Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Guilty as charged, but E85.

In 5 years of motoring: recon roof motor (relocated to boot), new alternator, new window mechs. All known faults. Sorry not to be able to put you off. One thing: if you buy one with run flats, replace them immediately, the difference to ride and handling is huge.

It just did a round trip to Exmoor from Sussex on country A and B roads without missing a beat.

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I had an A2 for years and absolutely loved it. Never had any particular mechnical issues with it, although at one point the seal started leaking on the hatch-back and flooded the boot, which killed the battery.

Mine was the 4-seat model, petrol, with the retracting sunroof. Extremely versatile space in the car because you can easily click out any of the seats and turn it into a little van. Still makes me smile whenever I see one around.

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It's a shame more car consumers are motivated by better designed cars, isn't it?

buy a Boxster like the rest of the forum :p

Hah! Never really liked the Boxster and the E86 is a rarer little oddity. Pointless as it has slightly less poke than our e91, but I think I'd enjoy the novelty (and the fact it can't fit any children in)

I have hired an E-Class “or similar vehicle” for tomorrow. What does the hive mind think I’m going to get?

Enterprise if it makes a difference.

Arteon or S90.

Vauxhall insignia

Audi e-tron 55

That’s the class below.

I had an E86 M ... was a slightly compromised car I always thought.

A truly amazing engine, a woeful boot (worse on the M than the non-Ms) a very tight cockpit (especially so if you are tall or broad). Really lacking in versatility - its very strictly a two seater, but still a reasonably large (read long) car.

Mine was quite a long way from standard, and very very fast, but this did introduce quite a few challenges that possibly prejudiced me against it in the end.

Oh and the traction control is very intrusive (esp. on track).

This is more of the dream crushing I require, thanks. I’ve got some pathetic mid-life itch for something stupid to do kid-free weekday jaunts down the local b-roads for a posey cup of coffee or pub lunch or something, entirely unnecessary. The M is beyond me so it’s N52s only. Maybe I should be looking at TTSs, cos at least you can fit two kid seats in the back of that. Or maybe I should just spend the money on sorting the house 😔

Get a 135i coupe instead. A proper RWD chassis, still quite compact but fantastically versatile with four proper seats and the rear seats fold flat and you can get a bike in.

(Full disclosure I don't have/have never had a 135i but I do have a 1M).

Not enough impracticality! I’ve got a low mileage still quite-nice 330 touring for the four seats and luggage thing. Part of why a z4 would be stupid, as it’s basically the same engine.

Lotus Elise then ... properly impractical and wonderful to drive.

Hah, my other autotrader saved search.

Based on your dream of a midlife silly car for enjoying the lanes (for the 2.3 nanoseconds before you catch up with the small people carrier) the Elise is the way to go. OK, don't plan on carrying anything more than a folding toothbrush. Ignore TTs, I had a top end one for 3 weeks when a lady of declining years parked in the side of the Z4, quick and yet the most boring 'sports' car I have ever driven.

Why not MX5?

Ps: a Z4 really drives ever so slightly differently to a 330.

Why not MX5?

This was my thought. Compact, nice for cruising round b roads, etc. Not especially fast, but where can you drive fast anyway?

Or a caterham/similar. Can you get an Elise at a reasonable price anymore?

MR2 Mk3 is the extreme budget option, which is currently tempting me on a daily basis

And the answer is a 3 series.

Enjoy dude. Doesn’t sound like you are getting much wheel time these days

Thanks- be interesting to give it a whirl.

Class below and 6 hours late in terms of what I booked, I wonder if they will give me some money off

Options..Fiat Barchetta, Suzuki Cappuccino, Daihatsu Copen, MX5, Honda S2k, Vauxhall VX220. Little point in having something genuinely fast, better to be fun at sensible speeds tbh.

And now it’s changed to an XC90

Had one on a recent holiday. Excellent waft-barge.