BMW E36, Audi 80 or Mercedes R129
Discussion
Sold the GTV yesterday, 13th car in a row I've sold to first viewer
Looking to replace with a 2+2 (at least) drop top, use as a third car only, maybe 3-4k a year for myself, wife and young son to go out in.
Performance and handling isn't that important but got to be at least 6 cylinders
Obvious choice was a really nice E36 328i or a final edition Audi 80 cab - both are familiar to me and tick the boxes BUT....
R129 Mercedes 300SL's have caught my eye, they seem silly cheap at the moment.
I know potential running costs of the Mercedes would be higher but low mileage will minimise the risk - plus I van get trade prices on spares for all 3 of them
Thoughts appreciated
Looking to replace with a 2+2 (at least) drop top, use as a third car only, maybe 3-4k a year for myself, wife and young son to go out in.
Performance and handling isn't that important but got to be at least 6 cylinders
Obvious choice was a really nice E36 328i or a final edition Audi 80 cab - both are familiar to me and tick the boxes BUT....
R129 Mercedes 300SL's have caught my eye, they seem silly cheap at the moment.
I know potential running costs of the Mercedes would be higher but low mileage will minimise the risk - plus I van get trade prices on spares for all 3 of them
Thoughts appreciated
Depends on how long you want to keep the car and what you value in a car? If you plan on keeping it a fair few years then it has to be the Merc.
I ran a W124 320 coupe as my main car for a year doing 15k in all weathers and it cost circa £1200 in servicing/bills, which is not far off my Audi diesel has in repairs for the same mileage! As a third car it would have been brilliant, as I found the mileage as a main car caused a few bills. I would budget £500-1000 with the mileage you said
Imo mercs of that period are lovely, brilliantly engineered, sublime build and have a great feel good factor. But: There are lots of clocked, bodged and tired cars around, esp at lower end of market, it takes time to find a good one. Parts can be pricey, as generic/2nd parts can be ropey at best, at least OEM parts will last the test of time.
I had 2 x Audi 80 saloons and they were well built nice enough cars and very solid, but very very dull. The convertible has no appeal to me at all (IMO!)
E36s are nice enough, but again not very special or appealing as a third car, they are better compromises though and lots to choose from. Engines are lovely as well.
I ran a W124 320 coupe as my main car for a year doing 15k in all weathers and it cost circa £1200 in servicing/bills, which is not far off my Audi diesel has in repairs for the same mileage! As a third car it would have been brilliant, as I found the mileage as a main car caused a few bills. I would budget £500-1000 with the mileage you said
Imo mercs of that period are lovely, brilliantly engineered, sublime build and have a great feel good factor. But: There are lots of clocked, bodged and tired cars around, esp at lower end of market, it takes time to find a good one. Parts can be pricey, as generic/2nd parts can be ropey at best, at least OEM parts will last the test of time.
I had 2 x Audi 80 saloons and they were well built nice enough cars and very solid, but very very dull. The convertible has no appeal to me at all (IMO!)
E36s are nice enough, but again not very special or appealing as a third car, they are better compromises though and lots to choose from. Engines are lovely as well.
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