Due to the arrival of a baby, I put a post on here around 5 years ago asking for a suggestions for something to replace my S2000 with. I needed something that i could put a baby seat in but that was still interesting.

Someone suggested a BMW Z4M coupe and i bought one a few weeks later at 3 years old with 11k miles on the clock.

I've used it on a daily basis ever since and its now done 50k miles. Amazingly, its going up in value and realistically its probably worth around £2k less than i paid for it. But the value is mileage sensitive and i don't really want to keep adding to the miles on it.

My work situation has also changed and i now have to do some business miles. Not big numbers, but probably 4-5k a year. The Z4M's fuel consumption isnt great at 25mpg and when its boring motorway miles it feels wrong to be spending this sort of money and adding to the mileage.

Plus, i fancy a change. I may garage the Z4m for fun days (as its appreciating) or i may sell it and get a caterham.

My criteria are 4 seats (this will be the first 4 seater i've owned in 15+ years), reasonable MPG (30-35), suitably presentable for when i visit clients, but most importantly it has to be interesting and fun to drive. I'm also going to find it hard to drive something that is significantly slower than the Z4 i currently have. It can be new if i can get a decent finance deal on it, otherwise i'd be looking to spend ~£20k cash.

Suggestions please. I don't want a hot hatch and i'm biased against mercedes but might be persuaded with something unusual.

 

Superb, love a spending other people's money thread

Ruling out hot hatches is disappointing though

Can it be a 2 door 4 seater?

Off to think...

 

5 door M135i I used mine for business miles and "general" duties
I know its a hot hatch but for the money there aren't many "fast" saloons that aren't Mercs
Audi S3 4 door?

 

I've been walking past a BMW 3er GT type thing a lot recently.

GT my arse - it's a Ford Sierra hatchback-type thing. Or a Rover SD1 Hi Roof - if you Spec it as a 340 iXDrive, which none will be. I thought the Sierra 4x4 was quite a compelling package way back when, too. They seemed to breed (not many) real enthusiasts.

I dunno how they drive (modern rubbish?) but it's quite understated by modern standards and would make a good van/MPV without the usual drawbacks of looking like a soccer mum and the tedious MPV/SUV understeer/roll/rubbish ride.

 

340i Xdrives are VERY new and well over £30k, 335i saloon/coupe could be had in budget

 

I would prefer 2 doors!

I'm struggling with the 4 seat thing on its own. If i have to have 4 doors as well then i may as well just give up on life and buy a people carrier or a 4x4....

 

I would count as S3 as a hot hatch. The 1 series hatch back isn't for either.

Is it old 1 series coupe now called a 2 series?

 

Alfa Romeo Brera Coupe 3.2 AWD or whatever they are, or is that too left field and too 'hatchy'.

Or what about the http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/alfa-ro...io-2016-review that they all seem to be raving about.

 

At last a less boring advice.

 

Its inevitable that Nottm will be along to mention he owns an M3, so here goes

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...hp/5556949?v=c

(I ignored the bit about MPG - MPG is for pansies and only relevant if you've doing 10k plus a year )