I already have two other BMWs. A black 1988 E30 325iA Convertible with black leather, and a black 2000 E46 328iA Touring with black leather and every toy possible (except anthracite headlining and rear airbags). The Touring is my daily, and is starting to get a bit fragile now. It is a LHD car that I imported from Holland and has over 200000km on the clock. When I thought about replacing it I couldn’t find anything to replace it with though. I couldn’t justify to myself the cost of a newer 3 series when one would just match the E46’s all round competency but not its warmth and engagement. Having seen (and sat in) Dale’s beautiful white Z4C a few times, I came up with the plan to buy a Z4C to share the load with the E46. It took a while to convince my wife that I really needed a third BMW (Convertible for sunny weekend trips, Touring for kid/dog transport and long distance cruising, Z4C for me and country roads). In July I finally got approval, helped by getting a big bonus from work. Then began the long search from July until November to find the right car.
Now I have found my coupe. It is Nachtblau Metallic, with black seats and Style 135 wheels. My search took a while as I wanted the right toys – automatic, black heated seats, PDC, but no Navi. Plus of course price, mileage, condition had to be right. It needed a few things sorting after buying it – new front brake hoses, brake fluid change, 4 wheel alignment, and four new tyres. The front tyres were badly worn on the inside, and the rears were run-flats. So it now has a set of Pirelli P Zero non-RFTs. So far all is good, although the shortage of storage space will take getting used to – I can understand why it is called a glovebox, there is only space for one glove !
Today I took it out for the first proper run (the Touring has winter wheels so is better suited to cold damp mornings), plus took some photos. A big grin experience getting to know the car a bit and I can’t wait for spring and the great roads of Northumbria.
I have a few of the usual stupid new car questions, but will post them separately.
Nick
- IMG_1189.JPG (99.5 KiB) Viewed 1158 times
- IMG_1188.JPG (62.25 KiB) Viewed 1158 times
- IMG_1209.JPG (96.08 KiB) Viewed 1158 times
- IMG_1211.JPG (82.83 KiB) Viewed 1158 times
Gold wheels HAVE BEEN SACKED.
)
