The 3000 300 30 challenge - is it possible?

jaybee · 25 Jun 2012 at 14:32

Was having a debate the other day with someone. Is it possible to purchase a car for £3000, that has 300bhp and will achieve 30mpg. Just a bit of fun this guys, don't take it too seriously.

Could you compromise on one thing slightly to achieve this? If so what?

Morba · 25 Jun 2012 at 14:33

jaybee said:
Was having a debate the other day with someone. Is it possible to purchase a car for £3000, that has 300bhp and will achieve 30mpg. Just a bit of fun this guys, don't take it too seriously. Could you compromise on one thing slightly to achieve this? If so what?

E36 M3

or:
Compromise - MPG
£3k should get you a tuned supra surely. Not sure on reliability mind!

s0ck · 25 Jun 2012 at 14:33

E36 M3?

Jez · 25 Jun 2012 at 14:40

MR2 Turbo, any that are actually left these days will be running 300bhp or more i would imagine. They can easily beat 30mpg.

I'd imagine the same would apply to other old turbocharged japanese cars.

Lashout_UK · 25 Jun 2012 at 14:41

E34 M5. Just.

Jez · 25 Jun 2012 at 14:42

W220 S500, again, just.

jaybee · 25 Jun 2012 at 14:44

Pics and engine specs also welcome.

Nice suggestions so far guys.

Matt82 · 25 Jun 2012 at 14:44

i bought an e36 m3 (3.0) and drove it back from telford without a stat etc and it got 29mpg. that was £2500

i had an S4 a few years back. that would get 29mpg on the motorway, was 320bhp but did cost more than 3000

one fact of life to accept is that old performance cars are not a logical car to have unless youre prepared to get elbows deep in grease sometimes

Matt82 · 25 Jun 2012 at 14:45

Jez said:
MR2 Turbo, any that are actually left these days will be running 300bhp or more i would imagine. They can easily beat 30mpg.

I'd imagine the same would apply to other old turbocharged japanese cars.

easily? mine used to average 24, was horrendous on fuel

Jez · 25 Jun 2012 at 14:46

Very very easily, you obviously boosted a lot

(He says achieve 30mpg, i take that to mean it can pull 30 over a long journey - just).

jaybee · 25 Jun 2012 at 15:01

Hmm, an E36 M3 sounds tempting but it just would feel like buying a money pit. BMW parts are expensive too.
I wonder if you could fulfill the thread title AND have 4 doors. (think of the kids

)

Jez · 25 Jun 2012 at 15:02

jaybee said:
I wonder if you could fulfill the thread title AND have 4 doors. (think of the kids )

Already did....W220 S500. Although I am pushing the economy requirement somewhat there. They will do 30mpg but you could have to drive the length of the country at 70mph to achieve it

Lashout_UK · 25 Jun 2012 at 15:02

jaybee said:
Hmm, an E36 M3 sounds tempting but it just would feel like buying a money pit. BMW parts are expensive too.
I wonder if you could fulfill the thread title AND have 4 doors. (think of the kids )

Erm, an E36 M3 saloon? Haha. Or the aforementioned M5.

Admittedly some of the bits can be expensive but if you buy carefully it shouldn't break the bank. Most stuff with that kind of performance is going to be relatively costly to keep going anyway.

jaybee · 25 Jun 2012 at 15:04

Jez said:
Already did....W220 S500. Although I am pushing the economy requirement somewhat there. They will do 30mpg but you could have to drive the length of the country at 70mph to achieve it

Googles W220 S500....
Oh yeah. OMG. I think I'm in love....
Snap out of it. I am poor etc.
Dreams on...

EddScott · 25 Jun 2012 at 15:04

Some versions of Impreza will return 30+ if kept off booost.

Jez · 25 Jun 2012 at 15:04

jaybee said:
Googles W220 S500....
Oh yeah. OMG. I think I'm in love....
Snap out of it. I am poor etc.
Dreams on...

They cost about 14pence these days. I sold an S430 version (worth the same) to a member on here for £2500! (iirc)

jaybee · 25 Jun 2012 at 15:07

lol. Basically I've got the bug for something fast (and cheap ish) again. Doubt I will buy anything but nothing wrong with doing the right thing and asking OCUK forums for life advice to mull it over right guys?

rossk26 · 25 Jun 2012 at 15:11

jaybee said:
lol. Basically I've got the bug for something fast (and cheap ish) again. Doubt I will buy anything but nothing wrong with doing the right thing and asking OCUK forums for life advice to mull it over right guys?

There will be a wide variety of cars that fit the criteria that you have set, most Jap turbo's.

However the maintenance costs is where it will kill you, so you're whole plan of "cheap ish" is flawed. If you were to compromise on 1 or 2 areas there are even greater variety of cars that will satisfy your needs. An ST220 is one for example, Should be able to get one for £3k, won't have 220bhp, but is able to, and certainly won't average 30mpg, but could maybe manage it on a run.

Arguably slightly more reliable, and part will be slightly cheaper than other suggestions so far.

Housey · 25 Jun 2012 at 15:21

I'm not sure the E36 M3 would do 30mpg...

jaybee · 25 Jun 2012 at 15:47

rossk26 said:
There will be a wide variety of cars that fit the criteria that you have set, most Jap turbo's.

However the maintenance costs is where it will kill you, so you're whole plan of "cheap ish" is flawed. If you were to compromise on 1 or 2 areas there are even greater variety of cars that will satisfy your needs. An ST220 is one for example, Should be able to get one for £3k, won't have 220bhp, but is able to, and certainly won't average 30mpg, but could maybe manage it on a run.

Arguably slightly more reliable, and part will be slightly cheaper than other suggestions so far.

Yeah totally. Just was trying to make the thread fun with all 3s in the numbers

I know there are plenty of cars just as quick with say 250bhp. I love ST220s.