Fun German car with good ground clearance to replace my Volvo in Delhi

Some of the vehicles that I am considering include the BMW M340i, a used or new Porsche Macan and Mercedes GLC 300.

BHPian Raghavlaul recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi, so this might be a ramble and some bits repetitive but here goes. I currently own a Volvo S60 Cross Country Inscription M.Y. 2018 and have absolutely loved this car since I bought it in 2018. Great pep, amazing ground clearance, AWD, good rear space and has been overall value for money. However, I never saw restrictions on diesel coming in Delhi such as GRAP, diesel BS4 ban etc which has become quite a nightmare. Hence looking at something fun and peppy to replace this with which also needs to have decent ground clearance.

I've also never been a great fan of the regular everyday options like the C class, 3 Series A4 and have always looked for something unique. Pep and ground clearance are the most important factors and would love to hear suggestions from the experts on this forum.

Options

BMW M340i

Pros

• What a beast. Loved the horses and exhaust grunt with its pops and bubbles
• Amazing fun tech including wireless Android and Apple compatibility
• BMW 360 plan including service and warranty for 5 years makes it easier along with the assured buyback value
• Seats seemed very comfortable on the test drive

Cons

• Run flat tyres - I'm very worried about these being a pain especially since I take 2 to 3 trips to the hills. Uttarakhand and Himachal mainly. A friend bought a regular 3 when I bought my Volvo and his alloy rims bent on a small pothole towards Nainital
• Ground clearance - cleared most potholes when driven cautiously in Gurugram though would definitely be happier with 165mm or more
• Hence in addition to the 2 above, Hydrostatic lock

Macan base - used / new

Pros

• It's a Porsche!
• Elegant interiors
• Good amount of pickup though still the M340i takes the lead obviously
• Good drive quality and stability
• Good ground clearance
• Good boot space
• Normal tubeless tyres

Cons

• Not as peppy obviously as the M340i
• Tech seems a bit dated compared to the BMW, Mercedes and Volvo XC 60
• Stripped down in terms of features, can't afford the GTS variant
• Servicing costs?
• No 360 plan service packages assure BBV etc

GLC300 4Matic

Pros

• Amazing interiors and ergonomics
• Very cool tech
• Decent ground clearance
• Decent pickup
• Star Agility program
• No run flats

Cons

• Not the best in terms of power
• Not as smooth as the Macan in terms of drive quality and stability
• Way too common

Volvo XC 60

Pros

• Amazing interiors
• Very comfortable seats and rear passenger space and boot capacity
• Good tech
• Very stable, did doughnuts
• Quite fast on the pickup
• No runflats
• Very good ground clearance

Cons

• Bad experience with Volvo post 5 years, alternator belt of the existing car snapped at 30k km, then the timing belt, then the alternator, all within a year, Volvo dealership and Volvo corporate messed up a lot of things here
• No 360 / agility plan
• Warranty caps out at 4 years and limited service packs
• Not as peppy as the M340i or as stable as the Macan
• Resale value post 5 years

Other options in mind, but not driven, including used cars from Big Boys Toys etc are the Mustang, BMW Z4, Audi S5… new.

Any thoughts, or suggestions on the above and also thoughts on used cars from dealerships, BBT, motozite, etc?

Here's what BHPian buzzy_boy had to say about the matter:

The next-gen Macan is going to be electric only. Depending upon where you stand on the issue of buying a model that's on its last legs, you could either buy the last of the ICE Macans or go for something in the BMW lineup. If ground clearance is important for you, you could look at the X3 M40i.

Here's what BHPian vattyboy had to say about the matter:

Have you considered the X3 M40i? This vehicle offers a fantastic blend of speed and practicality. With the power of the M340i and the ground clearance of a Macan, it's a compelling option.

Alternatively, you might want to consider GLC 300. This is a great all-rounder for families, boasting striking looks and premium interiors. It offers an exceptional service experience and is likely to retain its value well. The car has ample power to keep you ahead of the majority of vehicles on the road and provides a driving experience that may make you feel that more power is unnecessary.

Here's what BHPian n:CorE had to say about the matter:

Pep and ground clearance - X3 M40i is your answer.

I love the idea of the Porsche Macan. Heck, I came really close to buying a heavily depreciated (perhaps also heavily used) S diesel example. However, although the interior is a looker, it is pretty cramped. For something that has the footprint of a Q5, it's not as spacious at all. The H-point on the seats (where your hips go) is also lower for that dynamic feel. The X3 M40i is the better (more value and more practical) choice of the two overall.

Don't get me wrong, the Macan is a special car. But then again, the base 2.0 turbo-petrol falls short in terms of outright pep-ability, and the S/GTS models are too expensive. The X3 M40i comes with the legendary B58, an engine you can tweak to your heart's content. No matter how much power it makes, the xDrive system is always there to put it down in a stimulating rear-biased way.

If the budget is flexible, even the X5 40i will give you all the thrills and feels while being more spacious and comfortable for those trips to the hills.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.