switch M5 to fun car plus daily plod?

[DocSteve]

Hi,

Any advice gratefully received on the following dilemma:

I have a 57 plate M5 that I consider to be one of the finest cars around. It is perfect for eating up the miles on the motorway in comfort, enjoying non primary routes and playing about on a track. However, when doing any of those things it incurs a massive cost.

I am considering (only considering!) getting rid of it and replacing it with a fun car plus something ordinary(ish) for journeys around town / to the tip / in bad weather etc. I would like to be able to take the fun car away with the girlfriend and be able to carry some luggage, and be able to travel in Europe / go to Spa, the Ring etc without it being brutally uncomfortable or unable to carry more than a toothbrush.

I looked at an Elise today (Leicester Stratstone not the most helpful I have to add) and it seemed like it would fit the bill mostly but pretty limited luggage space. Caterham was ruled out by other half!

Any suggestions for either car would be welcome! I have to say I am still tempted to keep the M5 but with discs and pads at a grand per axle and single figure MPG when really pushing on it is starting to hurt...

Thanks
Steve

[PaulB81]

For something a bit different, look at a Europa ? A bit more refined than an Elise, less common.

[adycav]

As an M-car man what about a Z4 M?

What sort of budget are we looking at here for both cars?

[wackojacko]

Sell the M5

buy an E60 5 series diesel for 10k
-and buy a TVR Tuscan or Tamora ?
- or Corvette

-Or chop the M5 in for an early E92 M3

many different options......

[wackojacko]

Z4M and a Diesel 5 series ?

[DocSteve]

I was looking at somewhere between 12-20k for the fun car. Haven't quite decided on the other one yet, but its running costs should be reasonable. I guess I need to work this out a bit more scientifically but was having some trouble thinking of starting ideas so thought I'd seek some knowledge from those in the know on PH.

[chriscoates]

I'm not sure of your budget for this, but just for starters:

Daily: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2666225.htm

Fun Car: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2638297.htm

[Seeker UK]

20K? Porsche 996 Turbo?

[DocSteve]

Hadn't really thought of the Z4M but it is quite a raw M-car. Never driven one but think it could be an option and it will certainly have more room than the Elise.

[adycav]

DocSteve said:

Hadn't really thought of the Z4M but it is quite a raw M-car.

The ride is very firm, I didn't really get on with mine as the roads are crap around my way and it did my head (and back) in.

You mention Lotus Leicester, are you from the area? I'm in Leics and there's some shocking roads around here which might not be commensurate with the Z4 M's attributes.

[paulmoonraker]

See my garage ... Mondeos are the best ... Impreza's, well, they are they are amazing

[DocSteve]

adycav said:

The ride is very firm, I didn't really get on with mine as the roads are crap around my way and it did my head (and back) in.

You mention Lotus Leicester, are you from the area? I'm in Leics and there's some shocking roads around here which might not be commensurate with the Z4 M's attributes.

I live in Notts and I do enjoy some of the non-primary roads in the E Midlands, often going into Leics/Rutland/Lincs. I have read about the Z4M's ride and suspected it may be more suited to a smooth French D-road than a pothole-ridden winter damaged UK road. Hmmm....

[2 Wycked]

I've based the following on your car being worth £25k; It's probably worth more, but that was the cheapest I could find a 2007 M5 in the classifieds. I've also made the assumption that the cost you speak of when driving the M5 is fuel consumption...

Sensible - A few chaps in the JEC are averaging 30mpg in their XJ8 3.5s so I can see no reason for this to be any worse.
Fun - Why a 430 instead of a 500? I like the early speedo, rev counter and wheels on this one.

Edited by 2 Wycked on Saturday 23 April 22:24

[DocSteve]

Thanks for all the replies. I would say that although the fuel consumption of the M5 is certainly a factor, its running costs stretch way beyond that - I've had a 2 grand service bill recently and being such a heavy car it is extremely costly on consumables when tracked or driven "enthusiastically" on the road.

One thing to note about Stratstone Lotus in Leicester - I turned up having telephoned in advance and then no cars for me to drive. The sales guy clearly knew his cars but wasn't up to much when it came to explaining them in detail. He drove me in an Elise not prepared yet and could handle the car well, but I thought he drove extremely dangerously. I may have lit the blue touch paper by stating I was a bit concerned about the lack of power the Elise has over my existing car but he tried to demonstrate limit handling on a busy roundabout with cars approaching and then exited one roundabout at 60+ with pedestrians about to step into the road. He needs to learn a little about road driving or he will come unstuck - if he is reading this, please take heed!

[harryowl]

This
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2658981.htm
and this
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2679872.htm

(on a ~£25k budget)

[DocSteve]

harryowl said:

This
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2658981.htm
and this
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2679872.htm

(on a ~£25k budget)

That is very interesting! Thanks :-)

[H_Kan]

Stunning Alfa 159 for £10k as the daily driver, or perhaps a Brera instead.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2176797.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2622915.htm

Which leaves us with around £15k for the fun weekend motor...

TVR Tuscan
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2412405.htm

VX220 Turbo
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2752525.htm

Z3 M Coupe
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2543466.htm