Hi all,

I drive 20k miles a year, my s2k had 66k miles on it, needed the warranty extending, a service, four new tyres, and there were a few signs that things (eg roof) were not going to last for ever. So i decided i was going to trade up.

I love driving with the roof down (all the time unless its raining) so i looked for a convertible (just like i did 2 years ago when i bought the s). Not much has changed - i tried all the contenders just like i did 2 years ago (boxt s, z4, elise, 05 s4 cab, no tt though) and its still the best (particularly when price comes in) in my book.

I also tried a new impreza, a gb270 impreza, an rb320 impreza (very quick but unlivable every day), 540, 05 s4 avant, 350z, z4 coupe.

Considered z4m coupe and z4m roadster but running costs with my mileage are simply too high.

In the end it came down to a newer (bob g import or 07 dealer) s2k, or the z4 coupe.

Why the z4 coupe i hear you all bellow! Well, Ive owned an alfa 145 cloverlear, a cooper s works, and the s2k and to be honest all of those were chosen before id driven any of them - purely an emotional reaction on appearance that was supported by motoring press reviews and then confirmed when i finally got a drive. Also it seemed stupid to be paying a lot more money for the same car.

For me (and this is purely a matter of personal taste) the z4 coupe really looks beautiful and is positioned very well compared to the cayman, tt, 350, and in external design language (from the back at least) the 911. Also some articles (notably evo) reported that it drove much better than the convertible, and it is much rarer. Finally when i started tracking used prices, it was (IMO) good value - my car cost

 

Very good write up James

I do love the look of the Z4C

Now where's the pics

 

Congrats, nice car

 

Excellent write up.

Think there have been a few people on here in the same predicament as you.

I also came very close the buying a Z4C, looked at both the M (also for me running costs were the issue) and the 3.0Si, but my company has removed the 3.0Si from the car scheme... shame.

The 135i also came out in time my new car ordering, and went for that as the drive was great and the engine is excellent.

I have been without the S for a month now, and although I only missing the car a little, I am really missing the top down fun

9 days until I pick up my new car though...

Should have said TTIUWP!!!!

 

Another BMW convert

 

I have had 3 bmw's , all of them have been great

 

I wish honda would lower the seat, give 3 inches more leg room and give it an adjustable steering column. Im sure id have another if they did that. IMHO its still the best looking value for money convertable in the 10-40k bracket. They do need to watch their pricing as it is creeping back near the 30k mark.
I nearly bought a z4m coupe back in 2006, infact posted I posted up on here and it was poo pooed quite a bit, it seems that they have now grown on people. Again it was just little too small for me and ended up going completely the other way when I tested an rs4 and bought one of them instead.

 

Good write up James, and enjoy your new toy ...

 

I really don't understand what it is, but I could never buy a BMW.. Or a Porch
It's the stigma
They are lovely cars to drive and all that, but it just seems that most of the uncourteous drivers are in German cars. Audi and Mercedes are getting to be just as bad as the BMW.



Sorry

 

Late night posting

And French cars are all crap, Italian cars fall apart, and American cars are... well .... American.



To be fair, it mainly seems to be the 3 series BMW Drivers that have attitude issues, which are probably the company cars. I guess that follows for the rest of the German car "problem" drivers. Since Mercedes, Audi, and BMW seem to be the popular Company cars at the moment, that's starting to make a lot of sense.