Where to go after an E85

[9designs]

While I like my Zed, some improved ride and creature comforts would be nice. As I also have a “practical” car so would like to keep to the 2 seat roof down format. It also needs to be a daily drive. As the above practical car is also my garage queen, being a Mk3 Focus RS

G29 is too pricey and perhaps risky after reading some of the feedback and reviews.
So I thought E89 35i or iS. Then I read here some horror stories or expenses to keep them going.
MX5 I think would be a disappointment on the engine front, plus my wife would like me to go auto so she can pinch it sometimes.
TT, hmmm having had A3’s not convinced Audi gets the driving experience factor.
Boxster, starts to get expensive again, also doesn’t feel like a daily use car.

Going around in circles at present

 

[mr wilks]

Buy a decent 35i or is & no reason why they have to be expensive to own , just do your homework when searching out a good one & ideally look out for any receipts in the history for work already done .
Very few cars from any maker that can offer close to 400bhp (simple upgrade with MHD flashtune) , comfort , style in a roadster with coupe looks 8) for the pricepoint you can buy these cars for
The typical things that can fail will probably total around £2500 if you were unlucky enough to need them all
HPFP / injectors / water pump
Other possible fails DCT pan £450/£500 & adaptive ride shocks £400ish a corner
A Bmw warranty is around £500 per year if you want peace of mind or mentally set aside a slush fund if you do get unlucky
Alternative is a 3oi with very few issues to be concerned about or a 4pot turbo with a remap i

How about this one of John's ? https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=114821

 

[Zoomer]

Looked a moving on myself , but boxster thing with ims etc and not being able to get at engine is s worry, I thing that an E89 would be good and there’s a lovely one for sale on here at the moment. Good potential for more power as well if you fancy it

 

[wonkydonkey]

I'm toying with the idea of selling my E85 and my daily A3 and buying a Mk2 Audi TTS. I've had a Mk2 TT before (TDI) and really enjoyed it. Although it's not as spritely a drive as the E85, it is very good at pushing down roads at speed. It is also good at providing peace and comfort when you want it - something I find the E85 cannot offer to the same level. I think the 3.0i E85 is a fantastic car for the money, and I'd miss the straight six, RWD and drop top, but I haven't made the decision just yet.

People always talk about the Quattro Audis being boring, but I find these sentiments tend to come from those reviewers who seem to think that everyone commutes to work by doing laps around Castle Combe. Although I enjoy that the E85 can be provoked into oversteer on the right kind of corner on the right kind of road, it's rare that you can genuinely push a car to its tyres' limit of grip on open roads. For that reason, I see Quattros as impressively-planted real world cars that offer high cornering speeds and steering that you can fully trust.

 

[DPG]

I’ve got a MK3 TTS and is by far the best daily driver I’ve had. (That’s comparing against a Z4C, Z4MR, 918 Cayman S)

Plenty of power, roomy and comfortable interior and decent running costs.

It’s a car that is good at everything but maybe not great at anything if that makes sense.

Would swap it for something a little more interesting if it was just a weekend car though.

 

[gadgetJunky72]

I've got an F56 (latest shape) MINI JCW alongside the E89 35i. They are very grown up (i.e. refined for daily and motorway driving) these days but still a lot of fun when you want a B-road blast. the JCW is 2.0l 4 cylinder turbo. standard is 230bhp. it's easy to get to 280bhp with just a remap.

A picture to entice you:

 

[wonkydonkey]

I’ve got a MK3 TTS and is by far the best daily driver I’ve had. (That’s comparing against a Z4C, Z4MR, 918 Cayman S)

Plenty of power, roomy and comfortable interior and decent running costs.

It’s a car that is good at everything but maybe not great at anything if that makes sense.

Would swap it for something a little more interesting if it was just a weekend car though.

The Mk3 seemed to gain a lot of interior space and storage compared to the Mk2, which is a positive thing. I could get my road bike or mountain bike into the TT (even two ride bikes on one occasion) - something I couldn't do with any convertible. The TT definitely ticks a LOT of boxes, but I agree; I definitely wouldn't consider it to be a fun and playful weekend car. It's versatile, but not quite THAT versatile

Much like the OP, I've been considering a true replacement for the E85 but I don't really think it can't be bettered on a circa sub-£6, 000 budget, if you want reasonable power and RWD.

 

[ben g]

I've got an F56 (latest shape) MINI JCW alongside the E89 35i. They are very grown up (i.e. refined for daily and motorway driving) these days but still a lot of fun when you want a B-road blast. the JCW is 2.0l 4 cylinder turbo. standard is 230bhp. it's easy to get to 280bhp with just a remap.

A picture to entice you:
IMG_3781.jpg

That front end is hideous but I bet it's great fun to drive I'd like a pocket rocket for the daily drive, infact I did have one (fiesta st) until someone decided they would like to steal it 8) still miss that thing.

Z4's are fantastic cars, but you can't throw them down a country lane like you Can a turbo hatchback, for fear of bottoming out. The new age hatchbacks are great fun in that regard

 

[Johnbmwz4]

After 2 E85s (same one twice) and 1 E89 3.5i DCT I wanted something with 4 seats but convertible so I went for an S5 cabriolet. Love it . Fast , refined, big boot and I would say a great drive not boring at all. Probably not as quick as the E89 3.5i but still rapid as hell. No dramas going over speed bumps or pot holes either. A couple of photos attached. Only complaint I have are the Audi forums. Absolutely rubbish, no one answers any questions and nothing interesting on them hence why I’m still lurking on here with no Z4 on my drive but I’m sure I’ll have another one day....

 

[simon1963]

After 2 E85s (same one twice) and 1 E89 3.5i DCT I wanted something with 4 seats but convertible so I went for an S5 cabriolet. Love it . Fast , refined, big boot and I would say a great drive not boring at all. Probably not as quick as the E89 3.5i but still rapid as hell. No dramas going over speed bumps or pot holes either. A couple of photos attached. Only complaint I have are the Audi forums. Absolutely rubbish, no one answers any questions and nothing interesting on them hence why I’m still lurking on here with no Z4 on my drive but I’m sure I’ll have another one day....

I find this forum excellent. I previously had an Alfa Brera and am a member of Alfa Owner which is als a good form. My Mrs is after a Merc E Class convertible so I’ve been trying to get some info/questions answered on various MB forums but there next useless.

 

[9designs]

I guess my Audi experience has lead me to see them as yes very fast if you choose, but at any speed it's more like being on a Playstation, as driver I'm more of passenger rather than playing much part in proceedings. Even at lower speeds and no drifting! a car should and can have some feeling to it.
As I say, little or nothing in the "sensible" 4 seater group is going to tempt me out my other car....

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Just looking around at 2 seater options mainly.... Otherwise I'd buy the current shape Fiesta ST3.

 

[buzyg]

There are two guys at work running the new Mx5 as their daily, including one who moved from a Z4. He raves about the little Mazda and loves the engine after his 2.5 in the Zed.

Been tempted by the Fesa ST as a daily. But not as practical as my little Mazda2. :wink:

 

[ben g]

I guess my Audi experience has lead me to see them as yes very fast if you choose, but at any speed it's more like being on a Playstation, as driver I'm more of passenger rather than playing much part in proceedings. Even at lower speeds and no drifting! a car should and can have some feeling to it.
As I say, little or nothing in the "sensible" 4 seater group is going to tempt me out my other car....

.


Just looking around at 2 seater options mainly.... Otherwise I'd buy the current shape Fiesta ST3.

Are these actually any good? The rs I mean. A few guys in work have had them and soon got rid of them.

A good workmate got rid of his in favour of a dsg golf r and says the golf is miles better than the rs (he had 2 mk3's).

I personally love the way the rs looks but seeing them everyday in work makes them a little less special than the mk1 and MK2 were

 

[Dave 2 dogs]

I jumped from e85 3.0 to e89 3.5i
Sold my Range Rover and use the e89 as a daily
Have no regrets so far ( 3 months in ) trying to put costs on a car can be so off putting, I think whatever you buy , if you’re unlucky with the wrong one it will cost you some cash, best thing is to test drive one, I divered for a while , then stuartt took me out in he’s silver 3.5i and I was sold on them

 

[9designs]

The RS is awesome, flawed but nothing else like it, nor is it for everyone. For some I would guess it’s too hardcore, to “focused”. Some I guess jumped ship due all the panic over the wrong head gasket being fitted. Over reacting, as all were still under warranty and Ford has fixed it, just needed to wait a bit. The ride is too firm, but that can be modded. For putting a big grin on your face nothing beats it. The grip is off the scale, any weather, you can steer it with the throttle and monster any B road.
For being cosseted, comfy and auto it’s not. Thankfully. Like the E85, it’s an enthusiast car, there’s always the ST for sensible people.

I’ll track down a E89, 35i or iS for a drive.
Quite like the F Type, but they still hold too much value, have always been well over priced in my view.