The running costs are similar to most performance cars but add a little bit on top because it's BMW, if anything goes wrong mechanically it's going to cost you a fortune as nothing is cheap with BMW, you'll want to add things like carbon diffusers, rear spoiler and a carbon interior pack which are the basic things most people do which again are not cheap. They have a lot of service intervals not just engine services, things like brake fluid etc which are built into the schedule where BMW can have you over. Their are lots of other extras you have to pay for like BMW assistance, sat nav updates, and lots more within the idrive. You'll need deeper pockets than running a Subaru, because of the staggered alloys tyres are not cheap, you'll want Michellin Pilot Sport 4S which are £800 - £900 for 4 corners. They are a great car if you look after them, tricky in the wet/damp conditions with all that power going through the rear wheels. I'd get the DCT if your thinking of getting one, with all the standing traffic and traffic jams in this day and age you don't want to constantly be on the clutch changing gear.

Mine
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sco...054bb1ec54.jpg

Cheers for the reply and yours looks superb in that colour. In the end though I went with the CLA 45 with 2 year AMG warranty to cover any nasty bills. The 4 doors is far more practical for getting the kids in so that swung it in the end.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sco...8016056d13.jpg

That looks really nice, the only thing with mercs that i don't like is the rear end, other than that its a great looking car, enjoy :)

Cheers yeah they have sorted that on the new shape in my view but the new ones are a bit out of my league for a few years!