Anyone driven an Audi TT RS?

I wouldn't kick a Cayman out of bed for one but yes they do hold a certain appeal and are a decent car by all accounts.

I had a TT (not RS) and it was surprisingly practical, 4 up on short trips was perfectly possible (if not comfortable) for larger rear seat passengers.

The boot was surprisingly large too

Great feedback - an much appreciate your insights.

I'm constantly bouncing between the 'get a car that does everything well' and 'get something a bit different / fun'

The prices are very strong but that seems to be the market for these - example of one very close to me: www.fontain.co.uk/vehicle/used-audi-tt-rs-tfsi-for-sale-in-iver-buckinghamshire-u13104/ It's got a ton of options (about 10k worth so it retailed at over 60k). It's a lot - but they clearly hold their value well. 

The alternative at the same price but a little newer is something like this which ticks an awful lot of boxes: www.sytner.co.uk/vehicle-details/bc8da797-d55b-46e4-9fa2-6cfabc0e369e

It was originally up at £38,500 so prices have come down - I like the exterior and interior colour and the spec is decent (tech, comfort, visibilty packs, laser lights, HK audio, acoustic glass, HUD etc). Not a great deal more FG I could really want and the price seems good compared to similar models. The mileage is over average but not that high and I don't do a great deal of miles so it would even out over time.

I did contact them (BMW) and was sent a video - looks pretty spotless, tyres have 5mm all round, 12 month warranty etc). 

It's not 'exciting' but it does appeal

The TTRS has held its value pretty well, £36k feels like an awful lot of money for a 6 year old / 60,000 miles example. I'm using ALFs recent purchase as a benchmark.

The M340i Estate is nice, but if you don't need the space then Andy's suggestion is a good one. I'd really want to figure out a way to make a Cayman work.

As mentioned in reply to Andy - the M240i is a desirable option but I feel they need to drop a little more for me to be comfortable with the cost - oh - and I totally agree w.r.t. the TT RS value in comparison to the Alfa QF recently purchased by ALF - I think that was a very good deal

A Cayman would be lovely - they are pricey but then again they hold their value so well so you get it back at the other end - I'm just not sure we could make it work. I don't think my partner would ever feel comfortable driving it which would limit the options to switch over when needed etc.

Right now the M340i is pretty close to the top of the list. I managed to find a 2020 brochure so have a decent idea of the spec it has - but typically (as is the case with most manufacturers) the packs/options/costs change year to year so nailing things down as to what constitutes 'good' value in the second hand market is always more work than it should be

I shall use you both as a case study

Agree with that. At 30K its a great buy at 40plus its strong money. Car values are only going one way at the moment. 

One thing to watch about the TT is the offset driving position. I know a couple of people who had to get rid of them because of back/hip pain

You're living the mental debate of the petrol-head who does not have an unlimited budget. I have a budget of x (or mentally I'm not prepared to spend more than x). Do I go for the newest "quite interesting" car that I can find and buy with my head. Or do I bet the farm and go for broke on something older and definitely a heart decision. I've done both and to be honest I'm not sure which is better!

If you like what the TTRS offers then that RS5 Andy suggested could be a really good shout as it's a size up with even more power and practicality for not a lot more money. I like the 340i but if it does look very much like most other 3 series so perhaps a bit ubiquitous? But then that makes it more of a sleeper than an RS5 or TTRS so you're less likely to get yobs in Corsa VXRs trying to race you. Of course if you only need the practicality of a coupe could a 440i be a bit more special than a 340i? Or how about a Guilia QF. There's a fair few around in the sort of budget you've been looking at. Whatever way you go there's a lot of choice in that mid 30k bracket to choose from.

Thanks again for the valuable input - it is helping although it probably doesn’t seem like it! Part of the issue is that I don’t have any real set criteria aside from an arbitrary price point which is based purely on a number my head. If I was a lease buyer it may be very different.

I’ll take another look at the obvious suspects ie S/RS models, M3/4 etc again as I am unfairly ruling things out.

On the slightly cheaper end I should open my mind to things like Martins suggestion of a subtle Golf R again. There is a loaded, immaculate one at the dealer that has the TT RS (edited to add it’s now reserved but shows what the market is like): www.fontain.co.uk/vehicle/used-volkswagen-golf-tsi-bluemotion-tech-r-for-sale-in-iver-buckinghamshire-u13080/?cookies=1

The M340i would be the do it all family wagon - there is no doubting it’s a very well rounded option and I quite like the subtlety but I agree it’s doesn’t get the heart racing. If we did go that route we’d probably replace the Q3 with a small runabout for the school runs etc. (oh. And it’s another £500 cheaper going into the weekend I see!)

If I have time tomorrow I might go see this as it’s only a few miles away. I think one of you suggested it to Alf but the lack of a 5th seat was a deal breaker in his situation.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304296823427

It’s a completely different prospect to the BMW (see comment above about no set criteria!) but I like the rarity, the fact it’s not an M/RS and have a feeling as a daily proposition it might be a lovey thing to live with. It states it has the Lexus warranty as well so that should extend to 2028 which is a big plus

Well maybe its not as much of a wildcard as I thought!

Doesn't matter if an M4 is quicker on a track if you don't live on one! The engine is indeed something special and you probably won't get another opportunity to have one like it in such a modern car. Or indeed an NA V8 of any sort in a car less than 15 years old. You will get incredible customer service when you have to take it to a dealer for servicing.

Your last point hits the nail on the head. Without wanting to sound like an arse I could afford to buy at a higher price - partly as we’ve just sold my partners house so there is the ‘profit’ (not in real terms!) from that but I could also embrace the world of PCP and get into some nice metal. However, that might require me to lower our pension contributions (27% and my partner 25%) which we are doubling down on for reasons previously discussed.

The more I think about the RCF the more I like the idea. But I may wake up in a different frame of mind and make you that offer!