Purpose built convertibles, quick and under £15k?
- Thread starter Trifid
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Similar choice to me at the start of the year, though I also looked at the 350Z. The Boxster S was the best to drive but would have been a few years older and with the potential for bigger bills than the Z4 I ended up with. 2006 was the facelift in the Z4 with some minor cosmetic changes and an engine refresh.
My 2008/57 3.0si convertible was £11k in January, £10-11K should get you a facelift 3.0si or £7-8k a pre-facelift 3.0i (2003-2005). Usually a few for sale on the Z4 forum - http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=41
My 2008/57 3.0si convertible was £11k in January, £10-11K should get you a facelift 3.0si or £7-8k a pre-facelift 3.0i (2003-2005). Usually a few for sale on the Z4 forum - http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=41
I know its not like the other cars on the list but what about a E93 335i, remap it and you could see 0-60 in 4.5s
Really? Off a single remap?
I know its not like the other cars on the list but what about a E93 335i, remap it and you could see 0-60 in 4.5s
I know Fox is going to love this post for the inconsistency and it involves 5 series but if I don't go for a convertible I'd be buying a E60 530i. I've always liked them and very much like my sisters 530d. I might consider the diesel too but am unsure how well it will get on with a daily commute of 12 miles?
I'll do an insurance quote on the Boxster,, I'd need to test drive one but there is something that doesn't quite sit right with me that makes me feel a bit impartial to Porsches in general.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
The e93 is a convertible. Though I can't see you getting a good one for under 15k.
Soldato
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0-60mph in about 4.5s. Cheap to run, cheap to insure, relatively economical, quick
LHD though which some people just can't get their heads around
Bit of a walkaround and test drive.
Probably be a bit earlier than 2006 though
Much more entertaining and enjoyable to live with however.Want it to go even faster? Simply buy a relatively easy to install STS twin turbo kit and voila!
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Really? Off a single remap?
actually they can hit it 60 in way under 4.5.
this one did it in 4.14 and the DSG will probably be even faster!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VX7YANkbVo
[TW]Fox;22328352 said:
I have not checked the prices but It probably possible.
OP you can have my E93 335i with a Evolve remap for 16.5k (very high spec)
You might get issues but why would you even want one, it won't even warm up in 6 miles.
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http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3997712.htm + http://www.bbrgti.com/product_details.php?id=11649 (may be a little over budget...) should give mid 5s 0-60
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[TW]Fox;22327843 said:
I was making a sarcastic and exaggerated point...
I still think the S2000 should be very high on the list. The Z4M sounds like brilliant value.
Perhaps I should get a corvette if I want to cruise around in 4th all day
I like my S2000, good competent car and once you work out how to drive the thing properly it's great fun. That engine is addictive as hell.
Sure it might not be the quickest (it's still quick though) but it provides smiles.
I've not pushed the handling too much for fear of my lack of any driving ability being shown and ending up in the nearest hedge/barrier, but had a nice 150mile drive home from work last night and it pleasantly surprised me on a few bends. Pushing foot down the thing gripped round nicely, certainly felt quicker than I'd have wanted to push it in previous cars.
Only time it's caught me out was at about 15mph in the works car park, there's a tight section and think I had the revs up high in a low gear and with all the leaves, rain and badgers on the road the back just went weeeeee which was fun
Insurance for me wasn't too bad, but nowadays on here I'm ancient at 31, £370 for me and the wife.
Sure it might not be the quickest (it's still quick though) but it provides smiles.
I've not pushed the handling too much for fear of my lack of any driving ability being shown and ending up in the nearest hedge/barrier, but had a nice 150mile drive home from work last night and it pleasantly surprised me on a few bends. Pushing foot down the thing gripped round nicely, certainly felt quicker than I'd have wanted to push it in previous cars.
Only time it's caught me out was at about 15mph in the works car park, there's a tight section and think I had the revs up high in a low gear and with all the leaves, rain and badgers on the road the back just went weeeeee which was fun
Insurance for me wasn't too bad, but nowadays on here I'm ancient at 31, £370 for me and the wife.
Where do you live? How old are you? Those insurance quotes are eye watering!!
For comparison I'm 23 and can insure a Porsche Boxster 3.2 S for £536 fully comp
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He keeps going on about how much insurance is and has said he doesn't want big running costs. This puts it out of the running imho.
[TW]Fox;22328905 said:
OP should have at least got a quote on the Z4M.
It doesnt have huge running costs if you have it looked after by a decent specialist garage (unless you're running it with a BMW warranty). The only costly item on the S54 is the valve clearances, which is something he wont have to pay for very often.
IMO a £14k Z4M, FBMWSH or specialist history with the roof motor replaced, recently serviced, T&T with good tyres all round should be fine to run. The S54 is a strong engine and I'd be happy running one of these out of warranty using a specialist garage; I mean a proper specialist that specialises in only BMW and M cars.
Out of the cars in his insurance list I'd take the Boxster S, but even these have high-ish running costs comparible the to the Z4M.
I'm also struggling to see why the OP is comparing a 530d to a VX220, Z4, Boxster and S2000.
I think the running costs would depress me and it wouldn't offer enough over the 3.0.
22, Southend, Essex and have had a licence for 3.5 years and will have 4 years NCB in October. Who are you insured with? Those prices were with Admiral.
The Msport 530 quotes are the horrid prices. The rest are OK imo.
Yum, but sadly I don't think it is for me.
I really do think the regular Z4 is something of a performance bargain. It'll cost you under £10k for a nice one, it's fast no matter what everyone else will say and roof motor aside there isn't really a huge potential for big bills either - even servicing is very reasonable. I'm not talking Ford Focus running costs, its still £180 for a decent rear tyre, but compared to many other similar cars it's shockingly reasonable.