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Choose a car for my friend... (not ended well)

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ph001
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Choose a car for my friend... (not ended well)

Post by ph001 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 10:11 am

Mate just got a new job and has lost his company hack so needs to buy a car. Asked me for some inspiration..so I am asking you lot! Criteria:

£7k - £9k
4 seats
Decent size boot
Exciting to drive
Will be used as a commuter (circa 4,000 miles per year)
If convertible must have hardtop.


I came up with this.. https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... dr/7217033 but of course no hardtop.

What else to you think ticks the boxes?
Last edited by ph001 on Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:42 pm, edited 2 times in total.
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

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jamie_z4
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Choose a car for my friend...

Post by jamie_z4 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 10:31 am

330i E92? or 330i e93? pretty reliable good looking coupe and manuals are relativley good to drive

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330i-M-SP ... SwXXxZXQ40

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330i-M-SP ... SwIQdZE~v7
18 Z4s owned to date.

Current: 2.5i Titan silver

Daily driver: 480bhp M140i Shadow edition.

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Post by bmwaddict » Wed Sep 20, 2017 10:51 am

335i/135i?
Currently zedless :(

'07 Mugello Blue Audi B7 RS4 Saloon with added goodies
'94 Black/Silver/Green Honda CBR400RR
Previous:
'07 Ruby Black Z4MC
'07 Sapphire Black Z4C 3.0si Sport

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ph001
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Choose a car for my friend...

Post by ph001 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 10:53 am

Don't think 135i is in budget. Good shout on the others though :thumbsup:
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

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jamie_z4
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Choose a car for my friend...

Post by jamie_z4 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:09 am

a 7-9k 335i / 135i isnt gonna be a sound investment imo, the amount of wastegate/hpfp/every other component around the engine block tend to fail, hence the 330i suggestion , little bit more reliable 8)
18 Z4s owned to date.

Current: 2.5i Titan silver

Daily driver: 480bhp M140i Shadow edition.

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ph001
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Choose a car for my friend...

Post by ph001 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:11 am

This is what I sent him...

Quite a wide field to go at here! I’d defo recommend a ‘vert’ if you want something that feels special to drive. Hardtops can be bought but would be an extra. Anyway, this would be my shortlist:


Convertibles:

Audi A4 2.0Tdi s-line (not very exciting to drive but good economy and look nice. Not a huge boot for cases though)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... h/7606876

Audi A3 TFSI s-line (engine more involving, but worse economy)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... 8/7744723

Audi A5 2.0Tdi s-line (All the benefits of the 2.0Tdi but with a much more spacious interior and boot. Bit higher mileage though)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... r/4000635

Audi S4 cab 4.2 tiptronic (storming V8 engine will make you grin from ear to ear)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... dr/7217033



Non-vert

BMW 330D M sport (Power and economy in equal droves, good boot, handle well)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... 08/7753053


BMW 330D SE Touring (need space to chuck the mountain bike in? Same as above but with huge internal volume)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... dr/7763613


BMW 335d SE (boring old 330D not quick enough? The twin turbo 335D has that covered with 282bhp and almost 500lbft torque!!)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... dr/7770765


BMW 330i M sport (oil burner not floating your boat…the 3.0l petrol is a creamy smooth and surprisingly economical)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152678620676? ... rmvSB=true




Of course the BMW are also avail in vert but I always think they looked a bit ‘boatish’ from some angles. Drive better than the audi’s though.
Last edited by ph001 on Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

Image

Carmad84
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Choose a car for my friend...

Post by Carmad84 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:13 am

I know you said with hard-top but this is a reasonable price although once again slightly above target but i would have thought they would be able to move £500.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-BMW-1-Se ... SwdGFYudr2

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Post by ph001 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:20 am

Carmad84 wrote: Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:13 am I know you said with hard-top but this is a reasonable price although once again slightly above target but i would have thought they would be able to move £500.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-BMW-1-Se ... SwdGFYudr2
Yeh, that's decent for the money, but it's the N54 engine again. Not sure if the boot would be big enough for him but will forward on. Good find.
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

Image

jamie_z4
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Choose a car for my friend...

Post by jamie_z4 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:24 am

ph001 wrote: Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:11 am This is what I sent him...

Quite a wide field to go at here! I’d defo recommend a ‘vert’ if you want something that feels special to drive. Hardtops can be bought but would be an extra. Anyway, this would be my shortlist:


Convertibles:

Audi A4 2.0Tdi s-line (not very exciting to drive but good economy and look nice. Not a huge boot for cases though)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... h/7606876

Audi A3 TFSI s-line (engine more involving, but worse economy)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... 8/7744723

Audi A5 2.0Tdi s-line (All the benefits of the 2.0Tdi but with a much more spacious interior and boot. Bit higher mileage though)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... r/4000635

Audi S4 cab 4.2 tiptronic (storming V8 engine will make you grin from ear to ear)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... dr/7217033



Non-vert

BMW 330D M sport (Power and economy in equal droves, good boot, handle well)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... 08/7753053


BMW 330D SE Touring (need space to chuck the mountain bike in? Same as above but with huge internal volume)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... dr/7763613


BMW 335d SE (boring old 330D not quick enough? The twin turbo 335D has that covered with 282bhp and almost 500lbft torque!!)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... dr/7770765


BMW 330i M sport (oil burner not floating your boat…the 3.0l petrol is a creamy smooth and surprisingly economical)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152678620676? ... rmvSB=true




Of course the BMW are also avail in vert but I always think they looked a bit ‘boatish’ from some angles. Drive better than the audi’s though.
hmm now you mention it, ive had 3 e92's (2 325i and 1 320d) and id be v tempted with an a5 2.0tdi or tfsi they are very capable cars, bigger boot - arguably bettter looking but a little soulless to drive.
18 Z4s owned to date.

Current: 2.5i Titan silver

Daily driver: 480bhp M140i Shadow edition.

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Choose a car for my friend...

Post by Roundozo » Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:31 am

He definitely doesn't want diesel if he's only doing 4k miles a year. Not only will he not be using it enough to get the benefits of diesel, you could also see some tax changes coming in the future. Also it's the devil's fuel! :evil:
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Post by Carmad84 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:35 am

I wouldn't personally go for a diesel however if i was i would drive one of these BMW 123d, my mum has one and its rather quick and handles really well.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-BMW-1-SE ... Sw-81ZoZZz

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ph001
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Post by ph001 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:46 am

I thought this too but he's not doing lots of small journeys just a very few longer ones so the DPF shouldn't get too much of a hammering.

I did grimace at the VED for the S4 :o :o :o
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

Image

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ph001
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Choose a car for my friend...

Post by ph001 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 12:23 pm

Just found this which I think is the favourite so far...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... 07/7631425

He's going down to look at it on Friday.
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

Image

EssexZed

Choose a car for my friend...

Post by EssexZed » Wed Sep 20, 2017 12:33 pm

If not concerned about a premium badge, plenty of Golf GTi's and R32's in that price range. Seat Leon Cupra? Even a Fiesta ST is a hoot to drive and plenty around

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ph001
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Choose a car for my friend...

Post by ph001 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 12:40 pm

Hmmm.. interesting one. Fiesta would be a bit small I think but Golf R32 is a possibility...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... hp/7558868
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

Image

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