Ekona

Golf R would be an excellent choice then, they're getting some superb write-ups.

Definitely, I'm glad you're thinking like me Not looking for anything too big then, if you're looking at 1s and As?

Enjoy, fingers crossed for the weather

BMW wouldn't be any cheaper on parts and servicing, and trust me that their warranty department is not much fun to deal with at all Are diesels an option?

Oh I dunno, I had a V10 R8 that decided to outbreak me into a corner at Donny last weekend: Luckily I saw him coming, but I very very briefly considered just turning into him anyway and watch his face when he compares the cost to repair of a £100K R8 vs a £2K MR2 snotter There's always at least one idiot on a TD, you just need to identify then avoid at all costs. But no, I've never seen anyone quite that dreadful. Tbh, MSV are as much to blame as he is.

1 series is 2 door as you are Mr Pedantic... what part of BMW 1 SERIES M135i M Performance 5dr Step Auto 3.0 did not compute I'm a 2dr? But yeah, apologies, I read what I wanted to read, my bad. Good shout then

@StevoD: But they have chocolate bottom ends that break even when not modified

RS5 is, yes. Also not under £30K new or 1 yr old.

1 series is 2 door I guess we really need to know if an oil burner is a consideration. Sticking with Vauxhalls, the Insignia VXR would be a good Q-car: 2.8L blown V6, 4WD, available as a hatch or even better the estate, 320bhp. Yeah, that's be a laugh.

Great spot, where's that guy who bought the Xbone and needed a new HDMI TV?

Admittedly I didn't check, I just assumed a big thirsty Vauxhall would depreciate like a stone

4 doors, 4 seats, new or 1yr old, power, ability to make you smile... VXR8 is the only thing I can think of. Everything else is either well over budget (M, AMG etc) or dull as dishwater (diesels). That'd be a great car to own, I think.

Think about how much the bare materials cost. Then think about the labour to make it. Then think about the tooling required. Then think about the manufacturer making a profit. Then think about the seller making a profit. Then think just how little all of those sums have to be to make the price what it is. Is cheaper always good? Or to put it more simply, it's like a £5 bottle of wine compared with a £10 bottle of wine. Ultimately they both do the same thing, but when you factor in profit you realise just how cheaply made the £5 must be, which is why you put up with it rather than savour it. That said, sometimes I've come across cheap wines that were actually pretty good for what they are, so it can be done but it's the exception rather than the rule. Dare you take a punt?

Blimey, didn't see that one coming. Shame as you loved that car, but like you say we all to move on at some point.

Polish, or wax?

Ekona, next time you speak to them ask when customers will be able to order them from, the dealership I am using seem to know sod all Will do matey

Saw that earlier, why on earth would you lean your arm on the door mid-corner?! Depressing that the marshals let him carry on overtaking under braking and in the corners.

This is a time for work-ah!

I dunno, I'm so lost! Why on earth are we talking about VQ engines in an LS thread anyway??!!

Are you actually trying to compare a boosted VQ to an LS? In terms of power delivery, they couldn't be any different. I'm not even sure what you're arguing for any more mate.

No-one said forged engines are unreliable. What we're saying is that modifying anything (engines, phones, whatever) from their original spec to massively increase performance is very likely to make it less reliable than stock. I would not avoid a forged 500bhp VQ. I just would never have the expectation that it would then be as reliable as a 276bhp VQ.

And the one thing in common is you? Right, no-one ever hand Steve your keys

*sigh* Okay, you win. If you genuinely believe that a stock engine tuned for maximum reliability to make sure the multi-billion pound car company don't get stuck with a load of warranty issues is less reliable than an engine taken apart and put back together by a man in a shed and tuned for MAXIMUM POWAAAAHHHH, then I'm fine with that. Some engines are weaker than others, that happens. As a genuine rule, the very vast majority of stock engines are much more reliable than those that are built up by tuners.

*facepalm* When run as per the factory, they don't fail with any regularity to be able to say they're 'made of chocolate'. If you start turning up the wick, then of course they're more prone to failure! If a manufacturer builds a bombproof engine then they have to charge much more for that, and then everyone complains it's too expensive and no-one buys one. Does that make sense?

Thing is, would you be prepared to pay £10K more on a car for a built engine from factory?