New car on the horizon...

[arcon 3]

I'm looking to upgrade my E46. New car will be at least 2014, more recent than 2016 is probably beyond budget. I don't need a high powered car, but no less than 180bhp. Three options that appeal so far 125i or 320i (Msport models)... or a Merc A-250 lol. The 3 series I've owned over the past decade have had awesome handling, but interiors are a let down... this hasn't improved much with newer beamers. That's one thing that's drawing me to other brands but I've never driven Merc/Audi/VW etc. They are probably very different cars but does anyone have opinions on models from those years?

[qube 3570]

a nice sport model F20 125i is very nice, aso a bit more power than the 320i.

[Palazzo 477]

A250 4matic. Or a diesel.

[gjm 3258]

4 hours ago, Palazzo said:

A250 4matic. Or a diesel.

I'm  fan of the GLA250 4-Matic. Fabulous smaller car.

[lord_jagganath 421]

Diesel is always good, been pottering around in father's Maxima and uncles W211 3.0V6 for the past two weeks, and find that I truly miss the torque of diesel, and the smoothness of the DSG. worth the extra RUCs and servicing one pays to be honest.

[kiwi535 538]

11 hours ago, lord_jagganath said:

Diesel is always good, been pottering around in father's Maxima and uncles W211 3.0V6 for the past two weeks, and find that I truly miss the torque of diesel, and the smoothness of the DSG. worth the extra RUCs and servicing one pays to be honest.

i like being able to do just about any trip without having to stop to fill up

 

[sobanoodle 45]

+1 for diesel. Get so much more range for less money, yet more fun.

From F-series 535i to 640d.

 

[arcon 3]

An update, had to delay the purchase but still looking around. I'm actually surprised how expensive non-euro cars are getting. For example in the used range I'm looking at a Mazda 3 SP25 would be an option, but on average a 120i M Sport is only $5K more, and within 8kW power of the Mazda?? Mazda 2s & 3s have a reputation of road noise, I would test them obviously but I'm wondering how that would compare to the 120i...

[BlackrazorNZ 83]

Here's a bit of a wildcard :

One option I would seriously consider if you can put the badge aside, is the Hyundai i30 Limited.

I test drove a bucket load of cars recently before settling on the M140i, and of all the current model cars I drove (Mazda3/6, VW Polo GTI/Golf GTI/R, Seat Leon Cupra, M140i, M120i, i30 Ltd, i30N, Kona Electric, Ioniq Electric, GT86, A45 AMG, Audi S4) the i30 Ltd and the Golf GTI were the only other models I felt rivalled the M140i in the 'value for money' stakes.

Not sure what your budget is and they're $43k new before haggling, but I'm sure they'll drop in aftermarket quick enough. And for that, you get a lovely free-revving 1.6T engine with 150kw/202hp engine with 265nm torque from 1500rpm, a proper dual clutch transmission, and pretty much every mod-con you can think of.

https://www.hyundai.co.nz/small-cars/i30/features

 

[arcon 3]

11 hours ago, BlackrazorNZ said:

One option I would seriously consider if you can put the badge aside, is the Hyundai i30 Limited.

 

 

 

Thanks looks quite tidy, I haven't been able to see one second hand but will keep a look out. 30K budget would be the limit.

[qube 3570]

would you be interested in my 2012 M135i? its not as new as you'd like but its way more powerful and quick. lots of goodies and maintenance done also

[arcon 3]

Thanks I'll have to pass - about 99% of my driving will just be around town so a turbo 3.0 six is probably overkill for me, although sure sounds fun lol

[qube 3570]

then take a look at the smaller engined 1 series - 116/118/120/125, they are all fantastic cars