Quote from: Bruno on January 12, 2022, 07:40:32 pm

Quote from: Matt on January 12, 2022, 03:49:02 pm

My old E46 is dead. I had a lovely 4 or so years with the 2.5 automatic wafting about, doing about 3k miles a year.

I'm now looking at replacements in the 4-6k GBP region. I am in two minds and am hoping for some new brain inputs from our brain trust here .

1. I do 3k miles a year. Get a big V8 before they all dead/collectors items. Namely a BMW e63 650i, xj 4.2, xf. - top/over the top of budget
2. I do 3k miles a year. Get another 3 series in the 325i or 330i range, probably e90 pre facelift. - middle of budget
3. I do 3k miles a year. Do what <insert your username here> says.

I wish getting 'into' bikes got one 'out of' cars but I still have a hankering for subjectively nice cars. I got very close to going to see an SL350 (circa 05 vintage) before a friend with one dissuaded me with his tails of leaky bits. Whilst I can technically afford to throw money at old 'luxury' cars, I'll probably still get annoyed having to do so too often. One day I need to find out why Mercedes thought using the pneumatic stuff from a Lego technik set for their central locking was a good idea.

The increase in price of all cars is also rather annoying. What was 5k a year or so ago is now 6 or 7k.

Help me EuroK, you're my almost only hope.

Hi Matt, I'm assuming that your friend had an issue with water ingress into the boot?

Yep! And I think he has a vacuum pump issue thing with his central locking at the mo.

Bri: yeah, use cases are generally more than 75 percent of miles going into Sutton region, 25 percent trips up to brum. So either boring motorway or congested a roads.

My best mate had an a6 for a while. 07 ish vintage. It is irrational entirely but it's put me off them as it was in a bit of a state, and also the 2.0tdi which was... A 2.0tdi.

So, my short list is currently:
 - a 8.5 grand gs450h
 - a 8.5 grand sl350
The above two are at a nice dealer in a nice place, which is half my battle. Friend bought from them before.
 - a 6.5 grand E350 cdi
 - a 5.5 grand 630i but for sale in somewhere I don't even want to leave my bike for 5 minutes.

I'm struggling to find non messed with 330i cars within arsedness range of me.

I wouldn't restrict myself to a choice of two lids, as good as those two are, have a look at several and cross reference them to their SHARP ratings if you find a comfortable one.

I'd recommend at least a look at a Bell Race Star Flex DLX, for me it's the best I've ever had in terms of comfort, features , quietness, ventilation,  build quality, design / looks .... and that photo reactive visor.  Oh, and it's a Bell.

On the visor, the darkening / lightening doesn't react quickly enough for the first 100yds of a tunnel, but after that fine, you need to be aware of it that's all. The massive advantages of a legal dark visor that'll get you home safely after the pub at night is enormous.

Ah sorry to hear, Glen you will be missed!