[Andrewthefirst]

As you’re all so good at spending other people’s money I thought I’d ask for some new car ideas.

I’m pretty sure my M140i is going to be a write off after an encounter with a flooded road. It was a big puddle really, but I think water has been sucked through the system. My BMW’s don’t work in snow, mud or water!

It seems to me to be a really bad time to change unless you have lots to spend: new 3 series out but no deals/nice engines, 4 series getting oldish, X3 too pricey, new golf coming soon, new S3 coming soon etc etc.

What I’m thinking:-

*new M140i: I’ve only had mine for @9 months. Loved it but it’s a selfish car, not comfortable for passengers and kids hate that the don’t have opening windows in the back or decent leg room etc. Another M140i is an option for 3 years until cars that I really want are out and priced well - but I do fancy a change. Also when you see your car carried away on a truck you loose a bit of love for it

*430d x drive in coupe or GC. Does everything, still looks pretty good, more comfortable for family, still quick enough for the odd nice drive. Have never had x drive so fancy a try

*530d x or s drive. Would love the G and I hear it handles brilliantly. Love the tech and refinement of the new 5 compared to anything I’ve had. Just still a bit of a stretch financially. Any good deals about?

*Golf GTI - should be able to get a reasonable lease somewhere for a few years. Don’t see any good deals on Golf R currently. Like golfs, like petrol, but feels a bit ordinary??

*Mercedes - not really fussed with anything in the line up. Would take an E class coupe for comfort and a bit of luxury but pricey and probably doesn’t drive as good as a 4 series. C class coupe too small.

*Audi - seems to me a complete rip off all round. Hate the A4. Would take an S3 but terrible prices for a car with nice spec

Don’t want to go over £400/month and a few grand deposit. Would prefer something around £350 to keep the wife quiet. Needs to be a car of compromises - I do enjoy spirited driving, but want a bit more comfort for family, wouldn’t mind AWD for a change as I drive a lot of rural unsalted roads

Any thoughts on particular models or deals that I am missing?

BMW AUC pcp interest rate is scary. Any good alternatives from banks etc?

[SkyJawa]

Leon Cupra lease? Great deals around at the mo, 2k in and 235 pm.

[NotGotABimmer23]

Facelift c43 looks really nice imo, probably well over budget though.

Focus RS?
New A35 amg?

Audi s5 sportback is a lovely looking car too, again probably a bit too pricey.

A diesel 4 series is a totally different proposition to an m140i. Yes it will be decently quick but it's a sensible family car (In GC form) with a bit of punch, not a drivers car and if you are going xdrive you might as well get the 435d.

[XK140]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

Leon Cupra lease? Great deals around at the mo, 2k in and 235 pm.

As above.
The Cupra 300 ST has AWD,is spacious in the back,plenty fast enough and now has the 7 speed dsg.

Get the lux spec and options and it lacks little compared to an optioned up S3 but will probably be £10k cheaper...and the suspension is better resolved than an M140i.

Not for badge snobs however.

[JD6]

Originally Posted by Andrewthefirst

*430d x drive in coupe or GC. Does everything, still looks pretty good, more comfortable for family, still quick enough for the odd nice drive. Have never had x drive so fancy a try

If you are considering a 430xd, then the 435xd would be the natural choice, particularly if coming from something quickish like an M140i.

[Andrewthefirst]

Originally Posted by XK140

As above.
The Cupra 300 ST has AWD,is spacious in the back,plenty fast enough and now has the 7 speed dsg.

Get the lux spec and options and it lacks little compared to an optioned up S3 but will probably be £10k cheaper...and the suspension is better resolved than an M140i.

Not for badge snobs however.

I am a wee bit of a badge snob tbh but these cupra suggestions are good lads thanks. The estate Cupra looks even uglier than the Golf R estate but it sure does have some kit.

[Andrewthefirst]

Originally Posted by JD6

If you are considering a 430xd, then the 435xd would be the natural choice, particularly if coming from something quickish like an M140i.

Yea agree. It’s making the maths work out though. The 435 is possibly top of the list if I can’t afford a 5.

The 4 still looks good even though she’s getting on a bit.

So does the 3 for that matter.

[Watsey]

How about a Hyundai 130N ? It's on the smaller end of the scale but as you are also considering a replacement M140i it's in the same category.

I've only read outstandingly positive reviews of the i30N - it seems to be an absolute cracker, and you still get 5 doors and a decent spec. Chassis and suspension is the product of Albert Biermann's experience from BMW M division, and he seems to have done a fantastic job at Hyundai.

[j.s.]

Originally Posted by Andrewthefirst

*new M140i: I've only had mine for @9 months. Loved it but it's a selfish car, not comfortable for passengers and kids hate that the don't have opening windows in the back or decent leg room etc.

A 5 door F21 M140i would solve the opening windows at least. I don't find leg space in our F21 bad, don't know how it compares with the 3 door F20 as I've never been in one

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Andrewthefirst

Yea agree. It’s making the maths work out though. The 435 is possibly top of the list if I can’t afford a 5.

The 4 still looks good even though she’s getting on a bit.

So does the 3 for that matter.

Definitely no point in the 430d if you're going xdrive, no difference in monthlies whatsoever to a 435d

But if you get xdrive you will have to lower it, after an M140i it will feel like a land rover defender!

[Steven1077]

Originally Posted by j.s.

A 5 door F21 M140i would solve the opening windows at least. I don't find leg space in our F21 bad, don't know how it compares with the 3 door F20 as I've never been in one

The F20 is the 5 door, F21 3 door

[j.s.]

Originally Posted by Steven1077

The F20 is the 5 door, F21 3 door

Ah sorry got them mixed up ;-)

[davyk31]

Golf GTI would get my vote. Great classy hatch, fast and comfortable at the same time with looks that get respect from most car lovers. I get loads of comments on ours and admiring looks, to me it's just a grey 5 door Golf but people do see and respect the GTi badge.

No big lease deals at the moment as the GTi has just become available again after achieving WTLP approval. They have also just released the model year 19 upgrades with a few nice enhancements such as reversing camera, keyless start and lane assist. They are also just doing the performance pack models for now so it's 245ps with bigger brakes.

[Andrewthefirst]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Golf GTI would get my vote. Great classy hatch, fast and comfortable at the same time with looks that get respect from most car lovers. I get loads of comments on ours and admiring looks, to me it's just a grey 5 door Golf but people do see and respect the GTi badge.

No big lease deals at the moment as the GTi has just become available again after achieving WTLP approval. They have also just released the model year 19 upgrades with a few nice enhancements such as reversing camera, keyless start and lane assist. They are also just doing the performance pack models for now so it's 245ps with bigger brakes.

Thanks Davy, yeah the golf ticks a lot of boxes. Doesn’t seem to be any deals around and I am going to have to act quick as soon as insurer and gap cough up the funds.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Golf GTI would get my vote. Great classy hatch, fast and comfortable at the same time with looks that get respect from most car lovers. I get loads of comments on ours and admiring looks, to me it's just a grey 5 door Golf but people do see and respect the GTi badge.

No big lease deals at the moment as the GTi has just become available again after achieving WTLP approval. They have also just released the model year 19 upgrades with a few nice enhancements such as reversing camera, keyless start and lane assist. They are also just doing the performance pack models for now so it's 245ps with bigger brakes.

I considered a Golf GTi a few years ago, on lease they were virtually no cheaper than a 320d M Sport though, so a pointless car to get on lease/PCP imo.

[davyk31]

A golf GTi or a 320d ...... Hmmmmm no contest there unless you are a devout BMW fan. The GTi is a much better car

Not sure why you say they are a pointless lease car, the people who got on the £110 per month deals a couple of years ago might argue otherwise. There aren't any fantastic deals at present but decent deals do come and go.

[davyk31]

Originally Posted by Andrewthefirst

Thanks Davy, yeah the golf ticks a lot of boxes. Doesn’t seem to be any deals around and I am going to have to act quick as soon as insurer and gap cough up the funds.

Don't seem to be any hot lease deals at present but discounts can be got if buying on PCP. Reports are some dealers have stock or pipeline cars available as people who ordered many months ago cancelled but cars have still appeared.

[TiredGeek]

Yeah, the Golf GTi numbers just didn't work for me either. No discounts worth talking about and ended up the same price as a F31 335dx (after BMW discounts) and was more money to insure!
I wouldn't bother with a 30d, the 35d is pennies more and gives enough umph to make it interesting to drive. Ultimately it might not be as engaging to drive as the Golf but for the 0.1% of my driving when I'm nearing the limits of my talent I'll live with it

[teaston]

Originally Posted by davyk31

A golf GTi or a 320d ...... Hmmmmm no contest there unless you are a devout BMW fan. The GTi is a much better car

Not sure why you say they are a pointless lease car, the people who got on the £110 per month deals a couple of years ago might argue otherwise. There aren't any fantastic deals at present but decent deals do come and go.

Or if you prefer a premium sports saloon to a budget fwd VW hatchback!?

I can’t believe they were £110pm, you can’t even get a Vauxhall Corsa for that much!

[Bryans69]

Originally Posted by Andrewthefirst

I am a wee bit of a badge snob tbh but these cupra suggestions are good lads thanks. The estate Cupra looks even uglier than the Golf R estate but it sure does have some kit.

I actually think the Cupra Estate looks better than the R estate. Neighbour had an R estate for a while, and I really wanted to like it as on the short list for a while, but it really didn't look good

[XK140]

Originally Posted by Bryans69

I actually think the Cupra Estate looks better than the R estate. Neighbour had an R estate for a while, and I really wanted to like it as on the short list for a while, but it really didn't look good

Agreed.
I looked at an R estate some time ago and was struck by the somewhat bread van rear end...but eye of the beholder and all that...

[XK140]

Originally Posted by teaston

Or if you prefer a premium sports saloon to a budget fwd VW hatchback!?

I can’t believe they were £110pm, you can’t even get a Vauxhall Corsa for that much!

Some might say budget (after massive discount) sports saloon and premium hatchback...