Think I'll be leaving you... Advice on next car?

8

85genius

Senior member
As much as I love my Z4 I managed to get my wife pregnant so keeping a 2 seater just won't be practical for much longer...

But after 3 years as a Z4 owner and now on my second z4 which is a 3.0si it's gonna be a really tough act to follow especially as I'm going to need something bigger. I've only just started looking at replacements but have come to the conclusion that if I have to get something that is bigger and therefore heavier it damn well has to be more powerful than the si!

I've got myself a bit of a shortlist with 3 main contenders at the moment but thought it's worth asking for a bit of advice or inspiration here...

So spec. I'm looking for is
  • 4 seats minimum
    decent size boot that can fit a pram + shopping
    gotta be at least as quick as the z4 ideally a bit more poke (power making up for agility = still fun to drive?)

Ideally, £10k or under but could stretch slightly
Don't really care about fuel economy but if cheaper to run could spend a little bit more

So my top 3 on the list at the moment are:

Audi S5 4.2 v8
BMW E90/92 335i
Jag XF SV8 4.2 Supercharged V8

Wildcard considerations at the moment Cayenne 4.8 or the X5 4.8 think I'd rather have coupe/saloon over the SUV bus shape though.

Any advice? Anyone own/owned any of these cars? What's it like changing from the Z to something that much bigger?
 
Mister T said:
For that money the CLS55 AMG would be tempting
Click to expand...
Yeah really cool looking car and stupidly powerful but just think the interior of older Mercs is a bit horrible, like all the switches and steering wheel look a bit cartoony if that makes sense
 
can you get a 335i in estate flavour? either way, its an easy remap to 360bhp, and then it really shifts. plus, keeps it in the BMW family so everything will be familiar straight from the get go, and it'll sound similar too.

don't be put off by horror stories - check its got a decent service history and that the wastegate doesn't rattle and you should be fine. I ran one remapped from 70k to 90k with no problems (other than the danger of getting deep into triple digit speeds with very little effort!)
 
The Audi 4.2 S5/S4 is a very thirsty lump for the performance you get (not spectacular).

Depending on what 'stretch' means then you can get into an S4 Avant with the supercharged V6 that's quick and possible to make quicker.

Otherwise 335i Touring.
 
All my posts seem to be about 335i's lately :D

E9X 335i are a fantastic car, you can get them with loads of toys, and they're ridiculously powerful, it's the max 400NM of torque from 1500 RPM that really gets ya :lol:

While they're not a Z4 in terms of agility, they're certainly no 5 series either, they handle great (just factor in an LSD).

Yes, turbos, injectors, coils, High Pressure Fuel Pumps, Water Pumps etc etc are common issues (electric water pump just needs to be done on schedule), a lot of them are not unique to the 335i and if you get the car checked well and it's been generally looked after you'll be fine.

I'm going to to go ahead and say it's probably my favourite car I owned. It's also a total sleeper because everyone expects it to be a 320d, so you can have your fun and then blend into the crowd :D :P
 
Steve84N said:
The Audi 4.2 S5/S4 is a very thirsty lump for the performance you get (not spectacular).

Depending on what 'stretch' means then you can get into an S4 Avant with the supercharged V6 that's quick and possible to make quicker.

Otherwise 335i Touring.
Click to expand...

Just been looking at the S4/S5 with the supercharged V6 not really that much over budget either....

But 3l forced induction and I'm back looking at the 335 when I can get a 3er a similar age to the audi for around half the price!
 
Peter-E36 said:
Yes, turbos, injectors, coils, High Pressure Fuel Pumps, Water Pumps etc etc are common issues (electric water pump just needs to be done on schedule), a lot of them are not unique to the 335i and if you get the car checked well and it's been generally looked after you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Just wondering how much of that would be covered under a warranty, just seen this one from a dealer (yeah a Toyota dealer not BMW but :rofl: ) but 2 year warranty and super low milage at what looks a cracking price.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201802163789303
 
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e46-m3-00-06/bmw-3-series-e46-m3--------------------2002/8320247

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e46-m3-00-06/a-stunning-bmw-e46-m3-convertible-with-45-337-miles-and-full-service-history/7944920#/home

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e46-m3-00-06/2004-bmw-m3-coupe-smg-2--62k-full-history--stunning-example--great-spec--re-cut-alloys/8525670

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e46-m3-00-06/2005-55-bmw-m3-convertible-smg-2-only-44k-full-history-great-spec----recently-spent--sat-nav-andamp-tv/8437117


Thank me later 8)
 
85genius said:
Peter-E36 said:
Yes, turbos, injectors, coils, High Pressure Fuel Pumps, Water Pumps etc etc are common issues (electric water pump just needs to be done on schedule), a lot of them are not unique to the 335i and if you get the car checked well and it's been generally looked after you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Just wondering how much of that would be covered under a warranty, just seen this one from a dealer (yeah a Toyota dealer not BMW but :rofl: ) but 2 year warranty and super low milage at what looks a cracking price.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201802163789303
Click to expand...

Looks nice, space grey is a lovely colour and the ZF 6 speed auto is a great gearbox, certainly not your average slush box.

I know in Ireland people struggled to get good will on the likes of turbos and injectors form BMW which is ridiculous. But you could always ask the garage (in writing ofcourse) if they would cover these items under warranty if something was to go wrong and take it from there :thumbsup:
 
If your looking to take a baby out in this often and in the back then go for a 4/5 door car. A 2/3 door car will soon grate if you’re trying to get in the back often.
 
Sorry to hear you have to leave, but then again congratulations on impending dadhood! :thumbsup:

My nephew had a 325ti Compact when when his daughter was born - within a year it had gone, replaced by a 325i Touring. As srhutch says you definitely want back doors! :roll:

So it looks like you'll be looking for an E90/91 335i!
 
That’s a shame (losing the z, not the impending baby- congratulations mate!). Is there no way you can keep the z as well, or buy an older one to complement the new car?
 
Congratulations mate :thumbsup:

Since selling my Z I’ve had 2 Tiguans and now I’m in an RSQ3.

You soon get used to the size and to be honest I’d find it hard to go back to something small as a daily driver.
 
Had a modded 335i, E92 - heavy bulky car - 4 doors might be better.

BMW's 140i's are great value for money

However, I went from an E89 Z4 28i - to an M2
 
Personally I’d steer clear of the N54 (335i). I’ve had every thing that can go wrong, go wrong, and it’s a pain. Great engine when on song but just not robust.
 
I am in similar position although I have now bought said replacement. For me any sport model S Audi or M BMW was ruled out for two reasons; Firm suspension and sleeping baby sounded like a bad mix to me and the increased running costs of servicing/tax/when things go wrong etc with the Wife not working made it a risky liability to have, what with M tax :rofl:

Totally back up others comments re: number of doors, even on my Wife's Kuga it was a pain getting seat in and out let alone a 2/3 door car!
 
Sad to see your Zed go James, however congrats on your pending fatherhood. Do stick around and update us with details of your new motor - any of your top 3 choices look good to me :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom