Recommend Me a Car - Performance Hatchback or Coupe for Less Than £20k

[simonp]

Z4 M Coupe would probably be in budget, too.

[taff-turbo]

i was looking to get an e46 m3 but was really put off by the "issues" but 135 looks like a definite alternative

[Edition30]

Focus RS or S3 


We have a nice white Focus RS in at work a snip under 20 grand. Sound great 

If it was my money it would be on the S3. I just love the way you can nail it off the line. We also have a very well looked after 2004 M3 in stock at 12k (I think, maybe cheaper). The guy was so particular about it and didnt really want to let it go.

[marka87uk]

Thanks guys, some very good suggestions!

I must say, I really don’t like the look of the Cayman… I’m sure it’s amazing to drive but to me the looks let it down!

135i sure looks good on paper but they seem quite hard to find in that price range(?) – I prefer the look of the 335i but it seems a bit more of a cruiser (although as you most probably know, it basically has the performance of an M3 for half the price!).

Z4M is a good option! I will look into those more…

As andrewparker said, a Jag is really a bit ‘old man’ for me! That said, I do like the look of their newer models.

One thing that did strike me was the SL55 AMG – I’ve never been a big Merc fan but they have all the toys and almost 500bhp! Tempting!

What would you say the issues would be with an E46 M3? They’re pretty cheap now but I can imagine there are some dogs around… a good pre-purchase inspection would give some peace of mind before buying though?

I wish the Focus RS was cheaper and it’d be a definite!

[simonp]

FRS is under £20K (just) nowadays. My local dealer had a white one on the forecourt at £19,995 for months, so I expect it sold for less than that...

[tony_danza]

The only E46 M3 issue I know of is the subframe tearing the mounts on the shell, but BMW fix this for free. For 20k you'd get a very last of the CS with full BMW extended warranty and change too.

I'd still take a Z4M over it though, as it has the CSL's lump and better residuals.

135is didn't sell that well early on due to the arse falling out of the market, so reasonably rare.

335i might keep with an M3 once mapped in a straight line, but you're fooling yourself if you think it'll not be left for dead though the bends.

[GTIjames]

[marka87uk]

OK I admit that Cayman does look nice, but it's just not for me sorry! :)

To be honest I doubt i'd take my car round a track any day soon so would rather spend half the price on a decent M3 than a CSL.

I'm quite taken by the Z4M's actually - may have to arrange some test drives!

[andrewparker]

This one looks gorgeous -

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3734587.htm

[simonp]

That is lovely. Lot of kit and in an M specific colour, too.

[candy turbo]

i ve owned a cayman and a megane rs 250 and the renault is the better driving car of the 2