What next for Alan?

Alanstrainor

Well, I think the time has come. The e46 has served me very well over the last 7 years but I think its done. Really my main trouble is only 2 doors, and the questionable reliability. So here's what I think my list is for wants:

4 doors: The practicality of the 2 door e46 is non-existant, and now need 4 doors. As for size, I'd be thinking 3 series saloon or that kind of class.
Engine: Petrol is a must, and really I would like power similar/better than what I have. Tax is maybe a bit of a question mark, I don't think I'd like to pay much more than I do now at 1080 per annum.
Budget: Sub 5k. I cover little mileage so I can't justify spending a whole pile.
Age: Ideally 10 years old or so, but I think that might be difficult, I'd go to something from 2007 I'd say.

Thoughts so far:

Mazda 6 MPS: There's only a few in the country that I can find for sale. It ticks the box in terms of size/power. And they are relatively reliable. I've read of chain rattle at higher mileage which I'd keep an ear out for. Could be a good option if I found the right car.

Octavia VRS Petrol: There are a few around in petrol guise, but they're rare enough. I would assume the reliability is decent here. The power might be a bit lacking, but it's not something I'm too concerned with. Not sure between auto and manual in terms of gearbox.

Golf GTI: Perhaps a bit on the small side, but also hard to find a good one at this price/age. So not too sure how I feel about them.

Lexus IS250: A bit left of field. Not as performance orientated as the rest, much more a cruiser. But very reliable and can be had for very cheap considering what you get. As far as I know the engines are reliable, and they are relatively tight to drive.

So what do we think? Any other cars I've not thought of? I think I'd like to steer clear of the BMW options. There's not many I6 BMWs around, and they have their issues at this age, and I reckon I've had enough BMW for now.

Heres Johnny

Alfa 159?? Could get one of the very last of them in budget I'd say

Very few petrol BMW Audi etc as you say

Tough criteria to be honest

aerofoiled

I think the IS is your best option but if you were tempted to stick with BMW, you could do worse than this:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-bmw-325i-touring/21830835

Miike

aerofoiled wrote: »

I think the IS is your best option but if you were tempted to stick with BMW, you could do worse than this:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-bmw-325i-touring/21830835

Jesus thats clean

ofcork

5 series wheels look wrong on it.

Pkiernan

Friends don't let friends buy Skodas

ofcork

If your considering lexus maybe gs300.

Toyotafanboi

I was thinking Mk5 GTi before I read your options!

That or a VRS is a fairly sound option if you need a touch of practicality but still want to go quick-ish. I'd say you wouldn't feel them lacking in power coming from the BM, albeit a different kind of power delivery.

There's a reasonable few on the market particularly the Golf, it's easy to spot a good one from a bad one and the internet and aftermarket is well set up for them so ownership should be painless enough.

Bigus

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1111015

Bigus

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1100787

Hard to beat a car on classic tax when it's lying up most of the week.

uck51js9zml2yt

Why would you be happy to pay 1000 for tax a year. Get something post 08. It might cost a few euro more initially but the saving on tax would more than make up for it.

bazz26

Most of the cars the OP is interested in don't automatically get cheap tax on the newer tax system. And the OP isn't interested in an econobox.

James Bond Junior

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201811282827429?advertising-location=at_cars&keywords=320si&postcode=bs324nf&model=3 SERIES&page=2&price-from=500&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used

It's a little left field and a bit over budget but a 320si if minded is a great little investment. I'd love one personally.

drunkmonkey

This looks clean and it's in budget, https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-golf-2007-gti-stunning-car/21874166
Maybe someone over in the GTi thread know it.
Wouldn't worry about the size there more practical than a 5 series.

colm_mcm

James Bond Junior wrote: »

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201811282827429?advertising-location=at_cars&keywords=320si&postcode=bs324nf&model=3 SERIES&page=2&price-from=500&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used

It's a little left field and a bit over budget but a 320si if minded is a great little investment. I'd love one personally.

Isn’t the engine these a bit fragile?

Big Nasty

Have you put your own up for sale Alan?

ShadowHearth

My vote would go for:

Scooby WRX - 5k could still buy you a clean one. Something like blobeye would be very easy to love with as they are still practical and fun. After 325i petrol bill won't shock you.

Golf GTI mk5 - nothing to say here. It's GTI and those are just plain good.

colm_mcm

Focus ST?

Actually, back doors..

Alanstrainor

Lads, thanks for all the responses so far. Lots of good points. Busy few days but I'll get back as soon as I can. My car isn't sold yet, fresh NCT and 3 months tax so all good there.

Big Nasty

Have you an ad up for it Alan?

bazz26

Low mileage and claimed one owner E90 323i:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-323i-autonct-03-20-tax-06-1984km/21733400

Wouldn't pay anywhere near that asking price for it though.

bazz26

Or an E60 525i:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-e60-525i-automatic-m-sport-2007/20961260

listermint

aerofoiled wrote: »

I think the IS is your best option but if you were tempted to stick with BMW, you could do worse than this:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-bmw-325i-touring/21830835

Has to be this for me. Small bit of work it could look fantastic

ShadowHearth

Bah! You want a change from BMW and you getting in to another BMW? You have plenty of time! Go Scooby, before they all will die out.

The fun part about then, that you will have 200hp+++, but you will be just cruising with it and listen to that lazy "Burr Burr Burr" sound.

You don't do high mileage, petrol bill is not an issue too. So go HAM and get one, then get in to another 3 series.

*Feels hatred from 90% on boards.ie population.

Mike9832

Mazda 3 MPS are great value

Really quick from 80kph onwards ( below that it's traction limited even with an lsd)

I would have one over the 6 mps

6 mps are too heavy with the awd, 3 mps walks away from a rolling start and alot more fun

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-3-mps-new-nct-till-march-2020/21879340

Toyotafanboi

I could be eat alive, but nothing says bland to me like an e90, even with 2.5 or whatever they are, still a fairly dull car. The only real excuse for buying one is blinkered BMW fanboi-ism.

James Bond Junior

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

I could be eat alive, but nothing says bland to me like an e90, even with 2.5 or whatever they are, still a fairly dull car. The only real excuse for buying one is blinkered BMW fanboi-ism.

BMW lost the fizz after the E46. I owned an E90 and an E60 and I never got the same feeling my E36 gives. Best new BMW I ever drove was our old F20 1 series. That said a E series 125i or 130i is meant to be one of the best semi modern BMWs with 4 doors.

Alanstrainor

Cheers lads!

That e90 touring is very tempting, and maybe a few months back I think I would have gone to see it. But the more I think about it, the more I think I want a break from BMW. Obviously I love them, and the touring with my BBS wheels and lowered would look amazing, I just reckon it's time for a real change!

ShadowHearth: Can you post some scooby links? Not too sure how I feel about them. I always had it in my head that they're be trouble. And insurance would probably be difficult, even over 30.

Mazda MPS: That Mazda 3 MPS has been up a good while, and just passed it's NCT. I'd be tempted by it, I'm sure it's an absolute hoot to drive. Definitely a contender. The Mazda 6 MPS would still tempt me though. Both would be a good bit quicker than what I have and are pretty reliable machines as far as I've read. They're somewhere at the top of my list anyway.

Focus ST: Yes. Would love one. Tax is spicy, but so be it. Not many with 5 doors though.

Golf GTI: What do we reckon on pricing here? Drunkmonkey posted this one: 2007 manual, irish car, 5200. Is that on the high side? I guess it being a low owner Irish car is the draw there. I would have thought DSG was desirable although maybe there's some reliability issues.

MetzgerMeister

Mike9832 wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-3-mps-new-nct-till-march-2020/21879340

7 previous owners?! :eek:

drunkmonkey

Around 5k for a good straight GTi isn't bad considering 2 owners and a full VW service history, from jumping from a 530d to GTi after my first service I was like here are you sure that's all it costs. You could keep the full service history without making you afraid to go to the garage.
A good mate has a Mk5 DSG and I've a Mk 7.5 manual. There's a big cash difference between the two but that's about it, he's more room in the back, power wise there's not a lot in it, dsg or manual doesn't really matter, if you were stuck in traffic all day I'd say DSG.
I don't think it's a car your going to loose a lot on if you keep up that service history on and your not going to be doing massive milage.
It'll pull like a train and handle like a go cart.

NoBread

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903165941109?model=LEGACY&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&sort=sponsored&make=SUBARU&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bs324nf&minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&page=2

Tax is a pain, but the chassis would compensate for that! And that H6 engine...

MetzgerMeister

NoBread wrote: »

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903165941109?model=LEGACY&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&sort=sponsored&make=SUBARU&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bs324nf&minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&page=2

Tax is a pain, but the chassis would compensate for that! And that H6 engine...

And that half Mazda6 MPS interior

Alanstrainor

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

7 previous owners?! :eek:

Common enough at that age and engine size I'd have thought. Mine had 11 before I bought it:pac:. But worth checking out properly all the same.

MetzgerMeister

This may not apply to you Alan as it may not happen but I got bored of my 6 MPS after about 8 months. "old man" feel kind of took over the novelty of it.

If I were in your situation I'd be putting the GTi at the top of my list and introducing the petrol Octavia vRS into the mix.

drunkmonkey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unLU_RhPwdg

Truckermal

Lexus GS 300? I have decided to sell mine even though it kills me!

Alanstrainor

Going to take a look at an IS250 this week. This one in particular:

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/lexus/is250/used-2008-lexus-is250-sport-4dr-dublin-fpa-201902285404920

There's good and bad here. Fresh NCT, only one previous owner (need to make sure of that), lowish mileage. But it's a manual. Which is not ideal on this car, but I've only read about it so I'll have to see what it's like. There's a fair few of these about anyway, so I'll start with that and take it from there.

And Truckermal, the GS300 is a lovely machine, but I've never been a huge fan of the looks and I don't know if I'm ready for a barge just yet!

Midnight_EG

I went from a very high spec IS250 to a MK5 GTI, and now in an E60 530d. I miss the IS, genuinely a great car once it has all electrics (heated/cooled leather included) and the sat nav/Mark Levinson system. Also, if going for an IS250 then stick with auto as manual should not be used in such a big cruiser. I test drove a manual, and within 30 seconds I knew I hated it and needed auto. It was easily the comfiest car I've ever driven for sub 3k. The GTI, to me, was the most boring car I've owned (and it's touching on 35 cars since 2009) and just didn't sit well with me knowing how temper-mental they are. I only went E60 because it's one to scratch off the list, and will be going ST Focus to also scratch that itch.

IrishZeus

I had an '06 250 previously - loved the car. Very (very!) comfortable and surprisingly quick.

I changed in the end though as mine was manual and I really didn't like the gearbox. It was fine when cruising but just felt 'wrong' in lower gears. They 250's of that era have a reputation for the manual gearbox being sh*te in general.

I changed for an Astra OPC afterwards, so chalk and cheese.

Alanstrainor

Midnight_EG wrote: »

I went from a very high spec IS250 to a MK5 GTI, and now in an E60 530d. I miss the IS, genuinely a great car once it has all electrics (heated/cooled leather included) and the sat nav/Mark Levinson system. Also, if going for an IS250 then stick with auto as manual should not be used in such a big cruiser. I test drove a manual, and within 30 seconds I knew I hated it and needed auto. It was easily the comfiest car I've ever driven for sub 3k. The GTI, to me, was the most boring car I've owned (and it's touching on 35 cars since 2009) and just didn't sit well with me knowing how temper-mental they are. I only went E60 because it's one to scratch off the list, and will be going ST Focus to also scratch that itch.

IrishZeus wrote: »

I had an '06 250 previously - loved the car. Very (very!) comfortable and surprisingly quick.

I changed in the end though as mine was manual and I really didn't like the gearbox. It was fine when cruising but just felt 'wrong' in lower gears. They 250's of that era have a reputation for the manual gearbox being sh*te in general.

I changed for an Astra OPC afterwards, so chalk and cheese.

Really appreciate the input lads. I'm looking for something with a bit of power, but with some comfort and reliability as well. Which the IS250 seems to fit. Good to know RE manual vs auto, I've read the manual is like a truck gearbox. I'll post back after a couple of test drives.

Midnight_EG

Midnight_EG wrote: »

I went from a very high spec IS250 to a MK5 GTI, and now in an E60 530d. I miss the IS, genuinely a great car once it has all electrics (heated/cooled leather included) and the sat nav/Mark Levinson system....

That reminds me and no doubt a few others of the infamous Mark Levinson equipped IS250 posts a couple of years back.

Also can’t believe that 2006 BMW 325i still hasn’t sold - now asking €2400

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-bmw-325i-touring/21830835

Alan, I think you’d be mad to buy that car with a manual gearbox!

Miike

JayZeus wrote: »

That reminds me and no doubt a few others of the infamous Mark Levinson equipped IS250 posts a couple of years back.

Also can’t believe that 2006 BMW 325i still hasn’t sold - now asking €2400

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-bmw-325i-touring/21830835

Alan, I think you’d be mad to buy that car with a manual gearbox!

I'd love to know why that hasn't sold?! Is it the tax or is the something up with the car that's revealed when it's test driven? I want it :mad:

Alanstrainor

JayZeus wrote: »

That reminds me and no doubt a few others of the infamous Mark Levinson equipped IS250 posts a couple of years back.

Also can’t believe that 2006 BMW 325i still hasn’t sold - now asking €2400

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-bmw-325i-touring/21830835

Alan, I think you’d be mad to buy that car with a manual gearbox!

Yeah I'm surprised by that one as well. Thought it would go reasonably quick at that money. The 5 series wheels are a bit bizarre, and I'd wonder if there's other issues not apparent from the photos. That gen 2.5 litre has it's issues at that age and mileage, and it's not something I want to deal with really.

Leonard Hofstadter

colm_mcm wrote: »

Isn’t the engine these a bit fragile?

Yes, very. A 320si should be avoided at all costs.

RootX

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/seat-leon-fr-dsg/22359973

if low mileage, service history checks out

ShadowHearth

Ah man, it's manual! Very rare! Ford focus drivers will be all over your arse!!!


On serious note. Why don't you go for auto? Those were very good and better then manuals. Specially in a car like this. Is250 is not a car to do donuts in, so manual not really needed.

Alanstrainor

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Ah man, it's manual! Very rare! Ford focus drivers will be all over your arse!!!


On serious note. Why don't you go for auto? Those were very good and better then manuals. Specially in a car like this. Is250 is not a car to do donuts in, so manual not really needed.

Haven't bought anything yet! Just going to check out the manual, but I feel that it's a car better suited to the autobox.

(Classic reference btw...)

WhiskeyGoblin

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Going to take a look at an IS250 this week. This one in particular:

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/lexus/is250/used-2008-lexus-is250-sport-4dr-dublin-fpa-201902285404920

There's good and bad here. Fresh NCT, only one previous owner (need to make sure of that), lowish mileage. But it's a manual. Which is not ideal on this car, but I've only read about it so I'll have to see what it's like. There's a fair few of these about anyway, so I'll start with that and take it from there.

And Truckermal, the GS300 is a lovely machine, but I've never been a huge fan of the looks and I don't know if I'm ready for a barge just yet!

What about something like this ? Seems to be similar spec and low owners too. Although Tax/NCT till Sept

Midnight_EG

marko93 wrote: »

What about something like this ? Seems to be similar spec and low owners too. Although Tax/NCT till Sept

I had that exact colour, and that's the only reason I sold it...it's dreadful :pac:

Alanstrainor

Midnight_EG wrote: »

I had that exact colour, and that's the only reason I sold it...it's dreadful :pac:

There's a bit of that about it alright! And those wheels are a bit crap too!

Rowley Birkin QC

Subscribing to see where this goes!

I think we got our E46 in or around the same time, only yours had two extra cylinders! Mine is parked up about two years and I went to an E92 N53 engined 325i MSport. I like the car, it has given me some hefty bills but I'm already thinking about the next move after driving a mate's M4 last weekend, utterly epic but completely unobtainable unfortunately!

Just curious, I've never found either the E46 or E92 to be particularly impractical. Granted I don't have kids or need to move elderly people around regularly but they've both moved house with me a few times and comfortably taken passengers and their luggage to various occasions.