Inspire me, 3rd car £10k

[Z4MCSL]

So I am trying to decide what to do.

I have bought a new (to me) car which I love, Megane RS275 Trophy in Liquid Yellow with some choice performance mods.

I have a clio 182 which is stripped for the track.

And now I'm left with Blue Z4 Coupe Si manual c.90k miles worth an estimated 9-10k.


I am not necessarily in a rush to sell the BMW as they seem to be holding their price well but it is a waste at the mo.

My current options are

1. Keep the BMW
2. Just sell it and keep the money.
3. Sell it and buy something with the money
4. Sell it and buy something with some of the money...I'm tempted to get a beat up old estate for daily duties and lugging people and things about
5. Sell the BMW and buy a RWD track car
6. Sell the BMW AND the Clio and buy a different track car


And I just can't decide what to do so any ideas, thoughts, suggestions etc welcomed

[ZX10R NIN]

It sounds like you have a great two car garage, personally I'd sell the Z4 & get a motorbike you can pick a nice one up for sensible money, a nice 600-750 is the sweet spot as a newbie.

For me my bikes make me appreciate the differences a car brings but I enjoy the bikes more but both have a place in the garage.

With that in mind a K5 GSX-R 750 is a great place to start:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133887216386?hash=item1...

600

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174955298758?hash=item2...

Triumph 675 Daytona very sweet handling bike & the triple is a peach of an engine:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255149319212?hash=item3...

Gen2 RSV R Mille these are still one of the sweetest handling bikes I've ridden & the 130bhp V Twin engine complements the chassis & makes a great noise too:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203611813114?hash=item2...

If sportsbikes aren't for you then something like a street triple is still fun but with a more relaxed riding position.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363554677680?hash=item5...

Tuono like the RSV

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363541635804?hash=item5...

To pass your test & get fully kitted up budget £1500-2000 but you'll see it as money well spent once you experience it, especially if you take any of the bike listed above to a trackday

You also still have change for a estate barge should you want one.

[Z4MCSL]

I would love to do that but I honestly don't trust myself on a bike...I get half tempted to get an electric bike, was looking into whether you can put against Corp tax if bought through an LTD, but I think I'd get hurt

[ZX10R NIN]

Z4MCSL said:

I would love to do that but I honestly don't trust myself on a bike...I get half tempted to get an electric bike, was looking into whether you can put against Corp tax if bought through an LTD, but I think I'd get hurt

You drive powerful cars & it seems you haven't managed to damage yourself, you'd be surprised at how much you won't want to open the throttle on any of the bikes above.

I'd say take some lessons & that way you'll know for sure but I reckon you may well decide to get a bike, you don't know until you try.

[Mr Tidy]

If you aren't comfortable with the idea of a bike on the road then maybe you should give that idea a miss!

You sound like you love your Megane so why would you want an RWD track car?

Work out what you want from your cars and how you would use them. Do you prefer RWD or FWD? N/A engines or turbos?

I'd sell the Z4 and Megane then buy a Z4M, but I'm biased because I bought one in 2019.

[sherman]

Something completely different like a Landrover defender. You could use it to tow your track car to trackdays.

[Z4MCSL]

Hey Mr Tidy,

I do love a Z4M Coupe, I actually had one previously and love the s54 engine but for me, in London, I wouldn't really want it as a daily car, there are too many speed bumps and when I do drive to work its too short for the engine to warm up, it does take an annoyingly long time to get up to temp. When I bought the Megane I drove down in a Z4M Coupe and then we drove back home Z4M Coupe vs Megane. The performance is really very similar as the Megane has had a few bits done, and it feels way less twitchy.

I do miss the S54 though and was looking at E46 M3s but they are out of budget.

In terms of what I want there are a few different things I am looking for, and I am not looking to combine them all, but if I find a car that does one or two of these things really well and it excites me then great!

1. a car I won't worry about adding miles too, so I can keep miles on my Megane down
2. Something a bit different and exciting, happy to look at classics and 2 seaters
OR 3. something super practical and that would munch miles


The whole thing is made more complex by the fact I suspect my other half may end up with a Tesla model 3 performance at some point soon which would mean long journeys inevitably happen in that car, in which case my priorities would shift to something fun that I am not going to worry about too much

To give some context the ridiculous range of things I am considering include:

Mazda MX5
Volvo T5
Saab 2.8
S2000
SLK
some sort of silly barge, like a LWB BMW but the maintenance costs will probably put me off
some sort of boring diesel estate
clio 200
clio 197
megane r26
I feel it would be a bit sad to get another renault sport though
some sort of Japanese car, Impreza or Legacy or Forester
a classic car!?
an XKR!! these seem to be doable under 10k now, not sure I trust that though
some sort of American car

if it is not going to excite me, and just be practical I would want it to be cheap £3k or less
If it is going to be fun, interesting or exciting then happy to pay a bit more


I know this is super vague - I am just looking for a hidden gem so hoping some leftfield suggestions come out of this chat

[Z4MCSL]

Oh and the other car I am increasingly looking at is a Mk1 Boxster, 3.2s

They seem cheap, I know they sold a lot but is the first of an icon

[ZX10R NIN]

Modern classic CLK55 AMG I am very bias on these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106234...

RX-8 R3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109267...

Honda S2000

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...

If you fancy a do it all car then the Mondeo in 2.0T Titanium spec is a great option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109267...

[Mr Tidy]

Z4MCSL said:

Hey Mr Tidy,

I do love a Z4M Coupe, I actually had one previously and love the s54 engine but for me, in London, I wouldn't really want it as a daily car, there are too many speed bumps and when I do drive to work its too short for the engine to warm up, it does take an annoyingly long time to get up to temp. When I bought the Megane I drove down in a Z4M Coupe and then we drove back home Z4M Coupe vs Megane. The performance is really very similar as the Megane has had a few bits done, and it feels way less twitchy.

Hi Z4MCSL,

I'm not surprised you've had a Z4MC given your user name!

But I know what you mean about one of those probably being a bit pointless in London as my late Mum lived in a London Borough and my sister still does. Every time I visit in my MC the experience just gets more miserable!

Thankfully I live on the Berkshire/Surry/Hampshire borders and it works just fine around here.

You could look at a Z4 3.0Si, but having had a couple of those I think I'd miss the M too much.

I've always had a soft spot for XK8s, but I much prefer a manual gearbox. Living in London though a wafty Auto would be pretty appealing if the fuel cost wasn't an issue.

But you have a pretty long and varied list of options, so good luck whatever you decide to go for!

[M.F.D]

Tough choice, but not a bad situation to be in I suppose.

I've had 3 x Megane 250 Cup's in various forms. Absolutely outstanding cars. I'm even tempted by getting another for track work.

Re the Impreza. I have a 2006 JDM STI and it's a mega car. But for £10k, you'll end up with a ropey UK STI. You would get a really clean WRX right enough, but probably better things out there for the budget. Prices on the up with everything else.

If I were you, I would buy a barge for daily duties. You have a track car, a capable B road blaster and now something mildly entertaining for lugging stuff about. Anything Volvo T5 gets my vote, or perhaps a tidy LS400 for cool V8-ness? Eitherway, you'll pocket some change.

[Z4MCSL]

Yeah the megane is great, I am weirdly tempted to ditch my 182 and the Z4 and get another megane for track but that would just be stooopid.


I am leaning towards something cheaper so that the money from selling my Z4 covers the new car, insurance, tax etc with a little left over, so ideally 6.5k or less.

An old barge type v8 is appealing, I have never owned a v8.


The other thing I am now looking into is an old SL, either an SL350 or SL500 like this one

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106163...


seems a lot of car for the money but I havent done any research on it yet so may be prohibitively expensive to look after as a daily.

[M.F.D]

Not sure what the spec is on your 182, but maybe spend some on that making it better/quicker?

I'm not a Mercedes fan, so the SL thing doesn't appeal but I personally would be concerned about keeping something like that tip top. Having said that, I would buy an LS400 in a heartbeat. The 1UZ seems to run forever if maintained properly.

[Z4MCSL]

also looking into XKRs currently

I will look at the Lexus definitely


The 182 currently:

15inch OZs with R888R
Sparco seats
Steering wheel
PMS shifter
Engine mount
Dohgbone mount
Top mounts and strut brace
Whiteline ARB (best modification so far)
Fog lights replaced with brake venting
Braided lines, Brembo discs Carbon Lorraine Pads etc
Mostly stripped, have doorcards ready to go in.



It doesnt really need much more - the next step is a cage and then I just need to use it as much as possible,

If I got really bored I might look at a Low pressure turbo or ITBs and Cams but tbh at that point I can see myself preferring to switch to something else

[Google [bot]]

Z4MCSL said:

I know this is super vague - I am just looking for a hidden gem so hoping some leftfield suggestions come out of this chat

Stretch the budget and invest in this AZ-1 while having ridiculous fun in London.

https://www.drive24.co.uk/vehicle/details/59544196...

[M.F.D]

Z4MCSL said:

also looking into XKRs currently

I will look at the Lexus definitely


The 182 currently:

15inch OZs with R888R
Sparco seats
Steering wheel
PMS shifter
Engine mount
Dohgbone mount
Top mounts and strut brace
Whiteline ARB (best modification so far)
Fog lights replaced with brake venting
Braided lines, Brembo discs Carbon Lorraine Pads etc
Mostly stripped, have doorcards ready to go in.



It doesnt really need much more - the next step is a cage and then I just need to use it as much as possible,

If I got really bored I might look at a Low pressure turbo or ITBs and Cams but tbh at that point I can see myself preferring to switch to something else

Nice spec, think the 197 cams are a cheap upgrade for some gains without spending big bucks. Anyway, cage sounds like the only thing you 'need'. Slowly appreciating now too.

[Z4MCSL]

I often qinser whether it's already had 197 cams, not sure how you could tell...it always seem quicker than ither clios on track other than the turbod ones.

The problem now is it almost seems a waste to drop a grand on a cage when i have half an eye on getting a new track car.


We will see

[Canon_Fodder]

4

[Z4MCSL]

Ha, I cant do 4!?

I am no looking into SL350 Manual and Mk1 Boxster S

[andburg]

give it 3 months and the marekts will be dropping

£10k should get you a nice camper van, buy a big van based one and you can use it to tow the track car.