Looking for a fun car under Rs 1 crore: Audi S5, BMW M340i or X5?

Octavia has been my favourite since day 1 and I still enjoy it every time I drive it.

BHPian Rahul_ak recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello. This is my first post and I am thrilled to be a part of this forum. I have been a silent observer of teambhp and it has influenced most of my purchases. Thank you for it.

This thread is to help me with my next purchase and the decision is as confusing as the title.

I am in my mid-30s and have this quench to get a "fun" car. The budget can be stretched to 1cr. The confusion starts with what car should i replace it with as each has its specific concerns.

To begin with, my current garage is as follows:

• 2013 Jaguar XF 3L V6
• 2017 Octavia 1.8 TSI
• 2018 GLC 300
• 2023 Hycross ZX
• 2020 S1000rr (Much adored, underused. Everyone in my family wants me to sell it and I just might)

So the confusion started when I considered replacing the Jaguar with a newer car. It is mostly used by my father and he is totally against it. Some fascination he has with the car and, to be honest, it drives well and Touchwood has never faced many issues in 10 years of owning it. Since his heart is still in that car I let go of the plans to sell it momentarily.

Octavia has been my favourite since day 1 and I still enjoy it every time I drive it. But the gearbox problems have started creeping up for the past 3-4 months and I might consider selling it or just keeping it for occasional use. One regret I have to this day is not spending a few lacs more than buying a VRS when it was available.

GLC is my daily driver and to be honest it's neither a here nor there car. Not a full-blown SUV nor a fun car to drive. I intended to buy a Fortuner then but got a deal I could not refuse and bought the GLC. If I sell this car the next car I buy will be a daily driver.

Hycross is the most used car in the family right now. This car is used by everyone in the family and no complaints whatsoever. Be it the kid's school shuffle, my wife's daily commute or my frequent Mumbai trips are all in this car. A good driver and an Innova is probably the best combination in India. I have even given a wild thought of just getting another Hycross

So now i have listed the issues on what to sell, the car to buy is as confusing.

As i have said i need a fun car to drive for myself. Like the "if not now then when" moment. Practicality can take a back seat and i am inclined to replace the GLC for it. For when need arises i do have the hycross. When i bought the S1000rr it was supposed to be for this thrill moments but work and family life has not been able to give me the desired time with the bike. With a car atleast it can be fun commuting or family getaways.

X5

I considered the new X5 M40i loved the car but the price and the size were a detterent. Ill face parking issues for the daily commutes, can use the Octavia but then wife doesnt want such a big car for herself. Also when i think about it i dont really see a need for a full size SUV other than it giving a vibe of a "BIG CAR". If i actually intend to use it the way SUV is meant to be used id rather get a Thar or Fortuner.

M340i

Loved the sleeper car look, i can just park at any random roadside parking and it wont catch the eye. Loved the way it drove but the suspensions felt rather stiff and uncomfortable. Dampers would have been ideal but with the way it is right now i am contemplating and have put it on shortlist.

S5

I saw this car and it was love. Drove well, sounded amazing and overall seems like a good package except the price. Some discount can be expected but cant go close to M340. Also the spy shots of upcoming S5 is playing on my mind and hence hindering a purchase.

Ioniq5/Ev6

Such lovely machines almost perfect. I really considered them to replace the Skoda. Just little things could have made them perfect and thats what is a barrier to leap over. Ev6 drives so good and looks like a dream, 70 lacs for it and the interior is rather average for that price. Ioniq has better interiors and was pleasantly surprised with the way it looked when i say it upfront. But the drive is Ok, nothing causes a thrill like an EV should. Infact i felt the new Nexon Ev drives better.

I saw the IX too, loved the way it looked and drove but the horrible range was a setback.

Apologies for this long ramble, i just intended to speak my thoughts out loud and hope i have been clear enough as to what the dilemma is. Should i just trade the GLC for S5 and shuffle between that and octavia for daily use? Save 15 lacs get the M340 who nobody in the family likes and keep it all for myself? Get an EV now OR should i just shut up and sit down quietly and await the plethora of EV's that will launch by 2025 and take a pick then? Wont i miss out the best of the "ICE AGE" if i do that??

LOL hope i have not confused you as much and do hope for some advice or suggestions for any other car as well which i could consider. Could just be Eureka moment for me.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

- Keep the Jaguar only because your Dad loves it. A well-maintained 10-year-old car still has another 5 years of healthy life in it.

- Sell the GLC. The last-gen GLC was among the most boring cars I've ever driven. You'll get a decent price because of Mercedes' frequent price hikes.

- Go test-drive the BMW M340i and X3 M40i. The latter solves the price & size issues you have with the X5. Between the two, pick whichever makes you grin the most.  X3 will be better for road-tripping (although you have other cars for that) and gets adaptive suspension

Here's what BHPian 316kmph had to say on the matter:

Welcome to teambhp.

M340i is my pick.

My daily driver is the S5, I couldn’t recommend it enough but for the 340i. The Bimer has a slightly higher ground clearance, not that S5 is terrible to live with but the Bimer is better. It’s also newer and better value.

I have had X5s for almost 9 years over 2 gens and driven a rented current gen for over 3 weeks cooking over a 1000km and TDed the X5 40i. Firstly it’s a big SUV, take it to the mountains and it will remind you that even BMW’s cannot defy physics, yes it will drive better than a Q7 or a GLE but an Octy vRS will run circles around the X5. Yes, the petrol motor on the X5 is seriously engaging, but any day a sports sedan wins the fun aspect…especially one with the same engine.

Here's what BHPian mgastor2022grey  had to say on the matter:

Hey dude, welcome to the forum!

First of all, be clear about what car you are going to replace. If I were given a choice, I'd gladly replace the XF, Octavia, or the GLC. Reasons below:

1) XF: Car has aged gracefully. 10 years is all a British machine can take. Any more than that will start leeching on your pocket

2) Octavia: You are looking for a car mainly used by you right? Then why need a car that is already with you? Sell it and 'replace' it with another.

3) GLC: We BHPians strongly believe that any car that we drive should always give us smiles, be it a Rs. 7 lakh Alto, or a 1.5 crore X7. If you don't like driving such a car, it is best to sell it and move on.

Now, some extra options:

1) AMG C43: Brilliant car to drive, smoking performance, and a plusher ride when compared to M340i. Premium interiors and a slew of ADAS features make it a comfortable yet sporty car capable of doing 0-100 in 4. XX seconds. Not sure why you have not seen this car. This might be the best alternative to the M340i.

2) BMW 6GT: This amazing car in the BMW stable, plusher interiors when compared to the M340i, RWD, crazy acceleration, end of life cycle means more discounts and offers (even though the end-of-life cycle, is one of a kind). If you want a sleeper family cruiser that roars to life in sports mode, then this is the car.

3) Porsche Macan: I have never come across anyone who wants to buy an ICE car under 1 crore but not considered the Macan. Why?? It is a bonkers car, with the true Porsche DNA along with modern gimmicks. Moreover, the Porsche badge has more snob value than a BMW or the 3-pointed star in India.

4) BMW X3 M40i: When X5 is too large and X1 is too small, you settle for the X3. The M40i configuration makes it more appealing and sexy. And in that Black shade, it is a true wolf in sheep's clothing. Take a test drive and see if this size is okay for you.

Hope this helps you

Here's what BHPian Akshay1234 had to say on the matter:

I would sell the Octavia if I were in your place. The Jag if your dad loves it, keep it since it would have a few years more of life left. The GLC is only 5 years old and is reasonably practical.

If the M340 is too stiff, check out the X3 M40i, which can be had at discounts of up to 10l which would then make it a value proposition against the X5. Also with adaptive dampers, the ride will be better than the M340i.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.