Spec me some torque!

realscot

realscot

realscot

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Getting a little tired of the old honda now, looking for something a little more grown up and comfortable.

As an MOT tester I see lots of different cars, and you get to know what things regularly go wrong on each model.

I've never really been a fan of BMW's but I must say, at the top of my list is an E46 330ci. I have found that they rust like an old ford on the arches and boot lids (where's that german build quality gone?!)
I also gotta say, not a big fan of BMW interior, yes it may be reasonably well finished, but tbh no better than any modern skoda, and the 2002 ish models i'm looking at look terribly dated in comparison with other cars the same age.
So if i don't like it that much why even consider it? I dunno, it just.. feels.. like a good car, they drive really well too. I don't know if its the noise they make, or the look of them with the slightly flared wheel arches hugging 18 inch wheels.
Insurance was a pleasant surprise on a 330ci sport £346 FC with esure but a £500 excess lol.

Others I have considered,

Jaguar X-type 3.0 (love this also)
Mondeo ST220 (but it just doesn't feel that special)
Passat 2.0T 20v (feels like its for old people)
Vauxhall any... (no.. just...no.)

Obviously the list is short, but I just can't seem to find anything that tickles my fancy. Any suggestions welcome.
Must - Seat 4 adults in comfort and not be boy racer'ish i.e. no more vtec, scoobs, or evo's or similar yet must still look appealing to any car fans.
£6k + my old MB6 civic is the budget so £7-7.5k max.
 
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Unusual - I've heard various criticisms of BMWs but never the interior, but each to their own. Personally I prefer a chunkier steering wheel than the 3 series has, but other than that I cant really fault the interior.

If its torque you're after, have you considered any diesels? If you're wanting the exact opposite of a little hard revving vtec engine, it doesnt get any more opposite than a big derv. The 330d isnt far off the 330i in terms of price, doesnt sound half bad (only sounds dieselish at idle) and goes pretty damn well too.

Other than that, have you considered any Audis?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1034180.htm (bit over budget I know)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1091508.htm

Or something a bit different? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1153936.htm

Have to admit for this budget, I'd be looking at 330s (i or d)
 
This got my mouth watering..
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1160932.htm

Joshy - Yeah a bit too left field for me.

Iaind - Derv is ok, but then i'd miss that lovely noise the straight six petrol lump makes! The audi 4.2 is a nice find, but yes, out of budget, and a bit plain looking tbh. Not a saab fan at all, and I do like those 2.5tdi audi's, and again, i'd miss the noise.
I don't really need that good fuel economy, only have a 16 mile round trip commute.
 
Someone more knowledgable than me will need to answer that - relatively high but all these cars will be. Its not an RS4 so its not going to be epic but still. The 2.7 Biturbo S4 is easily within budget but they cost quite a lot to run apparently. 21mpg is lower than the 330 but the 0-60 is only 5.4 - group 20 insurance 200
 
realscot said:
This got my mouth watering..
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1160932.htm

Joshy - Yeah a bit too left field for me.

Iaind - Derv is ok, but then i'd miss that lovely noise the straight six petrol lump makes! The audi 4.2 is a nice find, but yes, out of budget, and a bit plain looking tbh. Not a saab fan at all, and I do like those 2.5tdi audi's, and again, i'd miss the noise.
I don't really need that good fuel economy, only have a 16 mile round trip commute.
Click to expand...

I think you'd be suprised at the noise a straight six diesel makes. I wasnt really suggesting it for economy reasons - was more for the torks ;)
 
iaind said:
I think you'd be suprised at the noise a straight six diesel makes. I wasnt really suggesting it for economy reasons - was more for the torks ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah I mot'd a 330d on monday, it had that tuning box thingy fitted too. Rapid car, and your right, doesn't sound very derv'ish but at the same time, it hardly compares to the sound a 330i makes. I seem to be finding that spec for spec the "D" is about a grand more than the petrol, and it also seems harder to find a low mileage one.
 
Fair enough then - if theres that much cost difference and you dont have the mileage justification, its not worth it. Still, I doubt a 3 litre straight six is going to leave you wanting for more torque :)
 
lol yeah at least double the torque than what i'm used to. Only about 40bhp more. 2 more cylinders, 2k rpm less... hmmm.. i'll miss the rev's. How many times will the limiter be my friend till i get used to changing gear lower down.
 
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