Jay Kay Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 With the Zed gone to make way for something with 4 doors I'm considering my options. I want something fastish so at first looked at the obvious, Focus ST, imprezza STI but most of those I discuss with friends always got sniggered at and comments about being an 18 year old chav, which at the age of 40 I should probably be growing out of. Started to think about something a bit more wafty and am considering either Audi or BMW. Anyone ever experienced either of them? I have had 4 friends with BMW turbo diesels and three of them have blown turbos and nearly taken out the engines with them so I'm really put off the BMW, especially as I think the 535 is twin turbo, but maybe they've just been unlucky? Any comments, feedback or other options for consideration? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Kay Posted July 30, 2016 Author Share Posted July 30, 2016 Don't really want to go above 12k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Tbh, it depends on what you want the car for. Do you want to waft, or do you want to drive? Who cares what everyone else says, it's your money. ST or Impreza will be miles more fun, 535 or A6 a nicer place to be inside. Personally I'd look for a petrol V8 version of the latter two and split the difference, but I may be a tad biased... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Kay Posted July 30, 2016 Author Share Posted July 30, 2016 Well, I work from home mainly and need four doors due to a second child coming along so I don't particularly need something that handles like a race car, would just be nice to have something that sheen on the odd occasion I'm in the car by yourself, if I stick my foot down it can still get up and go, but it certainly won't be used for b road blasting so a wafter will probably do the job. I also want a car with lowish miles and won't cost a fortune in annual servicing as miles will be kept to a minimum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Again, I'd go with a petrol 545i or even an RS6 with the 4.2TT lump in! Both will come in well under budget (the latter by a couple of grand, the former by half) which leaves you plenty of cash to take care of any issues that crop up. Both will be a billion times more exciting than the diesel version, and even if you don't need the handling there's a lot to be said to have something with that much poke and with that gorgeous noise Lowish miles aren't a requirement for these kinds of car, as they're premium so were designed to last. You're actually more likely to get issues with a diesel that barely breaks sweat than with a solid petrol car that's been used but looked after. Buy on condition, not on mileage. Servicing will be the same regardless of fuel type, just stick to specialists rather than main dealers. It would be nice to have something special rather than just another dull barge, don'tcha think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Kay Posted July 30, 2016 Author Share Posted July 30, 2016 Yeah I agree, but I'm just not sure I have enough brave pills to go for a cheaper leggy v8 in case it becomes a money pit. Ferrying the kids around means I may be better buying newer for reliability purposes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Yeah I agree, but I'm just not sure I have enough brave pills to go for a cheaper leggy v8 in case it becomes a money pit. Ferrying the kids around means I may be better buying newer for reliability purposes Newer doesn't always mean more reliable nor does less miles mean more reliable imo. Personally I agree with what Dan has said for the most part. I was looking at the BMW M5 as one possible option for myself before I bought my Audi S3. One here for under £12K: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201606084733959?search-target=usedcars&price-to=12000&zero-to-60=very-fast&quantity-of-doors=4&postcode=cf832nq&searchcontext=default&radius=50&page=1&sort=pricedesc&onesearchad=new%2Cnearlynew%2Cused&logcode=p&adPos=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Geez, that's a lot of car for the cash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Kay Posted July 31, 2016 Author Share Posted July 31, 2016 I think they are due a high cost service around the 100k mark, probably why that's for sale. My cousin's m3 cost him over 1800 quid for that service and he had the wheels diamond cut around the same time. All told he done approx two and half grand that month and for that very reason, M cars are out of the question. I do appreciate that newer doesn't always mean cheaper, but I would have far less chance of a big bill on a newer less performance orientated car than on an older, high mileage sports car. I just want the easy life but with something with a bit of poke and not with ongoing big bills. I couldn't justify it with a growing family and doing very low miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 What about a Jag? ...XF or something?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Kay Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 Quite like the new XF and my brother in law collects his brand new one as soon as the new reg comes out. I couldn't possibly buy an old 10 grand xf, as I'd never hear the end of how much better his car is than mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hensh65 Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I went wafty after the 350 and got a 3.0tdi A5, tried getting a remap to make it fun... sold it 9 months after buying it. I like to go out and have fun in a car, if you're the same then avoid the wafty! If you actually care about going to fill the car up,, then go for the wafty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Quite like the new XF and my brother in law collects his brand new one as soon as the new reg comes out. I couldn't possibly buy an old 10 grand xf, as I'd never hear the end of how much better his car is than mine! If that bothers you then you are only ever going to end up with a car which he likes or approves of & not what you want or like. Personally I think as long as you're happy with the car you own who gives a monkeys what other people think. Anyway getting back to the first 2 cars you mentioned then... BMW 535D ~ M Sport version, 2007, 70K miles with the more powerful 282Bhp engine here for £12K: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607296290614?search-target=usedcars&make=bmw&model=5_series&price-to=12000&fuel-type=diesel&zero-to-60=fast&searchcontext=default&radius=1500&postcode=cf832nq&page=1&sort=pricedesc&onesearchad=new%2Cnearlynew%2Cused&logcode=p&adPos=2 Audi A6 3.0 TDi Le Mans ~ 2009, 60K miles with Sat Nav etc here for £11990: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201604193114090?search-target=usedcars&make=audi&model=a6_saloon&price-to=12000&fuel-type=diesel&zero-to-60=fast&searchcontext=default&radius=1500&postcode=cf832nq&page=1&sort=pricedesc&onesearchad=new%2Cnearlynew%2Cused&body-type=saloon&logcode=p&adPos=2 Of those two cars for me it would be a difficult decision as I prefer the exterior look of the BMW and its slightly better performance (0-60 although not much in it) but then I much prefer the interior in the Audi as well as it's 4wd Quattro system which would be useful in bad weather (although not a necessity in this country). Also the specs list for both cars is very, very good so in short it really would come down to personal preference, possibly any insurance cost differences, driving each to see which one was preferred driving/seating position wise etc or flipping a coin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 If you're only doing short trips, then you can't get a diesel. Are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Kay Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 The BMW is certainly the better looking of those two, but the Audi had a facelift in 09 and that one above is the old shape. Biggest difference on the facelift is the back end, which frankly is looking pretty old and bland on the pre-facelift car. Dan, yes there was be some short trips done in the car. What are your concerns? Are these cars DPF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 The BMW is certainly the better looking of those two, but the Audi had a facelift in 09 and that one above is the old shape. Biggest difference on the facelift is the back end, which frankly is looking pretty old and bland on the pre-facelift car. Dan, yes there was be some short trips done in the car. What are your concerns? Are these cars DPF? I'm pretty certain the Audi does have a DPF for sure. If you're doing short trips mainly then I'd definitely be looking at a petrol car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 They'll all have a DPF of that age, yeah. A couple of short drives once a week will be absolutely fine, but you'll have to remember to take it for a high speed blast to clear the DPF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snjur Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 (edited) Bimmers are quite popular here at southeast. A good buddy of mine has an 535D original M pack fully equipped. I can say car is really magnificent. As from exterior to interior. Inside is bit "cold" or sterile hard to find expression. But every thing is on right place and really functional. Car goes really insane for diesel engine as well as consumption if you like spirited driving. Handles great drives great.Here they are not on so good reputation as they had few bits and pices that like malfunction like turbos, exhaust headers, injectors. So people value more for buy 530d. Is that due to bad maintenance or what i dont know. Personally my buddys is from first owner with servicr history and no any problems. Audi on another hand much more "flashy" interior but... As soon as you grab that steering wheel and start to drive, that numb feel and no communication from it kills all the joy Sent from my SM-G850F using Tapatalk Edited August 2, 2016 by Snjur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veilside z Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 Maybe the friends that sniggered at that time, weren't in a position to have one. Go for what you want buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Kay Posted August 2, 2016 Author Share Posted August 2, 2016 With all the talk of petrol power, I have seen this. However, I think it has the same engine as my old 330ci, which was known for numerous problems such as cooling issues, various oil leaks etc etc http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607085660743?search-target=usedcars&make=bmw&model=5_series&price-from=8000&price-to=9000&fuel-type=petrol&radius=35&sort=default&searchcontext=default&postcode=en76de&page=1&onesearchad=new%2Cnearlynew%2Cused&logcode=p&adPos=2 I think its great looking, even the wood is bearable. Any comments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 With all the talk of petrol power, I have seen this. However, I think it has the same engine as my old 330ci, which was known for numerous problems such as cooling issues, various oil leaks etc etc http://www.autotrade...gcode=p&adPos=2 I think its great looking, even the wood is bearable. Any comments Can't comment on the engine reliability but that's a lot of car for the money, ...plus you'd never guess it was 11 years old to look at it imo. I will say though that my old man had a 55 plate 330Ci and he never had any engine problems with that during his ownership of 3+years. He's now in a newer version 3 series with twin turbos & again so far so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Kay Posted August 3, 2016 Author Share Posted August 3, 2016 Anyone had experience of a Mazda3 MPS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hensh65 Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Anyone had experience of a Mazda3 MPS? My mate had one for a while but he got pi**ed off with the maintenance bills on his, his was stage 2 though. I think they are pretty bad for the turbo's going pop. I have the hatch impreza just now, for the money you're looking to spend you could probably get the wrx-s hatch with decent miles on the clock. 265bhp and around 5.5 to 60. Interior wise they're shocking, looks wise, it depends who you ask but they're fun and fast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bems Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 MPS's have horrendous torque steer. Better off with the focus out of those two IMO. My money would go on one of these.. http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201604293472996?search-target=usedcars&make=volkswagen&model=passat&keywords=r36&sort=default&radius=1500&page=1&postcode=ab157uh&onesearchad=new%2Cnearlynew%2Cused&logcode=p&adPos=4 Good waftability, good noise, good amount of toys, plenty options for mods..... maybe an r32 golf or edition 30. All of the above will hold value very well especially the R36's. Or how about.. http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607256157850?search-target=usedcars&make=audi&model=s4&price-from=9000&price-to=14000&sort=default&radius=1500&postcode=ab157uh&page=1&onesearchad=new%2Cnearlynew%2Cused&logcode=p&adPos=6 Option for the earlier B7 4.2 v8 which would come in well under budget but apart from the noise they're nothing to shout about. You could also get a higher mileage RS4 for that sort of money http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607015443608?search-target=usedcars&make=audi&model=rs4_saloon&price-from=9000&price-to=14000&postcode=ab157uh&radius=1500&page=1&searchcontext=default&sort=default&onesearchad=new%2Cnearlynew%2Cused&logcode=p&adPos=2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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