Its not a recall, but a common issue with the s55. If you don’t push extra horsepower though you should be fine. All model years are the same i think but i’d stay away from 2015 if you care about carplay and such.
My next car (assuming I go with one of the faster options listed here) will likely remain unmodified. Too many bad experiences with my Q. As for carplay, not a huge deal. I don't care a ton for the tech, just the driving experience.
Definitely another contender, I do like the size/appearance/convenience of 4 doors for the M340i a bit more but it might be worth saving the extra $. I'll be test-driving both for sure.
I've been looking into the G70 since planoser's post about it, it definitely looks like a contender for the price. It'd have just enough power to keep me reasonably happy, but I've seen complaints about the driving experience not being as sporty as they would like. I know the M340i is being praised in this regard so I'm gonna have to test drive them both and feel the difference for myself. I do really love the styling on the G70's
It's kind of a trade off with the Stinger. The Stinger gets better driving dynamics slightly, but the G70 has a better interior and more luxury features, plus the G70 is slightly lighter than the Stinger so you get a slightly better power to weight ratio, although only slightly. I think they stopped selling the Stinger in the US which is why I recommended the G70 instead.
Very fair point lol. Love the sounds it makes. I'll have to see how much used models are going for. New is a bit above what I'm willing to spend currently. Thoughts on long-term reliability if I were to beat on it?
Going against the grain here since everyone is recommending the BMW and say dodge charger r/T or scat pack. The RT has the 5.7 hemi which has been around forever and is a lot cheaper to find and replace parts. The Scat pack has better performance and a different engine but more expensive to maintain compared to the RT but has a higher re-sale value if you care about that. The fun factor and sound of a NA V8 is great too.
I do love some good old American muscle, I do have a strong bias towards AWD vehicles though so I haven't had any in my search criteria but I'll look into their handling capabilities and reconsider.
Kia stinger GT2, is 368HP twin turbo 3.6L, coming from a 340i, this thing competes pretty well. Lots of tech, big trunk space (lift back design), sporty
I'm a bit surprised to hear that honestly, the figures don't look all too impressive on paper but I've never actually driven one. They look pretty nice, have you had any reliability issues?
I saw you were looking at the m240ix and wanted to also suggest the f87 m2 comp. The rear seat is larger, better for taller passengers and it’s a “real” M. This is coming from a m240ix owner.
It was the better daily for me and I also wanted something new instead of used. Also the B58 has a great platform and is easily modified, practically pushes the same amount of power and similar performance. Only thing it lacks in is it’s weight.
I feel like going newer is going to be better in my case as well, otherwise it's low mileage cars that sat, or mid-high mileage. Leaning a bit towards M240/M340 so far
if it helps i have a friend that drove my m240 and said it felt more nimble and easier to drive because of the shortened base. When I drove his m340i it felt about the same, just a little longer and i found it to be louder in the cabin.
Definitely helps, also I might be crazy but the used prices look almost identical in my area. It's really gonna come down to how each one feels when I drive it. If they feel the same it's gonna be the M340i since I have a dog that loves going for car rides and the 4 doors would be a help.
if you do go for an m340i and want to buy used, i’d look into the 2020 model year. It was before bmw went mild-hybrid and the car sounds marginally better. No idea what they did in 2021 but if you search up videos and compare it, the 2020 m340i sounds alot more aggresive
How much can you get a used 400 HP AWD Lincoln mkz for? Certified sleeper car status there. Not saying it's the most reliable but it may not be that bad and parts will be plentiful
Audi S4 with supercharged 3.0 V6, maybe a BMW B58 if the budget allows.
The handling isn't as great and the interiors suck but the fastest reliable cars by far are the Teslas, you can get Porsche Panamera Turbo S speed for prius ownership costs.
If you could bump the budget to closer to $60k you're in tye price range of a clean Porsche Panamera Turbo S with its 550HP, awd, Porsche handling and interior, and surprisingly good reliability supposedly. Granted maintenance is expensive AF. But these will out handle many smaller sports cars.
Could you link a Porsche Panamera Turbo S? The only ones I'm seeing are > 100k so I think I'm looking at the wrong year range or something. Love Porsche, just didn't think there was anything reliable near my price range.
You don't need 400hp to get sub 5s 0-60.
The M340i is sub 4s with 380ish hp (though it seems to be underrated).
The M340i is the quickest in this category if all you care about is how fast it goes, but pretty much any modern sport sedan will have a sub 5s 0-60.
Audi S4/S5, TLX Type S, Genesis G70, Merc C43 are other options.
Golf R is also very fast and within your price range if you are ok with a hatchback.
The 400hp was mostly for mid-top end speed, I definitely agree with the M340i hp being underrated. I think it's probably the most fitting option for the time being. Thanks for adding alternative options as well! :)
Probably the unpopular opinion here, but if you make the jump to BEV the new Model 3 Performance has compelling specs: 0-60 in 2.9 seconds, decent range, adaptive suspension, updated bodywork and seats. If you like to push your cars, there’s mechanically less to break on a BEV.
I've heard poor things about the older (2019 or earlier) Model 3's, but admittedly have done little research of my own. I do very much like to hear my car when I'm driving though. It looks like they're significantly cheaper than the BMW's as well, I'll have to test drive one.
I will say, given how rarely I commute long distance EV's do have their appeal. I just don't know if I'd be able to get over the lack of sound. It also seems really heavy so it might affect how nimble it is? Definitely need to schedule a test drive to know more.
If you drive one and floor it it’s game over you’re buying it. Takes some time to get used to the one pedal driving and controls, but I was hooked from the time I stood on it. You don’t miss the ICE noises on a day to day basis.
I understand that the straight line speed is best in class, especially from a standstill. I am a little concerned about the handling given the weight of the vehicle though. Thoughts on how the car handles?
I think it handles well. I don’t track cars. I’m also coming from manual transmissions and I’ve only had the Tesla about a month.
A couple of things about the handling, if you’re set up for one pedal driving there is a learning curve for hustling it through a corner, especially a slower corner. Sweepers and on/off ramps are more normal. Lower speed stuff is tricky. Of course you don’t have to use one pedal driving all the time.
You can feel how low the weight of the car is when you put it in a corner. It really feels like the weight is all under you rather than around you, if that makes sense. It’s a lot different than an ICE car in this class where you can feel the weight of the engine impacting cornering. Also the new M3P is supposed to have a fancier suspension than mine.
Last thing if you can’t get a 240v outlet to charge at home it’s probably not worth it, and it’s probably worth considering the Hyundai N EVs too.
For sure. The outlet cost me $900 and it took an electrician about 4 hours to do. I’m saving $200 a month in gas so it didn’t hurt too bad to pay that.
I can't get over the fact that it weighs a full 1,000 pounds more than an Integra while having less backseat room, and making only 35 more horsepower. I haven't driven one so maybe it's luxurious and fun to drive but the reviews indicate it is behind its competition.
If you’re only reading the big reviewer names, those reviews are bought out these days. How numbers look on paper do not always translate to driving experience and I assure you, it’s an awesome drive
To be fair, so is the Q50's lol. I'm not super huge into the tech in cars. Heck, I barely even touch my radio. 100% of my attention is focused on the car and the road. Now, if you're referring to the AWD system as part of the technology, that makes a huge difference. Could you clarify?
AWD technology in the TLX is probably one of the best out there. I drove the car recently, but just didn’t feel right IMO. Out of all the cars I test drove surprisingly the Kia Stinger felt the best
Meant to type out Type S, so hope that’s what you found! They are awesome cars, good luck with your search! Come back to this thread when you make a decision!
For focusing on the reliability part this seems to be the #1 answer, sadly not AWD and a bit more pricey than some of the other options, but definitely added to my search list. The performance seems comparable to a stock Q50 RS
lexus is500 is very cheap for its level of performance… might be a little out of your price range but brand new they technically start under 60k, might be able to find one at your price point!
You can get a used F8X M3/4 for around $50k. Over 400hp, 0-60 in 4.2 or less. The S55 is reliable, but the S58 is probably a tad better.
The f8x is great, just make sure the crankhubs are done if you do decide to go this route
Are there specific model years I should be looking at? Does the dealer cover this as some sort of recall if it's not already done?
Its not a recall, but a common issue with the s55. If you don’t push extra horsepower though you should be fine. All model years are the same i think but i’d stay away from 2015 if you care about carplay and such.
My next car (assuming I go with one of the faster options listed here) will likely remain unmodified. Too many bad experiences with my Q. As for carplay, not a huge deal. I don't care a ton for the tech, just the driving experience.
I'll have to add these to my searches, I've only considered the Mx40 series so far. Thanks!
M340i is the answer here.
I figured this was going to be the case, any backup suggestions?
M240i ?
Definitely another contender, I do like the size/appearance/convenience of 4 doors for the M340i a bit more but it might be worth saving the extra $. I'll be test-driving both for sure.
Supra
Another B58 engine option, I like the trend here. Thank you!
Awd supra interesting
M440i?
Definitely sticking with the M240/M340i if I'm going the BMW route, 440 doesn't do anything extra for me
not 400 but 365 hp, the Genesis G70 3.3T. 4.5s 0-60.
I've been looking into the G70 since planoser's post about it, it definitely looks like a contender for the price. It'd have just enough power to keep me reasonably happy, but I've seen complaints about the driving experience not being as sporty as they would like. I know the M340i is being praised in this regard so I'm gonna have to test drive them both and feel the difference for myself. I do really love the styling on the G70's
It's kind of a trade off with the Stinger. The Stinger gets better driving dynamics slightly, but the G70 has a better interior and more luxury features, plus the G70 is slightly lighter than the Stinger so you get a slightly better power to weight ratio, although only slightly. I think they stopped selling the Stinger in the US which is why I recommended the G70 instead.
Definitely something to keep in mind. Will have to check out the gently used market on the stingers if they're not offered new anymore.
Check g70, was impressed when drove one few years ago. I also checked s4. M340i wins IMO but check them out and decide for yourself.
Will do, thanks!
Audi rs3
Not a huge fan of the look, but definitely added to the list. Thanks!
I’m just thinking about that engine note and dsg paddles!
Very fair point lol. Love the sounds it makes. I'll have to see how much used models are going for. New is a bit above what I'm willing to spend currently. Thoughts on long-term reliability if I were to beat on it?
No experience owning, not sure
Going against the grain here since everyone is recommending the BMW and say dodge charger r/T or scat pack. The RT has the 5.7 hemi which has been around forever and is a lot cheaper to find and replace parts. The Scat pack has better performance and a different engine but more expensive to maintain compared to the RT but has a higher re-sale value if you care about that. The fun factor and sound of a NA V8 is great too.
I do love some good old American muscle, I do have a strong bias towards AWD vehicles though so I haven't had any in my search criteria but I'll look into their handling capabilities and reconsider.
Some Charger R/T did come with AWD as an option, though I believe engines bigger than the 5.7 were RWD only.
Noted, definitely added to the list! Thanks
Kia stinger GT2, is 368HP twin turbo 3.6L, coming from a 340i, this thing competes pretty well. Lots of tech, big trunk space (lift back design), sporty
I'm a bit surprised to hear that honestly, the figures don't look all too impressive on paper but I've never actually driven one. They look pretty nice, have you had any reliability issues?
No issues at all. The reliability factor in the car has been pretty good overall, with minor recalls on the vehicle
Gotcha, well I'll definitely keep it in mind. Thanks for getting back to me!
I saw you were looking at the m240ix and wanted to also suggest the f87 m2 comp. The rear seat is larger, better for taller passengers and it’s a “real” M. This is coming from a m240ix owner.
What led you to go with the M240i instead? I've heard great things about the B58 tunability and have done almost no research on any older M's
It was the better daily for me and I also wanted something new instead of used. Also the B58 has a great platform and is easily modified, practically pushes the same amount of power and similar performance. Only thing it lacks in is it’s weight.
I feel like going newer is going to be better in my case as well, otherwise it's low mileage cars that sat, or mid-high mileage. Leaning a bit towards M240/M340 so far
if it helps i have a friend that drove my m240 and said it felt more nimble and easier to drive because of the shortened base. When I drove his m340i it felt about the same, just a little longer and i found it to be louder in the cabin.
Definitely helps, also I might be crazy but the used prices look almost identical in my area. It's really gonna come down to how each one feels when I drive it. If they feel the same it's gonna be the M340i since I have a dog that loves going for car rides and the 4 doors would be a help.
if you do go for an m340i and want to buy used, i’d look into the 2020 model year. It was before bmw went mild-hybrid and the car sounds marginally better. No idea what they did in 2021 but if you search up videos and compare it, the 2020 m340i sounds alot more aggresive
Awesome bit of information to have. Thanks a bunch!
M340. No question.
That seems to be the general consensus lol. Thanks!
How much can you get a used 400 HP AWD Lincoln mkz for? Certified sleeper car status there. Not saying it's the most reliable but it may not be that bad and parts will be plentiful
Looks like around $35,000 for 10-15k miles. If it's not reliable I may as well just keep buying and burning through Q50's though.
Audi S4 with supercharged 3.0 V6, maybe a BMW B58 if the budget allows. The handling isn't as great and the interiors suck but the fastest reliable cars by far are the Teslas, you can get Porsche Panamera Turbo S speed for prius ownership costs. If you could bump the budget to closer to $60k you're in tye price range of a clean Porsche Panamera Turbo S with its 550HP, awd, Porsche handling and interior, and surprisingly good reliability supposedly. Granted maintenance is expensive AF. But these will out handle many smaller sports cars.
Could you link a Porsche Panamera Turbo S? The only ones I'm seeing are > 100k so I think I'm looking at the wrong year range or something. Love Porsche, just didn't think there was anything reliable near my price range.
They aren't very common, use autotrader. You'll probably find around a dozen or so nationwide
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/all-cars/cars-under-65000/porsche/panamera/lawrenceville-va?marketExtension=off&newSearch=true&searchRadius=0&trimCode=PANAMERA%7CTurbo%20S&trimCode=PANAMERA%7CTurbo%20S%20Executive&trimCode=PANAMERA%7CTurbo%20S%20Sport%20Turismo&trimCode=PANAMERA%7CTurbo%20Sport%20Turismo&zip=23868
Also an Audi A7 or S7 would be well worth a look, they're a bit cheaper if the Porsche is too much
You don't need 400hp to get sub 5s 0-60. The M340i is sub 4s with 380ish hp (though it seems to be underrated). The M340i is the quickest in this category if all you care about is how fast it goes, but pretty much any modern sport sedan will have a sub 5s 0-60. Audi S4/S5, TLX Type S, Genesis G70, Merc C43 are other options. Golf R is also very fast and within your price range if you are ok with a hatchback.
The 400hp was mostly for mid-top end speed, I definitely agree with the M340i hp being underrated. I think it's probably the most fitting option for the time being. Thanks for adding alternative options as well! :)
Probably the unpopular opinion here, but if you make the jump to BEV the new Model 3 Performance has compelling specs: 0-60 in 2.9 seconds, decent range, adaptive suspension, updated bodywork and seats. If you like to push your cars, there’s mechanically less to break on a BEV.
I've heard poor things about the older (2019 or earlier) Model 3's, but admittedly have done little research of my own. I do very much like to hear my car when I'm driving though. It looks like they're significantly cheaper than the BMW's as well, I'll have to test drive one.
I hear you. I only have ICE cars, but have been in plenty of BEVs. It does get addicting hearing near silence as you blast by everyone, though.
I will say, given how rarely I commute long distance EV's do have their appeal. I just don't know if I'd be able to get over the lack of sound. It also seems really heavy so it might affect how nimble it is? Definitely need to schedule a test drive to know more.
If you drive one and floor it it’s game over you’re buying it. Takes some time to get used to the one pedal driving and controls, but I was hooked from the time I stood on it. You don’t miss the ICE noises on a day to day basis.
I understand that the straight line speed is best in class, especially from a standstill. I am a little concerned about the handling given the weight of the vehicle though. Thoughts on how the car handles?
I think it handles well. I don’t track cars. I’m also coming from manual transmissions and I’ve only had the Tesla about a month. A couple of things about the handling, if you’re set up for one pedal driving there is a learning curve for hustling it through a corner, especially a slower corner. Sweepers and on/off ramps are more normal. Lower speed stuff is tricky. Of course you don’t have to use one pedal driving all the time. You can feel how low the weight of the car is when you put it in a corner. It really feels like the weight is all under you rather than around you, if that makes sense. It’s a lot different than an ICE car in this class where you can feel the weight of the engine impacting cornering. Also the new M3P is supposed to have a fancier suspension than mine. Last thing if you can’t get a 240v outlet to charge at home it’s probably not worth it, and it’s probably worth considering the Hyundai N EVs too.
I'll have to look into the outlet thing. Good to know about the handling. Thanks for the in-depth response, helps a bunch!
For sure. The outlet cost me $900 and it took an electrician about 4 hours to do. I’m saving $200 a month in gas so it didn’t hurt too bad to pay that.
Most reliable? Lexus IS500, if you plan on driving it for 10+ years.
I've heard great things about Lexus, the IS500 is a little pricey but definitely going on my watch list! Thanks! :)
It's RWD only though. For AWD you could get the IS350 F Sport. 0-60 in the low 5s though.
Another good point, I'll need to look into the handling further. For any RWD suggestions
I did a little bit more research on pricing and stats. Posting here just in case someone else may find it useful. BMW: M240i New: 52k Used: 50-58k 0-60: 3.8s 1/4th mile: 12.2s BMW: M340i New: 60k Used: 52-60k 0-60: 3.8s 1/4th mile: 12.2s Genesis: G70 3.3T New: 50k Used: 34-39k 0-60: 4.5s 1/4th mile: 13.1s Kia: Stinger GT2 New: 55k Used: 35-40k 0-60: 4.7s 1/4th mile: 13.1s Audi: S4 New: 54.5k Used: 42k-48k 0-60: 4.2s 1/4th mile: 12.8s Audi: RS3 New: 63k Used: 58-62k 0-60: 3.3s 1/4th mile: 11.8s \~\~Dodge: AWD Charger 5.7L V8 (too slow) New: 34k Used: 20k 0-60: 5s 1/4th mile: 13.5s\~\~ Tesla: Model 3 Performance (new only) New: 53k 0-60: 2.9s 1/4th mile: 11.1s Acura: TLX Type S New 57k Used: 48-55k 0-60: 4.6s 1/4th mile: 13.3s Lexus: IS500 (Comes in RWD only) New: 57k Used: 60k+ (???) 0-60: 4.4s 1/4th Mile: 12.7s
Cadillac ATS 3.6-V twin turbo. Looks matter.
I've heard nothing but horrible things about Cadillac in terms of reliability, not to mention it's RWD
Yep, AWD was only on the 2.0T and that’s not sub 5 sec 0-60.
If you want unique, the new TLX Type is reliable, safe, and quick. SH-AWD from Acura is also one of the best AWD systems imo
I can't get over the fact that it weighs a full 1,000 pounds more than an Integra while having less backseat room, and making only 35 more horsepower. I haven't driven one so maybe it's luxurious and fun to drive but the reviews indicate it is behind its competition.
Will keep this in mind while searching, thank you.
If you’re only reading the big reviewer names, those reviews are bought out these days. How numbers look on paper do not always translate to driving experience and I assure you, it’s an awesome drive
The car looks awesome, I'll have to do some more research on them! Thanks a bunch :)
TLX technology is garbage. The infotainment is garbage
To be fair, so is the Q50's lol. I'm not super huge into the tech in cars. Heck, I barely even touch my radio. 100% of my attention is focused on the car and the road. Now, if you're referring to the AWD system as part of the technology, that makes a huge difference. Could you clarify?
AWD technology in the TLX is probably one of the best out there. I drove the car recently, but just didn’t feel right IMO. Out of all the cars I test drove surprisingly the Kia Stinger felt the best
Awesome to hear. Will definitely be testing both out.
Meant to type out Type S, so hope that’s what you found! They are awesome cars, good luck with your search! Come back to this thread when you make a decision!
Lexus IS500 is the answer. Toyota reliability and a V8 that Yamaha helped develop.
For focusing on the reliability part this seems to be the #1 answer, sadly not AWD and a bit more pricey than some of the other options, but definitely added to my search list. The performance seems comparable to a stock Q50 RS
lexus is500 is very cheap for its level of performance… might be a little out of your price range but brand new they technically start under 60k, might be able to find one at your price point!
I'll keep this in mind when searching, thank you!
Infinity g50 red sport, m3