986 2.7 vs Z4 3.0 E85/E89 or back to an NC 2.0 MX5
Discussion
Hi All,
Coming out of a Clio RS200 soon and having recently had an NC MX5, 130i as well a a few Minis im looking to get a sub or around 5k convertible as my next daily/runaround, something that could do a track day, could drive to France, but is also reasonably easy to run, wife can commute in during the summer etc, the NC was great for this and i wish i didnt sell it at the time, but it is what it is. This would be a daily driven car, but i do have other cars that can be used.
Ive narrowed it down to a couple of new to me roadsters, a 986 2.7 Manual around 2001/2, a M54/N52 3.0L Z4 E85 Manual, and a N52 3.0L Z4 E89 Manual or Auto. All of these seem to be attainable for 5k with higher mileage. Im not massively scared of any mechanical work, the Clio has been more than fun on that front, but id ideally like to stick away from anything that has terminal problems, Rust/Major Engine Failures etc, Rust is the one thing that puts me off another NC as i was lucky with mine. The prices of lower arms, brakes, coil packs etc etc all seem to be consistent across all 3 of these options and the engines all have some problems but nothing major, the 986 seems to have the biggest risk with the IMS and Bore Scoring. Im more than happy to work on a project, but id rather something that doesnt need to be welded, machined etc.
Ive browsed Autotrader and cant seem to see any other vehicles that would fit this bill, not a major fan of the 350z and the S2000's are out of budget.
Has anyone been in this position in recent years (some of the threads on here are a good few years old now and the market has potnetially changed) and can recommend any positive/negative feedback on any of these vehicles or any additional alternatives?
Initial thoughts on the above:
986 2.7
Pros - Never owned a porsche, looks good, big boots good for touring, some nice colour combos on the market currently, seem to get good writeups dynamically, never had a flat 6 before, cheap carplay looks possible
Cons - IMS/Bore Score lottery, additional big bills maybe? Older vehicle, 99-02 in budget, glass screen retrofit can be costly, routine parts seem to be slightly more expensive than BMW equivalents.
E85
Pros - N52/M54 are pretty reliable, N52 in my 130i was mega, easy enough Cruise retrofit, lots on the market, cheaper than the porsche, known BMW maintenance personally, marginally better on Fuel to the 986, carplay looks possible on single Din.
Cons - Roof Motor might need to be relocated, not as special as the 986, dynamics maybe not as good as the 986, smaller boot.
E89
Pros - Looks good, Hard top for winter, newer interior, Auto might be an option, general increase in refinement on both.
Cons - Heavy and probably not suited for a track day, boot is small when roof down, would be purchasing the bottom of the market rather than the bottom/middle. Not sure on carplay.
Another NC:
Pros - Lightweight, cheap to run, LSD as standard (sport tech trim), double din easy to install, cheap parts, can be modded easily enough. Can get hard top for winter.
Cons - Not the best on a long drive (did Italy a few years back in one), Rusty/Crusty, 4 pot, not as special as the BMW/Porsche, seem to have held their value annoyingly, Bottom end risks on NC1's, already had one.
Coming out of a Clio RS200 soon and having recently had an NC MX5, 130i as well a a few Minis im looking to get a sub or around 5k convertible as my next daily/runaround, something that could do a track day, could drive to France, but is also reasonably easy to run, wife can commute in during the summer etc, the NC was great for this and i wish i didnt sell it at the time, but it is what it is. This would be a daily driven car, but i do have other cars that can be used.
Ive narrowed it down to a couple of new to me roadsters, a 986 2.7 Manual around 2001/2, a M54/N52 3.0L Z4 E85 Manual, and a N52 3.0L Z4 E89 Manual or Auto. All of these seem to be attainable for 5k with higher mileage. Im not massively scared of any mechanical work, the Clio has been more than fun on that front, but id ideally like to stick away from anything that has terminal problems, Rust/Major Engine Failures etc, Rust is the one thing that puts me off another NC as i was lucky with mine. The prices of lower arms, brakes, coil packs etc etc all seem to be consistent across all 3 of these options and the engines all have some problems but nothing major, the 986 seems to have the biggest risk with the IMS and Bore Scoring. Im more than happy to work on a project, but id rather something that doesnt need to be welded, machined etc.
Ive browsed Autotrader and cant seem to see any other vehicles that would fit this bill, not a major fan of the 350z and the S2000's are out of budget.
Has anyone been in this position in recent years (some of the threads on here are a good few years old now and the market has potnetially changed) and can recommend any positive/negative feedback on any of these vehicles or any additional alternatives?
Initial thoughts on the above:
986 2.7
Pros - Never owned a porsche, looks good, big boots good for touring, some nice colour combos on the market currently, seem to get good writeups dynamically, never had a flat 6 before, cheap carplay looks possible
Cons - IMS/Bore Score lottery, additional big bills maybe? Older vehicle, 99-02 in budget, glass screen retrofit can be costly, routine parts seem to be slightly more expensive than BMW equivalents.
E85
Pros - N52/M54 are pretty reliable, N52 in my 130i was mega, easy enough Cruise retrofit, lots on the market, cheaper than the porsche, known BMW maintenance personally, marginally better on Fuel to the 986, carplay looks possible on single Din.
Cons - Roof Motor might need to be relocated, not as special as the 986, dynamics maybe not as good as the 986, smaller boot.
E89
Pros - Looks good, Hard top for winter, newer interior, Auto might be an option, general increase in refinement on both.
Cons - Heavy and probably not suited for a track day, boot is small when roof down, would be purchasing the bottom of the market rather than the bottom/middle. Not sure on carplay.
Another NC:
Pros - Lightweight, cheap to run, LSD as standard (sport tech trim), double din easy to install, cheap parts, can be modded easily enough. Can get hard top for winter.
Cons - Not the best on a long drive (did Italy a few years back in one), Rusty/Crusty, 4 pot, not as special as the BMW/Porsche, seem to have held their value annoyingly, Bottom end risks on NC1's, already had one.
I've no experience of any Porsche, but 5 or 6 years ago a mate bought a 2003 Cayman S on about 100K miles quite cheap but hardly used it, which may explain why a couple of years ago when he started it one of the exhausts was blowing. He was quoted £3K for a new replacement so it is still on his drive!
At least BMW E85 Z4s had stainless exhausts as standard, but mild steel rear brake pipes sadly that do corrode - don't ask me how I know!
I've on my 4th N52 and they are brilliant, two in Z4s and because of that two more in 3 Series on 130+K miles. But they feel so much more purposeful in a Z4 than a 3 Series, or possibly a 130i. Visit z4forum as there are people on there who will relocate the roof motor for £250 or so, and hard-tops are available.
Now E89s are getting older they can also have roof issues with failing relays, etc. and by all accounts they are more of a GT than a sports car. Plus they have an electronic handbrake which can require "software updates".
I'm on my third E86 (Z4 Coupe) and my current one is an M so it has an LSD (and hydraulic PAS) so I can see why an NC with an LSD appeals, but I'd find the performance lacking and long drives tiring. Plus the rust issue.
Anyway good luck finding what works for you.
At least BMW E85 Z4s had stainless exhausts as standard, but mild steel rear brake pipes sadly that do corrode - don't ask me how I know!
I've on my 4th N52 and they are brilliant, two in Z4s and because of that two more in 3 Series on 130+K miles. But they feel so much more purposeful in a Z4 than a 3 Series, or possibly a 130i. Visit z4forum as there are people on there who will relocate the roof motor for £250 or so, and hard-tops are available.
Now E89s are getting older they can also have roof issues with failing relays, etc. and by all accounts they are more of a GT than a sports car. Plus they have an electronic handbrake which can require "software updates".
I'm on my third E86 (Z4 Coupe) and my current one is an M so it has an LSD (and hydraulic PAS) so I can see why an NC with an LSD appeals, but I'd find the performance lacking and long drives tiring. Plus the rust issue.
Anyway good luck finding what works for you.
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