Convertible for my dad

[FieldAtlanta]

Hello, hoping for some advice and alternative suggestions for a 4 seater, easy-to-live-with, nice looking convertible for my old man.

He and my mum have a big euro road trip booked for end of June and would like something roofless to do this in, and then keep as their second car. Primary car will be their existing A3 sportback which does all they need - very economical, fits dogs, boat bits, bikes and fine for motorway. However, this new car will also need to be fairly practical as it will be used all year round when the other is using the A3. Shouldn’t be anything too garish or hard to drive as mum will need to use it from time to time and she’s not hugely confident.

Dad is a big car nut. Ideal for him would be a classic Merc R129, Alfa Spider or something of this classic ilk however, he’s a pretty risk averse guy and is very aware of the potential issues with classics and wants an easy life.

So, rough requirements are (degree of flexibility in this)
- 4 seats
- boot space for 2x regular suitcases
- a bit of poke but nothing majorly powerful
- auto
- fairly modern (2010 >)
- mileage would ideally not be over 60k
- not known for huge bills or excessive servicing costs

Budget up to £17.5k

For context, I’ve tried to persuade him into a nice 911 but too risky for him. He’s spotted a nice A5 Cabriolet, the 3.0l V6 Tdi version which he’s quite taken by - any thoughts on these? Only other clear options seem to be
- Merc C or E class convertible
- BMW 4 series convertible (less boot space due to tin top)

Appreciate any suggestions or recommendations!

[MesoForm]

My wife has the newest A5 cab and previously had the A3 cab, one of those was my instant thoughts of which car to get.
They’re not massively different in terms of size, in fact when she bought her A3 the salesman said the A5 wasn’t worth the extra. They don’t do the A3 cab any more so she’s got the A5.
Boot space is quite big in both, they are quite low with the roof folded into the boot so any suitcases have to be narrow if you can, but we’ve had no issues with medium size suitcases.
She had the 150HP petrol which was OK, now has the 200HP petrol and that’s plenty quick enough for what we need. Think the A3 got 55mpg and the A5 45mpg on long journeys with the roof down and my wife’s binary throttle control.

[Hammy98]

You could probably get a BMW M235i convertible for that but it would be nearing your 60k mile limit I'd think, peach of an engine and very reliable. Soft top so doesnt rob as much boot space.

Sticking with BMW, 430d, 435i?

6 series convertible should have a bigger boot than the 4 but they seem to be rarer.

[dxg]

For once, MX5, isn't the answer. It's too small for your requirements.

[NDA]

You could get the old model Bentley for that sort of budget. I had a GTC and took it to the south of France a couple of times - perfect car for it.

[Tabs]

Lexus is250C.

[ninjag]

Volvo C70 T5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201261...

SAAB 9-3 2.0T
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201231...

BMW 640i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205095...

AUDI S5 (although I don't think it is the CREC engine which addresses the carbon issue)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203314...

[georgeyboy12345]

BMW M235i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205045...

if that's a little too fast (& over budget slightly too), what about a low mileage 220i?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205286...


Lexus IS250C
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204224...

or for nearly 6 grand less, this slightly older one with slightly higher miles
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202112...


Mercedes E-class Cabriolet, in 3 different flavours

E400 AMG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202032...

E350 CGI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204014...

E200
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203043...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Thursday 2nd June 19:53

[ZX10R NIN]

Infiniti G37:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204064...

E400 AMG Sport Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205266...

E350d AMG Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109177...

640d M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205256...

[Bonefish Blues]

ninjag said:

BMW 640i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205095...

Good shout

[DanL]

Bonefish Blues said:

ninjag said:

BMW 640i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205095...

Good shout

The boot isn’t as large as you’d think with the roof down though - you’d want to check that. It would probably fit 2 suitcases side by side, but might not fit them if they need to be on top of each other as the roof folds down into the boot. Less of a problem if you’re running with the roof up, obviously!

My 650i is a great GT.

[Mouse Rat]

That Infinity looks an interesting contraption.

However I would go with the facelift E class. I have the coupe and test drove a few cabs, I'm very impressed with them.
Make sure its a 6 cylinder. The E350d is excellent.

[Deerfoot]

It’s hard to argue against the E Class linked above by ZX10, just about perfect for a trip to Europe I’d have thought.

[SWoll]

A diesel convertible, for when you really want to hear the clatter of the engine and smell those fumes..

My contribution, as per the poster above.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205095...

[Bonefish Blues]

SWoll said:

A diesel convertible, for when you really want to hear the clatter of the engine and smell those fumes..

My contribution, as per the poster above.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205095...

That's 3 of us now

[SWoll]

Bonefish Blues said:

SWoll said:

A diesel convertible, for when you really want to hear the clatter of the engine and smell those fumes..

My contribution, as per the poster above.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205095...

That's 3 of us now

Yep. From a purely democratic perspective he should 100% get it bought.

[ninjag]

DanL said:

Bonefish Blues said:

ninjag said:

BMW 640i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205095...

Good shout

The boot isn’t as large as you’d think with the roof down though - you’d want to check that. It would probably fit 2 suitcases side by side, but might not fit them if they need to be on top of each other as the roof folds down into the boot. Less of a problem if you’re running with the roof up, obviously!

My 650i is a great GT.

Does the 640d M Sport have a bigger boot?

[DanL]

ninjag said:

Does the 640d M Sport have a bigger boot?

I’ll be amazed if it does - they’re all the same body she’ll, aren’t they?

It’s a bit distorted due to the wide angle, but here’s my boot. You lose some width from the wheel arches, and a lot of hight from the bit the roof drops in to. You can fold that up to regain the height, but obviously the roof won’t go down then…

[ninjag]

DanL said:

ninjag said:

Does the 640d M Sport have a bigger boot?

I’ll be amazed if it does - they’re all the same body she’ll, aren’t they?

It’s a bit distorted due to the wide angle, but here’s my boot. You lose some width from the wheel arches, and a lot of hight from the bit the roof drops in to. You can fold that up to regain the height, but obviously the roof won’t go down then…

I was thinking the same, but I was wondering why you went past the 640d post and picked up on just mine.

[DanL]

ninjag said:

I was thinking the same, but I was wondering why you went past the 640d post and picked up on just mine.

Oh, that’s easy - I didn’t see the 640d post.

Also - why have the diesel when you could have a petrol? If the roof’s coming down, petrol is surely the way…