Seven 150mph rockets up for auction for less than the price of a new Volkswagen Polo

The next auction is one chock-a-block with sporting and high performance machinery at seriously tempting prices. It’s the latest of Bonhams MPH sales where the emphasis is on affordability. The sale kicks off at 1:30pm this Saturday (March 21^st) at Bicester Heritage, and you can follow the auction live on Bonhams’ website where there is already a video walk-round of all the cars. Unlike other auctions, each car comes with a score out of 100 for its condition, supplied by the vendor.

What takes your fancy? What tempts us is the selection of recent 150mph-plus cars that were often stupendously expensive when new but which are available now for a fraction of the price. We highlight seven of our favourites below – it’s all much more exciting than watching another boxset!

2002 Audi S8, £4-6,000, no reserve

Led Zeppelin fans take note: this was Robert Plant’s S8. Audi’s early-noughties mega sedan always was a car for the discerning enthusiast, witness its understated aluminium body, leather and suede high-spec cabin and all-wheel-drive effortlessly taking care of the naturally-aspirated, twin-cam 4.2-litre V8’s 355bhp. It’s an easy 155mph car, with all weathers/all roads security, space for five and 0-62mph in five and a half seconds.

This car has had three owners since Led Zepp’s front man cruised around in it, and – wait for it –  has covered just shy of 200,000 miles. Nicely run in then.  There are service stamps in the book up to 165,000 miles and it has covered only 400 miles since its last MoT test.

Vendor Score Total: 73/100

2008 Jaguar XF SV8, £6-8,000

Even more powerful (420bhp) and faster (0-62 in 5.1 seconds) than the Audi, the SV8 was Jaguar’s answer to the BMW M5 and a five-star car in road tests of the time.

There’s no famous owner with this dark blue model but there is lots of history and a mileage of 117,000. Bonhams says the bodywork is first class – and the car still goes as well as it looks.

Vendor Score Total: 73/100

1986 Porsche 928 S2, £10-15,000

Complicated and potentially expensive things 928s, but no doubt about it the car is still modern looking and a formidable cross-continent tourer.

What you ideally want with any 928 is a fully stamped service book, all the old MoTs, a recent big overhaul (£7,000 worth in 2017), sensible mileage (118,000), original documents and the promise of a service before sale – all of which this car offers. And if you like Porsche Guards Red this could be the car for you: all the paintwork is original.

Vendor Score Total: 81/100

2003 Mercedes SL55 AMG, £12-16,000

One (female) owner since 2006, a service history, and odometer showing just 47,000 miles –   it’s just what you need if looking to buy a junior supercar.

AMG’s take on the SL in 2003 was definitely more supercar than grand tourer, the 476bhp (and 700Nm of torque) from its supercharged 5.5-litre  V8 making it at that time the most powerful production Mercedes. 0-60mph was given as 4.5 seconds and with the speed limiter removed it could top an easy 180mph – with the trick hard-top roof in place of course.

Vendor Score Total: 81/100

1988 Lancia Thema 8.32, £12-16,000

The (very) Italian alternative to ‘80s super-saloons like the  BMW M5 and Lotus Carlton  came in the unlikely form of Lancia’s  rather staid big saloon fitted with a Ferrari V8… driving the front wheels.

There was, and probably still is, a lot to be dubious about, like the torque steer, but also a lot to fall in love with… like the engine noise, the sumptuous cabin with wood trimmed dash and brown leather, the tasty wheels and yellow body pinstriping. And so much kudos. Plus there was the performance: 7.4 seconds 0-62mph and almost 150mph, far from record breaking today but good for the time… and for the 212 or so horses from the detuned Prancing Horse V8 under the bonnet.

If you like it so far this will convince you: the cherished grey car in the sale (a left hooker, like all of them) has covered 79,000km, has a full service history and Bonhams says is simply outstanding.  

Vendor Score Total: 95/100

2004 Bentley Continental GT, £15-20,000

198mph, 5.0 seconds or under for 0-62mph, a torque-rich 550 horsepower, twin-turbo W12 engine, air suspension, all-wheel-drive,  classy coupe looks and classic Bentley cabin – what’s not to like? And all for the price of a new VW Polo.

Bentley’s rebirth was down to the Conti and the car today is the very definition of “modern classic”.   All you have to do is make sure you get a good one. Is this that car? Could be: mileage is 71,000 and Bonhams says it has plenty of history along with a full main dealer service history and MoT to January 2021.

Vendor Score Total: 64/100

1999 BMW Z3M, £18-22,000

Who doesn’t love BMW’s quirky “clown shoe” coupe? The Z3M is distinctive and rare for sure but also useable and potent, with its 3.2-litre straight-six from the M3 delivering 316bhp for 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds and 150mph flat out. This ’99 model is being sold by its owner of 14 years – only the car’s second keeper  – and someone who has used it lots but also spent lots on it, as its high score indicates.

First, the mileage: 167,000, with most of it on motorways and thus with some stone chips on the nose. Second, the upkeep: £4,000 recently which includes all-new suspension with Bilstein dampers, a replacement air-conditioning compressor, and work to brakes and steering.

There are 22 stamps in the service book, main dealer until 2005, two keys and  a current MoT. The engine bay has been steam cleaned, the interior dehumidified and the alloy wheels refurbished. Could be a keeper…

Vendor Score Total: 88/100

To bid on any of the cars from the comfort of your own sofa, go to Bonhams remote bidding platform, invaluable.com or the-saleroom.com, or telephone the bids office on +44 7447 7448. Bidders must be registered; do this at https://www.bonhams.com/how_to_buy/ 

Images courtesy of Bonhams.