Whats the best car you have ever owned

[buzyg]

This baby, I still miss her.
IMAG1085.jpg

A 2003. Mazda MX-5 1.8iS Icon model. Wonderful to drive, wonderful to own. I now see how good was that car, owning Z4 with 2.5 M54B25 engine, watching oil levels, Vanos, cooling system, so much that can become a problem.

You know what are the main problems of 1.8 BP-Z3 engine in Mazda?
- slave cylinder can brake - around 50 USD to repair
- major fault - Ignition Coil Pack - around 300 USD new to buy from Mazda

No oil consumption, no problems with cooling, perfect to drive and to maintain. Best car every!
One problem Mazda has and BMW don't, and that is body and rust, Miata has some serious problems with rust. But tackle that problem, 2.000 EUR worth of paint job and repairs.

Had to sell our sons mk2, very similar to yours, last autumn, for the very reason you state. It was going to turn to rust on the drive otherwise.
I so enjoyed looking after and driving it for 18 months, after he set off to NZ. Faster and a better steer than MrsG's Mk3.75. But don't tell her I said that. :wink:

 

[zriha]

This baby, I still miss her.
IMAG1085.jpg

A 2003. Mazda MX-5 1.8iS Icon model. Wonderful to drive, wonderful to own. I now see how good was that car, owning Z4 with 2.5 M54B25 engine, watching oil levels, Vanos, cooling system, so much that can become a problem.

You know what are the main problems of 1.8 BP-Z3 engine in Mazda?
- slave cylinder can brake - around 50 USD to repair
- major fault - Ignition Coil Pack - around 300 USD new to buy from Mazda

No oil consumption, no problems with cooling, perfect to drive and to maintain. Best car every!
One problem Mazda has and BMW don't, and that is body and rust, Miata has some serious problems with rust. But tackle that problem, 2.000 EUR worth of paint job and repairs.

Had to sell our sons mk2, very similar to yours, last autumn, for the very reason you state. It was going to turn to rust on the drive otherwise.
I so enjoyed looking after and driving it for 18 months, after he set off to NZ. Faster and a better steer than MrsG's Mk3.75. But don't tell her I said that. :wink:

I feel you, bro. Miata is really one of the best, for example, a lot of people don't know, and I almost study Miata (LOL), but Miata has been build on Jinba ittai philosophy, it is about the unity of horse and rider which is pertinent to Yabusame, Japanese mounted archery.

That is why, you have that exceptional driving experience driving a Miata (NA/NB generation, and even NC), you have that perfect feeling for the road, and imagine how far they went with the design, when you sit in Miata you can clearly see the left and right fender - they are extended into your eyesight, so you can know every second where is the corner of your car (something I can only dream in Z4).

So yes, I definitely say, event hey are not the same class, but Miata is fair better roadster than Z4.

 

[blunderthumbs]

Interesting there is only one Z so far.

Although I love my Zed, I've not owned it long enough to form an opinion. Only had it since May and due to this lockdown shite I've not really driven it much. All good up to now and I love the open top experience. Hope it turns out to be as reliable and trouble free as my E34

 

[Nanu]

If we are talking not necessarily the best car you have ever owned but just all round good at what you bought it for, then it has to be my Mazda 323. The run of the Mill versions were and did exactly what you needed in a car but this was one of the last 500 from the production line. All were fitted with the xedos v6 engine, Emerald Green with beige leather interior trimmed with emerald green. It s the only car I wish I still owned.

 

[buzyg]

This baby, I still miss her.
IMAG1085.jpg

A 2003. Mazda MX-5 1.8iS Icon model. Wonderful to drive, wonderful to own. I now see how good was that car, owning Z4 with 2.5 M54B25 engine, watching oil levels, Vanos, cooling system, so much that can become a problem.

You know what are the main problems of 1.8 BP-Z3 engine in Mazda?
- slave cylinder can brake - around 50 USD to repair
- major fault - Ignition Coil Pack - around 300 USD new to buy from Mazda

No oil consumption, no problems with cooling, perfect to drive and to maintain. Best car every!
One problem Mazda has and BMW don't, and that is body and rust, Miata has some serious problems with rust. But tackle that problem, 2.000 EUR worth of paint job and repairs.

Had to sell our sons mk2, very similar to yours, last autumn, for the very reason you state. It was going to turn to rust on the drive otherwise.
I so enjoyed looking after and driving it for 18 months, after he set off to NZ. Faster and a better steer than MrsG's Mk3.75. But don't tell her I said that. :wink:

I feel you, bro. Miata is really one of the best, for example, a lot of people don't know, and I almost study Miata (LOL), but Miata has been build on Jinba ittai philosophy, it is about the unity of horse and rider which is pertinent to Yabusame, Japanese mounted archery.

That is why, you have that exceptional driving experience driving a Miata (NA/NB generation, and even NC), you have that perfect feeling for the road, and imagine how far they went with the design, when you sit in Miata you can clearly see the left and right fender - they are extended into your eyesight, so you can know every second where is the corner of your car (something I can only dream in Z4).

So yes, I definitely say, event hey are not the same class, but Miata is fair better roadster than Z4.

Our trio of recent Mazda's. There were a 323f sport, a 2 Sport, and a old shape 6 before these. All bar the 6 were fine handling cars. The fastest one down any Cornish B road is the one on the left, with the tow bar.

 

[Wyldie85]

I’m struggling to confirm which one is best. I had an E30 318iS with full M Tech 2 kit and that was pretty special. My dad had two 325i sports when I was growing up and I loved them. Being in my early twenties I couldn’t quite stretch to buying, insuring and running one. So when I found the 318iS in Hassocks, I dashed down to get it.

I had it for a few years and cherished it. It never let me down, took me all over the country to visit my friends at universities and it was great. I miss it.

OR... my Volvo S40 Sport Lux. An odd choice for a guy in his twenties, I know, and I got some stick from friends and family for having it but it was the most comfortable and luxurious car I’d owned up until that point. If the temperature was 3 degrees, it would turn my heated seat on for me. It had a fantastic sound system and loads of space. I loved the wheels and the illuminated repeaters on each of the corners. Again, never put a foot wrong in all the time I had it. I think the biggest outlay was tyres in my ownership. Other than that, it was serviced and went on and on and on. I sold it for £500 more than I paid for it and I miss it even now.

 

[zriha]

Had to sell our sons mk2, very similar to yours, last autumn, for the very reason you state. It was going to turn to rust on the drive otherwise.
I so enjoyed looking after and driving it for 18 months, after he set off to NZ. Faster and a better steer than MrsG's Mk3.75. But don't tell her I said that. :wink:

I feel you, bro. Miata is really one of the best, for example, a lot of people don't know, and I almost study Miata (LOL), but Miata has been build on Jinba ittai philosophy, it is about the unity of horse and rider which is pertinent to Yabusame, Japanese mounted archery.

That is why, you have that exceptional driving experience driving a Miata (NA/NB generation, and even NC), you have that perfect feeling for the road, and imagine how far they went with the design, when you sit in Miata you can clearly see the left and right fender - they are extended into your eyesight, so you can know every second where is the corner of your car (something I can only dream in Z4).

So yes, I definitely say, event hey are not the same class, but Miata is fair better roadster than Z4.

Our trio of recent Mazda's. There were a 323f sport, a 2 Sport, and a old shape 6 before these. All bar the 6 were fine handling cars. The fastest one down any Cornish B road is the one on the left, with the tow bar.

IMG-20200508-WA0001.jpg

I can say, 323f is a legend. Nice trio!

 

[LeeZ4MR]

The best one for me was my S14a 200SX. It had a full decatted Mongoose exhaust/K&N/adjustable actuator/colder plugs etc, running around 250bhp. It was just so much fun, it always felt quick and it felt relatively light. Had it for 4 years/40k miles and I loved every minute of it. I'm also really enjoying my current 370Z(not used it since Dec last year though!), but my 200SX hit the spot for me so much.

 

[LeeZ4MR]

hmmm... the on paper, best car i've ever owned was probably my BMW 330d. did everything brilliantly well, and was really plenty fast enough whilst still averaging 38mpg (which is pretty good for a car with 280bhp)

however, the car i loved the most was a Nissan 350Z. glorious naturally aspirated 3.5 litre V6, great ride, great steering, gearshift, seating position, everything. only drawbacks were 28mpg was the best it could manage, and it preferred super unleaded.

And had a serious love/hate relationship with a Nissan 300ZX, twin turbo... when it was working it was soo cool, sounded awesome and went like stink, but it wasnt working very often. The 350Z that replaced it was a lot lot better, even if it wasnt quite as fast or had the japanese 90's vibes.

It was a test drive in a 350Z(Roadster) back in 2006 that really made me want a Nissan Z car one day for sure. I've been really happy with my 370Z Roadster(had it 2 years in April), however I've always lusted after a 300ZX Twin Turbo though big time. 8)

 

[brillomaster]

Im not too keen to return to the same car again, but the time might be right for me to try a 370Z... i mean, the recipe for the 350z was pretty much perfect IMO, so would be interesting to see if the 370Z is better still!

though i'd be wary of a 300ZX... they're just so complicated! twin turbo, twin intercooled, HICAS rear wheel steering... in the 6 months i had mine, it suffered with overheating, dodgy fans, boost leak, slipping clutch and lots of rust. and then once all that was fixed, the engine grenaded itself but it was liquid cool - mine was the one in the middle.

the 350Z that replaced it was so much a better car - although, when i sold it a few years ago it was starting to rust too - seems Japanese cars don't fare well in the wet UK climate. hows your 370Z for rust?

 

[SiJar]

My most enjoyable car was probably the sapphire Cosworth as I was living in Germany and lots of unrestricted autobahns and was only 27. The best all rounder was my BMW 335d as it was just so capable and the Head up display was brilliant.

 

[inkey$]

Pound for pound, this is the one that I'll love forever.
Fun, simple to work on, compact, quirky, fast and breadvan scales of character.

 

[LeeZ4MR]

Im not too keen to return to the same car again, but the time might be right for me to try a 370Z... i mean, the recipe for the 350z was pretty much perfect IMO, so would be interesting to see if the 370Z is better still!

though i'd be wary of a 300ZX... they're just so complicated! twin turbo, twin intercooled, HICAS rear wheel steering... in the 6 months i had mine, it suffered with overheating, dodgy fans, boost leak, slipping clutch and lots of rust. and then once all that was fixed, the engine grenaded itself but it was liquid cool - mine was the one in the middle.

the 350Z that replaced it was so much a better car - although, when i sold it a few years ago it was starting to rust too - seems Japanese cars don't fare well in the wet UK climate. hows your 370Z for rust?

Great photo thanks. 8)

Regarding rust on the 370Z...the bodywork is totally fine, however it spent almost all its life(before I got it) on the north sea coast(Arbroath), so a lot of the metal bits underneath are very rusty to be fair. I'd read that the 350Z does suffer a fair bit from rust too. Mine is garaged now, but I think the damage is already done! I'm pleased that the bodywork is fine though.

 

[enuff_zed]

Sticking to the 'best' bit of the title, then it would have to be the 335d Touring I just got rid of. I only went looking for a 120 M-Sport, but Listers in Kings Lynn had taken in a cancelled fleet order of 40 of these, with BMW discounting them for a quick sale, plus another £5k off from Listers on a promotion and 0% interest. Worked out just over £100 a month cheaper than the 1-series, and they threw in the first big tax payment too!
If I'd kept it I would have ended up forking out £36k in total to fully own it. Somewhat cheaper than advertised!
But then along came covid, wfh, missus retired and got her E85 as a runabout, so we traded in this beauty, plus her 2-series convertible, for the new 120d X-drive.
Any old diesel estate that gets you to unlawful speeds in the blink of an eye and returns nigh on 50mpg can't be bad.
It was the only car I've ever had where I didn't have to worry about joining main roads from a slip road. Just ease the throttle and you've blended right in!

 

[LeeZ4MR]

It does show how good a BMW diesel is as an all round car from how many mentions they have on this thread. I was also a big fan of the E90 330d/F13 640d I had. Great all round cars with a very good performance/economy mix I reckon.

 

[Pondy]

You cannot have a BMW diesel (or any diesel) as your best car ever owned. Unless you are a) too young to know better or b) not a petrolhead (petrol being the operative word).
I've never heard of the phrase "diesel head".

I think funding for a proper car is available on the NHS now, just for mental health reasons

 

[enuff_zed]

You cannot have a BMW diesel (or any diesel) as your best car ever owned. Unless you are a) too young to know better or b) not a petrolhead (petrol being the operative word).
I've never heard of the phrase "diesel head".

I think funding for a proper car is available on the NHS now, just for mental health reasons

OK then. I owned this for nearly 30 years. Only sold it as it had too many sad memories of times spent with my late first wife.
It was definitely petrol! I remember reading it on the pump handle every other day or so. :roll:

 

[brillomaster]

You cannot have a BMW diesel (or any diesel) as your best car ever owned. Unless you are a) too young to know better or b) not a petrolhead (petrol being the operative word).
I've never heard of the phrase "diesel head".

I think funding for a proper car is available on the NHS now, just for mental health reasons

have you ever driven a proper BMW diesel before? i used to be biggest hater of diesels going - petrol all the way. but then i swapped my 335i for a 330d and was instantly converted - just as fast, but economy improved by 35%.

sure you still need a petrol sports car for the weekends, but for everything else, BMW diesel.

 

[john-e89]

I guess it has to be another ‘scort, an E reg Xr3i I had for donkeys years, bought with 34k miles on and sold with 125k miles on, and still on the original clutch..! Didn't cost a penny other than consumables, only once broke down with a cracked dizzy cap, it was like an old familiar training shoe.... :lol: You could flick the kettle on, pop outside and take the cylinder head off for some porting etc, and have it on the bench for when your tea and toast were ready.

Always wanted an RS 1600i...still do, I’d buy one if I could afford it....ones with no rot are well into the £40k and above bracket....a Ford dealership restored white one has just gone for £82k...!!

 

[Bmwz4ruby]

Had plenty of good cars (mk2 Golf GTI’s 8v and 16v) namely but the best I have had is my E90 330d. Done 68,000 miles in it now, in 6.5 years ownership. M Sport, manual and remapped to 275bhp. Really well made, cheap to run in every respect and does just shy of 50 mpg every tank. I once managed 690 miles on a single tank. It it quick as well with loads of torque especially good on the motorway in sixth.
Have no intension of ever getting rid and now have a Z4 Coupe to complement it.