What car to buy? 20k to 30k, 250bhp plus

Marty McFly

Hi

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

So it's getting close to changing the car time (coronavirus) will have slowed this down.

But I've begun looking at options.

I drive around 25,000 to 27,000 km a year

My journey to work is 50km each way 25km motorway and 25 km back roads.

I work shift so 3 to 4 days a week.

Rest of the week my routes mostly tend to be short runs dropping kids to school and other activities all local one or 2 km most.

I want something that can be fun to drive and has a bit of power.

Any recommendations please?

I have looked at something like a 340i but thought I probably can't justify it with the mileage i do.

I've looked at 6 cylinder diesels I've had one bad experience with diesels but it was an old car.

Or maybe a hybrid of the 530e type or c350 touring as well.

Recommendations on cars and fuel type.

Thanks

un5byh7sqpd2x0

Seat Leon Cupra ST? https://www.donedeal.ie/view/24331671

Idbatterim

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057685376&page=154

towards the bottom of the page, the lads reckon their is good value on it, nearly 40k though, sterling weakened again quite a bit recently...

eljono

I drove a 2016 A4 3.0 TDi Quattro not too long ago and was very impressed with it. Loads of power, excellent grip and a beautiful cabin. Rode a little bit too stiffly for my liking though.

There's a 2017 listed here to give an idea on price: https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-a4-3-0tdi-218bhp-st-se-4dr-automatic-with/23781208

Also drove a 430d around the same time. Definitely a more driver focused car than the A4 and has the benefit of a large liftback boot. They typically have decent spec and if buying from BMW, a 2 year warranty.

Marty McFly

Idbatterim wrote: »

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057685376&page=154

towards the bottom of the page, the lads reckon their is good value on it, nearly 40k though, sterling weakened again quite a bit recently...

I'd say a full EV is out of the question. This will be the main family car and this year like last year we are going to France on holidays meaning taking the car on a ferry and then doing a long drive down through France which full EV certainly wouldn't be fit for that purpose.

Marty McFly

eljono wrote: »

I drove a 2016 A4 3.0 TDi Quattro not too long ago and was very impressed with it. Loads of power, excellent grip and a beautiful cabin. Rode a little bit too stiffly for my liking though.

There's a 2017 listed here to give an idea on price: https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-a4-3-0tdi-218bhp-st-se-4dr-automatic-with/23781208


Also drove a 430d around the same time. Definitely a more driver focused car than the A4 and has the benefit of a large liftback boot. They typically have decent spec and if buying from BMW, a 2 year warranty.

If I was going Audi think it would have to be Avant just think they look so much better in touring than saloon imo.

Pkiernan

640d Gran Coupe

Marty McFly

Pkiernan wrote: »

640d Gran Coupe

Was looking at them a lot, do love the look of them but there quite big so would need a test drive to see how they'd take to the back roads.

bazz26

The 640d GC is big on the outside but they are quite tight on the inside with a low roof line, certainly not an ideal family car.

Wailin

535d? Maybe not classed as "fun to drive" but very comfortable and a nice place to sit on any commute. Decent economy and plenty of power too, 313bhp and hits 60 in 5.2 sec. Quick for a big diesel. Not a car for twisty back roads if you want to be hairing through corners.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-5-series-535d-m-sport-313-bhp-auto-huge-spec/24145752

hooch-85

Golf R.

99nsr125

Coyote Mustang :-)

Idbatterim

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/markets/sterling-plunges-to-lowest-against-dollar-in-more-than-30-years-1.4205801?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fbusiness%2Fmarkets%2Fsterling-plunges-to-lowest-against-dollar-in-more-than-30-years-1.4205801

probably too far down the line for you, but the Tesla Y looks fantastic! I'd look to import a 6 from the uk , if you think the model 3 isn't a runner

bazz26

Family friendly, x drive for the occasional day we get snow or ice, good to drive, quick and relatively frugal - BMW 335d Touring:



https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2483149&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D10%26o%5B%5D%3D86%26nn%3D22%26b%3D3%26g%3D0

maddness

bazz26 wrote: »

Family friendly, x drive for the occasional day we get snow or ice, good to drive, quick and relatively frugal - BMW 335d Touring:



https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2483149&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D10%26o%5B%5D%3D86%26nn%3D22%26b%3D3%26g%3D0

Cracking car but definitely not frugal.

Marty McFly

bazz26 wrote: »

Family friendly, x drive for the occasional day we get snow or ice, good to drive, quick and relatively frugal - BMW 335d Touring:



https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2483149&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D10%26o%5B%5D%3D86%26nn%3D22%26b%3D3%26g%3D0

I do like that it would probably tick all the boxes, I'm not looking for something exceptionally frugal anyway something that can take the motorway miles but be fun on the occasions I want it to be but also give me 30+ mpg.

I did read somewhere about the suspension set up not being great on the f30 335d.

Golf R I have looked at in estate form very few in Ireland but I don't know looks wise it never really hits the spot for me imo.

Edit: they also don't know what they have really or it's badged wrongly as they have it down as 258bhp which is what the 330d puts out.

maddness

Marty McFly wrote: »

I do like that it would probably tick all the boxes, I'm not looking for something exceptionally frugal anyway something that can take the motorway miles but be fun on the occasions I want it to be but also give me 30+ mpg.

I did read somewhere about the suspension set up not being great on the f30 335d.

Golf R I have looked at in estate form very few in Ireland but I don't know looks wise it never really hits the spot for me imo.

Edit: they also don't know what they have really or it's badged wrongly as they have it down as 258bhp which is what the 330d puts out.

If fuel economy is not too important these are hard to beat. Very fast as standard and can be a lot faster very easily, plenty of space and they are a nice place to sit too. The suspension is an easy fix, a set of springs does the trick.

Wailin

Marty McFly wrote: »

Edit: they also don't know what they have really or it's badged wrongly as they have it down as 258bhp which is what the 330d puts out.

It's a 335d alright, just have the details wrong. That would be a very practical car, has it all really. Quick, will do 38mpg, nice to drive and loads of space in touring form.

bazz26

That 335d is definitely 313bhp. I'd say the dealer probably just put the first BMW 3.0 litre diesel option listed on the site into the advert, the 330d would be 258bhp. It's also the LCI model and has the M Sport Plus package.

Heres Johnny

Wailin wrote: »

It's a 335d alright, just have the details wrong. That would be a very practical car, has it all really. Quick, will do 38mpg, nice to drive and loads of space in touring form.

Will it really give 38mpg long term in mixed use though? Not that it matters though. I wasn't getting that in an f10 530d and only just about get it in my A6 2.0

bazz26

I'm averaging 36mpg from my F10 530d at the moment.

Heres Johnny

bazz26 wrote: »

I'm averaging 36mpg from my F10 530d at the moment.

Don't think I quite got that. Impressed with it on the motorway though.

bambam

Heres Johnny wrote: »

Will it really give 38mpg long term in mixed use though? Not that it matters though. I wasn't getting that in an f10 530d and only just about get it in my A6 2.0

yep, my 435d has 38mpg long term. (local trips during week, mix of motorway, 'n' and back roads at the weekend.


if I'm every bothered, on my 130Km weekend journey, if I pop it in eco mode I get 49mpg. if not, then around 43mpg from hooning around a bit

Marty McFly

With regards the suspension on the 335d anyone know what the best spring or suspension kit is the best to go for?

Or who the best to go for it in Ireland would be?

Wailin

Madness is your man there. He had a 435d with lowering springs I believe.

maddness

Marty McFly wrote: »

With regards the suspension on the 335d anyone know what the best spring or suspension kit is the best to go for?

Or who the best to go for it in Ireland would be?

A lot of people buy ACS springs but the Eibach are exactly the same but cheaper. A set is less than €200 but fitting will cost close to €500 as it’s a tricky job to get right. It totally transformed the car though.
Also I got about 35-38 mpg on a long easy motorway drive but only about 25 around town.

Marty McFly

maddness wrote: »

A lot of people buy ACS springs but the Eibach are exactly the same but cheaper. A set is less than €200 but fitting will cost close to €500 as it’s a tricky job to get right. It totally transformed the car though.
Also I got about 35-38 mpg on a long easy motorway drive but only about 25 around town.

Cheers for that, were did you buy the Eibach springs from? Done a quick Google on the Eibach springs and yea everyone seems to say it completely changes the car for the better.

Price wise that's not to bad.

I'm thinking a 335d will be the one the more I look into it. They seem to tick most the boxes.

Just need the corona virus to go away now, I'll be holding off until things settle down a bit.

maddness

I bought from a German car parts site through EBay.
The 335/435 are hard to beat really, very fast and a nice car too.

vintagevrs

You could look at a 330d touring, I know one for sale

maddness

vintagevrs wrote: »

You could look at a 330d touring, I know one for sale

To be honest if I was buying a 3/4 series now I’d but a 330/430 rather than the 335d. The X Drive and twin turbo make the car a lot heavier and thirstier too and I think a 330d with a good remap is the sweet spot of the range. Also no need to change suspension as BMW only fit the awful higher springs to the X Drive cars.

bazz26

The problem with the 330d over the 335d is it's missing a turbo that improved low end torque. It's the one complaint I have with my 530d, there is bit of a flat spot in the low revs until the turbo spools up and your gone.

vintagevrs

Iv never driven a twin turbo one so can't compare. I know that 435d you passed me in one day was noticeable rapid, would be interesting comparing back to back.

maddness

vintagevrs wrote: »

Iv never driven a twin turbo one so can't compare. I know that 435d you passed me in one day was noticeable rapid, would be interesting comparing back to back.

That car had about 380bhp.

hooch-85

I was in a 430d with the BMW factory performance pack and it was well rapid. The same car dynoed at circa 315 bhp too. He did consider the 435 too but preferred the MSport suspension in the 430 and the RWD dynamics.

Marty McFly

Would I be mad to consider something like a 340i touring or something similar with the mileage i do?

A lot of people seem to say it does 30mpg average.

Obviously I had planned on test driving a few cars by now to get a better idea of what I want or need bit with everything going on that hasn't happened.

maddness

A 340i Touring would be a fantastic car. You might get mid 30’s on a motorway taking it easy but it’s probably not going to do 30mpg average. I’d love one though.

bazz26

Where are you seeing a 340i for 30k or less?

Marty McFly

bazz26 wrote: »

Where are you seeing a 340i for 30k or less?

They can be picked up in the UK now from 17k upwards. Not sure how much VRT would be but I can't imagine it would take the price above 30k

maddness

Marty McFly wrote: »

They can be picked up in the UK now from 17k upwards. Not sure how much VRT would be but I can't imagine it would take the price above 30k

You’d be looking at a high mileage low spec one for 17K , more like 19 or 20 for a good one. VRT is only about €7000 on a 2016 one though so your right with €30,000 all in.
Seriously nice car though, that’s a cracking engine in them.

Marty McFly

So just a little update.

Took a lot longer than I hoped what with Covid then I wanted to find someone to source it for me the finding the right car.

I opted for a F31 335D.

It's in the country deposit paid but waiting on a stat code for the car been waiting 8 days now and the wait is killing me. Dying to get my hands on it and take it for a spin.

Wailin

Nice and best of luck with it. Put up some pics when you get it in the post a picture forum!