Car Hunter: Help! I need a premium two-door coupe for £25,000

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a day ago

Dear Auto Express, I'm looking for a comfortable, sleek two-door coupe with a £25,000 budget. What are my options? - Peter Asher, via E-mail
The best two-door coupes offer classier looks and keener driving dynamics than saloon counterparts, while retaining an even spread of abilities. With the Audi A5, the German brand gave the sensible A4 saloon some flair thanks to an attractive two-door body. The Mk1 A5 was an instant hit on the design front, and the second-gen model was even more striking. Advertisement - Article continues below
The Mercedes E-Class Coupe is arguably more appealing to look at; it distinguishes itself from the saloon with a svelte profile and a different rear-end treatment, plus it offers a compliant suspension set-up and strong GT credentials.
BMW designed the Mk1 4 Series with driving enthusiasts in mind. Lower, squatter and more athletic than a 3 Series, it has the firm's absorbing rear-drive handling, with a great choice of engines available. These are three classy contenders, then, but which one makes the best used buy? For: Strong engines, slick gearbox, high-quality interior
Against: Boring to drive, doesn't feel particularly special
The second-generation Audi A5 is very much a sharper, modern rendition of the 2007 original, and that's no bad thing. It may not be a show-stopping design, but the A5 looks just as crisp as its rivals here. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
It's no firecracker to drive, but is pleasant and refined thanks to its MLB Evo architecture. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is snappy and responsive, and coupled with a solid range of engines, the A5 is a relaxed cruiser. You can bag a facelifted 2022 20,000-mile A5 Coupe, with a 204bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine for aroud £22,700.
Like the exterior, the A5's cabin is attractive and subdued, rather than overly stylish. The quality is exceptional, though, and the materials are first-rate. While the overall design will be familiar to A4 owners, the low-slung, sportier driving position will not. Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital dashboard and slick 10.1-inch MMI infotainment system feel thoroughly modern, too. Advertisement - Article continues below
Access to the rear seats isn't the easiest, yet they're roomier than you might expect for a coupe, and the boot is just 15 litres smaller than the A4 saloon's. At 450 litres, it's also a significant 50 litres larger than the C-Class Coupe's load bay.
Used Audi A5 deals For: Elegant looks, soft ride, easy access to rear seats
Against: Numb steering, clunky infotainment set-up
Mercedes is known for upmarket, classy styling and cruising comfort, and these qualities have been distilled in the Mercedes E-Class Coupe. With curvier surfacing, chrome details and a tapered rear, it's a more adventurous design than the Audi. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
The driving experience is laid-back; it has a pliant ride and smoothes poor surfaces well, although the lifeless steering is a letdown. But the nine-speed automatic gearbox is smooth, while its short ratios offer strong in-gear punch. A 2019 27,400-mile 194bhp E220d, with a 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds, is within budget at around £24,000.
The E-Class's interior is just as stylish as the exterior, with a swooping dash architecture, metal switchgear and lavish detailing throughout: the speakers for the optional Burmester stereo are a particular highlight. However, look more closely and the material quality isn't quite as consistent as its rivals', and the tech is ever so slightly off the pace. Advertisement - Article continues below
Mercedes' COMAND infotainment is cumbersome compared to those on the rival cars and standard kit isn't as generous as the Audi. It also has a smaller 400-litre boot, but overall cabin space is reasonable and the rear seats are easy to access thanks to the long doors and a relatively high roofline.
Used Mercedes E-Class Coupe deals For: Sporty drive, sleek styling, strong engines
Against: Uninspiring cabin, lacks latest tech
The first-gen BMW 4 Series may look broadly similar to the 3 Series on which it's based, but tweaks such as a wider stance and resculpted body panels give it much more presence. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
On the road, its well tuned rear-drive chassis is the most rewarding of this trio, with taut body control and direct steering encouraging the driver to get stuck in. The 4 Series isn't as cosseting as the C-Class over broken surfaces, but it isn't uncomfortable, either. For £21,500, you can buy a first-gen 2020 420d with 187bhp and 13,000 miles on the clock. The 2.0-litre diesel engine achieves around 50mpg.
While the 4 Series might be the most engaging car here from behind the steering wheel, the interior isn't particularly inspiring. The 4 Series makes do with a dull design and black plastic switchgear that doesn't have the same sense of occasion. It's very well built, but lacks the opulence of its competitors from Audi and Mercedes.
BMW's iDrive infotainment system is the most intuitive of the three, though, despite lacking some of the modern technology that is fitted to the Audi. The rear seats are usable for most adults, despite the car's swooping silhouette, and the boot capacity is definitely competitive, at a reasonable 445 litres.
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