modified airbox, air filter, uprated supercharger pulley and a remap. R/R before result was 348PS and 487Nm which is a good bit over the claimed 333PS but well impressed with after results of 488PS and 592Nm.

Driving wise it is worlds apart from the Scooby and Evo. Very smooth power delivery so doesn't feel anywhere as fast as it really is as you don't get the kick in the back the turbos gave. Probably stating the obvious but its a lot comfier than scoob which in turn was comfier than the evo. Build quality is of the same high standard for all cars all though the Audi is a lot more plush inside. The Audi doesn't encourage (or reward) hard driving on twisties which I do miss but I don't have the optional Audi sports diff and haven't modified the suspension in any way so as retain the high comfort levels and before I changed to Vredisteins and coilovers on the Scooby I didn't think it was great handling either. Overall it is a great car for my needs but going to start saving for a TTRS (awaits the barrage of hairdresser comments) now I think to try to get the best of all worlds hopefully.