Need 4 seats ...

G

gingers

Member
Baby number 2 is on its way, so up until now I've been okay with my Z4 given that my wife has a Golf, and when she's away with work I only need 2 seats. But, with baby number 2 coming I'm going to need more seats.

So, I'm considering replacing my Z4 with a 1 Series Convertible. Maybe the 125i, but probably more likely to be the 120d. I was wondering if any Z4 owners have driven a 1 Series Convertible and what you thought of it?

Alternatively, I now qualify for a company car (currently taking the cash option), so another option is to get a small daily runaround, and keep the Z4 for nice days. So, it would be limited mileage (I currently do about 15,000 miles per year, so I'd expect this would drop to around 3,000). For those of you who run your Z4 as a second car, what do you do about insurance? Do you stick with regular insurers but say you do limited mileage, or are their special insurers for low mileages?

My Z4 is a 2003 3.0 auto which has done 77,000 miles. I've had it since 2006 and it's cost me very little to keep going - just the rear springs and the front suspension bushes. So, that's why I'm considering keeping it long term as a second car.

Your thoughts would be very much appreciated (apart from comments relating to why I'm having baby number 2 :) ).
 
hi
i have a 120d msport convertible bought new sept 09 and whilst its great to drive mine has been back to bmw 16 times in 18 months with various faults mostly repeated trim rattles ( very annoying ) , one paint defect and a recall. I also think that it could do with a bit more power so i think the 125 or the 123d would be a better option depending on what z4 you have now
 
I've driven the 1 series a few times and have never been impressed. Drove a convertible once and equally wasn't impressed. Not to keen on the shape either but that's just my opinion. Without annoying anyone I'm always a little put off by the fact that mainly women drive them...

If you want a convertible why not go a little bigger and get an Audi A4? I really like them but I must admit I like soft tops rather than folding roof jobbys.

Just one thing on the cash for cars point, I opted for a company car in my last job and quickly regretted it. Tax is ridiculous for any sort of decent spec car and also at my place once you took a car you couldnt opt out again. Also was supposed to keep the car for 5 years and I like to change mine every couple. Got a new job a few months back and took cash for cars again. I can say I will never opt back into the car scheme again :thumbsdown:
 
I have gone through the same exercise as you having twins, although the Z4 did come after them.

I you buy a run around like I did then you can use your existing insurance on the run around taking the benefit of the NCD and insure the Z4 with somebody like www.classicline.co.uk who do not require NCD but still offer very competitive prices (second cheapest in my case).

I had already insured my run around six months before so I'm probably paying more for my insurance but not sure how I could swap them around to give the benefit I have outlined above.
 
Should i suggest a zed four each, that's 4 seats - ok perhaps not :)
I had two of the previous shape 3 series convertibles and from my point of view they are awesome cars, might want to think of one of those if you want a convertible.
 
Thanks for all your advice. Hmmm ... maybe a 1 Series isn't the best choice, but I'm not a big fan of large cabriolets. ClassicLine sounds like a good idea.
 
Surely a 3/6 series convertible is the next step up in size from a Z4 Roadster? The 6 series may even be cheaper than the comparable 3 series.

6 series
AETV51574981_1.jpg


3 series
2006-BMW-330-Ci-Convertible-0.jpg
 
Coopers BMW tried to convince me to buy the 6 series rather than the Z4 I wanted.
Because I was a woman???

It's £20,000 more starting price than the 35is!!

Rather put me off Coopers BMW...clearly Didn't listen to what sort of car I was after
And trying to get me to part with more money.

Surely the appropriate replacement is an M3 convertible?
 
Had 2 6's - great car for the time - but has beens now....new shape looks like the old one - get a Range Rover Sport.....best car ever (next to the Z4 of course!)
 
braingirl said:
Rather put me off Coopers BMW...clearly Didn't listen to what sort of car I was after
And trying to get me to part with more money.

Surely the appropriate replacement is an M3 convertible?
Click to expand...

Which Cooper BMW was that? Although sounds typical of the franchise - a friend went in when the E36 M3 Evo first came out, early 20s but cash buyer, he was asked if "sir realised how expensive this car was?" Walked out, bought it down the road. Idiots.

I think a convertible should have been designed as such from the get go, none of this chopping the roof off business. Therefore, I'd get a run about - some big fun smaller cars out there, and keep the Z4 as a weekend tool.
 
I had bad experience in two of them.
Croydon - female salesperson, too busy to show me round the car but if I wanted to book an appt for next week.... I don't think she thought I was actually serious about buying a car...maybe because I arrived in my 1.4l polo.
Banstead - man dressed like old school consultant surgeon. Made no effort to make a deal and promised a test drive that never materialized. He was one who suggested i go for 6 series. (is there a bigger profit margin?)

I think in Park Lane they are used to women who can afford cars but don't necessarily look like their husband or daddy is buying it for them, or necessarily wearing ill fitting designer clothing and sorting designer handbags.

I'm ranting now. ...sorry
 
Test drove a 6 series (630 sport) and despite the steering being a bit broken I did really like it. Maybe I should try another.

M3 ... I didn't mention I need an auto because of a knee problem. Otherwise an M3 would be rather nice.
 
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