Suggestions at £10-13k 2nd hand ?

[dave87]

The 180 and 225bhp versions are based on the 1.8t aren't they? I'm sure a remap would get you 225 bhp

[finlay666]

If you're going sports car look for some of the newer disel blocks - I looked around in your budget range but didn't see anything sporty enough in the budget that ticked enough boxes that wasn't going to kill on fuel and running costs...

Golf GTD / BMW high end diesel / Seat Leon FR TDi ?

[Guy]

The 180 and 225bhp versions are based on the 1.8t aren't they? I'm sure a remap would get you 225 bhp

Yep, both are the 1.8T variant found in quite a few other VAG cars, although iirc the 225 block is a slightly different engine.

[kalniel]

Ah - you got me there. It's the cheap one, the 180 turbo.

Not at all - I would always argue that for a second hand buy it's better to get the de/lesser-tuned version of an engine, they're far less likely to have been thrashed by power-seekers and they're often kinder on other components too, while leaving you room to go silly with insurance wrecking re-maps etc. if you want later on.

Besides, it's not like 180bhp is weedy or anything!

[Phage]

Not at all - I would always argue that for a second hand buy it's better to get the de/lesser-tuned version of an engine, they're far less likely to have been thrashed by power-seekers and they're often kinder on other components too, while leaving you room to go silly with insurance wrecking re-maps etc. if you want later on.

Besides, it's not like 180bhp is weedy or anything!

My thoughts exactly. 180 horses were a lot of fun, and I'm hoping that the pre-thrashing has been kept to a minimum.

[zain]

The 330 and M3 still pay the higher tax band, get similar mpg....only on insurance you may save but the performance difference is insane!

[MD]

The 330 and M3 still pay the higher tax band, get similar mpg....only on insurance you may save but the performance difference is insane!

Look up servicing costs - BMW's on the highend are astronomical to maintain....£800+ per service is not unusual...