A car for my father

[OVERKILL]

My parents currently have:

2003 Town Car Cartier
2000 Expedition Eddie Bauer

However, my dad was recently at a mall in Halifax and sat in a new Mercedes. That was a mistake apparently.

Then, to compound things, after I picked up the M, I took him for a ride and well...... Now he wants a German car.

His criteria are BMW or Mercedes.

He really likes my M5, but was more fond of the Mercedes that he sat in at the mall. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember what model it was.

I'm thinking a 1 M coupe, or maybe an M3? It is usually just him and maybe my mother. Was also looking at the Z4 with the M-sport package.

He seems to favour Mercedes however.....

I THINK the car he was in was the SLK-roadster. I know nothing beyond that. He said it was a two seater.

So, given my vague criteria and rather broad list of choices we seem to have here, what are your thoughts gentlemen?

My impression is that they will be keeping the Lincoln for the DD, and the Expedition will move to my sister (who currently has my old Explorer). This will be a fair-weather, garage kept toy.

 

[sciphi]

1M coupe would be perfect. It's like the E30 M3, except modern.

The equivalent Mercedes would be just as good.

 

[OVERKILL]

Some pics of the "candidates"

SLK-350

1 M Coupe

M3

Z4 M-sport

 

[d00df00d]

I'm assuming that your father wants something with a premium feel that will let him relax when he wants and have an absolute blast when he wants. I'm also assuming he won't be going to the track or engaging in felony speeding on a regular basis. Correct me if I'm wrong.


If he wants a stick, make it a Z4 3.0 IMO. Plenty quick and fun, no DI, and won't punish the owner for not driving it hard.

If he wants an automatic, the SLK 350 might be better.

If he wants back seats, the 1-series is the only game in town.

In this company, the 1M has the added advantage of being usable in the snow thanks to its trick differential. If that's not decisive, I would suggest passing on it; the added expense, firm suspension, and possible DI hassles might be a big price to pay when even a 128i with a 6-speed is already plenty fun on public roads.

 

[CivicFan]

How old is he? Sitting in a car is different than being subjected to the bone jarring ride (compared to a Lincoln).

 

[HTSS_TR]

My vote is either SLK350 or SLK280. It's a hardtop convertible, with top up it's almost like a coupe in term of noise, ride ... and is a convertible when weather permits.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: CivicFan
How old is he? Sitting in a car is different than being subjected to the bone jarring ride (compared to a Lincoln).


Just turned 60. We went for quite a drive in the M5 and he loved how the car felt. I'm doubting the SLK-350 is bone jarring, or much difference in terms of ride than the M.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
I'm assuming that your father wants something with a premium feel that will let him relax when he wants and have an absolute blast when he wants. I'm also assuming he won't be going to the track or engaging in felony speeding on a regular basis. Correct me if I'm wrong.


If he wants a stick, make it a Z4 3.0 IMO. Plenty quick and fun, no DI, and won't punish the owner for not driving it hard.

If he wants an automatic, the SLK 350 might be better.

If he wants back seats, the 1-series is the only game in town.

In this company, the 1M has the added advantage of being usable in the snow thanks to its trick differential. If that's not decisive, I would suggest passing on it; the added expense, firm suspension, and possible DI hassles might be a big price to pay when even a 128i with a 6-speed is already plenty fun on public roads.


Pretty much. To keep this easier, our choices are anything that has 300+HP. I know all of the above are either trimmed, or available trimmed that way.

It also must be automatic. He doesn't want stick.

And your assumption is spot-on. He wants something quick, but nice to drive. That he can "get on" when he feels like it, and it delivers. Blast to drive is a must. Doubt he'll track it unless I can drag him to Mosport with me

No felony speeding. He's a guy that sets his cruise at 110-115Km/h on major Canadian highways.

I'll take him up to look at the 1 M if the dealers in the GTA have one in stock.

He doesn't really "need" a back seat. But I think it would be beneficial for him if they go on a trip and decide to take "the kittens" (their two overweight Himalayan rag dolls).

 

[Smokefan1977]

I vote M1 or M3. Nice cars and reliable.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
I vote M1 or M3. Nice cars and reliable.


I agree. The M3 looks like a very good compromise of functionality, space and performance.

We'll see what he says once he's been in one.

 

[PF52]

Nonsense! He needs a Crown Victoria!

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: css9450
Nonsense! He needs a Crown Victoria!


He already has a Town Car! LOL!

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
It also must be automatic. He doesn't want stick.

That rules out the 1M, then. It's manual-only.


Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
And your assumption is spot-on. He wants something quick, but nice to drive. That he can "get on" when he feels like it, and it delivers. Blast to drive is a must. Doubt he'll track it unless I can drag him to Mosport with me

No felony speeding. He's a guy that sets his cruise at 110-115Km/h on major Canadian highways.

SLK 350, IMO. Mercedes does chill-and-cruise better than BMW in my experience, and their sportier models usually have plenty of capability to gratify the occasional brisk drive.


Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
He doesn't really "need" a back seat. But I think it would be beneficial for him if they go on a trip and decide to take "the kittens" (their two overweight Himalayan rag dolls).

This is the only case in which I would suggest a BMW (specifically a 128i), but only because Mercedes doesn't have an equivalent.

That said, a C350 wouldn't suck...

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
I vote M1 or M3. Nice cars and reliable.


I agree. The M3 looks like a very good compromise of functionality, space and performance.

We'll see what he says once he's been in one.

The M3 rides firmly, requires TWS, may consume oil, and costs a lot more than most of the other options, and its unique capabilities won't even be seen -- let alone appreciated -- at remotely normal speeds. It really isn't worth buying unless you're going to drive it.

A 135i, 335i, or C350 will feel just as quick in most scenarios, cost less, and be less of a headache to own.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
I vote M1 or M3. Nice cars and reliable.


I agree. The M3 looks like a very good compromise of functionality, space and performance.

We'll see what he says once he's been in one.

The M3 rides firmly, requires TWS, may consume oil, and costs a lot more than most of the other options, and its unique capabilities won't even be seen -- let alone appreciated -- at remotely normal speeds. It really isn't worth buying unless you're going to drive it.

A 135i, 335i, or C350 will feel just as quick in most scenarios, cost less, and be less of a headache to own.


What are your thoughts on the M5 due out later this year then? The only issue there is that the newer M5's are pretty big.... Even my E39 isn't a small car by any means. And we start to get away from what he is looking for.

 

[silverrat]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Smokefan1977
I vote M1 or M3. Nice cars and reliable.


I agree. The M3 looks like a very good compromise of functionality, space and performance.

We'll see what he says once he's been in one.

The M3 rides firmly, requires TWS, may consume oil, and costs a lot more than most of the other options, and its unique capabilities won't even be seen -- let alone appreciated -- at remotely normal speeds. It really isn't worth buying unless you're going to drive it.

A 135i, 335i, or C350 will feel just as quick in most scenarios, cost less, and be less of a headache to own.


I agree, the person is used to driving a Town Car, any new German sporty car is going to do it for him now, no need to go M3 or super high performance. The 135, 335, c350 is a good recommendation.

How about Audi TT or A5?

 

[Hokiefyd]

What's the budget here? You said anything with 300+ hp. That includes the SL roadster. Someone at church just bought a used SL500. It's probably 7-10 years old, but a heckuva car. I imagine the new ones are phenominal.

 

[SLCraig]

I dunno I really like the new C-class, they look as good as an entry level luxury car possibly could. Very nice styling from Merc on these.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
What's the budget here? You said anything with 300+ hp. That includes the SL roadster. Someone at church just bought a used SL500. It's probably 7-10 years old, but a heckuva car. I imagine the new ones are phenominal.


Under 100K. He wasn't scared by the price of whatever he was sitting in, which I imagine was around 80.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
I dunno I really like the new C-class, they look as good as an entry level luxury car possibly could. Very nice styling from Merc on these.


I'll let you know what happens when we go to the dealer, LOL