£15k 4 Seat Convertible
£15k 4 Seat Convertible
Author
Discussion

Obee72

Original Poster:

264 posts

113 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
quotequote all
We thought we’d scratch an itch and get a convertible back in 2019 so ended up with an 08 EOS, 3.2 v6.

The itch had developed, as we loved last year in the sun with the roof down, into wanting a newer equivalent as the EOS needs work.

Ideally want to move up to a premium feel and currently are thinking either 4 Series or E Class. Definitely don’t want anything smaller than the EOS so that rules out Minis etc.. First preference would be 2013 and newer and petrol as we only do about 8 to 10k miles a year but wouldn’t rule out an E350CDI as I’ve heard it’s bullet proof and quite good. Happy to ensure it gets a good monthly run out if we got a diesel.

So I’m after any experiences/recommendations with the 4 Series or E Class but anything I might have missed.

Very hesitant to go big petrol as want to keep tax down to £200 a year or less. Also we live on Leeds/Bradford border so Audis out of the question.

p1stonhead

29,987 posts

195 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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4 series is the obvious choice to me but the roof is bloody heavy - it’s 250kg heavier than the coupe. I had one and it was a lovely thing though.


Obee72

Original Poster:

264 posts

113 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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Coming from an EOS so know the roof will be heavy. Heard some stories about leaky roofs on the 4!

mattman

3,192 posts

250 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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BMW 6 series, nice place to be, although probably more on the tax

evoivboy

986 posts

174 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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Obee72 said:
Coming from an EOS so know the roof will be heavy. Heard some stories about leaky roofs on the 4!
I have one, really love it


The panel behind the drivers side lets in water, a known fault, £110 repair at BMW

Obee72

Original Poster:

264 posts

113 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
quotequote all
evoivboy said:
I have one, really love it


The panel behind the drivers side lets in water, a known fault, £110 repair at BMW
That’s really useful to know!! Cheap repair, happy days. That’s lovely! Unfortunately the missus hates the red seats and I love them but it’s her car so I have to give way! Petrol or diesel? How many miles do you do ?

Jasandjules

72,522 posts

257 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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Well I am currently looking for an E Class......... So I guess that is my choice.......

evoivboy

986 posts

174 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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Obee72 said:
That’s really useful to know!! Cheap repair, happy days. That’s lovely! Unfortunately the missus hates the red seats and I love them but it’s her car so I have to give way! Petrol or diesel? How many miles do you do ?
420d, I have changed job now, was doing 12-14k per year but now 4-5k

LeroyLooser

695 posts

66 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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evoivboy said:
Obee72 said:
Coming from an EOS so know the roof will be heavy. Heard some stories about leaky roofs on the 4!
I have one, really love it


The panel behind the drivers side lets in water, a known fault, £110 repair at BMW
Had one of these as a hire car in S.A, worst convertible ive ever driven and ive driven a fair few! Awful ride and gutless even though it was the larger engine variant



Obee72

Original Poster:

264 posts

113 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
quotequote all
LeroyLooser said:
Had one of these as a hire car in S.A, worst convertible ive ever driven and ive driven a fair few! Awful ride and gutless even though it was the larger engine variant
What was it about the ride? Was it an M Sport? I know the M Sport suspension can be jarring and add a heavy roof, up or down, is only going to add I guess. Loved my old 130i M Sport but the wife did not!!

LeroyLooser

695 posts

66 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
quotequote all
Obee72 said:
LeroyLooser said:
Had one of these as a hire car in S.A, worst convertible ive ever driven and ive driven a fair few! Awful ride and gutless even though it was the larger engine variant
What was it about the ride? Was it an M Sport? I know the M Sport suspension can be jarring and add a heavy roof, up or down, is only going to add I guess. Loved my old 130i M Sport but the wife did not!!
Think it was, had an e46 as loaner with M sport suspension once, that was horrific to, i have a track car with selectable susp. and its hardest setting is better than this 4er was.

LeroyLooser

695 posts

66 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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This was it


DanL

6,586 posts

293 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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Depends how old you want to go, but...

https://www.autogallerycars.co.uk/cars/bmw/6series...

650?

Obee72

Original Poster:

264 posts

113 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
quotequote all
LeroyLooser said:
This was it

Looks to be M Sport. I’ve seen a nice Sport so softer suspension but will have to wait until at least 12th April before being able to test drive.

AlBondigaz

227 posts

95 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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Obee72 said:
Very hesitant to go big petrol as want to keep tax down to £200 a year or less. Also we live on Leeds/Bradford border so Audis out of the question.
Go big petrol E Class - if you can find an E500 bi-turbo V8 the VED is 'only' £330 per year. Mine averages 26mpg and its hilariously fast when you want it to be - otherwise its just a real nice cruiser. The E500 came with very high spec as standard. You'd get a good one at around the £15k mark.

I had an E350 cdi Cabrio previously - that averaged 36 mpg. It was bit dull compared the V8 but plenty quick enough in the real world.

Gratuitous pics ...





Edited by AlBondigaz on Sunday 21st March 18:29

Obee72

Original Poster:

264 posts

113 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
quotequote all
DanL said:
Depends how old you want to go, but...

https://www.autogallerycars.co.uk/cars/bmw/6series...

650?
Nice idea but breaches my 2013 and later and no high big petrols.

fflump

3,453 posts

66 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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Obee72 said:
Also we live on Leeds/Bradford border so Audis out of the question.
Excuse my ignorance but why does this rule out Audis?

Obee72

Original Poster:

264 posts

113 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
quotequote all
fflump said:
Excuse my ignorance but why does this rule out Audis?
Audis are very common around here and also very highly sought after using illegal methods, if you get my drift. I see weekly stories about them being stolen and many including break ins. I know other marques will be similar but Audi thefts prolific locally.

fflump

3,453 posts

66 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
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Ah I see. A bit of a shame I'm no fan of Audis usually but their A5 cabriolet is nice

Obee72

Original Poster:

264 posts

113 months

Sunday 21st March 2021
quotequote all
fflump said:
Ah I see. A bit of a shame I'm no fan of Audis usually but their A5 cabriolet is nice
Also I don’t like Audi tbh, unless it’s an RS6 or R8!