RWD Convertible Sports tow car suggestions?

[Tim in Belgium]

I'm thinking of trimming this current fleet:

Mazda MX5 S-Special - brilliant fun on any road that's not a motorway, a bit too revvy when sitting at 80+ all day, but brings a great smile to my face And having the wind blow in your hair is almost like riding a bike!

BMW 328i touring - This is slammmed on coil overs, big alloys on a silly offset and has had the M50 inlet manifold mod (plus decat and M3 back box) so is pretty swift with 200+ bhp and lots of power from 3-7k rpm. Ace fun really.

Skoda 1.8T Octvia Laurin & Klement Estate, this is still being sold... A great steady eddy car, had a tow bar for hauling bikes, heated seats, snow tyres, leather, a/c just never got the pulse racing.

Anyway I want a one car fits all solution. Given the savings on tax and insurance savings on not running a large fleet these are the criteria for the replacement of the above:

1. Rear wheel drive.

2. 200 bhp+

3. A soft top.

4. Is fun/handles reasonably well - but doesn't need to be track day good.

4. Can average 30+mpg on a steady motorway run (70-80mph depending on EU country)

5. Can tow a single bike trailer legally.

6. Cost £2-4.5k in the UK.

So what can you suggest PHers? I have one idea high up but looking forward to what left field ideas you come up with!

[RWD cossie wil]

MX5

[muffinmenace]

RWD cossie wil said:

MX5

Mk1/Mk2 (not 2.5) I'd think

[Tim in Belgium]

RWD cossie wil said:

MX5

200 bhp and 30 mpg and tow a bike may be beyond an MX5, plus motorways in an MX5 are a little tiresome I find...

[RWD cossie wil]

Tim in Belgium said:

200 bhp and 30 mpg and tow a bike may be beyond an MX5, plus motorways in an MX5 are a little tiresome I find...

Pah, call yourself a PH'er?

Spotted on the M5 the other day:


Best or worst use of an MX5 ever? Discuss....

[2thumbs]

A 328i convertible would be a perfect replacement for that lot

Edited by 2thumbs on Saturday 8th October 21:43

[Tim in Belgium]

Almost where I was heading as a default!

How do they handle with roof chopped off?

[Scootersp]

Honda S2000

(No idea if these can tow a bike trailer?)

[2thumbs]

Well I used to throw mine around as much as the coupes I had before it & couldn't really tell the difference. They are great cars.

[Tim in Belgium]

I presume you can tow with an M3 Cabrio?

[richardxjr]

Tim in Belgium said:

I presume you can tow with an M3 Cabrio?

Not easily possible I'm afraid. Handbooks says No, and you'll struggle to find anything to fit.

EG: http://www.towbars-uk.co.uk/product/11001/bmw-3-se...

[Tim in Belgium]

richardxjr said:

Not easily possible I'm afraid. Handbooks says No, and you'll struggle to find anything to fit.

EG: http://www.towbars-uk.co.uk/product/11001/bmw-3-se...

I thought the M3 towing would be a given

Is it just that the design won't work with an M3 bumper??

[2thumbs]

Tim in Belgium said:

I presume you can tow with an M3 Cabrio?

I'd stick to a 328i, They are a whole lot cheaper to maintain & are much more fun as a daily. Day to day driving they feel quicker too.

[richardxjr]

Tim in Belgium said:

richardxjr said:

Not easily possible I'm afraid. Handbooks says No, and you'll struggle to find anything to fit.

EG: http://www.towbars-uk.co.uk/product/11001/bmw-3-se...

I thought the M3 towing would be a given

Is it just that the design won't work with an M3 bumper??

They weren't type approved for towing, have no max towing weights published, and therefore no aftermarket towbar manufacturer makes them to my knowledge. So it'll be a bit of a struggle.

328 looks alright though

[Tim in Belgium]

2thumbs said:

I'd stick to a 328i, They are a whole lot cheaper to maintain & are much more fun as a daily. Day to day driving they feel quicker too.

Thanks for that 2 thumbs, out of interest how does a 328 feel quicker than an M3?

I've currently a 328i touring with an M50 inlet manifold fitted and decat/M3 exhaust, so would this feel quicker than an M3 too? Why does an M3 feel slow? I'm just curious

[Tim in Belgium]

richardxjr said:

They weren't type approved for towing, have no max towing weights published, and therefore no aftermarket towbar manufacturer makes them to my knowledge. So it'll be a bit of a struggle.

328 looks alright though

Out of interest was the coupe M3 type approved for towing?

[2thumbs]

Tim in Belgium said:

Thanks for that 2 thumbs, out of interest how does a 328 feel quicker than an M3?

I've currently a 328i touring with an M50 inlet manifold fitted and decat/M3 exhaust, so would this feel quicker than an M3 too? Why does an M3 feel slow? I'm just curious

The M3 has very little go below 3000rpm, you need to get the thing revving before you feel any kind of acceleration. The 328 on the other hand has most of it's go lower down the rev range making it feel much quicker around town. The 328 feels lighter & more nimble too. The M3 comes into its own once you get it out on a fast road though

When I first bought my M3 cab I still owned my 328 cab, I was quite disappointed with the M3! It took me a while to get to grips with it & learn how to drive it properly. I only use it occasionally now, I'd hate to have to drive it every day.

Edited by 2thumbs on Saturday 8th October 23:07

[richardxjr]

Tim in Belgium said:

richardxjr said:

They weren't type approved for towing, have no max towing weights published, and therefore no aftermarket towbar manufacturer makes them to my knowledge. So it'll be a bit of a struggle.

328 looks alright though

Out of interest was the coupe M3 type approved for towing?

No, I don't think so, nor the saloon.

[Tim in Belgium]

Thanks, perhaps because my current 328i is on silly offset wheels and slammed suspension (previous owner), and only wakes up properly around 3k (probably due to the inlet manifold change) it's half way to feeling like an M3 already at lower speeds, but without the same top end and high speed handling finesse!

[2thumbs]

Tim in Belgium said:

Thanks, perhaps because my current 328i is on silly offset wheels and slammed suspension (previous owner), and only wakes up properly around 3k (probably due to the inlet manifold change) it's half way to feeling like an M3 already at lower speeds, but without the same top end and high speed handling finesse!

Yes maybe! I've had a few 328s over the years but none have had the manifold conversion. The throttle response off the line is great compared to the rather sluggish feeling M3.