Elise and 540i replacement... Cayman S/Z4M/M5? Help.

Elise and 540i replacement... Cayman S/Z4M/M5? Help.

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petrolveins

Original Poster:

1,780 posts

172 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Hi Folks,

Currently got a S2 Elise 111S and an E39 540i Auto Sport.

Running 2 cars seems ridiculous, especially for insurance and since I got the 540i the Elise doesn't see any use.

I've spent ages trying to narrow down one choice and I'm almost there but I keep being tempted away.

Criteria first. Budget is around £15k for the perfect car, but really I should try to spend less than that. I need the car for my short 10 mile round trip daily commute, which the 540i sees about 19mpg on. I also will be driving to Ireland fairly regularly with it on the rough roads over there, and I will do the odd big Europe trip. I'd also like to think I could partake in the very occasional track day with it. Ideally I want something I love and keep for a few years,

I don't need more than 2 seats, 4 is nice but not needed, as for boot space, don't need lots, but the Elise was taking the piss. I'd also like to be able to achieve 30mpg when I try on the motorway, the 540i can just about do it.

I love both my cars, the Elise for the noise and relationship between engine, gearbox and noise is wonderful. I also love the way the big 540i can be hustled along a B-Road at surprising pace, but the gearbox while fantastic for day to day doesn't like hooning, it also can't get the power down easily with the lack of LSD. As much as I prefer older cars, I'd also like something with Xenons and heated seats.

On that bases here are my top 3 choices....

A Cayman S seems to tick every box very well indeed, and is one of those dream cars for me so worth going with all the budget for. Perhaps its the badge, but the Cayman just seems special. Of the 3 its the only one I've not driven, but I did drive a Boxster S of the same age and adored that! It also seems to boast the best fuel economy which is nice. Now, being practical, are these IMS issues as widespread on the Cayman as the internet suggests? For my money I'd probably be looking at a 70k car, so in 2 years or so I'll probably pass 100k with it, are they sensitive to this sorta mileage? Are there any other big costs to worry about? Being new to Porsche it's an unknown to me.

Z4M also appeals a lot, for a little bit less money than the Cayman. Cayman strikes me a precision tool which can be enjoyed at all speeds, the Z4M though is more of an animal that needs grabbing by the scruff of the neck. Wonderful engine and feels very cocoon like inside which I like. Less worried about reliability here as I've driven BMWs for a few years now and have an excellent specialist which makes it seem a safer bet than the Cayman, but universally agreed the Cayman is the better drivers car.

Lastly and I keep crossing this off the list and adding it back again because ultimately it has been my realistic dream car since it came out.... the E39 M5.
I love my 540i, just wish it had a manual and a LSD and bit more power and noise. My big concern with the M5 is reliability and potential big costs. Fuel economy I can handle, but big maintenance bills not so much. Also is £12k the going rate for a nice 01/02 example with under 100k on them these days? I keep coming back to them, just for the way they look, I adore the shape, the lights, the interior, oh and that noise. I'm a sucker for a big heavy fast german saloon. But I worry I'm keeping this on my list as a heart before head deicison.

Before you all suggest it the E46 M3 really doesn't do it for me, weirdly though I did drive a 130i at Birds Garage and loved it! Though it needs an LSD and a decent exhaust to really unlock the potential, it's taken me ages to get to these 3 so I'd like to try and stick with them seeing as I've explored and ruled out everything from 996s, VXR8s to 335is and 650is.

I read one comment on a thread on here about something I was exploring, can't remember what but it said, don't let yourself find that you are on an amazing road somewhere in Europe in the wrong car with the right car in the garage. This is exactly what I felt on the route napoleon this summer in the 540i. I want one car that does all the things I want it to well.

Some practical real world comments and advice on the above 3 cars would be greatly appreciated, google does a great job of throwing up horror stories.

Matt UK

17,649 posts

199 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Have you tried the e46 M3 CS? Not sure if they are still in budget, they might have started heading north already.

What about a Mustang?

MDMetal

2,775 posts

147 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Any reason you haven't looked at an slk? Either the 350 or 500? Driving both a z4 and an slk I was really disappointed with the z4, lots of body roll round corners and the inside felt so cramped vs the slk. The merc also was nicely laid out with gadgets tucked away but not crammed in your face unlike the bmw which just felt like they had to sing and dance about everything. Haven't driven anything else on your list buy if the z4 is on your list give the slk a serious look its a quality piece of kit and lots of fun

ruggedscotty

5,606 posts

208 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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SLK quality ? you are having a laugh sir.... maybe latter ones but Merc had a terrible issue with quality I test drove one and the seat adjuster handle came away in my hand.

MDMetal

2,775 posts

147 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Fair enough but the slk didn't roll through corners or have some stupid pop up sat nav that you had to tell to retract everytime. Everyone has different experiences but I was very disappointed with the z4.

petrolveins

Original Poster:

1,780 posts

172 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Thanks for the suggestions chaps. Don't want an Auto so SLK is out.

Was really hoping for some M5/Z4M/Cayman owners to come forward. Should probably venture into the model specific forms on here.

talksthetorque

10,815 posts

134 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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We have a Z4M Coupe, and I certainly would not recommend it for 'Rough Irish Roads'
It pitches over low speed bumps and the front lip is quite low. You may end up scraping the front.
Plus it will barely get up to temp on that commute every day.


chrispmartha

15,354 posts

128 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Can only comment on the Cayman S but they are sublime, was sad to see mine go and I miss it, I'm ainh to get another when my current lease runs out.

Didn't have any issues with mine other than a clutch sensor went which cost £50 to replace.

petrolveins

Original Poster:

1,780 posts

172 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
quotequote all
talksthetorque said:
We have a Z4M Coupe, and I certainly would not recommend it for 'Rough Irish Roads'
It pitches over low speed bumps and the front lip is quite low. You may end up scraping the front.
Plus it will barely get up to temp on that commute every day.
My old 330i never got upto temp on my commute either. Thanks for the info regarding it pitching and the front lip, when I travel to Ireland I often take a small local ferry with a nasty ramp angle, though sadly I suspect all 3 cars will struggle frown

cerb4.5lee

30,169 posts

179 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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From my experience I would stick to running the two cars because I swapped a 5 series touring and Z4M for a E92 M3 to be my only car and I regret it big time, and I miss just having another car to mix things up and there isn't such a thing as a one car does it all as far as I am concerned.

Regards to the Z4M mine was a roadster and the engine is nice if a little quiet for my personal taste though but the gearbox and ride are both questionable other than that its a nice package and good fun to drive and its very much a car where the more you put in the more you get out.

The zed felt a little special with it only having two seats and it was nice to sit over the rear axle and feel it move around a little but as I have said because of the gearbox/ride I wouldn't have fancied using it as a daily however plenty do and they are more than happy.

james_gt3rs

4,816 posts

190 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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A TVR? wink

SmilerFTM

829 posts

149 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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A turbo and suspension modded MX-5.

J__D

158 posts

189 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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I effectively went in the other direction, from a Cayman S to BMW 750i and new Lotus Elise S.

Haven't driven M5 or Z4, although did almost change Cayman for M6 (V10) - for me M6 was too GTish for what I was looking for. Cayman doesn't feel a million miles off Elise, and probably as close as you'll get to a Lotus derivative in terms of feel. For me, having the Cayman as an only car took the shine off it if I'm honest, I just considered it as 'normal'.

It's the car I've owned the longest mind, which must say something! 4 years and 20k miles of trouble-free ownership, only problem I had was dead battery after leaving it for 4 weeks. Servicing reasonable with good specialist.

For me nevertheless Cayman can't compete in comfort / practicality with 750i nor does it have quite the same 'event' feeling of Lotus but it does both very well for what it is and certainly closer to Lotus than BMW - unlike M6 which was more GT! Not sure this helps.....

petrolveins

Original Poster:

1,780 posts

172 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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All the comments help guys.

I would love to keep two cars, but being 22 insurance on 2 cars is around £2,500 which raises if an M badge is involved. Per year an additional car will cost me £3-5k extra running I reckon and when I don't listen to man maths this can't be justified. That money can be saved for better things.

Beginning to think the Z4M may be a little harsh for what I want. Not had much feedback on the M5 yet...

edc

9,230 posts

250 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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If you've tried a Boxster S and liked it why not get one? Roof down/top off opportunities like the Elise and handlng almost identical to the Cayman. Arguably, more practical with 2 boots. At £15k you are comfortably in 987 territory which is more refined and daily like than 986 with a more spacious cabin. However, I would consider a 986 550 Anniversary. It has as standard the factory option M030 sports suspension so possibly brings you closer to the Elise for handling than a regular Boxster. You should be able to get one at £10k or less which leaves you plenty left over for the inevitable modifications or upgrades or just a bit as contingency.

jimi

521 posts

262 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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what about a z3m coupe?

shibby!

921 posts

197 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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I currently own a Z4M Coupe, after coming from an E46 M3 and numerous MR2 Turbos' before that.

I think the car is hilarious, i use it for my daily commute which is around 15 miles each way, mixture of town driving, quite dual carraige way and country type roads... i average 24mpg.

I can do the cruise very comfortably i think, and when you want to play i love it.

It can be a little stiff... i have Eibachs on my car as the rear springs tend to break, its lowered by about 10mm or so. I can still get over speed bumps.

All in all, a really good car.... i dont have many complaints... i suppose the bonnet is a little long, the servicing and parts are not cheap (what do you expect though) and it can be quite stiff at times.


JetskiJezz

662 posts

135 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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edc said:
If you've tried a Boxster S and liked it why not get one? Roof down/top off opportunities like the Elise and handlng almost identical to the Cayman. Arguably, more practical with 2 boots. At £15k you are comfortably in 987 territory which is more refined and daily like than 986 with a more spacious cabin. However, I would consider a 986 550 Anniversary. It has as standard the factory option M030 sports suspension so possibly brings you closer to the Elise for handling than a regular Boxster. You should be able to get one at £10k or less which leaves you plenty left over for the inevitable modifications or upgrades or just a bit as contingency.
I would agree with the above, if you really are after just one car to try and fit all situations then surely be Boxster S ticks pretty much all of the boxes.
Open-air motoring with the sun out.
Big enough double boot space
Relatively well built
Plenty of different options
Perfectly comfortable cross country on relatively rough roads

Having said this I too don't think the one car can really do everything perfectly, but with up to £15 K to play with and wanting some level of practicality it's what I would do.



MatrixXXx

653 posts

151 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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CL55 AMG, Lexus ISF?- you would be hard pushed to come up with anything cheaper to run and practical than a VXR8. power and can cruise , no heated seats though.but when its cold i drive my Jeep GC 4.7, heated seats and 4x4

SuperVM

1,098 posts

160 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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I've had an E39 M5 and would think it very heavy for track work, though I appreciate you only plan to do the occasional track day. They are great cars and do handle better than their weight suggests they should, but I still found mine a bit wallowy for b-roads and I imagine that would only get worse on the track. Having said that, mine was on reasonably old suspension and I believe a refresh makes a vast difference. The noise with custom straight through back boxes was phenomenal above 4.5k RPM and always put a smile on my face.

I appreciate you've said E46 M3s aren't for you, but I've had two E36 M3s and I haven't owned anything else that has done everything as well, I think you should probably drive one before dismissing them. Your budget is starting to touch E90 M3s, so perhaps those are worth considering, though reasonably heavy again.