52 BMW 320Ci SE vs 06 MX5 2.0

[waveman]

Bit stuck.

I am torn between both of the cars above. BMW = more practical and more toys for every day but the mx5 would be a better overall steer but a bit less practical for every day.

Anyone had any experience of the two and willing to share?

[okie592]

this will make peoples head expload the 2 best PH cars head to head

lets get ready to rumble



ide say 320i

[waveman]

I had hoped for a good thread too!

[hornetrider]

Stupid thread, completely different cars.

[matthias73]

Not a stupid thread at all. He clearly doesn't NEED the practicality of the 3er if he's considering the 5, but it might be nice.

Its up to us to convince him either way.

I would go for the 3er but thats because I did

[waveman]

Exactly that Matthias!! Thanks

[bamberwell]

honda s2000?

[Mafioso]

Probably not everyone's priority, but what really put me off buying a 2.0 MX5 was the fact that I could not, for the life of me, heel and toe. The throttle is just in a silly position. Considering it's supposed to be one of the best little steers out there I was quite disappointed. Other than that, a great car.

So, in conclusion, I dunno!

[waveman]

Oops sorry budget is about 6k both are slightly under this

[poing]

Mafioso said:

Probably not everyone's priority, but what really put me off buying a 2.0 MX5 was the fact that I could not, for the life of me, heel and toe. The throttle is just in a silly position. Considering it's supposed to be one of the best little steers out there I was quite disappointed. Other than that, a great car.

So, in conclusion, I dunno!

Easiest car in the world to heel and toe for me has been my two MX5's. Maybe depends on foot size and shoes etc.

MX5 for me but most of my roads are twisty and fun. If I was stuck in traffic or using motorways then it would be the BMW.

[matthias73]

Speaking of Z4s, I'm going to be starting a far, far better job next year and I wont have any outgoings other than beer.

I initially considered a z3 but some more information on a z4 would be nice.

[waveman]

Not a huge fan of the z4 but nice idea! Any more experiences of these two cars?

[Riknos]

This:

Gaz. said:

Isn't a Z4 halfway between the two?

You don't state a budget, how much is the MX5?

And this:

poing said:

MX5 for me but most of my roads are twisty and fun. If I was stuck in traffic or using motorways then it would be the BMW.

Looked at S2000s also?

Have you test driven an 2.0 MX-5 and the 320 back to back?

[waveman]

Have found two close together and test drives arranged for tomorrow morning! How do people find living with a rwd convertible over the lovely winters we have?

[vrsmxtb]

I'd test drive and go with your instinct.

Personally it'd be MX5 for me but even that's image biased. A convertible 3-series is way too posey for me, and I can't imagine it being more fun to drive either.

[steveti]

Mafioso said:

Probably not everyone's priority, but what really put me off buying a 2.0 MX5 was the fact that I could not, for the life of me, heel and toe. The throttle is just in a silly position. Considering it's supposed to be one of the best little steers out there I was quite disappointed. Other than that, a great car.

So, in conclusion, I dunno!

An easy little mod is to remove the throttle pedal, get slightly longer set screws, 6mm x 100mm (I think) and pack the pedal up to line up level, or where ever your ideal position is in relation to the brake pedal it's fly by wire so no cable to adjust due to the new pedal position. The standard position of the throttle pedal being an inch lower than the brake is beyond my comprehension.

[steveti]

waveman said:

Have found two close together and test drives arranged for tomorrow morning! How do people find living with a rwd convertible over the lovely winters we have?

In deep snow, forget it in the MX5 unless you fit winter tyres. Mines have all been lowered so anything more than four inches of snow build up in the middle of the main tyre tracks that always gets established when we get severe snow, creates an issue with the front of the car acting as a snow plough. However, there has to be context applied to this, 52 weeks a year and two years ago we had three weeks when it was so bad as I had to use our Focus, that was an exceptional winter. In moderate winter weather the MX5 is fine, perhaps a bag of sand in the boot to aid traction.

Also, why do RWD cars get perceived as monsters that are sitting poised to snap the rear out and throw themselves into the nearest ditch at the slightest provocation? My first FWD car was in 1989 after passing my test in '77 and driving off road for a couple of years before that, it was a delight to get back into a RWD car again in 2004, my first MX5.