[S1NGH]

I have decided to change my 330d at some point in the new year once I've managed to persuade the Wife it's the right time lol..

Don't need anything too big as the Wife now has an SUV which we use when we need the space.

Petrol only this time as definitely fancy a change from Diesel even though I have really enjoyed two years of ownership of my 330d MS black beauty.

Needs to carry 4 adults occasionally, sometimes for the odd long journey, not an every day driver but will be used regularly evenings and weekends. It will be owned for 2-3 years so not just for short term thrills!

Needs to be quick, comfortable, refined and have a reasonable size boot.

My initial thoughts, not a shortlist as such, but I am struggling to think of what else.

In no particular order:

A) 440i GC/coupe with MPPK
B) M4 Comp Pack
C) 540i with MPPK

Yes I know they are very different but I do like all of them having driven them.

What do you think and any others you would suggest, fast Audi or Merc dare I say those words on this forum?

Budget is £50 to £55k, so will be pre reg most likely.

Cheers,
Paul

[Tengocity]

440i sounds good but perhaps not different enough to the 330d?

M4 and 540i are quite different... are you after brutal performance or consummate waftability?

Others to consider...

S5/RS5
C43/C63
Alfa Giulia QF
Mustang V8

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by S1NGH

I have decided to change my 330d at some point in the new year once I've managed to persuade the Wife it's the right time lol..

Don't need anything too big as the Wife now has an SUV which we use when we need the space.

Petrol only this time as definitely fancy a change from Diesel even though I have really enjoyed two years of ownership of my 330d MS black beauty.

Needs to carry 4 adults occasionally, sometimes for the odd long journey, not an every day driver but will be used regularly evenings and weekends. It will be owned for 2-3 years so not just for short term thrills!

Needs to be quick, comfortable, refined and have a reasonable size boot.

My initial thoughts, not a shortlist as such, but I am struggling to think of what else.

In no particular order:

A) 440i GC/coupe with MPPK
B) M4 Comp Pack
C) 540i with MPPK

Yes I know they are very different but I do like all of them having driven them.

What do you think and any others you would suggest, fast Audi or Merc dare I say those words on this forum?

Budget is £50 to £55k, so will be pre reg most likely.

Cheers,
Paul

No need for pre reg you can get a 440GC and a replacement SUV brand new for your £55k budget.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

440i sounds good but perhaps not different enough to the 330d?

M4 and 540i are quite different... are you after brutal performance or consummate waftability?

Others to consider...

S5/RS5
C43/C63
Alfa Giulia QF
Mustang V8

If I was getting a car for weekend and evening use only, I'd probably go for the V8 mustang. It might not drive like the others, but the smiles would be there everytime you started it.

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

440i sounds good but perhaps not different enough to the 330d?

M4 and 540i are quite different... are you after brutal performance or consummate waftability?

Others to consider...

S5/RS5
C43/C63
Alfa Giulia QF
Mustang V8

Thanks Terry, looking for something capable of sub 5 seconds, but equally capable of just commuting on the odd occasion.

Was also mulling over the out going M5 as that can do both in complete comfort, but didn't fancy the older mans car, even though I am 46 lol.

Not keen on the Mustang, but the Alfa looks very nice...

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by Alex440

If I was getting a car for weekend and evening use only, I'd probably go for the V8 mustang. It might not drive like the others, but the smiles would be there everytime you started it.

The Mustang's noise sounds amazing but styling is not for me tbh...but thanks

[Tengocity]

Another left field choice would be one of the Lexus coupes... still using a NA V8!

It wouldn't be my cup of tea, but they're running one as a long-termed in Evo and it seems to grow on people!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by S1NGH

Thanks Terry, looking for something capable of sub 5 seconds, but equally capable of just commuting on the odd occasion.

Was also mulling over the out going M5 as that can do both in complete comfort, but didn't fancy the older mans car, even though I am 46 lol.

Not keen on the Mustang, but the Alfa looks very nice...

I often look at the used M5s and ponder, but they just seem to large to hustle down a UK back road, and then complete overkill on a motorway cruise here too.

[teaston]

How about an M240i? Would probably be top of my list for an occasional use car.

[isleaiw1]

RS3
RS5 slightly secondhand
S5 sportback
C63/43
E63/43

[NotGotABimmer23]

M3CP
C63S
RS3 Saloon
RS4 Avant

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Another left field choice would be one of the Lexus coupes... still using a NA V8!

It wouldn't be my cup of tea, but they're running one as a long-termed in Evo and it seems to grow on people!

Not considered any of the Japanese options, tended to prefer the German marques, suppose I am a badge snob deep down.

Always found the Japanese cars so light and not built for European roads.

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by teaston

How about an M240i? Would probably be top of my list for an occasional use car.

Thanks Tim, little too small inside for me at 6ft 2, plus not keen on the 1 or 2 series shape tbh.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by S1NGH

Not considered any of the Japanese options, tended to prefer the German marques, suppose I am a badge snob deep down.

Always found the Japanese cars so light and not built for European roads.

I'm the same, but trying to be more open minded! I just can't imagine buying a Lexus ever though! Too much Alan Partridge episodes years back...

What about the Maserati Ghibli?

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

RS3
RS5 slightly secondhand
S5 sportback
C63/43
E63/43

New RS5 looks really nice, how does it compare to the drive of the M4?

Not considered the new E43/63, will take a look..

Thanks

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by kylemacca01

M3CP
C63S
RS3 Saloon
RS4 Avant

Don't fancy M3 as too similar shape to current F30, M4 looks that much more sleek.

RS4 that's an option yes, a fast estate that looks lovely, very practical if needed but still quick...

Thanks

[JNW1]

Lots of alternatives you can spend ages deliberating over but option B) from your initial list is probably the right answer IMHO. Certainly obtainable within budget from stock or as a pre-reg and just about available within budget as a factory order providing you don't go silly with the options...

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by JNW1

Lots of alternatives you can spend ages deliberating over but option B) from your initial list is probably the right answer IMHO. Certainly obtainable within budget from stock or as a pre-reg and just about available within budget as a factory order providing you don't go silly with the options...

I think your right, keep coming back to that option.

Only negative is although the interior is functional, it's not as modern or nice as some of the Audi's including its infotainment.

The drive itself for me has always been the number one criteria.

[335dMSport+]

I know that you said it doesn't need to be an SUV but the X3 M40i or the Macan GTS are both within your price range and are both excellent cars.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by S1NGH

I think your right, keep coming back to that option.

Only negative is although the interior is functional, it's not as modern or nice as some of the Audi's including its infotainment.

The drive itself for me has always been the number one criteria.

If you didn't need the flexibility to carry more than 2 people I'd say try to find one of the last of the 981 Cayman S's with the flat-six engine - probably at least one step ahead of everything else mentioned in terms of how it drives plus relatively low depreciation if you're not piling lots of miles on it. However, that's obviously not an option if there are times you need to carry 4 people so an M4 CP is where I'd go in your situation.

An M-Sport 440i is certainly a nice enough machine but dynamically it's no M-car unless you're prepared to throw lots of money at it on after-market modifications (suspension as well as engine, almost none of which you'll recover when you come to sell 2 or 3 years down the line). Therefore, you might as well get the real thing and have done IMO!

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by 335dMSport+

I know that you said it doesn't need to be an SUV but the X3 M40i or the Macan GTS are both within your price range and are both excellent cars.

Interesting, thank you.

Will add both to the list, like your thinking...both will drive like a car and still reasonably quick...

[teaston]

Originally Posted by S1NGH

Thanks Tim, little too small inside for me at 6ft 2, plus not keen on the 1 or 2 series shake tbh.

Ok I didn't realise you're that long! 440i coupe then, M4 is a massive amount of money for a car that will sit on the drive most of the time.