Coupe buying - Thoughts on this car please?
- Thread starter finlay
- Start date
North West Surrey
It looks like a sensible price for the mileage.
But it is an SE model so it doesn't have the sought after M-Sport seats, steering wheel or suspension. Used M-Sport seats sell for £700/800 a pair and the M-Sport suspension is stiffer and 15mmlower. Plus M-Sports have 18" wheels.
It doesn't look like it has any options other than the reverse parking sensors, so no Bi-Xenon headlights, heated seats, cruise control or multi-function steering wheel and most people don't care for the wood dash (although there are a few odd-balls on here who are fans)!
At the end of the day it depends if any of those things matter to your friend. If it was a Sport model with those M-Sport bits it would probably be £1,000 or so dearer anyway! And both models use the same engine, which is a great one.
It's probably worth looking through the MOT history too as this might indicate whether it has been cherished or just fixed when necessary.
Also worth asking about the service history for dates, service done and by whom before arranging a viewing if he doesn't want a wasted trip.
But it is an SE model so it doesn't have the sought after M-Sport seats, steering wheel or suspension. Used M-Sport seats sell for £700/800 a pair and the M-Sport suspension is stiffer and 15mmlower. Plus M-Sports have 18" wheels.
It doesn't look like it has any options other than the reverse parking sensors, so no Bi-Xenon headlights, heated seats, cruise control or multi-function steering wheel and most people don't care for the wood dash (although there are a few odd-balls on here who are fans)!
At the end of the day it depends if any of those things matter to your friend. If it was a Sport model with those M-Sport bits it would probably be £1,000 or so dearer anyway! And both models use the same engine, which is a great one.
It's probably worth looking through the MOT history too as this might indicate whether it has been cherished or just fixed when necessary.
Also worth asking about the service history for dates, service done and by whom before arranging a viewing if he doesn't want a wasted trip.
finlay said:
Comments ?
of all the E86s on the market right now why would anyone single this out as a prospective purchase :? its been for sale ages for obvious reasons but if they need pointing out here you go :roll:
possibly worst external colour of all
17 inch wheels
non sport seats or sport steering wheel ( both desirable options for 99% of buyers)
poverty spec ( barring bluetooth no other options over factory standard )
questionable dash trim ( can't recall anyone seeking it out by choice )
price not exactly enticing for the yr-miles-spec
front bumper looks cracked between grill & drivers headlamp
NEXT
Well, i must be part of your perceived 1% then- i like that example!
Admittedly, i would change the suspension- id fit m-sport equivalent but any original suspension of this age will be tired/shot.
I prefer the SE steering wheel- Sport wheel too thick.
I know the Sports seats are wowed over but i didn't like them much- side bolsters just felt weird to me, the SE seats are fine even when driving hard.
They drive better on 17 inch wheels- they just look better on 18's, as a rule though,
i think the 108?, 2 part wheels look gash.
I much prefer that interior to the usual boring black or the "lady who lunch" red!
Again, that colour, although i wouldn't choose over my Stratus Grey, i would have that over silver, black.
So, we don't all have the same taste as you!
As with mine, i am much more concerned with the condition, how its been maintained, and how it feels on the road.
Any options don't really interest me- mine has cruise but i never use it- if i wanted a luxury saloon, id go and get one!
Admittedly, i would change the suspension- id fit m-sport equivalent but any original suspension of this age will be tired/shot.
I prefer the SE steering wheel- Sport wheel too thick.
I know the Sports seats are wowed over but i didn't like them much- side bolsters just felt weird to me, the SE seats are fine even when driving hard.
They drive better on 17 inch wheels- they just look better on 18's, as a rule though,
i think the 108?, 2 part wheels look gash.
I much prefer that interior to the usual boring black or the "lady who lunch" red!
Again, that colour, although i wouldn't choose over my Stratus Grey, i would have that over silver, black.
So, we don't all have the same taste as you!
As with mine, i am much more concerned with the condition, how its been maintained, and how it feels on the road.
Any options don't really interest me- mine has cruise but i never use it- if i wanted a luxury saloon, id go and get one!
I quite like the interior colour. Agree about wheels and dash, but as with most cars unless you buy new and spec what you you want it’s always a compromise.
Its pretty hideous, that interior is just awful , id be shopping around a bit more 
GJ1 said:
Other than possibly the wheels and the higher stance I don't think there are any external differences.
Internally it's the seats, steering wheel and the black headlining in Sport models. But all of those were options on the SE just to confuse things a bit more!
I have seen a few SEs with the M-Sport seats and they're the most desirable part of the package so personally I wouldn't rule one of those out, especially on a budget. Wheels aren't a big issue as 18" sets get advertised on here fairly often.