Yikes I've traded the Z and need a replacement

bluespit

bluespit

Senior member
 Near Chester
Site Supporter
due to an accident the missus needs an auto so we've traded her 420 and my Z for a lovely 420 auto droptop. makes sense financially but that wasn't a factor

anyway I now find myself minus a 2 seat open top car and will be looking for an inexpensive replacement soon.

MX5, Z3, even mii cabriolet are all in mind. I know some on here own lovely Z3s and Minis so any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Also any better ideas in the £3-£5k range

I'll sign out of the forum when the Z finally goes, it's been a great car to own but we've not used it together once this year.

thanks

G
 
If outright speed and badge snobbery isn't your main concern an MX5 will do the job. I had a mk 2 as a daily driver and it really was great fun.
 
Unless you particularly don't want a Z4 & you have £3k / £5k budget why would you want a Z3 or MX5 :?
Ive had both & they are leagues behind the Z4 in every department
 
Nice 3.0i, below average mileage here for £4.5k. Seems a no brainier to me... http://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=89860
 
bluespit said:
can't see me getting a Z4 for the money I have
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On a z4 forum I suspect everyone's going to say "get a z4" but we are biased!
There is plenty of E85's out there well within your budget, particularly if you don't need a 3.0 and are prepared to consider a 2.0/2.2/2.5. Do you have any specific requirements that you haven't mentioned that are effecting this?
As some members who monitor these things will tell you, Z4 prices have been weak this summer so there are some real bargains to be had, particularly when you consider its basically September now.
 
Worcester_spoon said:
Nice 3.0i, below average mileage here for £4.5k. Seems a no brainier to me... http://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=89860
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That's gotta be worth £4500 all day long :?
 
mr wilks said:
Worcester_spoon said:
Nice 3.0i, below average mileage here for £4.5k. Seems a no brainier to me... http://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=89860
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That's gotta be worth £4500 all day long :?
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Does seem a cracking deal, assuming you want an auto. The seller does seem very keen to sell as hes dropped the price by £850 in a week! That's a massive drop considering its only a £5k car.
 
mr wilks said:
Unless you particularly don't want a Z4 & you have £3k / £5k budget why would you want a Z3 or MX5 :?
Ive had both & they are leagues behind the Z4 in every department
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Really ? I would just say they are different - or in the MX5's case totally different. We had a Mk 1 and it was a hoot ... nothing like a Z4 but far more fun in a chuckable fun way. Not GT ish like both of my E89 Z4's have felt. My Z4M was less GT but still huge compared to an MX5.

Quality was ok for what it was and it was far more reliable than my three Z4's in that in 5 years absolutely nothing went wrong. Performance wise it is obviously lagging well behind but that is missing the point of a car which handled great and had a superb gearbox.
 
SO8 said:
mr wilks said:
Unless you particularly don't want a Z4 & you have £3k / £5k budget why would you want a Z3 or MX5 :?
Ive had both & they are leagues behind the Z4 in every department
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Really ? I would just say they are different - or in the MX5's case totally different. We had a Mk 1 and it was a hoot ... nothing like a Z4 but far more fun in a chuckable fun way. Not GT ish like both of my E89 Z4's have felt. My Z4M was less GT but still huge compared to an MX5.

Quality was ok for what it was and it was far more reliable than my three Z4's in that in 5 years absolutely nothing went wrong. Performance wise it is obviously lagging well behind but that is missing the point of a car which handled great and had a superb gearbox.
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I had a mk1 around 10 yrs ago & yes some cheap fun was had but I wouldn't like to lift my garage door now & see it in there :oops:
They may handle well but totally gutless with around 115bhp ( power to weight is no argument here :oops: its still gutless )
They look dated now up against a E85 & are too small for anything other than sub 5ft -7 nipping to the shop for some milk :P
The Z3s aren't much better in the cabin department , dated , plasticky & underpowered for the weight unless into a 6 cylinder
Jmo :thumbsup:
 
mr wilks said:
Unless you particularly don't want a Z4 & you have £3k / £5k budget then a Z3 will do nicely.
Ive had one & they are leagues ahead of the Z4 in every department
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Corrected for you :wink:

Tim.
 
OK so I stand corrected, there are some Z4s out there within my budget, thats a surprise.

now if Im picky I don't like black leather interiors and I really don't like the silver dash that often goes with it. I'd hope for something that didn't have huge mileage and did have good history.

folks on here have pointed outa couple of cars, a lovely looking 2.0 with black leather, silver dash and 100k + miles, nice looking 3.0L cars again black and silver interior.

I know I'm fussy but my 2 E89s have spoilt me. I'd like something a special like my current car for £30K less. Simples.

thanks for the pointers and keep them coming please
 
bluespit said:
OK so I stand corrected, there are some Z4s out there within my budget, thats a surprise.

now if Im picky I don't like black leather interiors and I really don't like the silver dash that often goes with it. I'd hope for something that didn't have huge mileage and did have good history.

folks on here have pointed outa couple of cars, a lovely looking 2.0 with black leather, silver dash and 100k + miles, nice looking 3.0L cars again black and silver interior.

I know I'm fussy but my 2 E89s have spoilt me. I'd like something a special like my current car for £30K less. Simples.

thanks for the pointers and keep them coming please
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Find the right car on condition- dash and seats are easy swap outs.
 
Think you might have to compromise on what you can get for your budget. I picked up a 2.5 53 plate manual back in July with 85k on the clock. Seller advertised it for £3500 and in excellent condition (yeah right - mechanically maybe but paintwork will definitely need attention). I haggled seller down to £3100 :D - downside it has had 5+ owners and only part service history but it comes with MOTS back to 2007, two keys and is mechanically solid according to two BMW specialists.
 
Hi, I don't think higher than average previous owners is so unusual with these cars, by there nature they're more impractical leading to changing hands more often, doesn't mean it's necessarily a lemon :thumbsup:
Rob
 
following advice above I've looked at 3, E85, Z4s this weekend and another tomorrow.

as I'd expect all have flaws, some more than others but overall I'm pleasantly surprised at whats available.

I'm thinking 3.0l as thats something a bit different to my E89s
 
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