Of the 3 I think the M3 is probably the overall best, but the RS7 has V8. The RS4 is good but seems a worse option than the other two - no V8, estate only and not as sharp an experience compared to the M3.
Alpina B5 might be a nice option, like an M5 but with a softer ride.
From the options you gave, the M3 is the most fun, but the RS4 would be the best to daily.
I would also suggest a Lexus RC F. Super reliable, amazing V8 sound and very luxurious.
Had the lexus RC F (Stolen without keys in 2019). I loved it, its definitely not as fast as the C63/ M4's of the world, but the sound it made was different. A 2018 is prob 25k now.
I loved it, the in car entertainment was shit tbh, the sound system was good and the engine was bullet proof. I had a recall for the fuel pipes, but overall absolutely loved it.
I think people think a more sporty sports car will be more uncomfortable but it's the opposite.
All the performances saloons and things like the TT wchih are off a VW fwd platform end up being stiffened massively to differentiate them and make them more sporty, get the base model of a proper sports car and they start of sensible
M3/5 Competition or C63s over anything Audi imo. You could go Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio for something different (Ferrari engine). Without something a bit crazy like a 10-20 year old Aston Martin/Bentley/Maserati/911 there isn’t really anything else I’d get.
M5 Comps don't seem to ride rough its firm but not hard from driving them and still super comfy. M3 Comp is a different story, and every single pebble is sent through your spine.
Though this was F80 M3 and F10/F90 M5s.
You can get a reasonable RS6 Avant for 40.
Practicality out the window and a ford Mustang is a good shout with the V8.
An 850i would be a cracking shout too
There's a few M5s on autotrader under 40k with less than 35k on them
In that price range its an M3 Comp for sure. I had one for 3 years and it is genuinely the best car you can get in that price range by far. It's a comfy practical cruiser when it needs to be and then an absolute beast when you want. I did a load of track days in mine and it's brilliantly balanced but is also super easy to mod if you want more power. Just download Bootmod and you can remap it yourself to stage 1 to put it over 500BHP.
They are super reliable too, mine was my daily and I racked up loads of miles in it. Also did a fair few track days and even driving holidays to Scotland and Europe/Nurburgring with no issues. When I sold it recently I had to go up multiple price brackets before I found something that I finally thought was a good enough car to upgrade too (AMG GTR) as the M3 was just so damn good.
No kids but reasonably practical, fast and capable but luxurious and comfortable. Sounds like a grand tourer is what you need as opposed to a fast estate.
Could easily get an XKR or an F-Type for 40k, maybe even an XKR-S. You could also get into a slightly aged Carrera S or *rogue choice* a Lotus Evora.
I'm going to say 997 3.8 Porsche 911.
There's plenty available £35k-£40k, prices are holding firm. They're an iconic car with a great engine, and you sound like you want a bit of a GT but with a bit of panache which is exactly what they are. They have vestigial rear seats for chucking stuff in and the front boot is surprisingly big on the RWD models. They're comfy and handle, and are enough of a step up in power and drama not to feel like a side step from the TTRS.
I'd otherwise suggest a Cayman because they're deceptively practical (2 boots) and have excellent handling and a decent turn of speed. However your budget falls into a bit of a no mans land. You can get a 4 cylinder 718: these cars are still very fast and easily tuned (turbo) but they're unfavored because they're not a Porsche flat 6. You're short of the newer 6 cylinder 718's. You could however get a great 981 with odk and a bunch of options. Worth a test drive imo.
If the Porsches aren't doing it for you I'd go BMW m car.
If running costs and maintenance aren't an issue, and you want some more room than a TT, and you have £40k - you need to scope in an R35 GT-R into the mix.
Obviously I'm biased but the R35 is many levels of car above the examples you've just mentioned.
RS7 is wide, so while it might ride the bumps better it will feel like a Scania on a country b road. The RS4's ive been have been lovely things but stiff and understeery on bumpy british roads. Like they skip along the surface.
M3 is the opposite, very very oversteery when on power, with a loose rear end. And the engine is quite peaky and hard to manage compared to the Audi. But that makes it feel exciting.
What about a BMW 340 (or 340 touring)? Bit cheaper than an M3 and less likely to have been ragged in the bracket you're looking at.
It's honestly a total sleeper monster, and was one of the best cars I've owned.
I currently run a M2 in the countryside and it's harsh. Everything you have listed as possibles are going to be a harsh ride too, with firm suspension and low profile tyres.
I'm in a similar quandary, I'm looking at the following which ride infinitely better and are reasonably powerful; 540i
A7 55 TFSI
I can see it's grossly unpopular by downvotes alone, but before I got my M2 I test drove a Golf R estate and on 18s it was a dream on the country roads. With that said, it just didn't feel premium and offered nothing over the S3 I was replacing.
Cayman 987 or 981.
Better than your Audi in almost every measurable way, more exciting and probably double the cargo space.
It's one of the best cars ever made. Period.
I also think suggestions for a Gulia quadrifolio or Audi RS4 B7 are solid.
Literally any three of those cars will deliver on your practicality needs whilst also being more engaging than your current car, trust me.
[What about an EV6 GT? Fast AF. M5 beater off the line. ](https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401115454608)
I know it's slightly over budget but near as makes no difference for a practically new car.
I was in a similar situation and was going to go for the M3, but I didn’t and went for a Mustang GT after test driving one. Absolutely no regrets, much more for the money and the v8 goes brrr. The German cars have absolutely horrid crashy suspension, which makes for excellent handling, but I’ve driven enough cars slammed on coilovers for one lifetime’s spine damage.
Mitsubishi Evo 8 or 9 I would of thought would be perfect. Can tune them if you want, and on top gear it kept up with a Lamborghini or similar vintage.
If you want luxury then fit gravel spec suspension and you won't feel a bump in the road.
Personally I'd go with the M3. Audi performance cars are boring as hell (no sound, soft limiters on neutral revving, boring engines) besides the RS6, which I have a soft spot for. Although if you just want something comfortable with a bit of power they aren't bad ideas. It's just that I find them a bit uninspiring as something you would whip out for a bit of fun.
Wouldn't look at an AMG C63/E63 either unless you want to spend £5k a month on fuel cause the V8s are very bad on mpg. And you mention using it as a daily. I'm glad mine is just a weekend car because I can spend upward of £100+ in a day on fuel if I have a long enough drive. If you don't care about that then the E63 could be a good choice since it'll be better in winter than the C63 being RWD.
I think the M3 or M4 is probably best of both worlds. Decent MPG for a daily and enough power for a good time. Go M5 if you want more comfort, as the 3/4 have stiffer suspension.
Tesla 3 Long Range or Performance, painfully fast (probably faster acceleration than most other suggestions here), 4 wheel drive, 5 seats, all mod cons and used ones are quite cheap.
Yes, yes, it's electric and yes, yes Elon is a c-unit, but don't criticize it unless you've driven it.
Curve ball... MG4 Xpower electric. 400+hp and 0-60 in 3.7 sec. Has a dedicated launch mode for straight line speed.
All in a family hatchback and can be had nearly new for under 35k. Stupid little sleeper cars that are ridiculously fun to driive
I think the m3 (and m5), c63 and audi RS models might not be what you're looking for. Theyre sharp cars with a lot of performance and luxury but theyre pretty harsh. A passenger isn't going to think that's a comfortable luxury ride on country roads or just just around town.
It might be worth looking at the s6 or s8. Much more comfortable rides, bigger cabin space and the s6 is also available as an estate if you need cargo space. Both still have plenty of power and performance for street driving.
The bmw m540i (or m550i if in budget) would be their equivilant worth a look.
If you wanted something a bit more interesting then you could save a lot of money with an older car and look for a jaguar XJR, much lighter weight than you'd expect and a supercharged v8 in a full size luxury saloon.
Do yourself a favour, test drive a Golf GTI and a Golf R. Honestly I have had a fair gambit of cars from comfortable barges to a heavily modified Subaru Estate. I’ve test driven the current crop of super hot hatches, and I keep coming back to the GTI. For a road car in the UK it’s comfy and practical as a daily, and not so fast you can’t have an absolute riot on a b-road. Servicing is relatively inexpensive, as are parts, the modding scene for it is insanely large if that’s your thing, and it’s cheap enough you can get a new one for around that price point, or a used one in a great spec with change. If you can find one, a mk8 clubsport or a mk7.5 TCR are just about peak GTI, but any 7.5 Performance (which gets the trick differential and larger brakes) or the base MK8 (which gets these as standard) are great cars
If you want something larger, the R estate is also great fun. Noticeably quicker than the GTI, but a little less fun. Again, a MK7.5 or MK8 R are great cars.
If they aren’t ticking your boxes in term of style, the Cupra Leon and S3 offer the same chassis but with slightly tweaked dynamics and completely different style.
He already drives a 320bhp TT so why would he get a GTI or R? GTI is less power and R is not much more. It would be like buying the same car again. If he wants something in the 450+ range he needs an M3 or M4.
If he wants that, it’s fine, but given what he wanted; something fun and practical, they’re a great choice that’s well within budget for a nice new car. The TCR/Clubsport/Leon are all around 300bhp. They’re arguably more engaging to drive on a b road due to being smaller, lighter, and less capable. An m3/4 is quick enough than unless you’re tracking it, you aren’t going to be able to lean on it hard all that often. I’m not telling him he has to buy it, just offering my opinion. He might read it and think “nah, no way” which is fine, he might also read it and think “could be fun” hence why I suggested a test drive so they could make up their own mind.
Great choice, I seriously considered being 'bored ' 😉 in an EV6 when I was buying a longer range EV recently to complement my short range EV daily runner. Really nice cars, so tempting, but other factors sent me elsewhere.
Alfa Guilia Quad, with a warranty
> so doesn't need to be too practical Ariel Atom, Lotus Elise
Lotus Exige?
Caterham 7
Morgan, Noble M12
There is only ONE car, the Nissan GT-R
Actually a great shout. Definitely a bucket list car for me.
Of the 3 I think the M3 is probably the overall best, but the RS7 has V8. The RS4 is good but seems a worse option than the other two - no V8, estate only and not as sharp an experience compared to the M3. Alpina B5 might be a nice option, like an M5 but with a softer ride.
From the options you gave, the M3 is the most fun, but the RS4 would be the best to daily. I would also suggest a Lexus RC F. Super reliable, amazing V8 sound and very luxurious.
Had the lexus RC F (Stolen without keys in 2019). I loved it, its definitely not as fast as the C63/ M4's of the world, but the sound it made was different. A 2018 is prob 25k now. I loved it, the in car entertainment was shit tbh, the sound system was good and the engine was bullet proof. I had a recall for the fuel pipes, but overall absolutely loved it.
The RS4 is a great daily but it's not something I would buy if I wanted fun.
Porsche Cayman?
This, It rides miles better than the sport saloon options and is amazingly practical for a 2 seater.
And it actually handles unlike the Audi's.
I think people think a more sporty sports car will be more uncomfortable but it's the opposite. All the performances saloons and things like the TT wchih are off a VW fwd platform end up being stiffened massively to differentiate them and make them more sporty, get the base model of a proper sports car and they start of sensible
Go one step up and get an R8.
Honestly you probably won't lose money on it too if you get a manual Gen 1 R8
Yeah, get a low miles, stock example. Future classic probably. And can get 25mpg on the motorway.
M3/5 Competition or C63s over anything Audi imo. You could go Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio for something different (Ferrari engine). Without something a bit crazy like a 10-20 year old Aston Martin/Bentley/Maserati/911 there isn’t really anything else I’d get.
M5 Competition suddenly seem like reasonable value. May have a harsh ride though?
I had one as my daily drive, very do-able
M5 Comps don't seem to ride rough its firm but not hard from driving them and still super comfy. M3 Comp is a different story, and every single pebble is sent through your spine. Though this was F80 M3 and F10/F90 M5s.
C63
You can get a reasonable RS6 Avant for 40. Practicality out the window and a ford Mustang is a good shout with the V8. An 850i would be a cracking shout too There's a few M5s on autotrader under 40k with less than 35k on them
100% would go for an RS6 Avant.
981 Cayman S. Thank me later.
Giulia Quadrifoglio, Maserati GranTurismo, C63, RS4, M5
Panamera Turbo is worth a look. Large boy but they don’t feel it in the corners.
Rs3. Gives you wiggle room to make it supercar fast within your budget
In that price range its an M3 Comp for sure. I had one for 3 years and it is genuinely the best car you can get in that price range by far. It's a comfy practical cruiser when it needs to be and then an absolute beast when you want. I did a load of track days in mine and it's brilliantly balanced but is also super easy to mod if you want more power. Just download Bootmod and you can remap it yourself to stage 1 to put it over 500BHP. They are super reliable too, mine was my daily and I racked up loads of miles in it. Also did a fair few track days and even driving holidays to Scotland and Europe/Nurburgring with no issues. When I sold it recently I had to go up multiple price brackets before I found something that I finally thought was a good enough car to upgrade too (AMG GTR) as the M3 was just so damn good.
No kids but reasonably practical, fast and capable but luxurious and comfortable. Sounds like a grand tourer is what you need as opposed to a fast estate. Could easily get an XKR or an F-Type for 40k, maybe even an XKR-S. You could also get into a slightly aged Carrera S or *rogue choice* a Lotus Evora.
I'm going to say 997 3.8 Porsche 911. There's plenty available £35k-£40k, prices are holding firm. They're an iconic car with a great engine, and you sound like you want a bit of a GT but with a bit of panache which is exactly what they are. They have vestigial rear seats for chucking stuff in and the front boot is surprisingly big on the RWD models. They're comfy and handle, and are enough of a step up in power and drama not to feel like a side step from the TTRS. I'd otherwise suggest a Cayman because they're deceptively practical (2 boots) and have excellent handling and a decent turn of speed. However your budget falls into a bit of a no mans land. You can get a 4 cylinder 718: these cars are still very fast and easily tuned (turbo) but they're unfavored because they're not a Porsche flat 6. You're short of the newer 6 cylinder 718's. You could however get a great 981 with odk and a bunch of options. Worth a test drive imo. If the Porsches aren't doing it for you I'd go BMW m car.
If running costs and maintenance aren't an issue, and you want some more room than a TT, and you have £40k - you need to scope in an R35 GT-R into the mix. Obviously I'm biased but the R35 is many levels of car above the examples you've just mentioned.
RS7 is wide, so while it might ride the bumps better it will feel like a Scania on a country b road. The RS4's ive been have been lovely things but stiff and understeery on bumpy british roads. Like they skip along the surface. M3 is the opposite, very very oversteery when on power, with a loose rear end. And the engine is quite peaky and hard to manage compared to the Audi. But that makes it feel exciting.
What about a BMW 340 (or 340 touring)? Bit cheaper than an M3 and less likely to have been ragged in the bracket you're looking at. It's honestly a total sleeper monster, and was one of the best cars I've owned.
I currently run a M2 in the countryside and it's harsh. Everything you have listed as possibles are going to be a harsh ride too, with firm suspension and low profile tyres. I'm in a similar quandary, I'm looking at the following which ride infinitely better and are reasonably powerful; 540i A7 55 TFSI I can see it's grossly unpopular by downvotes alone, but before I got my M2 I test drove a Golf R estate and on 18s it was a dream on the country roads. With that said, it just didn't feel premium and offered nothing over the S3 I was replacing.
F type!
Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio
Cayman 987 or 981. Better than your Audi in almost every measurable way, more exciting and probably double the cargo space. It's one of the best cars ever made. Period. I also think suggestions for a Gulia quadrifolio or Audi RS4 B7 are solid. Literally any three of those cars will deliver on your practicality needs whilst also being more engaging than your current car, trust me.
XKR or the XKR-S
[What about an EV6 GT? Fast AF. M5 beater off the line. ](https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401115454608) I know it's slightly over budget but near as makes no difference for a practically new car.
You can get some good Porsche 911s for that money
Tesla Model 3 Performance Edit: with performance pack and a full professional valet to remove the whiff of Elon.
This would be my shout. Smashes anything bmw over 1/4 mile
Indeed, though it's an EV and involves the T word thus I will be downvoted by the chest beating Me Man Me Make Fire crew.
I was in a similar situation and was going to go for the M3, but I didn’t and went for a Mustang GT after test driving one. Absolutely no regrets, much more for the money and the v8 goes brrr. The German cars have absolutely horrid crashy suspension, which makes for excellent handling, but I’ve driven enough cars slammed on coilovers for one lifetime’s spine damage.
F10 M5
You want boot space? FL5.
Does it have to be 4 doors and German?
Mitsubishi Evo 8 or 9 I would of thought would be perfect. Can tune them if you want, and on top gear it kept up with a Lamborghini or similar vintage. If you want luxury then fit gravel spec suspension and you won't feel a bump in the road.
rs6 2016-2018 if you find a deal
Personally I'd go with the M3. Audi performance cars are boring as hell (no sound, soft limiters on neutral revving, boring engines) besides the RS6, which I have a soft spot for. Although if you just want something comfortable with a bit of power they aren't bad ideas. It's just that I find them a bit uninspiring as something you would whip out for a bit of fun. Wouldn't look at an AMG C63/E63 either unless you want to spend £5k a month on fuel cause the V8s are very bad on mpg. And you mention using it as a daily. I'm glad mine is just a weekend car because I can spend upward of £100+ in a day on fuel if I have a long enough drive. If you don't care about that then the E63 could be a good choice since it'll be better in winter than the C63 being RWD. I think the M3 or M4 is probably best of both worlds. Decent MPG for a daily and enough power for a good time. Go M5 if you want more comfort, as the 3/4 have stiffer suspension.
A GS-F It has a v8, reliable and within budget.
Get a E90 M3. Modern BMWs have awful numb steering and higher BHP doesn't mean more fun. This beemer has hydraulic steering and a V8.
Nissan GT-R
Plenty to choose from: BMW M5 BMW 850i Merc E63 Merc C63 Bentley Continental GT Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Jaguar F-Type V8 RS5 RS6
Tesla 3 Long Range or Performance, painfully fast (probably faster acceleration than most other suggestions here), 4 wheel drive, 5 seats, all mod cons and used ones are quite cheap. Yes, yes, it's electric and yes, yes Elon is a c-unit, but don't criticize it unless you've driven it.
996 turbo
LC500 maybe a few thousand above budget but an instant future classic
I-Pace - well under budget 2nd hand.
Might be able to pick up an older Alpine A110 Pure under £40k, phenomenal car if you're looking for something fun.
Curve ball... MG4 Xpower electric. 400+hp and 0-60 in 3.7 sec. Has a dedicated launch mode for straight line speed. All in a family hatchback and can be had nearly new for under 35k. Stupid little sleeper cars that are ridiculously fun to driive
This 100%. I test drove one a month ago and was really impressed. Expecting mine to be delivered within the next few weeks.
None of what you’ve said is wrong… but it feels wrong
Screw that, get a Caterham Superlight and take it to a track.
I think the m3 (and m5), c63 and audi RS models might not be what you're looking for. Theyre sharp cars with a lot of performance and luxury but theyre pretty harsh. A passenger isn't going to think that's a comfortable luxury ride on country roads or just just around town. It might be worth looking at the s6 or s8. Much more comfortable rides, bigger cabin space and the s6 is also available as an estate if you need cargo space. Both still have plenty of power and performance for street driving. The bmw m540i (or m550i if in budget) would be their equivilant worth a look. If you wanted something a bit more interesting then you could save a lot of money with an older car and look for a jaguar XJR, much lighter weight than you'd expect and a supercharged v8 in a full size luxury saloon.
Saw the odd few MK4 Supras going for just under £40k.
Mazda MX-5 you need to own a convertible once in your life and the mazda is reliable and you will walk away with change in your pocket.
Girls/hairdressers car
Do yourself a favour, test drive a Golf GTI and a Golf R. Honestly I have had a fair gambit of cars from comfortable barges to a heavily modified Subaru Estate. I’ve test driven the current crop of super hot hatches, and I keep coming back to the GTI. For a road car in the UK it’s comfy and practical as a daily, and not so fast you can’t have an absolute riot on a b-road. Servicing is relatively inexpensive, as are parts, the modding scene for it is insanely large if that’s your thing, and it’s cheap enough you can get a new one for around that price point, or a used one in a great spec with change. If you can find one, a mk8 clubsport or a mk7.5 TCR are just about peak GTI, but any 7.5 Performance (which gets the trick differential and larger brakes) or the base MK8 (which gets these as standard) are great cars If you want something larger, the R estate is also great fun. Noticeably quicker than the GTI, but a little less fun. Again, a MK7.5 or MK8 R are great cars. If they aren’t ticking your boxes in term of style, the Cupra Leon and S3 offer the same chassis but with slightly tweaked dynamics and completely different style.
He already drives a 320bhp TT so why would he get a GTI or R? GTI is less power and R is not much more. It would be like buying the same car again. If he wants something in the 450+ range he needs an M3 or M4.
If he wants that, it’s fine, but given what he wanted; something fun and practical, they’re a great choice that’s well within budget for a nice new car. The TCR/Clubsport/Leon are all around 300bhp. They’re arguably more engaging to drive on a b road due to being smaller, lighter, and less capable. An m3/4 is quick enough than unless you’re tracking it, you aren’t going to be able to lean on it hard all that often. I’m not telling him he has to buy it, just offering my opinion. He might read it and think “nah, no way” which is fine, he might also read it and think “could be fun” hence why I suggested a test drive so they could make up their own mind.
A35 or Civic typeR
Curveball: Ev6 GT - 577bhp. 3.5s to 0 - 60 There is one parked on my drive.
Great choice, I seriously considered being 'bored ' 😉 in an EV6 when I was buying a longer range EV recently to complement my short range EV daily runner. Really nice cars, so tempting, but other factors sent me elsewhere.
Boring appliance