Struggling to choose - help please!

[NavSat]

I've owned my E46 328i Saloon (manual) now for over 5 years and i need to change. I've been actively looking for about a year(!) and have made several pro & con charts and tested several cars.

I have whittled it down to 2 cars with a 3rd 'wildcard' option...

Point out now ; i'm not really looking for alternatives or cars you may think i have missed as i've probably already thought about it - this is the definitive list i have reduced it to. (Already thought of RX8, Smart Roadster, 330Ci, 944, MR2, MX5 etc, etc.)

Also point out that i do 5k miles don't really need a sharp sports car just an every day (literally all 7 days) 'hack' or 'crusier' with a max budget of £5,000, but servicing, parts, fuel and insuarance costs are all ok. (i.e won't bother me).

The contenders : (geez wasn't supposed to be that long a post)

Worth noting - not driven any of them, also big mileages don't bother me!

2002-onwards Mercedes-Benz CLK 240/320 (C209 model) Coupe - possibly manual 240 (any good?) and auto only 320 obviously. Avantgarde trim.

2004-onwards Alfa Romeo GT 2.0 JTS/ possibly 3.2 V6 (can't find many) Coupe - both manual.

So basically a German, RWD, Auto, Cruiser VS an Italian, FWD, Manual, ...Hatchback..i suppose!

Heart vs Head - i think...

Wildcard Option -

2001 Alpina B10 3.3 Manual saloon i've been offered for £4,500 - original car FSH, 120k miles, blue, leather etc, etc..

All 3 can be had for the same sort of money - but i can't make a decision although at the risk of making this thread a waste of time, i think i should drive them all - but i have a feeling that won't really change my opinions!

What would you choose and why? - please!


(i have feeling you're going to say Alfa V6!)

[Andy665]

In a similar position over the last month

Mercedes CLK

BMW E36 M3

Alfa GTV V6

Bought the Alfa.

Found the Mercedes competent but boring and uninvolving, M3's tatty for the money and already got a mint E36 328i Sport.

Alfa - intoxiczting looks and noise (proper Alfa V6 though ), character by the bucketload and just more fun to drive

[Ozzie Osmond]

Alfa is an interesting choice, but I will share this. A few years back I fancied a V6 Alfa which was a front wheel drive car. Truly wonderful engine; one of the greats. However, when I went out for a test drive the car would neither accelerate in a straight line (shocking torque steer) nor brake in a straight line (inept ABS system). So make sure you have a good opportunity to check how the Alfa behaves on the road before you abandon the BMW - hopefully you will find things much improved since my own experience. I bought a Saab turbo coupe instead.

[LHD]

Alpina B3 3.3.

No discussion required.

[SWoll]

LHD said:

Alpina B3 3.3.

No discussion required.

This. And I think driving all 3 would just confim it.

[NavSat]

Thanks so far. I have days when the Alfa is all i want then i see CLKs and fancy them - i'm even dreaming about them (oh, dear...sad i know)...

I must say i am tempted by the B10 - mainly as it's a rare thing (Alpina) wrapped in common thing (BMW), is faster and likely to lose less over period of ownership (circa 3-4 years).

However i am more inclined to get a different marque & a coupe as i've always had BMWs and saloons.

If a decent B3 3.3 Coupe was in budget i think that would be the answer...

[Vladimir]

Alfa would be my last choice by miles.

Last good Alfa was the GTV about 15 years ago.

Alpina then Merc.