130i M-Sport - what to replace it with?

[daveknott5]

Right, I've had my fantastic 130i for 5 years now. It has been the best car I've ever owned. Trouble is, I'm getting itchy feet for something new (to me) and different. I still want the rear drive handling balance - a great noise, + reliability & decent everyday economy. It shouldn't be prohibitively expensive in terms of running costs either (Servicing & Insurance). I'd like the replacement to have a better ride, and it could potentially be an auto as I do a lot of driving in heavy traffic. Budget is £10-15k. Ideas? (I'm stumped as I can't think of anything better than the 130i!) - Oh and by the way, it soesn't have to have 4 seats as it would be a car just for me.

Cheers chaps.

[M5Dave]

BMW Z4 3.0.

Porsche Boxster S.

Merc CLK/SLK 320.

Nissan 350Z.

Honda S2000.

All are rear drive, have good performance with reasonable running costs, and with the exception of the Honda are available with an auto box.

[ccr32]

Interestingly enough, I'm thinking of going exactly the other way from a Z4 3.0Si....

[rich85uk]

Z3 m coupe with the S54 engine? will have to keep it perfect but if you get bored of it they hold there value VERY well

E46 M3? wont be as cheap to run as the 130i but great 2nd hand buy if you find a good one

Alpina Z4? abit different to the obvious choice of the 3.0 si

[sprouting]

Here you go,

http://www.birdsauto.com/tuning/model.aspx?make=BM...


Rather than selling a car you know and like, give it a new lease of life.

[aeropilot]

M5Dave said:

BMW Z4 3.0.

Porsche Boxster S.

Merc CLK/SLK 320.

Nissan 350Z.

Honda S2000.

All are rear drive, have good performance with reasonable running costs, and with the exception of the Honda are available with an auto box.

Nissan 350Z isn't available as an auto, unless you buy an import.
All UK spec 350Z are manuals.
Need to go to a newer 370Z to get the auto option.

And I doubt many of those on that list will give a better ride than the OP's 130i either.

In many ways the only replacement for a 130i is another 130i.

Edited by aeropilot on Friday 3rd June 14:41

[ghibbett]

I replaced my 130i with an S50 Z3M-Coupe. Regretted it for the first week with the older tech, but then set the throttle cable correctly and MTFU and never looked back. A goodly step up in performance too!

[adycav]

As Rich says above, the Alpina Roadster could be a great choice.

Like all Alpinas the ride and handling are ideal for UK roads.

[Nigel H]

Only had mine for 3 years, so not getting itchy yet! Not that it stops me looking, can't say I've found anything yet....

Agree on the ride front, I'd want something smoother, so something like this

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2811100.htm

Prefer a newer one, though. And it would cost a lot to run.... The 130 is a hard act to follow.