300BHP with €10k - Options

ironclaw

I do a good deal of travelling, but its always been my desire to have something fun to come home too. With that in mind, if you have €10k to spend and wanted to be at, or very tunable to, 300BHP+, where would you start?

Tax and fuel are not an issue, but all in, on the road, I'd want to be looking at a €10k investment or less. Keeping it reasonably current would also be a concern, so 2005 or greater. BMW 535D currently leads as it can be tuned up to ~350BHP with minimal effort, whilst also offering decent highway MPG. Anything larger, such as the 7-Series is getting into luxobarge territory and I'd rather have something a little more 'alive' Audi S4 is a secondary contender, but very rare to find one in budget. Ditto on the M3, any model I'd be interested in would be an enthusiast model with a price tag to rightly match.

I considered a much older RS6, but was put off by the high investment and high upkeep on that particular era (The C5 I believe) Another avenue I explored here was taking a 225 TT, which has Quattro and over 200BHP out of the box, and apply a Stage 2 or 3 APR kit. Opel OPC / Vauxhall VXR get a shout in, but only if heavily tuned.

I'm not looking for the likes of the Evo / Subaru / Honda, if I was going that route I'd only be considering the very latest offerings and they are well outside budget. Finding one in the Republic is also nigh impossible, including the theft risk.

Thoughts?

ofcork

There is a lexus gs 450h in the luxo thread for 6k with 350bhp!

btkm8unsl0w5r4

BMW 335i should get one in budget.

ironclaw

Vada Chilly Tech wrote: »

BMW 335i should get one in budget.

The torque of the 535D is appealing though and the higher MPG (Not a huge concern but like for like value, its a positive for the D over the I)

I've yet to find a 335i, in good nick, below €10k though

td2008

You should pick up an m3 for 10k

Mister Jingles

Something a bit different to a high powered BMW or Audi.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-mondeo-ghia-2-5-220ps/11061339

220bhp stock and can be easily tuned to 260 bhp, I'm sure 300bhp is achievable with a bit of investment. Would be some sleeper to own.

mickdw

How about an e39 M5. Ok, its not going to be 2005 or better but it could really be a depreciation free car to keep forever.

Mister Jingles

Another suggestion

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Vectra/2.8I-V6-/201314594319584140/advert?channel=CARS

farna_boy

A little older than specified but an 03 Mercedes SL500 for €9800?

R.O.R

First thing that came to mind was a 645 Coupe.

Slightly older than you wanted, but seems to be well minded, FSH and reasonable mileage for the age - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-645-ci/11745622

ironclaw

Mister Jingles wrote: »

Another suggestion

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Vectra/2.8I-V6-/201314594319584140/advert?channel=CARS

Thats a rare little number alright. I've only seen one or two pop up, so I'll go take a look at this for sure.

mickdw wrote: »

How about an e39 M5. Ok, its not going to be 2005 or better but it could really be a depreciation free car to keep forever.

Have my eye on an M5 at the moment, but you are talking €10k for perhaps a good, clean 1999 model. I do like them, but not my first preference.

td2008 wrote: »

You should pick up an m3 for 10k

Same sentiments as the M5 to be honest.

farna_boy wrote: »

A little older than specified but an 03 Mercedes SL500 for €9800?

An old boss had one of these. Super car, frighteningly quick and very comfortable. I wasn't too keen on the handling and he pretty much had a tab at the local petrol station :pac:

R.O.R wrote: »

First thing that came to mind was a 645 Coupe.

I've looked at one or two of these, but I believe they have significant issues at higher mileages, perhaps I am mistaken? I know they do need a good overhaul once they reach certain age.

td2008

Like the look of this m, you might get it closer to 10

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-m3/11908379

Debating whether to sell mine over the next few weeks , will let you know if you are still looking :pac:

RootX

ironclaw wrote: »

Thats a rare little number alright. I've only seen one or two pop up, so I'll go take a look at this for sure.

Ask whether the car has been remapped as they produced ~275 from factory.
If it's remapped, I'd try and establish who mapped it, for peace of mind.

ironclaw

RootX wrote: »

Ask whether the car has been remapped as they produced ~275 from factory.
If it's remapped, I'd try and establish who mapped it, for peace of mind.

Can confirm it is the later, after 2006, 206kW / 280BHP model. Was unable to get details as regards remapping or additional service history. Very nice car, if anyone is thinking of seeing it, drop me a PM to discuss.

Theboinkmaster

R.O.R wrote: »

First thing that came to mind was a 645 Coupe.

Slightly older than you wanted, but seems to be well minded, FSH and reasonable mileage for the age - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-645-ci/11745622

That's what I'd be having

Mister Jingles

ironclaw wrote: »

Can confirm it is the later, after 2006, 206kW / 280BHP model. Was unable to get details as regards remapping or additional service history. Very nice car, if anyone is thinking of seeing it, drop me a PM to discuss.

Would be a cracking car to drive if it wasn't front wheel drive.

Zurbaran

Nissan 350Z? Don't think they are 300bhp but it wouldn't be hard to get there.

Esel

You probably know this, but anyway...

If the car has been remapped, or if you have it done, be sure to tell your insurance company.

Supergurrier

Having owned a S4 and currently owning a pre lci 535d i will help you out a little here.

You say fuel isn't a factor, but when you are getting 17mpg i don't care who you are, it becomes a factor :P

I found the S4 felt a little bit cheap inside but did handle reasonably well and sounded good, they are a small car inside though. The power in these is high up the rev range too, only shows it's true potantial above 5500rpm and torque is quite low because of its 5 valves per cylinder oddball setup.

The 535d i much prefer as while it's a less involving experience you can cover ground much more easily and quickly in total comfort, while not a barge for a 90% 1 person commuter its more than enough. The small turbo is ultra responsive and solves the problem of a big turbo diesel in killing that little bit of lag and replacing it with petrol 6 cylinder like instant go.

It's all relative though and down to how much power to comfort you are biased.

300ish bhp S4 = Im kinda comfy but if i rev the nuts off of this im off into hyperspace
300ish bhp Focus ST = Im hanging on for dear life but i sound great
300ish bhp 535d = Oh look a line of cars lets apply some throttle and overtake at 110mph while resetting my heated seats via idrive

thadg

I have a 535d aswell. highly recommend them. I have it 3 years, no trouble, once you pay the 1494 for the 12 month tax you will forget about it.

420-500 miles for a tank depending on how you drive. in 2 years or so I would definitely go for the f10 535d.
mine is standard and has plenty of power.


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-535d-m-sport/11522235

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-5-series-535d-m-sport-auto-stunning-car-/9530797

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/535d-m-sport-281bhp/11896183

jimgoose

V8 Jag.

alanmc

Zurbaran wrote: »

Nissan 350Z? Don't think they are 300bhp but it wouldn't be hard to get there.

The HR(07 onwards) ones are 313 bhp. Just sold mine a few weeks back.

bazz26

Mercedes CLS 350 - close enough at 292bhp:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/CLS-Class/C-SERIES/201514570217250340/