[shrimpvende]

Not been on here in a long time as I've been looking into what to get next. I've currently got an LCI 330i with pretty much all the options, but after owning for a year it's just not quick or loud enough. I want something more special that still has a good media system, a similar age and mileage and can still be a comfortable cruiser.

I've narrowed it down to 3 cars. On paper they're all about the same in terms of price/performance/mpg/tax/tyres/insurance etc. I will be running a second car too so I'm not worried about practicality. Budget around £25k. Has anyone else made the move into one of the cars below or could suggest anything I might have missed? I'm a little stuck!

1. M3 LCI DCT - £23k private/26k AUC for the spec I want but will be my 3rd 3 series coupe in a row. I know E92's inside out and private sale price leaves room for mods. But still not as special as the other two

2. 2010/11 Jaguar XKR 5.0 s/c - £26k for the spec I want. similar 0-60 as M3 but expect in gear will be noticeably faster, incredible noise and very comfortable cruiser. But not as sporty as the other two and I'm still 23 so maybe not the right image. Also tales of aquaplaning and undriveability in the cold/wet

3. 2006/7 Porsche Carrera 2S - £26k but older model year than the other two and less advanced media system/nav. better handling and more special than an M3 but no v8 and lots of reported engine problems where the other two don't

I'll only be commuting in it occasionally and mainly using it for longer drives and roadtrips/sunday morning blasts so it needs to feel special every time I drive it and warrant the cost of keeping it

[richk84]

Personally I wouldn't have a Jag, especially if your only 23! I never look twice at an XK, well maybe the XKR-S (electric blue one)

M3 or Porsche. I'm assuming the Porsche is a early 997?

[shrimpvende]

Originally Posted by richk84

Personally I wouldn't have a Jag, especially if your only 23! I never look twice at an XK, well maybe the XKR-S (electric blue one)

M3 or Porsche. I'm assuming the Porsche is a early 997?

Yea a few people have laughed about the jag. It would be a 2006/7 997 so early/mid life, I've read that the IMS was sorted by 2006MY so anything after that. Real shame as the 2005's are much cheaper!

[SO8]

The Jag is considered an old man's car but if you can afford the running costs and like it then what the hell !! It is an incredible car ... just a tad large compared to your 330i

Do not let the 'image' put you off if you like it - I didn't with a car many years ago when young and it had an 'older' reputation - and never regretted buying it !

[Fundguy1]

M3 or 335i with mods.

Who cares about the audio/nav. Factory sucks anyway. If it matters to you put in a better aftermarket setup anyway.

[HollowmanVIII]

Has to be the M3 for looks, performance and sound.

Have you considered a Audi S5? I imagine you'd get a tidy example around that price.

[smuler]

I only know the E92 M3 from several drives, as you probably know then it does feel very different from the more ordinary 3 series, but if you still feel too similar , what about Mercedes C63 AMG : still gives you the V8.

[djgandy]

I'd considered the jag too, but I felt that's a car I can just save for later in life. For the same reason I held off stretching to a DB9. Both depreciate like bricks, so there is bound to be a good example up in years to come anyway and I can scratch that itch when other requirements have a say. To add to that list M6, and other boats all got canned for the same reasons. All great cars but with a comfort focused sportiness.

If you needed boot space I'd say get the Jag, or if you just like the engine roar. It will beat the M3 in a straight line easily and has more gruntyness. The XKR weighs about the same as my vert, so its a fair bit heavier than the M3 coupe.

If you like driving your cars hard I'd say don't discount the M3. The car really comes alive as you push it. On the flip side if you want some big v8 grunt at 2000rpm its 100% not going to be your car.

The Porsche is probs the most special of the lot and will handle well due to its lightness. The power package is a bit limp though and tbh when I look at the lower end Porsche's I just think "why bother". I feel like I'd always want every other Porsche I saw. If you like carving up A roads, rather than flat out power it's probably the one to have.

Best advice I can give is test drive them all. I'd probably not get the jag myself, especially as its 500hp. That leaves you with another problem, what do you buy next?!

[tadaska]

I would keep saving until I can afford the F-Type.

[shrimpvende]

I'd discounted the S5/RS5 due to all the reviews saying they're slightly boring to drive and I prefer beemers to Audi's. Didn't stop me looking at a couple speculatively though. I also discounted the C63 as I'd prefer an M3 over one, it's still a family saloon with a big engine rather than a pure sports car.

I have a dilemma with my car. It's a 2010 with 64k miles and BMW insured warranty. If I sell it now I'll get back most of what I paid a year ago and can continue to pay the warranty for a couple of months for the new owner so we both get a worry free transaction. The car hasn't even had an MOT outside of BMW and has never been outside of BMW warranty. Other option is to stick with it and stop the warranty and do all my own servicing from now on which will make owning it much cheaper. The problem here is I don't have a crystal ball and don't know what that will do to the value - I'd rather loose money on a car I really want than this one as it no longer justifies the expense of it's upkeep to me.

I might have to go back to the drawing board - I've been reading about M3 rod bearings and after owning an N47 that had the timing chain problem I'd promised myself 'never again'. Insured warranty is £1200+ on the M3's I'm looking at!

[KJMotorsport]

The rod bearings on the M3 are an overblown issue, very few UK cases that I have seen. Saying that there are rod bearings issue with the E60 M5 and the E46 M3 so i wouldn't let that put you off!

[djgandy]

The rod bearing issue does worry me a little too, but given how low my mileage is I hope it wont be a problem. Also the later date cars have revised bearings so hopefully that improves things too. Easy on the throttle for the first few miles and don't go flat out until everything is up to temps.

I've heard you can get the warranty down to £700 on the phone. I may take it in that case. Given my mileage though I do wonder if I may as well bank that money for a rainy day. That said, one big bill in 5 years pays for the warranty.

[shrimpvende]

Well this could have taken a turn for the..erm..potentially worse. Went for an early morning hoon around the cotswolds in the 330i today and realised maybe a faster version of the same car isn't what I really want.

I am fortunate enough to work for a certain supercar manufacturer based in Gaydon, and my colleagues have been suggesting I biff off these suggestions, man up and buy a V8 Vantage. The benefits of this are that it's pretty much depreciation free, I work with the guys who Engineered it and know plenty of people who know exactly how they are built and where things are/how to replace them if they fail. I reckon I'd need £35k for a good one, but I can borrow the additional money for say 2 years ownership then give it back when I sell it (for hopefully as much as I bought it for). These dropped into the high £20's a couple of years ago but have been climbing ever since...its a gamble however, especially with the future models announced. I've also never actually driven a 4.3 which is a bit of a shame, I don't think we have any around now they're not current models.

Still, same tax as the M3, slightly cheaper insurance (£800) and the potential chance to own an Aston at 23...might be worth the risk!


picture from this morning:

[pmmcbl]

Get what you would love to drive and not a car you can get it repaired when it will go wrong. I personally don't like Aston martins, a bit like Jaguars. Good looking cars but that is where they stop for me.

But if you feel now is the time to get an Aston, then do it. At least you can say you owned one.

I will always buy German.

[edowen]

997. Engine problems are no worse than just about any other car you google.

Just find one with Porsche warranty privately you can keep going.

[edowen]

Might get a bit off this. Not an S, but you get the idea.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...code=p&adPos=3

[edowen]

Drove a V8 vantage the other day. Not impressed at all.

[Thermobaric]

Out of the cars you're considering, I've driven the V8V and 911 (albeit GT3).

V8V:

+ Nicer interior
+ A bit more special than a 911
+ (Nicked from PH) It's an Aston Martin. That means you get to own, sit in, drive, have parked in your garage, an Aston Martin
- Way more expensive to run than a 911. Though maybe cheaper considering your position.

911:

+ Looks better IMO, depending on trim, Aston still looks great of course
+ Rear seats for small Humans
+ Generally more fun to drive. Just feels more engaging
- Potential engine issues, bore scoring e.t.c.

[German_Whip]

Originally Posted by tadaska

I would keep saving until I can afford the F-Type.

F Type is coming down in price fast! nice car though, much prefer it over XK.

I also have 330i E92, did look at 35i Z4, but cabin was too small.

Now thinking of Aston Martin V8 Vantage, facelifting the bumpers to bring it up to date.

[misterS3]

Cayman / Boxter S? Would that not be better bet than the 911?

[Thermobaric]

But it wouldn't be a 911 :P

[richk84]

Originally Posted by misterS3

Cayman / Boxter S? Would that not be better bet than the 911?

Great shout - Cayman GTS for me