Choose a car for my friend... (not ended well)

P

ph001

Lifer
 N. Yorkshire.
Mate just got a new job and has lost his company hack so needs to buy a car. Asked me for some inspiration..so I am asking you lot! Criteria:

£7k - £9k
4 seats
Decent size boot
Exciting to drive
Will be used as a commuter (circa 4,000 miles per year)
If convertible must have hardtop.


I came up with this.. https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...4-cabriolet-4-2-tiptronic-quattro-2dr/7217033 but of course no hardtop.

What else to you think ticks the boxes?
 
330i E92? or 330i e93? pretty reliable good looking coupe and manuals are relativley good to drive

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330i-M-SPORT-COUPE-LOW-MILES-WITH-FSH-/152678620676?hash=item238c5ade04:g:qnQAAOSwXXxZXQ40

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330i-M-SPORT-/182569461005?hash=item2a81fce50d:g:B3gAAOSwIQdZE~v7
 
a 7-9k 335i / 135i isnt gonna be a sound investment imo, the amount of wastegate/hpfp/every other component around the engine block tend to fail, hence the 330i suggestion , little bit more reliable 8)
 
This is what I sent him...

Quite a wide field to go at here! I’d defo recommend a ‘vert’ if you want something that feels special to drive. Hardtops can be bought but would be an extra. Anyway, this would be my shortlist:


Convertibles:

Audi A4 2.0Tdi s-line (not very exciting to drive but good economy and look nice. Not a huge boot for cases though)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...ather-xenons-18-rs4-style-alloys-fsh/7606876

Audi A3 TFSI s-line (engine more involving, but worse economy)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/a3/audi-a3-a5-tfsi-s-line-2008/7744723

Audi A5 2.0Tdi s-line (All the benefits of the 2.0Tdi but with a much more spacious interior and boot. Bit higher mileage though)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/a5/audi-a5-2-0-tdi-s-line-2dr/4000635

Audi S4 cab 4.2 tiptronic (storming V8 engine will make you grin from ear to ear)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...4-cabriolet-4-2-tiptronic-quattro-2dr/7217033



Non-vert

BMW 330D M sport (Power and economy in equal droves, good boot, handle well)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...eries-330d-m-sport---------------2008/7753053


BMW 330D SE Touring (need space to chuck the mountain bike in? Same as above but with huge internal volume)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classif.../bmw-3-series-3-0-330d-se-touring-5dr/7763613


BMW 335d SE (boring old 330D not quick enough? The twin turbo 335D has that covered with 282bhp and almost 500lbft torque!!)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...es-05-12/bmw-3-series-3-0-335d-se-4dr/7770765


BMW 330i M sport (oil burner not floating your boat…the 3.0l petrol is a creamy smooth and surprisingly economical)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152678620676?clk_rvr_id=1314847819280&rmvSB=true




Of course the BMW are also avail in vert but I always think they looked a bit ‘boatish’ from some angles. Drive better than the audi’s though.
 
ph001 said:
This is what I sent him...

Quite a wide field to go at here! I’d defo recommend a ‘vert’ if you want something that feels special to drive. Hardtops can be bought but would be an extra. Anyway, this would be my shortlist:


Convertibles:

Audi A4 2.0Tdi s-line (not very exciting to drive but good economy and look nice. Not a huge boot for cases though)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...ather-xenons-18-rs4-style-alloys-fsh/7606876

Audi A3 TFSI s-line (engine more involving, but worse economy)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/a3/audi-a3-a5-tfsi-s-line-2008/7744723

Audi A5 2.0Tdi s-line (All the benefits of the 2.0Tdi but with a much more spacious interior and boot. Bit higher mileage though)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/a5/audi-a5-2-0-tdi-s-line-2dr/4000635

Audi S4 cab 4.2 tiptronic (storming V8 engine will make you grin from ear to ear)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...4-cabriolet-4-2-tiptronic-quattro-2dr/7217033



Non-vert

BMW 330D M sport (Power and economy in equal droves, good boot, handle well)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...eries-330d-m-sport---------------2008/7753053


BMW 330D SE Touring (need space to chuck the mountain bike in? Same as above but with huge internal volume)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classif.../bmw-3-series-3-0-330d-se-touring-5dr/7763613


BMW 335d SE (boring old 330D not quick enough? The twin turbo 335D has that covered with 282bhp and almost 500lbft torque!!)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classif...es-05-12/bmw-3-series-3-0-335d-se-4dr/7770765


BMW 330i M sport (oil burner not floating your boat…the 3.0l petrol is a creamy smooth and surprisingly economical)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152678620676?clk_rvr_id=1314847819280&rmvSB=true




Of course the BMW are also avail in vert but I always think they looked a bit ‘boatish’ from some angles. Drive better than the audi’s though.
Click to expand...

hmm now you mention it, ive had 3 e92's (2 325i and 1 320d) and id be v tempted with an a5 2.0tdi or tfsi they are very capable cars, bigger boot - arguably bettter looking but a little soulless to drive.
 
He definitely doesn't want diesel if he's only doing 4k miles a year. Not only will he not be using it enough to get the benefits of diesel, you could also see some tax changes coming in the future. Also it's the devil's fuel! :evil:
 
I thought this too but he's not doing lots of small journeys just a very few longer ones so the DPF shouldn't get too much of a hammering.

I did grimace at the VED for the S4 :o :o :o
 
If not concerned about a premium badge, plenty of Golf GTi's and R32's in that price range. Seat Leon Cupra? Even a Fiesta ST is a hoot to drive and plenty around
 
I'd second a BMW 330i E92. great looking car, probably the best handling 4 seater car I can think of. Should be able to get one comfortably within budget.
 
I think the ST would be more fun and less maintenance costs than the R32. VW seem to have lost the purpose of a hot hatch and made the R32 feel less connected. Just my opinion of course.
 
The car does look good, although I would question is that it was MOT'd in June and it had done 75,228miles and it is still on 75k so that means they have covered less than 772 miles in three months. I know i do a lot of miles but that is very low.

I would also check the rubber as they were an advisory at last MOT so should be new by now.
 
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