Manual F30 340i to what?

[Deviation]

Hi all

Have a lovely 340i which I purchased last year as a way to take a big chunk of money out of my cherished and well optioned 981 Boxster S due to a redundancy.


I’ve spent the last year rebuilding my career and hoping to be in the position in the next 6 months to get another “fun” car again.


340i has been great at what I wanted from it, which is a level of fun without breaking the bank, combined with excellent daily potential. Just tipped 23,000 miles and it has every option I’d realistically want, so I know it’ll be tricky to switch to something else.




The question is, is there anything other than another Boxster I should consider?



Conditions:

Must be a convertible
Must be a manual
Must be a sub 6 0-60
£30k limit as I don’t want to finance it.


Pic for those interested:

[pb8g09]

M4 convertible- Not comparable to a Boxster but meets the filters you gave.
Jaguar F type S- boot size may put you off
TTRS- engine is a corker

[Deviation]

pb8g09 said:

M4 convertible- Not comparable to a Boxster but meets the filters you gave.
Jaguar F type S- boot size may put you off
TTRS- engine is a corker

The Jag is probably the most appetising of the lot. I find older generation Audis exceptionally dull to drive, the TTRS in manual being from the same era.


I don’t like the chassis on the F8x M series. I find they ride much too low and the suspension very crashy. It’s what put me off getting an M2 over the 340i - I knew I could get the Birds B3 kit for it which would transform it if I wanted to keep it long term.

[CarlosFandango11]

MX5 NC or ND with a supercharger or turbocharger.

Two examples here:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508115...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507194...

Meets your 4 requirements, and a lot below your max budget, but will be very different to a Boxster and be less generous on spec than you’re used to.

[Deviation]

CarlosFandango11 said:

MX5 NC or ND with a supercharger or turbocharger.

Two examples here:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508115...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507194...

Meets your 4 requirements, and a lot below your max budget, but will be very different to a Boxster and be less generous on spec than you’re used to.

Great shout, had previously written them off due to not enough power for me. I don’t need 300 BHP but sub 200 just isn’t quite enough.


I think I’d struggle to spend that kind of money on a Mazda though - I am unfortunately a bit of a brand snob

[Ecosseven]

E89 BMW Z4 could be an option. They did a 3.0 N/A for a few years.

[Tiglon]

Ecosseven said:

E89 BMW Z4 could be an option. They did a 3.0 N/A for a few years.

The 30i was a little under 6 seconds to 60, and the 35i twin turbo under 5 seconds. Neither will have the same driving dynamics of the Boxster though.

OP, have you tried putting those preferences into Autotrader? It won't be a long list of options to look at.

[macron]

Stang

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025040610...

Thank me when you collect it. You'll be smiling. A lot.

[Deviation]

Tiglon said:

The 30i was a little under 6 seconds to 60, and the 35i twin turbo under 5 seconds. Neither will have the same driving dynamics of the Boxster though.

OP, have you tried putting those preferences into Autotrader? It won't be a long list of options to look at.

My dad actually happens to own a 30i, and I’m very familiar with the car, having driven it many times over the years.



It’s the kind of car I’d love to take on a road trip with the other half, but not one I’d like to take to the Pyrenees with some mates next year.


Beautiful car though.

[Deviation]

macron said:

Stang

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025040610...

Thank me when you collect it. You'll be smiling. A lot.

I’d be nervous it’s all about the engine, which would bore me quite quickly as it has in previous cars.


It’s why the Boxster, 4 cylinder inc, is so compelling as it does both quite well.

[Belle427]

The 340 is a difficult one to replace, I'm currently looking at one sat outside our holiday caravan and thinking how nice it looks.
Maybe an older but sorted Boxster S alongside it if funds allow.