Where would you/did you go from an M?
- Thread starter JayEmm
- Start date
I've been having this dilemma recently due to having just as much fun driving lower powered cars and rather than consider what I can step up to, I've been thinking what would make the best step down. Obviously I would miss the best parts of the z4 that are so hard to get in anything sensibly priced but I really think having something engaging but lesser powered would mean I can fully exploit and enjoy the car more often.
Ive always seen myself moving to an elise or exige (s2 club racer/sprint with all the performance parts please!) but now I'm not so sure. The idea of a fully warrantied, brand new mx5 that can be thrashed and handed back when I blow it up really appeals-the only downside is that any money saved in Maintainance or rebuilds goes on depreciation instead.
Ive always seen myself moving to an elise or exige (s2 club racer/sprint with all the performance parts please!) but now I'm not so sure. The idea of a fully warrantied, brand new mx5 that can be thrashed and handed back when I blow it up really appeals-the only downside is that any money saved in Maintainance or rebuilds goes on depreciation instead.
Yeah, I think those are about the only options bar a low to mid range caterham which I'd love, but it might just be a step too far in terms of practicality. I'd also probably be castrated once my girlfriend realised that she'd only be able to pack her handbag for any long Euro roadtrips we do!
My biggest problem, and the one driving this recent thinking is that should anything happen to the car-vanos, rod bearings etc, then I have nowhere to take it other than bmw. Their policy of replace rather than repair/upgrade isn't one I'm happy with (especially with the vanos or camshafts) and it will cost a pretty penny to boot.
My biggest problem, and the one driving this recent thinking is that should anything happen to the car-vanos, rod bearings etc, then I have nowhere to take it other than bmw. Their policy of replace rather than repair/upgrade isn't one I'm happy with (especially with the vanos or camshafts) and it will cost a pretty penny to boot.
I'd not thought of that but I'm not sure how much use it would be since its no longer a full bmw history. I'd be in to the realms of 3rd party warranties and I have my doubts as to how useful it would be. There's also the small matter of the airbox which might negate engine claims and that's where I'd want the cover!
It's not the financial side that worries me, although I'd rather avoid a £5k bill, but it's the fact I'd be getting stung for bmw rates and parts which id rather not have to do. If the cams are ever found to be worn, I'll just fit some schricks. If the vanos goes then I'd rebuild with Beisan parts. The head gasket and rod bearings I'd stick to Oem but I'd prefer to source a good, used crank if need be rather than stump up for a new bmw one.
Realistically, there's not much I can do about it and should the worst happen I'll just have to deal with it and move on. It's just the lack of options and apparent security I find frustrating out here.
It's not the financial side that worries me, although I'd rather avoid a £5k bill, but it's the fact I'd be getting stung for bmw rates and parts which id rather not have to do. If the cams are ever found to be worn, I'll just fit some schricks. If the vanos goes then I'd rebuild with Beisan parts. The head gasket and rod bearings I'd stick to Oem but I'd prefer to source a good, used crank if need be rather than stump up for a new bmw one.
Realistically, there's not much I can do about it and should the worst happen I'll just have to deal with it and move on. It's just the lack of options and apparent security I find frustrating out here.
Just browsing pistonheads and look what's sat there...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...-low-mileage--super-rare--1-of-25/4746381?v=b
Forget all that 'step down' nonsense, this is dream worthy :rofl:
£31k though
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...-low-mileage--super-rare--1-of-25/4746381?v=b
Forget all that 'step down' nonsense, this is dream worthy :rofl:
£31k though
I've potentially got an extra allocation GT4 for Autumn 2016. I say potentially because it's through an owner of a big VW dealership who happens to be my neighbour. Porsche Sutton Coldfield seems to think less than 10 extra cars for UK next year but my contact says that's not finalised yet. Fingers crossed!
Makes a change from the norm ... only made a very small profit on a 1990 Golf 16v which I sold after 3 years, and my current MK1 is probably worth slightly more than what I paid for it 20 years ago. Other than that cars have been massive money pits for me with depreciation (including the M).
lets face it the z4 isn't going to be over 25k for a very long time, ( although i wouldnt let mine go for anywhere near that figure, hence it will probably always be with me) so none of us will be able to enjoy that here for a long time, very jealous, lovely position to be in.
Luck really - when I specced the 2s with the bits I wanted, the dealer just happened to have a single unsold allocation of the 50th which was not that much more as it came with a lot of "packs", so he sort of pushed me that direction. Bonus being the 4s rear end and a GT3 front as being standard swung the deal.
