I personally think you havent done yourself a favour by actually working it out. If you just got the car you wouldn't really know how much extra it costs, plus as said you have to hand it back. If you got it now would begrudge it slightly as it costs more?
Il be honest I don't keep track of deprecation or how much I have spent on mods as it would leave a sour taste in my mouth. I know it's not crippling so im ok.
IMO if you can afford it which according to your sums you can and you don't mind that money being gone then go for it. you can't put a price on fun
Its hit and miss TBH. My brother had a 306 1.9td and a 106 gti both which went wrong all the time. My 172 has been in the garage less than the german cars its shares the drive with. Ive done 40k miles in it and its great. Powerful too and will average 35mpg.
Yup - I know am dreaming with the Pug - looks like it'll average 30mpg and the BMW isn't much better
Its going to end up being a freakin Focus or a Fiesta isn't it?
the 1.9 engine in the e46 is terrible. High mileage BMW's arent really expensive to maintain at all provided you dont go to bmw. The 320i wont be to bad on fuel.
I still think 182
The diesels problems are high maintenance. Egr needs cleaned and or blocked. Inlet manifold needs cleaned as they are dirty. Crankcase breather needs a new filter or changed for a vortex style one.
If the turbo breaks or you need a clutch and a DMF you are no better off than before. £1000 is alot of fuel. If its short journeys I wouldn't recommend a diesel. It kills them. A diesel will be higher miles but BMWs carry the miles very well.
Personally I wouldn't get a 318i. They are so underpowered that they aren't great on fuel. Generally the BMW 6 cylinders are the ones to go for. 320i and up. Have you thought about a 330d or 325d? If your doing alot of miles they are great.
What about an odd choice like Clio 182 or E38 728i or maybe a Golf gti/tdi?
I like to listen to my engine and that's the whole reason I wouldn't buy one. A sports far should sound sexy, not rough like a van
Sounds alright to me.
Ive got a triptronic, I think its great as generally im going or coming to work. But when the feeling takes me sport sharpens it up or triptronic is great on the b roads. I actually hate driving manuals now and my next car would probably be auto too.
Diesels are great for commuting not just because of their economy but the torque makes them quite effortless and quick round town.
Go for a test drive, you might love it.
I'd only use a badger brush tbh. I've used a synthetic cheapish brush it was gash. I've used pure badger which is good. My main brush is a super badger. A silver tip would be better and plusher but they are serious money.
You also get boar hair brushes but I haven't used them. If your getting a brush you ideally need to use it with a good cream or soap. Shaving ones that is, Gillette gel won't cut it first timers should try Taylors of old bond street cream as its silly easy lather and smells awesome. But I now use Mitchell and woolfat. It's harder to lather but it's cheap, good for your skin and slick.
Maybe you was driving it like a rwd car? I've heard they have a lot of grip buy then it's not a out and out performance car.
The r32 engine was never really powerful enough to warrant one over a remapped gti and the 4wd and engine make it fairly thirsty for a cruiser IMO.
If your keeping the 350 why not see if a c class is the same price? C class's handle very well and can feel great too. They are also plush enough if doing the motorway grind.
The 56mpg and performance would tempt me but IMO a roadster isn't about going fast it's about the feel, the smells, the feeling of being outside and the sound! It might sound ok though?