Which late model german convertible would you buy?

"Der Käfer" (Rhy) 11/01/2013 at 08:37 • Filed to: None

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46

My best friend is looking to add a late model German convertible (2001+) to his collection and keep things under or near $10-13k, under 100k miles. He currently drives a 2008 Mercedes C300 Luxury 4matic. He's a benz guy and has a great relationship with the local MB dealer (I would hope because he's purchased 3 cars from them) and the service adviser loves him, so he's alittle benz bias.

The cars he's currently interested in are..

R170-171 Mercedes SLK

E46 BMW 3 Series Convertible

R230 Mercedes SL (willing to spend more for this)

If you have any ideas to add to this, please do! What do you guys think is the best German drop top for my best lad?

willkinton247 > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 08:48

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The Z4. I used to not be such a fan of this car, but lately, I have become a huge fan. I want one.

Edit: It may be because I want to pretend I'm driving one of these -

But I mean, look at this thing.

GhostZ > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 08:56

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Save the extra $3000 for repairs.

Also, I would just go older if I wanted a Benz:

Der Käfer > willkinton247 11/01/2013 at 08:58

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did you see the budget criteria? lol

willkinton247 > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 08:59

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You can get one with less than 100K miles for around that price actually (Maybe a tad more). I've looked into it, trust me. That picture above is a newer one, but hey.

Der Käfer > GhostZ 11/01/2013 at 08:59

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I like the boxter, I think he does too.

willkinton247 > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 09:00

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$12,995 - 67,075 miles

ColoradoTaco > GhostZ 11/01/2013 at 09:02

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Yep this or the e46

Der Käfer > willkinton247 11/01/2013 at 09:02

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A late model z4-z3 yea.. hahah

GhostZ > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 09:02

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(edited my post to include some Benzes) Just get the manual, not the tiptronic, the power difference and speed was huge apparently, and they're a lot more unreliable.

Der Käfer > willkinton247 11/01/2013 at 09:03

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I showed him that exact car! He's not a fan of black on black, we have very hot summers so i think he would roast with the top down.

willkinton247 > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 09:04

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Really just to prove my point. It can be had if he looks.

Also, are you in the DC area?

Der Käfer > GhostZ 11/01/2013 at 09:05

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HIs favorite car in the entire world is a designo silver 2003 Mercedes SL500, we both are worried about the SLs Air suspension, if ti goes bad, the car is basically totalled.

Der Käfer > willkinton247 11/01/2013 at 09:06

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Virginia Beach

Party-vi > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 09:08

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For that budget you can step into a nice SLK320 or 330Ci. Both scoot to 60mph in about 6.5 seconds, but the SLK is a hard top convertible while the E46 is a soft top. The Mercedes may be a bit pricier than the BMW. The BMW will also have the sport package and a straight-6 :D

R230's are around $15k (and a bit more if there's less mileage on them), but I would imagine he'd rather have an R129. Plus you can't row your own in an R230.

Der Käfer > Party-vi 11/01/2013 at 09:12

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We've found plenty of R230s for around 16-18k (he has access to auctions) but we worry about the air suspension.... if it goes out the car is near totalled. Rowing his own isnt a priority, he just wants a good car in good shape.

FlipperB > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 09:21

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The one that's mid-engined is always the answer. (Except when Miata is the answer.)

Chteelers > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 09:25

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Had a Z4. Great gran tourer, not a sports car though. No LSD and understeery at the limit. Was fast, but didn't like to really be pushed. Boxters are awesome, but engine reliability was always a concern for me, so I never bought one. IIRC, they grenade around 60k miles due to crank bearings or something. I consider the SLK and TT chick cars, and so does everyone else. As a second car, my choice would be Boxter and just plan for several $k for inevitable repairs.

Der Käfer > FlipperB 11/01/2013 at 09:26

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Sorry to say but we are ANTI JDM. #sorrynotsorry

Der Käfer > Chteelers 11/01/2013 at 09:28

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Well... hmm... I dont think they're chick cars but he probably will (mr.macho)

The boxter I heard can be a nightmare to own.

burglar can't heart click anything > GhostZ 11/01/2013 at 09:29

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The M96 engine in the 99-09 Boxsters and normal 911s absolutely terrify me. I've been trying to talk myself into a 996 DD but I don't think I could do it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 09:34

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Boxster S or Z4M

My boss has one that he's supercharged and done other work to, it's an absolute beast. Corners like it's on rails.

Chteelers > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 09:35

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I think all old German cars can be a nightmare to own, just by nature of the expensive parts and labor. Kinda goes with the territory. I had a '91 325 convertible, and there was always something broke on that thing. Still loved it though. Best to just assume stuff is gonna break, and budget accordingly.

Der Käfer > Chteelers 11/01/2013 at 09:37

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True, very true. He's just very into mercedes. I think he wants to pull the plug on the E46.

Der Käfer > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/01/2013 at 09:39

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Z4M is a hot little car, I prefer the coupe but he likes the convertible one, his dealership has a blue one, with I think 23k miles? its pushing $30k

FlipperB > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 09:42

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I was advocating Boxster — the mid-engined option.

The thing that terrifies people about that generation of Boxsters is the infamous intermediate shaft failure, but there are preventive solutions now. One example here .

Jagvar > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 09:49

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At that price point, he can actually afford an SLK32 AMG. Here's one with under 79K miles for a hair under $13K.

Mikeado > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 10:07

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Boxster, all day every day. The best sports car there, hands down.

gawdzilla > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 10:20

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tell him to stop trying to buy luxury if he got that limited budget, shyt is gonna break and he'll blame you for it. 13k buy a newer S2000 (or miata is always the answer. maybe he can even get one with the prht)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 10:34

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I also prefer the coupe. Hell, I'd even rock a clownshoe!

The Z4M is more of a hooligan compared with the composed, "perfect" Boxster.

Textured Soy Protein > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 10:54

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Since your friend is driving a presumably automatic transmission awd Mercedes sedan, a few questions:

A) Do you live somewhere it snows?

B) Does your friend drive stick?

C) Does your friend need any sort of practicality?

Der Käfer > Textured Soy Protein 11/01/2013 at 12:32

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We do encounter snow and he frequently travels to a location with moderate to sever snow.

He does drive stick but prefers not too, He works part time at a dealership and a lot of the cars are high end performance vehicles and most of them are stick. He gets tired of it.

Practicality is not needed, he has the sedan.

Der Käfer > Textured Soy Protein 11/01/2013 at 12:33

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*severe

Der Käfer > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/01/2013 at 12:34

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It's hard to keep it in a straight line.... boxter just feels dated. He's used to power folding mirrors and fancy screens.

Der Käfer > gawdzilla 11/01/2013 at 12:35

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Both of us are European motorheads, we don't do JDM.....

Der Käfer > Jagvar 11/01/2013 at 12:37

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I love the fact you found a car that we have previously looked at and he really likes. You are the winner!

Der Käfer > FlipperB 11/01/2013 at 12:38

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Boxter is def a contender!

Milky > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 13:15

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Well since I'm the resident Crossfire(base) driver on Oppo, I'll say it. SRT-6, all that HP and better looks than the SLK in my opinion, and its 80% Merc.

Der Käfer > Milky 11/01/2013 at 13:44

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Megusta

Milky > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 13:58

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That normally means good, so show your friend.

Der Käfer > Milky 11/01/2013 at 14:09

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We are having a hard time finding an SRT CF

Milky > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 14:29

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Welp, looks like the convertibles are still fetching more money than I thought. A quick look of auto trader shows there is a few SRT-6's around but not many.

That Crossfire for sale.

Link to all Crossfire roadsters under 14k

Textured Soy Protein > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 16:18

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Ah, didn't realize this was in addition to the C300.

Since he doesn't want to drive stick, I don't know if I'd lean toward the pure sports car end of the scale.

I'm not much of an SLK fan. They're just...ugly to me. AMG R171 and R172 look ok. But in general I don't find them to be attractive cars.

Were I your friend, I would either pony up the extra money for an R230, or go for the cheaper E46. I like Boxsters and Z4s but they kind of need to have a stick (to me).

Der Käfer > Textured Soy Protein 11/01/2013 at 16:24

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I think R171 AMG, we found a good deal on last year model.

AMC/Renauledge > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 16:47

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You said 2001+? Z3M roadster.

Textured Soy Protein > Der Käfer 11/01/2013 at 16:53

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Something tells me a 2010 SLK55 AMG is going to run a little more than $13k...

Der Käfer > Textured Soy Protein 11/04/2013 at 07:39

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lol *170