So the Mk1 FRS engine died a few weeks ago, suspected oil pump failure, so if anyone is after a mk1 in the new year, price will be about 10k, restored underneath etc etc

I have a M135i as a daily at the moment, which is pretty much the perfect daily, runs around 390hp, great.

As time goes on, I'm looking at something a bit bigger. Any thoughts? Thought about a MK3 RS but back to square 1 I think, but it is a bit newer and bigger boot? An M3 touring ticks all the boxes but forget that price tag!

Something around the £20k to £25k price

 

Pity about the engine, hope it's salvageable for the most part.
Probably not one to be giving out exciting car advice but i'll give it a go anyway, I recently switched to an ST line X fiesta (newer timing chain engine) after a string of BMW's, the last being a 640d at an attempt to have something economical, it was a pretty good compromise over what I had before it but decided to downsize again and not regretting it so far. I'd also love an M3 wagon but can't justify it, it's still on my radar though for a future purchase. Having said all that it depends what you want for a daily, an SVR RR or similar could be a shout although rather heavy on fuel and probably not the most reliable, we had an older RR a while back and had zero issues so I'd be tempted again but only with some kind of bullet proof warranty package as there are too many horror stories now, but maybe that's an option for you, also I highly rate those new Cupras, not crazy cash, reliable and tunable too, my last suggestion would be a variant of a JCW mini, practically a BMW and what you're used to, comes in lots of body options, we have a hatch one just now and it's great.

 

When some of the non M BMW cars are so good ( like your M135 )....is the actual proper M badge really necessary ? Certainly they all seem very tuneable very easily.

Autotrader search for estates sub 25k and over 350hp, auto, but less than £300 road tax brings up a load of Merc estates.

A lot of Volvo hybrids too, but fuck that shit if it goes wrong, although they do look good.

Although seems the search criteria hasn't gone exactly as requested, a few lower power cars too, and more than 25k etc. Some random ones

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...ted-product=HP

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...ted-product=HP

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...ted-product=HP

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...ted-product=HP

etc etc

 

I sold my mk4 2.2tdci titanium x sport mondeo and got the focus ST petrol as my daily. The mondeo was remapped to about 235 bhp, the dpf was removed also. I didnt need a big diesel car just to go to and from work,plus it had over 170k on the clock and needed a bit of time and money spending on it.

I love the ST and i just plod along with it unlike the mondeo that got its head kicked in everyday..i miss the ride quality of the mondeo. The ST is quick too and it seems quicker than my cossie.