New Toy Advice

[mjwndave]

Hi Everyone,

I'm after some advice, I'm looking to buy myself a toy for the weekend and wondered what you guys suggested I should be looking at.

I'm looking to spend around 12k, would prefer something like a 2 seat convertible but not fussed if it's 4 seats and it's the right car. I have been looking at the Boxster and the SLK (new shape, 2014) but wondered what you thought.

I guess for me I don't want something that's going to cost a fortune to run and maintain and at the same time not depreciate like a stone.

Any advice?

[ZX10R NIN]

If looking for an SLK i'd say look at the 55 the later more mainstream models aren't a candle on a 55:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Z4M

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[FK]

I would also throw my weight behind an SLK 55. Dad in law had one, loved it, and even serviced it himself without much trouble. Really good set of wheels that, and the engine transforms your journey.

He exchanged it for a newer shape SL as that's (even) more comfy!

[cerb4.5lee]

I've been really happy with my 370Z Roadster and you can get those in your budget. They do depreciate like a stone though!

So I'd be tempted to go the SLK route I reckon. I've had a Z4M Roadster and I didn't gel with it...but they are a very nice option though.

[DoubleD]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've had a Z4M Roadster and I didn't gel with it...but they are a very nice option though.

Ive not driven one, but I always thought that these look really cool, what was it that you didn't like about it?

[griffter]

Depends how new (or old) you want, but Honda S2000 for me.

[cerb4.5lee]

DoubleD said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've had a Z4M Roadster and I didn't gel with it...but they are a very nice option though.

Ive not driven one, but I always thought that these look really cool, what was it that you didn't like about it?

I didn't get on with the gearbox(it is horrible if you want to change from first to second gear quickly) and it just didn't feel very nice to use for me. I also didn't get on with the ride/suspension because it was too harsh and it didn't suit uneven roads at all. It almost punted me off the road once and the suspension just isn't very compliant imo.

The positives though are a class leading engine and it is an involving car to drive. I really liked the way it looked from the side and the rear too.

[DoubleD]

cerb4.5lee said:

DoubleD said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've had a Z4M Roadster and I didn't gel with it...but they are a very nice option though.

Ive not driven one, but I always thought that these look really cool, what was it that you didn't like about it?

I didn't get on with the gearbox(it is horrible if you want to change from first to second gear quickly) and it just didn't feel very nice to use for me. I also didn't get on with the ride/suspension because it was too harsh and it didn't suit uneven roads at all. It almost punted me off the road once and the suspension just isn't very compliant imo.

The positives though are a class leading engine and it is an involving car to drive. I really liked the way it looked from the side and the rear too.

Yeah I think the manual shift is a bit of an issue for some BMWs. I think they can be modded though.

[Mr Tidy]

DoubleD said:

Yeah I think the manual shift is a bit of an issue for some BMWs. I think they can be modded though.

I bought a Z4M Coupe a bit over this budget in December with a ZHP gear-knob (a popular mod for these cars) and it recently had an Inspection 2 so fresh gearbox and diff oil, plus I had the Clutch Delay Valve removed and it all worked fine on my recent shopping trip!

But manual BMW gearboxes do seem very variable in shift quality based on the 8 I have had - my current E90 330i one is probably the worst yet.

[cerb4.5lee]

Mr Tidy said:

But manual BMW gearboxes do seem very variable in shift quality based on the 8 I have had - my current E90 330i one is probably the worst yet.

They do vary a lot I agree. The worst for me was the Z4M and then the E92 M3(much better and you could go pretty quick from first to second with that). Easily the best for me was the 520d and I couldn't fault it at all to use(although it was a poor match to the tiny powerband of the diesel engine and an auto works better for me with a diesel).

[Actus Reus]

mjwndave said:

Hi Everyone,

I'm after some advice, I'm looking to buy myself a toy for the weekend and wondered what you guys suggested I should be looking at.

I'm looking to spend around 12k, would prefer something like a 2 seat convertible but not fussed if it's 4 seats and it's the right car. I have been looking at the Boxster and the SLK (new shape, 2014) but wondered what you thought.

I guess for me I don't want something that's going to cost a fortune to run and maintain and at the same time not depreciate like a stone.

Any advice?

Try a VX220 - much more raw, but won’t depreciate at all and if you fancy trying trackdays, cheapest on track by far. £12k gets a nice 2.2 with some left over.