Update - Help (Not So) New Dad, Needs New Car

[ehhhhhhh]

I'd be more than happy to come over so you could have a poke around and see if an E91 (3 series touring) would be big enough and practical enough for your needs.

The x35i engine is leaps and bounds over the old x30i. You still have a lovely 3 litre straight 6, but with the addition of two turbo's (later revisions went to a single blower setup).

Just to give you an idea of what can be done, with only a proper remap you'd go from 306 - 360bhp & 295 - 340 ft lb of torque. So even in standard form it's no slouch.

After that it depends on what you want, and how big your wallet is. Larger front mount, induction, exhaust, 6 pot brakes, the list is endless.

If you go the biturbo way without warranty then make sure you put aside around 2.5-3K for an emergency budget.

As usual there's a very high hidden "tax" for performance. turbo setups (especially on the N54 engine) has some very likely failures most happening around 100000 miles on the clock.

I find most car manufacturers are becoming more and more fond of planned obsolescence. :S

[polar]

The Skoda Octavia vRS is a good call, great cars
good luck with whatever you get

[PetrolHead]

Skoda Superb 3.6 v6 4x4? Luxury car for Focus price?

[Mblaster]

Budget is between 10K-16K,
4 Doors
Full leather interior
Fast
Good handling
Can be diesel
4 wheel drive would be handy but not essential
Low mileage

I was very tempted by this recently, but decided to wait until next year before I buy something: http://www.xtreme-uk.net/performance...ail.asp?ID=408

Seems to fit all your requirements, although the running costs are likely to be quite a bit higher than the cars you've mentioned in the OP.

[jimborae]

Wow, congratulations James! Best wishes to all of you!

Your requirements scream to me 335i. Hits all the criteria bar 4WD, but if you were that concerned nothing a spare set of alloys wearing winter rubber will sort out!

Otherwise off the top of my head fast rally offering, Evo or Impreza? Granted they aren't the most practical, or refined.

For your mileage I wouldn't even think about a diesel, false economy.

Tbh I keep coming back to the 335i. VERY tuneable, can be found in 2 door coupe, 4 door saloon, or 5 door estate. Not too large, exceptional handling (I've tracked mine LOTS) highly spec'd, and can be found in both manual & automatic.

OK so I finally got the new car and Guy I took your advice and am now the proud owner of a very fast BMW 335i M-Sport Touring (09 LCI)

It's had a few tasteful mods but most importantly it's running M3 suspension and geometry, to say that it handles well would be a massive understatement. However there are few things that need sorting such as the fuel injectors (BMW recall, so free) and the fuel pump which is known issue with the N54 engine. But it did mean I got at a reduced price and it has the spec I wanted and is in very good condition for its age, plus it's low mileage.

The piccies are the previous owners but are fairly recent and it still looks the same.

[Guy]

Awesomesauce!

Good colour (Not biased in anyway, looks like the LCI replacement colour to mine) Next time the wheels come off check them all fairly carefully as the 19"s have a habit of cracking (easy to spot by the hairlines), I'd hope it's off the runflats at this stage? If not no need to swap now but when the tyres need doing look into it.

Oh and get it mapped if it's not been

[jimborae]

Hi Guy, yep well aware of the cracking issue and these M-Performance wheels are not immune either so will be checking the next time the wheels are off. But yes she's no longer on the horrid run flats, Vredestein Ultrac Sesantas at the rear and Toyo at the front. Evolve remap but at the moment I'm going to put her back to standard till I have the issues sorted. VRSF downpipes are on the way and a FMIC will also probably be fitted.