Best Z Car for a D.O.F.
Discussion
In case, you're wondering, D.O.F.= disabled old fart (just turned 67).
I'm running about doing minimal miles in a 2006 Opel Astra Bertone cabrio and as neither it nor me will last forever I'm musing on a change. Here's the outline...
I'm 5'11", built for comfort not speed and have an irreparable slipped disc so must use a walking stick.
I manage in 'Bert' but there's a list of desirable features to suit me.
Heated seats - help the back.
Adustable lumbar support - as above.
AC - essential.
Reversing sensors - ditto.
Full leather - want.
Outstanding brakes - Bert now has ex - Megane Brembos and big front discs.
Manual 'box.
I manage well enough in Bert and find his 125bhp in a weighty 4-seater only mildly underwhelming.
Therefore, I'm not interested in super M kind or Helmut Schuhplattler (German equivalent of Carlos Fandago)
modifications. I went up on tyre size on Bert, for the sake of ride comfort and some degree of wheel rim protection. Bert is also wearing a snorty S/S Cobra exhaust.
This is the gist. I prefer to get soemthing with a low mileage and/or history so what do you think might suit my Blue Badge and I? Oh, and my target rifle.
I'm running about doing minimal miles in a 2006 Opel Astra Bertone cabrio and as neither it nor me will last forever I'm musing on a change. Here's the outline...
I'm 5'11", built for comfort not speed and have an irreparable slipped disc so must use a walking stick.
I manage in 'Bert' but there's a list of desirable features to suit me.
Heated seats - help the back.
Adustable lumbar support - as above.
AC - essential.
Reversing sensors - ditto.
Full leather - want.
Outstanding brakes - Bert now has ex - Megane Brembos and big front discs.
Manual 'box.
I manage well enough in Bert and find his 125bhp in a weighty 4-seater only mildly underwhelming.
Therefore, I'm not interested in super M kind or Helmut Schuhplattler (German equivalent of Carlos Fandago)
modifications. I went up on tyre size on Bert, for the sake of ride comfort and some degree of wheel rim protection. Bert is also wearing a snorty S/S Cobra exhaust.
This is the gist. I prefer to get soemthing with a low mileage and/or history so what do you think might suit my Blue Badge and I? Oh, and my target rifle.
Trenchard said:
In case, you're wondering, D.O.F.= disabled old fart (just turned 67).
I'm running about doing minimal miles in a 2006 Opel Astra Bertone cabrio and as neither it nor me will last forever I'm musing on a change. Here's the outline...
I'm 5'11", built for comfort not speed and have an irreparable slipped disc so must use a walking stick.
I manage in 'Bert' but there's a list of desirable features to suit me.
Heated seats - help the back.
Adustable lumbar support - as above.
AC - essential.
Reversing sensors - ditto.
Full leather - want.
Outstanding brakes - Bert now has ex - Megane Brembos and big front discs.
Manual 'box.
I manage well enough in Bert and find his 125bhp in a weighty 4-seater only mildly underwhelming.
Therefore, I'm not interested in super M kind or Helmut Schuhplattler (German equivalent of Carlos Fandago)
modifications. I went up on tyre size on Bert, for the sake of ride comfort and some degree of wheel rim protection. Bert is also wearing a snorty S/S Cobra exhaust.
This is the gist. I prefer to get soemthing with a low mileage and/or history so what do you think might suit my Blue Badge and I? Oh, and my target rifle.
What's your budget?I'm running about doing minimal miles in a 2006 Opel Astra Bertone cabrio and as neither it nor me will last forever I'm musing on a change. Here's the outline...
I'm 5'11", built for comfort not speed and have an irreparable slipped disc so must use a walking stick.
I manage in 'Bert' but there's a list of desirable features to suit me.
Heated seats - help the back.
Adustable lumbar support - as above.
AC - essential.
Reversing sensors - ditto.
Full leather - want.
Outstanding brakes - Bert now has ex - Megane Brembos and big front discs.
Manual 'box.
I manage well enough in Bert and find his 125bhp in a weighty 4-seater only mildly underwhelming.
Therefore, I'm not interested in super M kind or Helmut Schuhplattler (German equivalent of Carlos Fandago)
modifications. I went up on tyre size on Bert, for the sake of ride comfort and some degree of wheel rim protection. Bert is also wearing a snorty S/S Cobra exhaust.
This is the gist. I prefer to get soemthing with a low mileage and/or history so what do you think might suit my Blue Badge and I? Oh, and my target rifle.
Would a hot hatch fit your bill maybe?
2 seater sports cars aren't going to do you any good; as Sam said above, you'll not get in & out of a Z4!
I fractured my spine in 94, have since got 'better' but i still get back ache if i stand/sit for too long. I had an e89 35i Z4 for around a year - once in it, the seats were comfortable but the ride wasn't - it's not a car you'd pick to drive through city centres with.
IMO, you'd struggle with the ride, i did. too much jarring.
Also, you do sit very low, one you have to climb down (or fall down) into. Put it this way, you'd be forever wiping your finger prints off the drivers side A-Pillar
IMO, you'd struggle with the ride, i did. too much jarring.
Also, you do sit very low, one you have to climb down (or fall down) into. Put it this way, you'd be forever wiping your finger prints off the drivers side A-Pillar
67, you're still a youngster! Wait 'til you're 74 like me.
Must it be a Z? I drive an E46 330 convertible with all of your necessities. A few more horsepower would be nice, but I don't want an M car. I've nearly worn it out over 12 years of ownership but it's been a great car and I still like it. I might replace it with a nice example of an E93 or F33 which would save the faffing around with a hardtop for the winter.
Must it be a Z? I drive an E46 330 convertible with all of your necessities. A few more horsepower would be nice, but I don't want an M car. I've nearly worn it out over 12 years of ownership but it's been a great car and I still like it. I might replace it with a nice example of an E93 or F33 which would save the faffing around with a hardtop for the winter.
DOF + few more years here with a Z4 35i
Agree with all above not the easiest car to get in and out of. Doors are also very long so no matter where you park good chance someone will park next to you so have to bend knees even more to get in or out.
But if can manage that it has a fantastic ride with EDC in comfort mode and on goodyear non run flat tyres. EDC only available on 35i and 35iS as far as I am aware. Boght it as dicky left knee making gear changing on my 2003 E46 330ci difficult so needed an auto. The DCT is great box. Z4 bought on a whim in pandemic left knee not a problem at moment. Not sure how long I will keep it BUT they can be very expensive cars to run unless known faults have already been fixed.
Would suggest look for something else maybe Saab convertible - no experience maybe could fit your requirements
Edit agree with longnose- E93 could be good choice if you go for non Msport modell model 330ci . The E9* series are far more rust resistant then the E46's. Have an E91(estate) SE ( i.e softer suspension) and has a good ride again with non runflat tyres.
330 manual se would be a good choice-try to get an LCI mid 2009 onwards few inprovements and bettter idrive.
Heres a 325i Se 2011 has sport seats which are far more comfortable than SE seats so lack of lumber may not be a problem
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203223...
Agree with all above not the easiest car to get in and out of. Doors are also very long so no matter where you park good chance someone will park next to you so have to bend knees even more to get in or out.
But if can manage that it has a fantastic ride with EDC in comfort mode and on goodyear non run flat tyres. EDC only available on 35i and 35iS as far as I am aware. Boght it as dicky left knee making gear changing on my 2003 E46 330ci difficult so needed an auto. The DCT is great box. Z4 bought on a whim in pandemic left knee not a problem at moment. Not sure how long I will keep it BUT they can be very expensive cars to run unless known faults have already been fixed.
Would suggest look for something else maybe Saab convertible - no experience maybe could fit your requirements
Edit agree with longnose- E93 could be good choice if you go for non Msport modell model 330ci . The E9* series are far more rust resistant then the E46's. Have an E91(estate) SE ( i.e softer suspension) and has a good ride again with non runflat tyres.
330 manual se would be a good choice-try to get an LCI mid 2009 onwards few inprovements and bettter idrive.
Heres a 325i Se 2011 has sport seats which are far more comfortable than SE seats so lack of lumber may not be a problem
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203223...
Edited by twokcc on Friday 20th May 11:46
Edited by twokcc on Friday 20th May 12:02
What's your budget? if you're aiming for a straight swop I'm guessing you'd get an E85 chassis, which is the first iteration and is what I have (2004 3.0s manual, 80k miles)
Before I get into issues the OP may face, I will say for smiles per mile this is excellent and it's easy top down motoring. I love it. Things for the OP to think about:
It's about the lowest car I have ever had, and it has the harshest / firmest ride as well, though my current comparison is Alpina D4 so I may not be giving it a fair comparison. I don't have back issues and generally can get in ok, getting out is a little harder. I'm 6'2" and can't get the seat as far back and down as I would like to get my legs in, but it's not my only car and not the one I would pick for long runs.
The boot space is miniscule, and definitely wouldn't pass the "golf bag" test. There also isn't a ski hole from the boot into the passenger compartment (FYI cup holders are an aftermarket special too...) You could no doubt put a luggage rack on the boot, but you probably wouldn't want rifles on there. No doubt you could import a gun rack from Florida :-)
They are great cars for sure, but I'm not convinced it fits the OP's bill. Might be worth a look at a 6 series convertible and get some lovely V8 action too? I had a V8 coupe before the Alpina and if I had to go down to one car a 6 series convertible would fit the bill just fine.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204194...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204295...
Before I get into issues the OP may face, I will say for smiles per mile this is excellent and it's easy top down motoring. I love it. Things for the OP to think about:
It's about the lowest car I have ever had, and it has the harshest / firmest ride as well, though my current comparison is Alpina D4 so I may not be giving it a fair comparison. I don't have back issues and generally can get in ok, getting out is a little harder. I'm 6'2" and can't get the seat as far back and down as I would like to get my legs in, but it's not my only car and not the one I would pick for long runs.
The boot space is miniscule, and definitely wouldn't pass the "golf bag" test. There also isn't a ski hole from the boot into the passenger compartment (FYI cup holders are an aftermarket special too...) You could no doubt put a luggage rack on the boot, but you probably wouldn't want rifles on there. No doubt you could import a gun rack from Florida :-)
They are great cars for sure, but I'm not convinced it fits the OP's bill. Might be worth a look at a 6 series convertible and get some lovely V8 action too? I had a V8 coupe before the Alpina and if I had to go down to one car a 6 series convertible would fit the bill just fine.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204194...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204295...
You can get a shotgun in the boot of an E85 (and golf clubs if you take the woods out of the bag and put them in separately), I'm not it sure how much longer a rifle would be though, for lumber support you can fit E46 M3 seats pretty easily, mine were £300, then you have electric adjustment in every direction plus lumber and bolster
G600 said:
You can get a shotgun in the boot of an E85 (and golf clubs if you take the woods out of the bag and put them in separately), I'm not it sure how much longer a rifle would be though, for lumber support you can fit E46 M3 seats pretty easily, mine were 300, then you have electric adjustment in every direction plus lumber and bolster
Lumbar and bolster are options on the M3 seats. G600 said:
You can get a shotgun in the boot of an E85 (and golf clubs if you take the woods out of the bag and put them in separately), I'm not it sure how much longer a rifle would be though, for lumber support you can fit E46 M3 seats pretty easily, mine were 300, then you have electric adjustment in every direction plus lumber and bolster
Any space for a machete ?langtounlad said:
I've got a current version Z4 and prior to that SWMBO had a previous generation Z4. The current version is vastly more comfortable and spacious. In M40i version it isn't lacking in performnce either, with a fantastic engine/autobox combination.
New version also has a through-load facility for ski's - so would accomodate a rifle.langtounlad said:
I've got a current version Z4 and prior to that SWMBO had a previous generation Z4. The current version is vastly more comfortable and spacious. In M40i version it isn't lacking in performnce either, with a fantastic engine/autobox combination.
Test drove the new Z4 m40i a few months back. Sounds great, built well, goes fantastically but just felt too clinical compared to my e89 35i Z4. Thank you so much gentlemen, excellent and very valuable information.
Getting in and out is obviously a factor. Bert is pretty low anyway and I either grab the screen pillar or swivel and climb up my stick like the proverbial monkey! I always have upsy-downsy seats in the lowest position, which gives me better headroom on the way out. I've put full leather seats in Bert because swivelling/sliding on cloth seats is far harder.
In the past, I've had a 2016 Scirocco GT - wth leather, heat, lumbar and the ride control thing but I prefer a drophead. I also had a go in an MX5 of around this vintage. Provided I could open the door fully, entry and egress were perfectly viable. I can do the falling in part with no trouble!
I think I'll be looking at up to 10K. I don't really mind older metal but I'm no so keen on intergalactic mileages. At 16 y.o. Bert has covered under 55,000 miles. No service history but I've effectively built him one.
It looks to me like some test drives are in order. Bert is a 4-seater but I don't really need the back seat. My rifle is approx 46 inches (1,168 mm) long and will go in a hard case or gun slip for transportation. It must be covered anyway and leaving it visible in a car is taboo.
Thanks again all, I'll get researching.
Getting in and out is obviously a factor. Bert is pretty low anyway and I either grab the screen pillar or swivel and climb up my stick like the proverbial monkey! I always have upsy-downsy seats in the lowest position, which gives me better headroom on the way out. I've put full leather seats in Bert because swivelling/sliding on cloth seats is far harder.
In the past, I've had a 2016 Scirocco GT - wth leather, heat, lumbar and the ride control thing but I prefer a drophead. I also had a go in an MX5 of around this vintage. Provided I could open the door fully, entry and egress were perfectly viable. I can do the falling in part with no trouble!
I think I'll be looking at up to 10K. I don't really mind older metal but I'm no so keen on intergalactic mileages. At 16 y.o. Bert has covered under 55,000 miles. No service history but I've effectively built him one.
It looks to me like some test drives are in order. Bert is a 4-seater but I don't really need the back seat. My rifle is approx 46 inches (1,168 mm) long and will go in a hard case or gun slip for transportation. It must be covered anyway and leaving it visible in a car is taboo.
Thanks again all, I'll get researching.
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