My folks currently own an old 1998 BMW E39 5 series but unfortunately the auto box has just died. The price they've been quoted to repair it is astronomical so they're thinking it's time to get a replacement. They don't want to spend a huge amount (6K tops), so they need something second hand, with four doors, a large(ish) boot, with as many interior comforts and mod-cons as possible BUT also with a bit of poke and as swish looking as the budget will allow (my mom has hankered after something sporty or a convertible for a while). What would people recommend they look at?

 

Cheers,

 

Leigh.

Late top end Volvo S40 T4?

The 2.0T wasn't as playful as the 1.9T but would still do 60 in about 7secs and has more spec than our Zeds.

I had two and they are good fun and mega comfy.

Well I would suggest something similar.

 

I always have a quick look on ebay. Not neccesarily to buy but just to see what is about.

 

This looks very nice.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-X-BMW-535I-SPORT-V8-AUTO-E39-MTEC-STYLING-IMMAC_W0QQitemZ180167254766QQihZ008QQcategoryZ9837QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

And the advantage is that it is in your neck of the woods.

 

Good luck with the hunt.

 

Darrell

this seems good value on the supra club

 

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=122115

 

depends on if you want a sporty car or a diesel? my laguna has sat nav, leather, huge boot, electric memory seats etc etc, fitted a chip to make it 145-150bhp and returns 45 mpg so its not exactly a sports car but its nippy and is very very comfortable

 

Mike

Well there's the safe option,

 

 

 

 

Or the insurance money.

 

 

 

 

Both £5500 each.

I have to admit that Parental Unit No.1 does have a major thing for BMW's and if she could find a good one it would probably be her first choice. She's from the generation that still thinks of Diesels as always being slow and a pig to drive so I'm pretty sure wild horses wouldn't get her to buy one no matter how good it actually was! However, aside from that, they're going into buying another car with an open mind and would definately consider another make...and the Volvo certainly looks good from the reviews I've just read. Don't know enough about the Audi as yet to comment unfortunately (she'd definately like the Merc but might be put off by how expensive it could be if it went t1ts up...:D)

xjr?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/176094.htm :cool:

the autobox on my '98 535i was replaced about a year before I had it, think it cost £1k-1.5k to repair, can check receipts if you want.

Audi A8 Quatro, you'll find loads of them around the £5500 to £6000 mark. The 4.2 is the one to go for. They are fully loaded, handle better than the beemer and give astonishing mpg figures. If they are going to look at Volvos then the T4's isn't the one to go for and have too little power for the equivalent sized S60 or V70 models.

 

T5 or T5R or GT or even the T6 is the way to go. A nice S60 T6 would be easy to find for that budget and more mod cons than you can shake a stick at.

 

think the Audi is the best way to go though.

xjr?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/176094.htm :cool:

 

 

:hyper: :hyper: :hyper:

Audi A8 Quatro, you'll find loads of them around the £5500 to £6000 mark. The 4.2 is the one to go for. They are fully loaded, handle better than the beemer and give astonishing mpg figures. If they are going to look at Volvos then the T4's isn't the one to go for and have too little power for the equivalent sized S60 or V70 models.

 

T5 or T5R or GT or even the T6 is the way to go. A nice S60 T6 would be easy to find for that budget and more mod cons than you can shake a stick at.

 

think the Audi is the best way to go though.

 

Agreed - the T4 has turbo lag :cry: , i heard the 2.0 turbo has no lag, but to be honest i have driven a few t5's they are Crackin. :) Although i believe the s60 is a t5 not a t6 :slap: And they have come down in price alot - alot are auto with leather, climate control etc etc... Lovely cars. :p Thats what i would be gettin.

Well for 4k i would part with this, as a Z on here has made me very tempted http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=100940

 

 

:)

Well for 4k i would part with this, as a Z on here has made me very tempted http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=100940

 

 

:)

Sorry for the delayed reply Tony, been away for a couple of days! Will get them to have a look at the photos and see if they want to take a look in person! Cheers mate :)

No problem mate,no rush, :cool: