Car recommendation: 190kw+, 4 seats, 2+ doors, 2006+

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Aaroona

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#1595349 19-Jul-2016 22:33

Thanks all for the suggestions - sorry about the "post and ghost", It's pretty busy around here!
I did like the look of the Mark X's, but only the later models which look nice, however the trim levels are not so great - No leather interior! :( Given the money being spent, would have picked a vehicle in this price range would almost automatically come with Leather, but apparently not.

CVT gearboxes are definitely not an option - I'd much rather walk. (not really, but I really don't want to own one either)

I think I'm still on the same track for my options..

- Lexus IS350
- BMW 330i (preferably e90 with the N52).. I have found a 325 I am keeping an eye on with the new generation 3.0litre in it.
- and a late comer which really is not what I was detailing in my OP... maybe, just maybe, stretching the budget even more and going for a 135i. (Though, I know there are a number of issues with the N54 engine)

Does anyone know a friend or personally own a BMW 135i? Preferably of the N54 generation? I would love to hear a bit more about their reliability.

I'm really stuck between the more reasonable and affordable option of the IS350 (which has full leather etc.)... but I'd love a 135i.. I know it's quite a bit above what I was wanting to spend, but the potential maintenance costs scare me a little and I've always tried to avoid turbos, though, that's getting a little hard to do more and more these days.

One of the big downsides to the IS350 is it's very difficult to bring it up to NZ spec for the radio etc., which is where all the euro stuff is great, because it's easily converted (plus I have all the software and cables ready for Diagnostics and coding E series)

Gahh.. Tempted to just stick with the Z a while longer and deal with the pain of having only 2 seats, haha.

Paul1977

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#1595653 20-Jul-2016 14:25

Aaroona:
I did like the look of the Mark X's, but only the later models which look nice, however the trim levels are not so great - No leather interior! :( Given the money being spent, would have picked a vehicle in this price range would almost automatically come with Leather, but apparently not.

I drive a 2005 Mark X so I'll try not to take that personally! Mine's only the 250G (2.5L V6).

If you went through an importer you could probably get leather interior on the new shape Mark X. I'm pretty sure it's a factory option, just not standard (so might be relatively rare). Possibly more trouble than it's worth.

trig42

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#1595656 20-Jul-2016 14:31

I looked at the Mark X, and that was going to be the car I bought until SWMBO veto'd it on looks. She told me to get the Mazda Axela MPS instead, and boy do I love her for it!

The Mark X was tempting because of Manufacturer (can't go wrong with a Toyota right?), but the one I looked at also looked difficult to convert the Entertainment system to something that could be used in NZ.

Aaroona

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#1595695 20-Jul-2016 15:51

trig42:

I looked at the Mark X, and that was going to be the car I bought until SWMBO veto'd it on looks. She told me to get the Mazda Axela MPS instead, and boy do I love her for it!

The Mark X was tempting because of Manufacturer (can't go wrong with a Toyota right?), but the one I looked at also looked difficult to convert the Entertainment system to something that could be used in NZ.

That's definitely a big consideration, is having the ability to convert the entertainment system to engine, if only for the radio and air-conditioning.

the AIO units that Toyota/Lexus and other brands like to push are complete rubbish- iDrive isn't without its faults in BMW, but it can at least be changed to full English with NZ frequencies and everything.

Paul1977

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#1595699 20-Jul-2016 15:58

trig42:

I looked at the Mark X, and that was going to be the car I bought until SWMBO veto'd it on looks. She told me to get the Mazda Axela MPS instead, and boy do I love her for it!

The Mark X was tempting because of Manufacturer (can't go wrong with a Toyota right?), but the one I looked at also looked difficult to convert the Entertainment system to something that could be used in NZ.

Mark X is a great car and I don't regret buying it for a second; I'll seriously consider upgrading to a 350S for my next one. Although I would pay more attention to the entertainment system in whatever I purchase next time... my particular one is pretty much non-convertible/non-replaceable (does pretty much everything I need though, so not an enormous deal for me).

networkn

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#1595707 20-Jul-2016 16:11

Why would you want a 330i over a 330D?

Having Scoffed at Diesel since they became more popular, and having owned petrol of various high performance models including Legacy GT-B, 335I, Audi S4 (Loved this car) I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a 2015 335D Wagon, which I can hands down say is the best car I've driven (that I own) by a country MILE.

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Aaroona

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#1595801 20-Jul-2016 19:21

networkn:

Why would you want a 330i over a 330D?

Having Scoffed at Diesel since they became more popular, and having owned petrol of various high performance models including Legacy GT-B, 335I, Audi S4 (Loved this car) I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a 2015 335D Wagon, which I can hands down say is the best car I've driven (that I own) by a country MILE.

Main reasons I've stayed away from Diesel was because of what I've been told; they can be damn costly to fix.

Second reason being, when I weighed up the cost of diesel vs petrol, once you include RUC, there wasn't a clear benefit, and in some cases, a little more expensive to own a diesel.

I haven't looked at it for quite some time, so maybe it's a little different now... but I do like the performance of the diesels - a family member has a 335D and I do like how quiet it is... really is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

EDIT: bearing in mind, for the price I'm going to be paying, I'll be looking at a few years older than 2015 unfortunately :(

alasta

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#1595838 20-Jul-2016 19:45

Aaroona:

Main reasons I've stayed away from Diesel was because of what I've been told; they can be damn costly to fix.

Second reason being, when I weighed up the cost of diesel vs petrol, once you include RUC, there wasn't a clear benefit, and in some cases, a little more expensive to own a diesel.

I haven't looked at it for quite some time, so maybe it's a little different now... but I do like the performance of the diesels - a family member has a 335D and I do like how quiet it is... really is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

If you're going to buy a diesel then don't do so for the efficiency - do so for the torque. I love the way my diesel performs on steep windy roads, although I'm not sure if it would be as desirable if you drive daily around town.

networkn

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#1595906 20-Jul-2016 22:35

alasta:

Aaroona:

Main reasons I've stayed away from Diesel was because of what I've been told; they can be damn costly to fix.

Second reason being, when I weighed up the cost of diesel vs petrol, once you include RUC, there wasn't a clear benefit, and in some cases, a little more expensive to own a diesel.

I haven't looked at it for quite some time, so maybe it's a little different now... but I do like the performance of the diesels - a family member has a 335D and I do like how quiet it is... really is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

If you're going to buy a diesel then don't do so for the efficiency - do so for the torque. I love the way my diesel performs on steep windy roads, although I'm not sure if it would be as desirable if you drive daily around town.

Costs of running my Diesel are MUCH lower than any of my high performance petrols.

ilovemusic

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#1597314 23-Jul-2016 16:55

it seems in these days of turbos everywhere, the high revving engine is heading the same way as the manual gearbox.

performance cars like the bmw m3 now feel like a diesel and for many drivers that reduces the enjoyment of driving a sports car.

i had an e46 320d motorsport and while it was a brilliant all-rounder it was nowhere near as fun as a sporty, high revving petrol engined e46.

Aaroona

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#1597316 23-Jul-2016 16:58

ilovemusic:

it seems in these days of turbos everywhere, the high revving engine is heading the same way as the manual gearbox.

performance cars like the bmw m3 now feel like a diesel and for many drivers that reduces the enjoyment of driving a sports car.

i had an e46 320d motorsport and while it was a brilliant all-rounder it was nowhere near as fun as a sporty, high revving petrol engined e46.

For be personally, I haven't had that much exposure to turbos - but I get a little nervous when I look up N54 (BMW) details and find they're a pretty common fault on that engine, along with HPFP.

I'm sure the newer cars are probably fine in terms of reliability, but I also can't justify spending 40k+ for a vehicle- or certainly one that isn't fully electric (Bring on Tesla!)

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shakedown14

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#1598726 26-Jul-2016 08:52

Aaroona:

ilovemusic:

it seems in these days of turbos everywhere, the high revving engine is heading the same way as the manual gearbox.

performance cars like the bmw m3 now feel like a diesel and for many drivers that reduces the enjoyment of driving a sports car.

i had an e46 320d motorsport and while it was a brilliant all-rounder it was nowhere near as fun as a sporty, high revving petrol engined e46.

For be personally, I haven't had that much exposure to turbos - but I get a little nervous when I look up N54 (BMW) details and find they're a pretty common fault on that engine, along with HPFP.

I'm sure the newer cars are probably fine in terms of reliability, but I also can't justify spending 40k+ for a vehicle- or certainly one that isn't fully electric (Bring on Tesla!)

Yep my mechanic fixed an 335i (E92 not sure if N54 or N55 though) with a HPFP problem. The shaft just snapped and the pump from BMW cost 1000$ and he also owns an e90 335i sedan and showed the head cylinder when he was working on it: it was horrible full of crap because for pollution exhaust gas goes back into the head and you can imagine what unburnt gas can do on you valces/heads...

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