Car changing thoughts for a friday afternoon...

[jj]

Thought this would be an ideal Friday afternoon thinker for everyone.

I have been living in Central London for the last 3 months. We (my OH and I) will be here for a while.

All my driving with the exception of one trip home is in Central London, which pretty much equals pish. Seriously, until you have done it (as i know some of you have) you cannot imagine how guff it is.

I absolutely LOVE the 335i. It is good at everything, does nothing spectacularly (apart from how fast it is in a straight line) but I am thinking it might be a good time for a change.

Its £20k sitting tied up parked on street where nobody gives a monkeys about other folks cars and whilst it is mint now it wont be for much longer. The on board computer tells me that for the last 1500 miles i have averaged 12mph or something which i am sure you agree is not driving, its sitting going nowhere mostly.

I am tempted to get something that people can reverse into and key all they want, but is auto, comfy and has aircon. Reliable would be good too. Maybe a bit of banter / character too. My immediate want is an S600 of the Diana vintage but not sure if I am missing something else?

I basically just wanted to air some thoughts and see what others reckon as some sympathy to my current motoring situation is needed

[Shug]

Love them as I do, S600 of that vintage would be a horror to park anywhere surely? Just in terms of actual space needed - that's something that's hit home with the S8 and I'm rarely in a city in that.

In London I'd have a bike like Jon's, but as transport for the two of you, tough one...

[j2 lot]

Wouldn't be my first choice for anywhere else but if you are mainly stuck in London traffic I would be tempted to go for something small but kitsh - Toyota I.Q., Smart, 500cc ( Abarth - even). Probably half the outlay in purchase price and fuel and easy to park. Citroen C1 or similar is cheaper to buy and run but probably not as nice to be in.

[jj]

The parking on street is busy but its not bays - so spaces are fine size-wise. Plus i just checked and and old S is only 6cm wider and 50cm longer than the 3 series.

I had that fiat500 a couple of weeks back and that made the case for something solid and comfy - the roads are shocking and people rip the piss out of small cars - needs to be an autobarge, just which one...

[DDtB]

I'll kick the bidding off with one of these....

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1649452.htm

[Shug]

I'll kick the bidding off with one of these....

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1649452.htm

320 will barely move it's own lard... Needs at least a V8

[Sanjøy]

I fell in love with my S1 when living in London. You need to get a night time route. I used to take in Parliament Sq, Limehouse link, Canary Wharf before heading on to Sarf end on sea.

Weekend runs down the A3 then turning off at Godalming (TG track area).

SP

[jj]

Anyone ever owned an LS400?

If I am doing it with a view to banking the balance, I am thinking a budget of around 3-5.

TurboR?

[kenny]

Central London

[DDtB]

I'll kick the bidding off with one of these....

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1649452.htm

320 will barely move it's own lard... Needs at least a V8

If the average speed is going to be 12mph... thought the 320 would be the sensible option...

[jj]

I love it when you see those with two people in it, horrendous things

These have got silly cheap (fair enough its Whitecraigs Gold and has done 160k)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1604012.htm

bonkers for 4k http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1706944.htm

[Lazydonkey]

Love them as I do, S600 of that vintage would be a horror to park anywhere surely? Just in terms of actual space needed - that's something that's hit home with the S8 and I'm rarely in a city in that

Agreed - i think twice about taking the 300c into glasgow as there aren't a huge amount of spaces for a 5m long car

[GregR]

Bank more of a balance and get yourself ..

..

..

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1706124.htm

[jj]

You know, you were one of the people I thought would give me helpful input, then you hit me with that?

[GregR]