Reliable, fun car - 5k budget

[onlychengy]

Hi all,

We are selling our MK7 Golf GTI which we have enjoyed but rarely use these days; we also can't keep ignoring the amount of money Cazoo are offering for the car and overall the Golf isn't special enough to be used only occasionally.

Any ideas for a second, fun car for around 5k? We have a daily car so this would be weekends/outings.

Always wanted a BMW since I was a kid if that helps. Also would prefer something lightweight rather than GT (although the noise from a 350Z is appealing!)

Thanks Pistonheads!

[Heathwood]

Perhaps a Z4 or 130i?

[konster296]

A 3.0 Z4 or a MK3 MR2 would be at the top of my list.

[Canon_Fodder]

Cooper S - that's a BMW (sort of)

[onlychengy]

Thanks all for the replies. The 3.0L Z4 is an interesting one (130i out of price range).

Anything to watch out for on the E85 3.0L?

Cheers

[georgeyboy12345]

Here's my top 10 for you

1. BMW Z4 3.0i - the earlier non-si engines are more reliable, like this one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208208...


2. Honda Civic Type R GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208158...


3. Very low mileage Mazda MX-5 2.0i NC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208168...


4. Mazda MX-5 1.8i NB with not too many rust issues, probably best for it to live in a garage though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208269...


5. Leggy Porsche Boxster 986 S, but has had all the critical work done and looks to be well looked after
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205256...


6. Renaultsport Clio 182 with recent cambelt and dephaser replacement
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206166...


7. R53 Mini Cooper S with a relatively low miles and a new supercharger pulley
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208229...


8. Or what about this rare R53 JCW with more miles, but a seemly good service history too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208168...


9. Abarth 500
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208279...


10. Bugeye Subaru Impreza Turbo WRX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207298...

[onlychengy]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Here's my top 10 for you

1. BMW Z4 3.0i - the earlier non-si engines are more reliable, like this one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208208...


2. Honda Civic Type R GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208158...


3. Very low mileage Mazda MX-5 2.0i NC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208168...


4. Mazda MX-5 1.8i NB with not too many rust issues, probably best for it to live in a garage though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208269...


5. Leggy Porsche Boxster 986 S, but has had all the critical work done and looks to be well looked after
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205256...


6. Renaultsport Clio 182 with recent cambelt and dephaser replacement
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206166...


7. R53 Mini Cooper S with a relatively low miles and a new supercharger pulley
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208229...


8. Or what about this rare R53 JCW with more miles, but a seemly good service history too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208168...


9. Abarth 500
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208279...


10. Bugeye Subaru Impreza Turbo WRX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207298...

Georgey boy that’s amazing, thanks for all your effort!

[RoVoFob]

onlychengy said:

Thanks all for the replies. The 3.0L Z4 is an interesting one (130i out of price range).

Anything to watch out for on the E85 3.0L?

Cheers

It is possible to buy a decent 130i for £5k. Admittedly many of the ones currently on Autotrader seem quite expensive, but good ones are out there. I realise this is more than £5k, but it’s a low-mileage, low-owner car from a dealer, so the same car from a private seller should be pretty close to £5k…

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209029...

[onlychengy]

RoVoFob said:

It is possible to buy a decent 130i for £5k. Admittedly many of the ones currently on Autotrader seem quite expensive, but good ones are out there. I realise this is more than £5k, but it’s a low-mileage, low-owner car from a dealer, so the same car from a private seller should be pretty close to £5k…

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209029...

Ah that’s interesting, thank you for sending that over. I’m leaving towards the Z4 as it seems more special but I’m sure the 130i drives nicely..decisions decisions. Is it the same N54 engine in the Z4 3.0 and 130i?

Thank you

[RoVoFob]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Here's my top 10 for you

1. BMW Z4 3.0i - the earlier non-si engines are more reliable, like this one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208208...

I don’t believe that’s true. My understanding is that the N52 Si engines in the Z4 and 130i are largely reliable and that the later N53 direct injection engine in the newer 330i, 530i and some other models are less reliable (this doesn’t appear in the 130i or Z4). The earlier non-Si engine in the Z4 and E46 has cooling system problems and other issues, as far as I understand it…

[RoVoFob]

onlychengy said:

Ah that’s interesting, thank you for sending that over. I’m leaving towards the Z4 as it seems more special but I’m sure the 130i drives nicely..decisions decisions. Is it the same N54 engine in the Z4 3.0 and 130i?
Thank you

The Z4 looks more special and has a more sports car-like driving position, but the interior quality is better in the 130i, I’ve found, and 2005 to early 2007 130i models have hydraulic steering (with later models moving to an electric system), while all the Z4s (Coupes, at least, I’m not sure about earlier roadsters), have electric steering.

I think it’s the M54 in older Z4 roadsters, with 231hp, while the 130i has the 265hp N52 with max torque at lower revs and max power at higher revs, making it a more exciting engine. The N54 is a twin-turbocharged straight-six in the 135i and 335i…

[onlychengy]

RoVoFob said:

The Z4 looks more special and has a more sports car-like driving position, but the interior quality is better in the 130i, I’ve found, and 2005 to early 2007 130i models have hydraulic steering (with later models moving to an electric system), while all the Z4s (Coupes, at least, I’m not sure about earlier roadsters), have electric steering.

I think it’s the M54 in older Z4 roadsters, with 231hp, while the 130i has the 265hp N52 with max torque at lower revs and max power at higher revs, making it a more exciting engine. The N54 is a twin-turbocharged straight-six in the 135i and 335i…

Thanks for the info, ah sorry I meant M54. Which engine is the more reliable do you think? Or is too tough to say? Quick browse says M54 is more reliable..

[coldel]

The N52 in the later Z4si's is a brilliant engine, those in the know say one of the best NA's BMW ever made. Had mine for 6 months now and been on facebook pages and forums and no mention of engines exploding all over the place. If anyone has the stats that show failures by engine type I'm all eyes...

The question you need to consider is do you buy an 3.0si down the bottom of the price range or a one further up the price range of an earlier 3.0i model.

In any case, its a classic car that so many people scoff at because they don't understand it. The interior is wonderfully contemporary and the looks seem to get better with age IMO. Don't pay a premium for the built in sat nav, most owners spend a lot of time working out how to remove/replace it, I deliberately got one without it. The driving position is very low down, it does give you more of a sporty feeling than a hatchback would if thats important to you.

[roca1976]

mk3 MR2 with 2ZZ looks great fun and shouldn't be hassle to own because it uses toyota parts.

[onlychengy]

coldel said:

The N52 in the later Z4si's is a brilliant engine, those in the know say one of the best NA's BMW ever made. Had mine for 6 months now and been on facebook pages and forums and no mention of engines exploding all over the place. If anyone has the stats that show failures by engine type I'm all eyes...

The question you need to consider is do you buy an 3.0si down the bottom of the price range or a one further up the price range of an earlier 3.0i model.

In any case, its a classic car that so many people scoff at because they don't understand it. The interior is wonderfully contemporary and the looks seem to get better with age IMO. Don't pay a premium for the built in sat nav, most owners spend a lot of time working out how to remove/replace it, I deliberately got one without it. The driving position is very low down, it does give you more of a sporty feeling than a hatchback would if thats important to you.

Coldel,

Thanks for the advice, good to know about the sat nav. Yes I think we’d like a change from the hatchback driving position, tempting as the practicality of the 130i is..

Fully agree with the looks, looks great for its age.

I think I’m going to have a look at Z4’s for sale in the Z4 forums, an enthusiast is going to maintain their car properly versus an AutoTrader lottery I think.

[onlychengy]

roca1976 said:

mk3 MR2 with 2ZZ looks great fun and shouldn't be hassle to own because it uses toyota parts.

Roca,

Thank you, will also take a look at the MR2.

[Anastie]

My wife has owned both the MR2 and the Z4. Both are fun cars. The BMW is much better built in my opinion but both were reliable in the two years she owned them.
The BMW just felt a bit more special. Out of those two, I personally would opt for the Z4. However, there are some interesting alternative options in the list given.

[onlychengy]

Anastie said:

My wife has owned both the MR2 and the Z4. Both are fun cars. The BMW is much better built in my opinion but both were reliable in the two years she owned them.
The BMW just felt a bit more special. Out of those two, I personally would opt for the Z4. However, there are some interesting alternative options in the list given.

Anastie,

Thank you for your insight, leaning towards the Z4..

[Turtle Shed]

I've owned a 3.0si Z4 and two Mk3 MR2s

Reliable? - Well one of them is a Toyota
Fun? - MR2 all day long.

[onlychengy]

Turtle Shed said:

I've owned a 3.0si Z4 and two Mk3 MR2s

Reliable? - Well one of them is a Toyota
Fun? - MR2 all day long.

Thanks Turtle Shed, this may be a difficult one haha.