Dilemma... (Baby on the way)

[Markyboy]

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?

Thats my thinking. Z4 for when I'm on my own on nice days and 10 year old Octavia diesel estate for tip runs etc. Would you really want a tot leaving their mark on the leather in your nice shiny 130i????

 

[mrklaw]

first - do you have two cars in the house? Exhaust all options of keeping your current car, even a cheap runabout. Changing always costs money.


Second - E92 330Ci. I know you said its a bit out of your budget, but have a shop around? Sell your Z4 privately to get a better rate than a trade-in?

I changed from one of those into a Z4 and its very familiar.

I agree the E92 is gorgeous (probably my favourite current BMW) but the E46 with an M-sport pack is a classic, can't believe that would be ruled out on looks from the missus - tell her the alternative is a skoda and see what she says

 

[mrklaw]

One thing I will add is - don't go overboard on the 'space' thing. Don't rush to buy an X5

We got our kids in the back of an E46 M3 no problem, and although my coupes weren't the family daily driver, just for weekends and long trips, they were fine too. Early days your baby is in a car seat so you can easily poke them through the gap behind the seats, and when they're older they can get in themselves. Likewise equipment, the E46 and E92 have perfectly practical boots

 

[inkey$]

I agree the E92 is gorgeous (probably my favourite current BMW) but the E46 with an M-sport pack is a classic, can't believe that would be ruled out on looks from the missus - tell her the alternative is a skoda and see what she says

Totally agree. Funnily enough my old e46 M Sport is still on Pistonheads even though its been sold a month now! Check out the spec and what you can get for about £5k. Was a minter and as someone else has said here, maybe cheap enough to run as a second car so you keep hold of your Zed...?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1525739.htm

 

[Markyboy]

first - do you have two cars in the house? Exhaust all options of keeping your current car, even a cheap runabout. Changing always costs money.


Second - E92 330Ci. I know you said its a bit out of your budget, but have a shop around? Sell your Z4 privately to get a better rate than a trade-in?

I changed from one of those into a Z4 and its very familiar.

I agree the E92 is gorgeous (probably my favourite current BMW) but the E46 with an M-sport pack is a classic, can't believe that would be ruled out on looks from the missus - tell her the alternative is a skoda and see what she says

The E92 is defo the pick of all the current BMWs in the style department, I think its the only current bm to turn my head whenever I see one.
I love the looks in the BMW dealers when I park my old skoda on the forecourt and go in to order parts for the z4. I didn't really want more than one car either and was looking at a E90 330d estate but just knew that with my life style I would spend way too much time worrying about wrecking it. Now I can pamper the z and abuse the skoda without worrying.
You could always get a golf estate if the skoda badge is a problem.

 

[mrklaw]

I agree the E92 is gorgeous (probably my favourite current BMW) but the E46 with an M-sport pack is a classic, can't believe that would be ruled out on looks from the missus - tell her the alternative is a skoda and see what she says

Totally agree. Funnily enough my old e46 M Sport is still on Pistonheads even though its been sold a month now! Check out the spec and what you can get for about £5k. Was a minter and as someone else has said here, maybe cheap enough to run as a second car so you keep hold of your Zed...?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1525739.htm

wow, didn't realise E46 prices were so low. Having changed my E92 for a Z4 coupe, my wife now wants to change her focus. Was thinking of an E46, but maybe 320 for economy, sport for looks. Was hoping around 8k and that seems more than doable.

 

[Dreamer]

Mr Klaw is right about one thing, just because you have a baby doesn't mean you need a big car.

My sister and fella had a mini cooper S that they both loved. When the baby came along they bought a new shape 320d. About a month later they sold the beemer as it bored them and they were doing fine with the mini. A lot more fun to drive, and the baby seat has got some bracket that takes about 2 seconds to clip the seat/cradle thing into. I was very impressed at how easy it was.

Its when two babies come along that you need a bigger car.

 

[ksher]

Don't let children ruin your life. I will never sell my zed because of them.

 

[James_G]

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.

Sounds familiar... :wink:

 

[mrklaw]

Its when two babies come along that you need a bigger car.

nah, not even then. If you time it right so the first one is toddling around on their own, you can get away with just the one pram/buggy, so its just an extra baby seat in the back.

In hindsight I regret selling my Impreza after the wife complained about it. 4 doors, ISOFIX in the back(!), decent boot. It was more the suspension annoyed her.

if you can turn the passenger airbag off in the Z4, you can even take a baby seat in that

 

[n1k_85]

Thanks for the responses guys!

I didn't expect such a list! Some really good ideas there too!

I also didn't realise the prices of the new shape 5 series had come down so much! An on closer inspection of those E46s, there seems to be some absolute bargains to be had!

My girlfriend drives a 10 year old KA at the moment, I assume she will be keeping that but its no good for long journeys! I agree the X5/X3 route maybe a tad excessive with just one child.

Anyway, some great ideas im off to browse pistonheads! I'll update you on the car hunt tonight.

Thanks again!

 

[inkey$]

First off, congratulations! Second off, commiserations 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 dependent on spec. Can't recommend them highly enough.

Sounds familiar... :wink:

Is that you James from Guildford?! Brilliant! Good to see you on the forum and still with the Coupe! Yes, as you will have seen I had 6 good months with the 330 but I got my job back and the yearning for a 4 hit redline. Still want a coupe but found a lovely roadster for good money so am going topless for a while. The 330 went to a good home too; the sub editor of BMW Car magazine! Apparently its going to feature in the next issue so keep an eye out for her

Hopefully we can hook up again soon on one of these cruises and I can check out the new wheels!

 

[mrklaw]

My girlfriend drives a 10 year old KA at the moment, I assume she will be keeping that but its no good for long journeys!

Buy her a lovely used 3 series with all the cosmetic trimmings to replace the Ka. Perfect. You have your Z4 for two seater fun, she has a practical car for her day to day needs, and you both have a lovely car for longer journeys.