Q: Best driver focused daily for 30k? UPDATED

[buzyg]

Maserati Quattroporte

[Zed Five]

997?

Fails the brilliant to drive criteria

[Mr Tidy]

Maserati Quattroporte

Ooh yes, fantastic cars! I'd want a bit of a bork fund though!

[pHilli0]

Never been in an E34 must have been great?

It was, until the inevitable big bills came in at the same time. It wasn't the £1000 month maintenance costs of doing 25,000 miles a year in it (oil service every 3 months, inspection every 6 months), or the bi-annual EDC damper replacement (were ‘only' £500 each initially), it wasn't the £100-£130 fill ups of the 20 gallon tank.

I knew doing so many track days in it would accelerate the wear on everything dramatically, but it was as relatively hardy, and was fun in all weathers.

On track it was way too soft...even owith the EDC in sport mode, but that same mode was perfect for UK B roads...and you would arrive at your destination quite refreshed after a rapid drive...something the Z4M can't match.

Ultimately it needed an engine rebuild (low compression on #5) and a couple of EDC dampers (now £1200 each). Total bill at a specialist was going to be over £8k, on a car with a market value (at 160k miles) of about £5k. Even with everything in fixed and in perfect condition, I wouldn't have got more than £8k for it.

So I had a couple of years running big, sub-£1k barges...until they threw up a reasonable bill, and then they'd be dumped via eBay.

Got another e34 M5 a couple of years later...the 3.6 5-speed...and quite enjoyed the less torquey, but more free-revving nature of that (and the 100kg) weight saving over the later 3.8. It also had an engine problem, on a day trip to Trier when the Ring was shut, and once I'd driven it very carefully back to the UK (ADAC refused to transport it back home, despite me having the Plus level of covet) it took so long to diagnose the fault that I got fed up waiting and went out to view/buy the Z4MC.

Fab info, thanks for that detailed post. Sounds like you had a great time, but the costs got out of control. I am not sure I have the budget or inclination to go back so far now, preferring something from the naughties for some basic reliability.

[pHilli0]

Maserati Quattroporte

Ooh yes, fantastic cars! I'd want a bit of a bork fund though!

I never felt they looked amazing in the metal. The design seems pretty ordinary to me, like you would have to really look to notice its a Maserati. But looking amazing wasn't in the brief - nice pick Mr Tidy

[Angelus666]

E92 competition pack or a C63 would be a nice daily.....but think I'd go with an RS6 avant...really liking these a lot recently.

[pHilli0]

E92 competition pack or a C63 would be a nice daily.....but think I'd go with an RS6 avant...really liking these a lot recently.

Ahh yess. Both must be really lovely. The latest C63 does interest me a lot. The sound and involvement seems bigger and less fake than the M4. However that would be out of budget i guess, so its the previous generation C63.

[Buckz]

Surely a C63? Absolute beast sound wise and more than entertaining enough to drive

[Mr Tidy]

I never felt they looked amazing in the metal. The design seems pretty ordinary to me, like you would have to really look to notice its a Maserati. But looking amazing wasn't in the brief - nice pick Mr Tidy

Maybe not amazing looking, but IMO stylish and not too "shouty". The sound of that V8 is just great when you get it on the boil, plus the interiors are a really nice place to be - lovely soft leather and great detailing. I just wish I had the right budget.

[Steve84N]

B7 or B8 RS4.

[Maniac]

Can't recommend a 6'er as driver focussed I'm sorry to say, I researched and drove a few because I wanted the same but they are like barges to drive. The steering is far too slow to make it fun.

[un1eash]

You can't mention a Golf R without mentioning the M140i. Not sure it qualifies as an amazing driver's car though.
Maybe stretching the budget slightly but Evora 2+2

[BMWZ4MC]

B7 or B8 RS4.

I have a B7 RS4 Avant as my daily driver - 4.2 litre V8 with a 8250rpm red line, manual gearbox, GruppeM intake and modified exhaust - it sounds absolutely brilliant and it's at least as fast if not faster than my ///M over rough country roads. The down side is the fuel consumption - sub 25 mpg cruising at 85mph and low teens the rest of the time.

[Steve84N]

That's helpful info as I'm vaguely considering one at the moment.

I do 20kpa so going from 30 to less than 20 in mpg is a tough call as to whether it's worth it. I can deal with 20something but low teens...

Do you know if the B8 is any better on fuel?

[BMWZ4MC]

It's essentially the same engine, so I would be surprised if the differences are major. Also, they're all automatic.
My poor economy relates to my driving style for the most part. I'm regularly driving hilly country lanes with little traffic, which encourages a heavy foot. If I'm stuck behind someone who dawdles, I can see high teens.
The other running costs are not insignificant and I would do as much research as you can before considering buying one as there are a few expensive problems that can arise. I think an E9X M3 or E63 AMG would be just as bad on both fronts though.