what next after an E89

[buzyg]

Ford Mustang GT?

Great cars, ruined by Ford making them for about £5. I seriously looked at buying one this year. Every one I looked at (2017 and 2018 models) had rust on the body panels, especially the wheel arches. They make 1980s Lancias look well made!

[Marcoose]

If you’re bored with a 35i, then obviously you need to upgrade to a 35is. Duh.


In the 2-seater roadster class, the Boxster S and the Audi TT (RS?) would be good choices. If you’re under 170cm, the Mazda MX5 is massively fun. The FIAT 124 Spider is very stylish.

[Meds]

In the 2-seater roadster class, the Boxster S and the Audi TT (RS?) would be good choices. If you’re under 170cm, the Mazda MX5 is massively fun. The FIAT 124 Spider is very stylish.

I recently got taken out in a current gen TTS coupe.
Lord above, the road/cabin noise at anymore than 30mph was horrendous. It was running 19" factory wheels but I was still very surprised at the amount of overall noise in the cabin. More than my E86, and I thought that was bad.
The engine/exhaust note was equally as bad. I feel you'd have to aim for the RS 5 cylinder to offset the cabin noise.

I've not been in a recent Boxter/Cayman, to compare.

[Phoenixboy]

Took an M240i convertible out for a test ride today.
Must say, it certainly goes well, very slick auto , and despite it being a wet day, it puts a smile on your face.
I may be wrong, but I believe it’s the same engine as the Z4 m40i.
Similar budget, and I’m looking to try an Audi TTS as well.

[Nanu]

If it's the same as an m40i, why not really upgrade and get an G29 m40i?

[tiglon]

It is the same engine as the M40i, but £10-15k cheaper.

I would have got one instead of the 35is, but I'm not keen on a convertible with more than 2 seats. Incredible value for money though, with that engine.

P.s. I take back my comments on the V6 F-Type, I believe its the supercharged one? I do love a supercharger... and easily tweaked to well over 400bhp apparently...

[mr wilks]

Took an M240i convertible out for a test ride today.
Must say, it certainly goes well, very slick auto , and despite it being a wet day, it puts a smile on your face.
I may be wrong, but I believe it’s the same engine as the Z4 m40i.
Similar budget, and I’m looking to try an Audi TTS as well.

For a true comparison the Audi would need to be the TTRS , without question the most capable , competent & quickest cars i've owned , easily capable of the average driver ( like myself ) actually using the power & torque as opposed to talking about it in the golf club

[Mr Tidy]

I thought the XF Coupe looked (and sounded) great the first time I saw one, and the V6S was offered with a manual gearbox.

But then I noticed it made a Z4MC look like a lightweight and read that Autocar magazine had a new engine fitted to their long-term test car.

I've always preferred manuals so keeping to BMWs I'd look for a manual M2, but as I also prefer high-revving N/A engines to turbos I'd rather have a manual E92 M3.

Which is why I'll just keep my MC!

Although I do like the idea of a V8 Mustang as a daily.

[Pondrew]

Although I do like the idea of a V8 Mustang as a daily.

You would only if you can keep it away from rain or slightly damp roads. They also look like a Focus inside! Beautiful looking cars though.

I remember someone on the Mustang forum saying that the new models were the cars that 17 year olds use in the US as they are cheap. Here they are expensive, and very badly put together.

[Pondrew]

If it's the same as an m40i, why not really upgrade and get an G29 m40i?

I seriously don't think a G29 M40 is much of an upgrade for the vast majority of people.

Anything with the moniker "40i" will have the B58, same as anything with 35i was the N55, except the Z4 curiously, as they sold so few they never 'upgraded' the N54 to the nearly as unreliable N55 (just one turbo to go wrong instead of two)!

[Phoenixboy]

If it's the same as an m40i, why not really upgrade and get an G29 m40i?

Price difference is big.
The M40i is at least 10k more, and over budget.

[Phoenixboy]

Took an M240i convertible out for a test ride today.
Must say, it certainly goes well, very slick auto , and despite it being a wet day, it puts a smile on your face.
I may be wrong, but I believe it’s the same engine as the Z4 m40i.
Similar budget, and I’m looking to try an Audi TTS as well.

For a true comparison the Audi would need to be the TTRS , without question the most capable , competent & quickest cars i've owned , easily capable of the average driver ( like myself ) actually using the power & torque as opposed to talking about it in the golf club

Looked at the TTRS, but there 10k more than the equivalent TTS unfortunately, so will likely come down to the M240i or the TTS.
Just need to test drive the TTS now, then make a decision.
As has been said, I agree regarding a convertible 2 seater, which would suit my needs better, and I’m favouring the look of the TTS, but the 240i does seem exceptional value with that engine.

[Pondrew]

but the 240i does seem exceptional value with that engine.

Not heard a bad word about the B58 engine anywhere. It seems BMW have finally built a 3 litre turbo without any inherent issues. The only comments I've seen are regarding a few oil filters snapping when being changed.

[Meds]

but the 240i does seem exceptional value with that engine.

Not heard a bad word about the B58 engine anywhere. It seems BMW have finally built a 3 litre turbo without any inherent issues. The only comments I've seen are regarding a few oil filters snapping when being changed.

There have been rumblings of ignition issues at the spark plug nearest the bulk head.
Ohh yeah and the oil filters breaking up.
But yes, it seems we finally have a reliable, tunable, and useable engine from BMW.!
A m240i coupe in that funky dark purple.. yes please.