Help - a 2+2 convertible, any ideas?

[VerySideways]

Guys and gals, it's the next "hypothetical car" thread

Looking for a 2+2 or 4 seat convertible, preferably an auto. Minimum five cylinders. Somewhere around £5k to 15k but price is quite flexible. Back seat is for dogs so legroom is not an issue.

Current favourite is the Merc SL320/SL500, around 97/98, for about £10k.

[Robatr0n]

A friend of mine has just recently picked up an SL500. It's fully loaded and is a great car but his gearbox has been giving him some issues and from what I understand it's important that you make sure the gearbox is functioning properly on these as they can be expensive to fix.

Would you ever consider an XK8? I may know of a pretty immaculate one going up for sale in the near future.

[john_r]

Audi A4 3.0 V6, or is that too obvious?

From an Audi Dealer with used car warranty...?
Audi A4 Cabriolet 2976 cc 3.0 quattro Sport

[VerySideways]

XK - possibly, but the potential for big bills is huge. And £10k means 100k miles on an early XK cab.
That Audi seems very good value... but how special is it to drive? Guess i have to drive one!

[john_r]

VerySideways said:

That Audi seems very good value...

There's a few around at that price - if you're willing to forego the Audi forecourt 'safety factor' then the value gets even better...

Edited by john_r on Tuesday 18th March 10:30

[Ranger 6]

Merc SL isn't a 2+2 it's just a two seater - you're thinking of the CLK.

[VerySideways]

Ranger 6 said:

Merc SL isn't a 2+2 it's just a two seater - you're thinking of the CLK.

No no, the Merc SL from 1989 to 2002 is very definitely a 2+2. A few of them had Bose, a few had the rear seat deleted for storage boxes, but the vast majority are 2+2.
Like this:

[VerySideways]

Although a CLK would also fit the bill..

[john_r]

1999 T Reg MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 Edition

(there's a CLK Cab on his website too which looks decent...)

just get a BMW - you know you want too and you know it makes sense; and we'll all start telling you soon as well so I'm just getting in early...

[VerySideways]

john_r said:

just get a BMW - you know you want too and you know it makes sense; and we'll all start telling you soon as well so I'm just getting in early...

Which one?

[john_r]

VerySideways said:

john_r said:

just get a BMW - you know you want too and you know it makes sense; and we'll all start telling you soon as well so I'm just getting in early...

Which one?

Should be able to pick up a 02/03 330Ci for under 15k?

Or... IMC currently have an Alpina B3 3.3 Convertible; 2001 with only 70k miles!

Linky

Edited by john_r on Tuesday 18th March 11:20

[VerySideways]

Bought my 130 from IMC, do you reckon they'd do me a deal?

[john_r]

VerySideways said:

Bought my 130 from IMC, do you reckon they'd do me a deal?

Only one way to find out!

[VerySideways]

Look at this for value for money though: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/407097.htm

[john_r]

VerySideways said:

Look at this for value for money though: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/407097.htm

That's a lot of car to only have some service history...

"some service history, very good all round condition, to clear"

There are currently 11 Alpina B3 Convertible's in the Trader nationally; but there are a few more SL's... 735 in fact!

[zhead77]

There are some great cars at that IMC place - I think that settles where I'm heading for lunch......

[Robatr0n]

zhead77 said:

There are some great cars at that IMC place - I think that settles where I'm heading for lunch......

What have you got your eye on Neil?

[Ranger 6]

VerySideways said:

No no, the Merc SL from 1989 to 2002 is very definitely a 2+2. A few of them had Bose, a few had the rear seat deleted for storage boxes, but the vast majority are 2+2.

Bigger than I thought! Thanks very much

john_r said:

Or... IMC currently have an Alpina B3 3.3 Convertible; 2001 with only 70k miles!

MMMMMMM - Ask them if they'd take a 911.....?

Edited by Ranger 6 on Tuesday 18th March 13:25

[zhead77]

Robatr0n said:

zhead77 said:

There are some great cars at that IMC place - I think that settles where I'm heading for lunch......

What have you got your eye on Neil?

That Alpina convertible is v hot (both of them), the M5 for £12k, some of the M3 convertibles too but I think the B3 is the better buy.

Does anyone have a link to performance stats for the B3 3.3?

[JonnyV8]

I'll just chuck this in for variety

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/378890.htm