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sharifr1

Original Poster:

98 posts

205 months

[report]
[news]
Friday 15th October 2021
quotequote all
Hi all,

I've currently got a Z4M Coupe and I'm looking to downsize due to an impending house purchase.

What would you recommend with a top budget of £7k? I work from home so the car would purely be used for pleasure and I'd like something fun.

I've had an EP3 Type R Premier Edition in the past but these have gone up in value. I have been looking at the Clio 182 / 197 R27. Would either of these be a good choice?

I'd like to keep the road tax to circa £300 a year or less (the Z4 is £600 a year).

Ideally cheaper running costs as I've spent nearly £5k in the past year on the Z4.

I'd potentially even split the budget to get a car and bike.

Looking forward to seeing the recommendations.

Many thanks,

Sharif

Edited by sharifr1 on Friday 15th October 18:22

Mirinjawbro

1,062 posts

92 months

[report]
[news]
Friday 15th October 2021
quotequote all
645ci

georgeyboy12345

4,581 posts

63 months

[report]
[news]
Friday 15th October 2021
quotequote all
I wouldn't go for a car you have already owned before in case you end up being disappointed it wasn't as good as your old one, plus life's too short to own the same car more than once, so I'd give the Civic a miss. The Clios in 182 or 197 guise are both great choices as far as driving goes, I haven't owned one so can't comment on reliability. Here are some nice looking ones. Edit - maybe spend a bit on some decent tyres for them!

Renault Clio 182
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109157...

Renault Clio 197
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110148...


If you want a Type R Honda that's not a Civic, then what about this Accord Type R? Getting pretty rare now and prices are going up!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...


Other choices

Abarth 595
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109207...


Alfa Romeo Giulietta TBi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109237...


Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109227...


Ford Fiesta ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109207...


Ford Focus ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108075...


Mercedes SLK350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...


Nissan 350Z

Convertible
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109016...

Hardtop
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109307...


Porsche Boxster 986 S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110148...


VW Golf V GTI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...







Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Friday 15th October 19:28

loskie

7,050 posts

148 months

[report]
[news]
Friday 15th October 2021
quotequote all
House purchase? You will need an estate car.

Birr97

131 posts

132 months

[report]
[news]
Friday 15th October 2021
quotequote all
Z4 Coupe 3.0si? getmecoat

Koolkat969

992 posts

127 months

[report]
[news]
Monday 18th October 2021
quotequote all
Renaultsport 182 would be my choice. Parts are cheap but get one that's had the timing belt, water pump and dephaser done or alternatively factor that into your bargaining price as it will cost circa £500.

May be more expensive depending on where you go but source a good specialist with a reasonable price.

Can't speak highly enough of the mk2 Clios. They are reliable if you look after them - i only ever put V Power petrol in mine and it keeps the engine running clean. Ran it for just under 3 years as a daily and nearly 30k miles and never broke down once!

Minor modifications will make it even better - Miltek exhaust, Eibach lowering springs with MK2 172 Turini alloys and spacers!

I have Hondas myself - DC2 & S2000 and i loved and miss the Clio. Only just recently sold it as the other cars weren't getting much use but i think I'm going to get another soon!





Edit to mention that it's quite practical too for moving stuff. Rear seats fold down nicely and take an impressive amount of stuff. Useful as you're planning a house move!

Edited by Koolkat969 on Monday 18th October 06:02

ZX10R NIN

30,462 posts

153 months

[report]
[news]
Monday 18th October 2021
quotequote all
Thing is OP you can get the bike & get a good RS then you have the best of both worlds smile don't just get hung up on spending the whole budget on one or the other.

magpie215

5,013 posts

217 months

[report]
[news]
Monday 18th October 2021
quotequote all
loskie said:
House purchase? You will need an estate car.
Sage advice......OP just doesn't realise it yet ;-)

Z4MCSL

583 posts

111 months

[report]
[news]
Monday 18th October 2021
quotequote all
I had a Z4M Coupe and loved it but equally found it a bit unruly and never gelled with the handling

I now have a Z4 3.0si coupe which I thought would feel disappointing compared to the Z4M but it doesnt - and it is a lot more comfy - I think it is a much nicer car to drive regularly.

I also have a clio 182 which I prefer driving to both of the above which sort of answers some of your question - I would definitely recommend one!

I have recently bought an RS275 Trophy which I have been so impressed with, best car I have owned, however you can probably get 99% of the car by just buying an old 250 cup and mapping that. From what I can tell £7k will only get you a ropey one, £10k should get you a pretty decent one and I think realistically with a few bits doing it will be faster/similar to the Mcoupe but with a much nicer feel to the handling in my opinion - plus it is a lot more practical!

I am also getting rid of my Z4 and getting something else with a similar budget to you so interested to see where this thread goes.


sharifr1

Original Poster:

98 posts

205 months

[report]
[news]
Tuesday 19th October 2021
quotequote all
Hi all,

Thanks for the replies and apologies for the delay in responding.

Some interesting choices have been suggested.

I don't think I'd go for another Z4 at the moment.

I did want another Civic Type R but they have increased a lot in price (I only paid circa £4,500 for my previous Premier Edition - albeit that was a very long time ago). I used to have a 2004 S2000 GT but even the early models have shot up in price (I paid £6,400 for my last one and a decent facelift is closer to £10k-£15k).

There was a really nice Liquid Yellow Clio R27 on ebay for sale, but someones put a deposit on it already. I didn't want to buy it before selling the Z4M as I don't have the space to store another car.

I think the sensible choice would be the Clio 182 and have seen examples from about £2.5k upwards. Other than the belts, has anyone had issues with the gearboxes on these? Are there any other common problems to look out for? I'd like to go for a well maintained car, even if the mileage is slightly higher.


Koolkat969

992 posts

127 months

[report]
[news]
Tuesday 19th October 2021
quotequote all
Here's a start....quite a lot covered here in the buyers guide!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

The Clio Sport forum covers everything you'll ever come across owning own. Good place to source good used examples also!

https://www.cliosport.net/forums/

Edit to add that you'll need to be a member to access some information but it's worth signing up for that.

Re the gearbox, mine was fine, didn't have any crunching when i bought it around 90k miles and was still fine after i put another 30k miles on it. And if it breaks, there are a couple of know specialists on the forum who can sort it out so not a major issue.

The other issue is the gear lever might be a bit sloppy in some and all that's required is to swap the dogbone mount underneath for a poly brushed one and is a quick and easy job.


Edited by Koolkat969 on Tuesday 19th October 18:23

Mr Tidy

31,013 posts

155 months

[report]
[news]
Wednesday 20th October 2021
quotequote all
Shame you are having to sell your Z4M Coupe OP. frown

After 5+ years of 3.0Si Coupes I finally got my MC in 2019 I really wouldn't be comfortable going back to a 3.0Si, and there aren't many that would be in budget now anyway!

If you are a BMW fan you could consider a 3 Series - I bought a 55 plate 330i as a daily a couple of years ago for half that budget with the same N52 engine as the 3.0Si. Although 130is have quite a following too, but they tend to be a bit dearer.

Either might leave you enough left for a bike, although if you don't mind other car brands there are loads of options already suggested.

Good luck anyway. thumbup

ZX10R NIN

30,462 posts

153 months

[report]
[news]
Thursday 21st October 2021
quotequote all
sharifr1 said:
Hi all,

Thanks for the replies and apologies for the delay in responding.

Some interesting choices have been suggested.

I don't think I'd go for another Z4 at the moment.

I did want another Civic Type R but they have increased a lot in price (I only paid circa £4,500 for my previous Premier Edition - albeit that was a very long time ago). I used to have a 2004 S2000 GT but even the early models have shot up in price (I paid £6,400 for my last one and a decent facelift is closer to £10k-£15k).

There was a really nice Liquid Yellow Clio R27 on ebay for sale, but someones put a deposit on it already. I didn't want to buy it before selling the Z4M as I don't have the space to store another car.

I think the sensible choice would be the Clio 182 and have seen examples from about £2.5k upwards. Other than the belts, has anyone had issues with the gearboxes on these? Are there any other common problems to look out for? I'd like to go for a well maintained car, even if the mileage is slightly higher.
If you get the 182 then you have a healthy budget for the bike:

R1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324805194062?hash=item4...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115027447626?hash=item1...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274899770320?hash=item4...

sharifr1

Original Poster:

98 posts

205 months

[report]
[news]
Thursday 11th November 2021
quotequote all
Hi all,

Just thought I'd update this. The Z4M was sold this afternoon and I can increase my budget to £9k.

My back has been playing up recently so I don't think a bike will be on the cards anytime soon.

Anyone have any suggestions on what to get with an increased budget of £9k?

I started looking at Edition 30 GTI's and really like these but most of these seem to have circa 100k miles plus for this budget.

I would like something fun to drive still, preferably a 5 door, manual and something where the maintenance costs are not going to be ridiculous or will depreciate a lot.

Many thanks,

Sharif

swanseaboydan

2,386 posts

191 months

[report]
[news]
Thursday 11th November 2021
quotequote all
Hi sharif,
If you think your back problem is going to hang around - it might be worth considering an auto - I’ve advised a few mates to switch to auto die to back problems and it has helped them all - repeated clutch operation can really aggravate lower back. It limits your choice of car but just thought I’d mention it

rotaryjam

735 posts

129 months

[report]
[news]
Thursday 11th November 2021
quotequote all
Great suggestions there for OP. I'm looking for similar myself.

I would highlight the Alfa GTV V6 as an underated choice, brilliant cars. Engine, handling and interior are all too notch. Exterior is a bit marmite but otherwise top cars, I 've had 2.

sharifr1

Original Poster:

98 posts

205 months

[report]
[news]
Sunday 14th November 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for the recommendations.

I ended up going over my budget but secured a one owner from new Golf Edition 30 5 door (DSG) with 67k miles. I'm not entirely happy with the condition of the bodywork but this will be a long term keeper, so I will work on it over time to get it up to my standards!




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