Help my find my do it all car (15k)

Soldato
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North Wales
Hi,


I've just sold my 987 as I didn't find the time for it - I didn't get chance to drive it enough and I can't justify keeping a weekend car which doesn't get used on the weekends :p

So I'm trying to find a do it all type of car that fits the bill; but nothing is jumping out at me. Logic says fast Audi estate but they're just not floating my boat at the moment.

Here's my criteria:
- Moderate/Large back seats or a large boot (estate). We have large dogs and this will be part dog chariot
- Petrol, around 250hp or above
- Automatic
- Would prefer n/a 6/8 cylinders but I will consider anything
- Reasonably modern, sort of 2008 and above
- Reasonable maintenance costs (no ticking time bombs)
- Interesting in some way, some sort of 'X Factor'. e.g. great handling, or sounding etc.
- Estate, Hatchback, SUV. Preferred in that order. Not really looking for an SUV, but would consider it if it was interesting enough!

Not bothered about:
- Insurance, Tax etc
- MPG
- Badge/Prestige


I currently have an e91 325i which is ok, but a bit dull. I don't find the handling particularly good (albeit the suspension is old) so I don't think something like an e/f 3 series would cut it - an e91 M3 would be perfect in theory shame they don't do one :)
~2011+ S4 Avant looks the best option on paper, but hoping someone might be able to suggest something else...


Time/Budget wise - I won't be looking until at least Jan, so I'm hoping the market will settle down a bit by then. Ideally I'd like to spend <15k, but would go up to 20k potentially.


Thanks
 
~2011+ S4 Avant looks the best option on paper, but hoping someone might be able to suggest something else...

This would suggest to me it’s the engine which makes a driving experience less dull, compared to handling/suspension.


In which case, the S4 avant seems like one of the better options. Don’t think you’ll get a golf R estate.
 
Doesn’t find E9x handling to be much cop, looks at buying B8 platform A4.

Nope.

My 440i is a much sharper drive than my old 2013 B8 A4 and my 2016 S3 and mines a floppy convertible 440i!
 
~2011+ S4 Avant looks the best option on paper, but hoping someone might be able to suggest something else...

Remember of course the S4 is a triumph of Audi marketing - it is in reality not a junior RS4 but an A4 3.0TFSI S-Line. Which means that the obvious alternative is the BMW 335i M Sport. The 2011ish A4 are really very dated cars now - the platform appeared almost 15 years ago - and a 2012-2015ish 335i M Sport Touring would in my view be a better car.

The 2011ish A4 is generationally similar to your existing E90. If you find the handling poor on an E90 - probably the only thing about it thats really any good - then the A4 certainly won't do it for. The A4 has never handled better than the 3 Series.

Infact really you're going to struggle here a lot because there isn't much in this type of car that will handle better than a 3 Series will.
 
I would test drive a bunch because most fast estates costing £15 - £20K are probably decent cars and have good and bad points.
I would test drive a volvo, skoda, audi, bmw, merc and a couple of others maybe
 
This would suggest to me it’s the engine which makes a driving experience less dull, compared to handling/suspension.

Not necessarily, I'm just looking for something that tickles my fancy in some way

Doesn’t find E9x handling to be much cop, looks at buying B8 platform A4.

Nope.

My 440i is a much sharper drive than my old 2013 B8 A4 and my 2016 S3 and mines a floppy convertible 440i!

Fair enough, maybe my e91 just has old, tired suspension and needs a refresh.

Infact really you're going to struggle here a lot because there isn't much in this type of car that will handle better than a 3 Series will.

This is why I'm struggling. However having had an M140 in the past - I'm not sure and F31 335/340 is the answer.

I could look at smaller hatches like a Golf GTi but I don't think it'd be big enough. Like I said in the OP though, it's not just about handling - it just has to have something about it that makes it more interesting...
 
Not necessarily, I'm just looking for something that tickles my fancy in some way
I could look at smaller hatches like a Golf GTi but I don't think it'd be big enough. Like I said in the OP though, it's not just about handling - it just has to have something about it that makes it more interesting...

Golf R Estate? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107275518240 Octavia VRS Estate? Leon Cupra Estate? Mondeo Estate with the 2.0 Turbo? Focus ST Estate?
 
Golf R Estate? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107275518240 Octavia VRS Estate? Leon Cupra Estate? Mondeo Estate with the 2.0 Turbo? Focus ST Estate?

Of all those the Leon might work

Which is fine but if this is the case I can't see what an S4 offers you. It's the same concept.

Yeah I get you, I was hoping it might offer a bit more

E63 Wagon? Is there a better "interesting" estate car for this money?

This I have considered, and yes would tick the 'interesting' box. Think I'd be pushing it budget wise, plus not sure about maintenance of it?
 
We have an E91 330i. As an all rounder, it’s great. For all that, doesn’t make me smile like my mk2 MX5.
If anything, I’m guessing that most newer vaguely quick cars are going to be even more dumbed down than our E91, regardless of the fact that they’ll be faster.

My personal view is that a single car just isn’t going to cut it. Just buy something that’s cheaper to run/own than your Porsche
 
We have an E91 330i. As an all rounder, it’s great. For all that, doesn’t make me smile like my mk2 MX5.
If anything, I’m guessing that most newer vaguely quick cars are going to be even more dumbed down than our E91, regardless of the fact that they’ll be faster.

My personal view is that a single car just isn’t going to cut it. Just buy something that’s cheaper to run/own than your Porsche

Getting rid of the Porsche wasn't a financial decision, I just never had time to use it properly - I had a NA MX5 before it and never drove that either :p
 
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