Dilemma... (Baby on the way)

N

n1k_85

Member
 Wolverhampton, UK
Hi Guys,

I've recently found out that i'm going to soon be a daddy :) which is excellent news! However, at 24 years of age, this means that i can no longer afford to keep my Z4 :( as well as the issue of no rear seats.

Either way, my beloved Z4 must go at some point in the next 6 months.

My previous car was a 2.2 VX220 and i bought the 3.0 Z4 for similar performace, soft top, but easier to live with on a day to day basis.

I now have the dilemma of deciding which car to go for next. I have been somewhat spoilt by my Z4 with its 3.0 engine and luxuries like heated seats, factory bluetooth phone kit, proffesional NAV, iPod intravee kit etc etc

My friends think it's hilarious to send me various adverts for Citroen Picasso's :( Astra Estates :( and Renault Espase's :x but i don't think im quite ready yet to walk away from my passion and love of cars!

I would love an E46 M3 but the running costs will be astronomical (i imagine) compared to my 3.0 Z4. Ive also looked at X5's being as you can pick up a decent example for £9/£10k but ive dismissed it for the same reasons :(

I love the new shape 3 series but all the 3 door ones are about £3k out of my price range and the Mrs isnt too keen on the old shape! I cant win!

Ive looked at a few audis but do you guys have any ideas? Something around the £9.5k mark that has at least some of the luxuries that i'm used to?

What do people here generally move to after the Z4?

Any help would be much appreciated folks!

Thanks

Nick
 
Seriously? depends on budget

These would be on my list..

1. BMW 330d (E46) - lots of grunt and excellent MPG. Remap it, and it will be a very competent car....

2. Volvo S60 - D5 engine - Remap it and it will be a blinding car (poor turning circle though)

3. Skoda Fabia VRS (Excellent car for the money)

Diesels have come on a lot. All of the above can be remapped to 200bhp+ easily...
 
We have a LR Disco 3 and it is stunning as day to day tool and awesome offroad .... totally different to your Z4 so you won't compare it; it also has a thriving web community disco 3.co.uk . With one of these you do the snowdance from december through to march.

others to consider Mk V/VI..... VW Golf GTI......I've crossed spain in one of these in a day great performance but as practical as any golf.
 
First off, congratulations! Second off, comiserations on the outgoing Z4. I went the opposite way and had an E46 330i (the four door) on a 2001 plate. Had the same straight 6 pots, loads of power, all the comforts required, tanin leather, HK ICE and was seriously quick. For the money you could get a real nice example and probably a 55/06 plate dependant on spec. Can't recommend them highly enough.
 
Congratulations/unlucky!

If the budget could be stretched by a couple of £K, I'd be looking at one of these (dodgy ///M badge and GEY reg plate apart):

1632617-4.jpg


I've seen they advertised cheaper than that too a few months ago, but that's the cheapest one on PH at the moment. Same engine as newer 3.0Si Z4's, plus most/all of the toys you'll be used to. Looks are marmite but I like the 1-series, plus running costs shouldn't be any worse than the Z4.

If I was wanting lower running costs then possibly a Golf GTI mk5 (although fuel efficiency isn't the best) or even possibly an Octavia vRS for more space. Nowhere near the same thrills though, but priorities will be changed.
 
If it was me I would buy a 2003 / 2004 Lexus RX300
Mrs M44rrt has one and it just does everything you need, except off-road
No probs in the snow
28mpg if you are sensible :driving:
 
Congratulations mate!

Id echo whats being said:
Saloon: E46 330i or D, Or maybe a 530i/D
Hatch: Seat Leon FR/Cupra or Golf Mk5 TDi/GTi
4x4: X5 (Ask CJ10 Jeeper as he has a 3.0i - cant see it being much more than a Z4 above fuel)
 
I'd go for the Alfa 159 at that price range. Very good diesel engines, great looking and plenty of room. My boss has 3 boys +a dog and somehow has this as the family car so with one kiddy you should have bags of space. I had a A3 fastback, very nice place to be but it lacks any steering feel so it would be quite a different drive (very girl friendly though) :lol:
 
Congratulations.

Can only really comment on the 1 series, we've had both the 120d (which was great and performed better than the Golf GTi (1.8T) that it replaced). Now we have a 130i m sport LE - that's an awesome car (no back doors though). Way better to drive and equiped than my previous Z4 3.0i se.
 
n1k_85 said:
Hi Guys,

I've recently found out that i'm going to soon be a daddy :) which is excellent news! However, at 24 years of age, this means that i can no longer afford to keep my Z4 :( as well as the issue of no rear seats.
Any help would be much appreciated folks!

Thanks

Nick
Click to expand...

ANS SO the nightmare begins....... :rofl:
 
What about of the new M Coupe Limo's? The 0-60's pretty good but you'll be polishing it for a month :D

 
First off congrats on the Baby news :thumbsup:

I am looking at e46 330 D coupe at the moment as a second car to the Z.... Very capable cars and as above re-maped even better.. Of course the 5 door would be better for a family...

Cheers
C
 
Congrats....

I would pick an Audi TT (has a rear bench which a child seat can go on)

Or 2.0TFSI A3/ MK5 Golf.

Lexus Is220 (if they are within that price range)
 
E39 Sport Saloon (6-pot petrol or diesel). Your £10k budget should get you a good one. Space, luxury and performance all in 1. :) Or E60 SE with high mileage. You will love the i-Drive in E60. I had one and will still buy it again if I need space.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201014356187494/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/price-to/10000/quantity-of-doors/4/price-from/0/body-type/saloon/model/5_series/make/bmw/radius/1501/page/2/postcode/sg142na?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200951348601674/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/price-to/10000/quantity-of-doors/4/price-from/0/body-type/saloon/model/5_series/make/bmw/radius/1501/page/1/postcode/sg142na?logcode=p
 
Hi,

Doesn't BMw do a baby rack for the boot? Like the snowboard one? The benefit is he/she also gets a softop experience :)

Steve
 
ALERT !!!! Topic Title Error............
Should read " Dilemma...(2nd baby on the way) "
 
Am i the only one that thinks the best option is to sell the baby? :)
HA sorry...kids dont do much for me...seeing as im still one pretty much
Congrats none the less...i'd poss go for an X3 cos i dont think they look too shabby and if u cant strech to an X5 its got similar space
 
congrats :thumbsup: no idea what car you should get though been some pretty good suggestions already...

Woots said:
Am i the only one that thinks the best option is to sell the baby? :)
Click to expand...
:lol:
 
After contemplating selling the Z4 for something more practical due to twins and cycle problem I'm now looking for a diesel banger to solve the problem, could that be an option for you?
 
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