A convertible and 13k, what would you do? Help needed!

[the_g_ster]

All, first post of many, so here goes.

I need a car pretty quick smart, so looking at spending up to 13k on something, and top of the hot list is a 330ci convertible.

The thing is I want it only until later in the year when I will get a company car that will hopefully be fast bm or audi of some kind. For the moment I need a car until september that will:

- Be fast
- Happy to take to europe, driving down to italy
- Has no real bug bears or issues that are more common than some.

I am regular reader on here, and the 330 unit seems to be pretty problem free, so I am looking at a 60-70k miler for this money. (Mainly a dark metalic navy one with cream leather in manual)

I do however have a dark side that says what about something really silly, like a CLK55AMG? I have looked at the M5, but sadly the bills too, so will probably avoid.

Tell me your ideas, what would you go for? What should I watch out for? As I say, needs to be fun and i dont want to spend a fortune maintaining it for a short period. Is a boxster a goer too?

Thanks in advance.

The G

[M3 UFM]

I had a 325 convertible manual and it was quite nippy. If I were you I'd go for the 330 convertible your talking about instead of the Merc though. (this is the BMW section after all)
I never had any problems with mine in about 10 months of owning it, but it had only done 40k so not sure about one with 70K. E46 M3 I had with 60k felt a bit worn out....
Personally I wouldn't go for blue though. I think it looks hideous, but thats up to you.

[VtecLover]

My brother has had a couple of convertibles. He reckons the car for you is a 330CD. Yes thats right a coupe diesel, you should be able to pick up a low mileage face lift 03 onwards one.

Great for driving, good fuel consumption and they are the best sellers in the range so you wont have problems getting rid of it down the line.

[Andrew D]

Getting a Boxster at that price is flirting with getting a bag of bolts. Boxsters take quite a lot of looking after, which only increases with miles, and can be expensive on a Porsche.

The CLK55 (presumably Mk.1 for that money) looks good at first glance, but getting onto that mileage there's a risk of wear and tear replacement of primary parts, which can be costly on an AMG car as a lot of them are bespoke. It'll also drink like there's no tomorrow. Alternatively you could consider a CLK430 Cabriolet which you might get privately for that money and would avoid the AMG premium.

A 330Ci is a safe bet, it's a well proven motor and if things do go wrong spares are easy to get and servicing is comparatively cheap.

[Zead]

A friend is selling his.
Spec: 330i SE tip auto. 34k. blue, blue hood. mtech suspension. cream heated leather.
HK stereo 8cd. recent service, new tyres and brakes, FSH. within your budget.
Really clean car. email me if you are interested

Z