Swapping my 3 series for a roadster, am I mad?

billymitchell

How do all?
I am thinking of selling my 2005 BMW 3 series(e90) and getting myself a roadster of some sort. Something with a smaller enginve basically.
The reason I want to do it is that it would be cheaper to run a smaller car, plus it wouldnt have as much grunt in it, and I need that as I cannot seem to stay within the speed limits in the BMW.

Poeple think I should just cop on and learn to drive properly, or would I be better off in a car that tells me that I am going fast, to slow the funk down.

If option b, what type of roadsters are the best to get for reliability, or does that type of car even exist. Was thinking of something along the lines of an mx5

kona

billymitchell wrote: »

How do all?
I am thinking of selling my 2005 BMW 3 series(e90) and getting myself a roadster of some sort. Something with a smaller enginve basically.
The reason I want to do it is that it would be cheaper to run a smaller car, plus it wouldnt have as much grunt in it, and I need that as I cannot seem to stay within the speed limits in the BMW.

Poeple think I should just cop on and learn to drive properly, or would I be better off in a car that tells me that I am going fast, to slow the funk down.

If option b, what type of roadsters are the best to get for reliability, or does that type of car even exist. Was thinking of something along the lines of an mx5

unless you buy a moped or something, your always going to be able to break the speed limits easily?

I dont think your mad swapping for a roadster, I just think the reasoning behind it is mad!

_Conrad_

billymitchell wrote: »

plus it wouldnt have as much grunt in it, and I need that as I cannot seem to stay within the speed limits in the BMW.

That is not about power, that just means you have no self control/ sense when it comes to speeding. My daily runaround is a super slow 1.9 diesel 96 passat which i bought purely because it's really cheap to run and really economical for a car with as much space and workhorse ability as it has but if i want to i can still break any of the speed limits. But i don't because firstly i have no desire to go fast in a battered old car and second it saves me money when i take it handy.
Driving that car would hinder your speeding, but it would actaully just make you more dangerous as the car would be right on the limit of it's ability. You'd probably go insane though as the fastest it'll go is probably about 95-100mph (as a guess).


I'm not actaully trying to be a d*ck but rather than getting a less powerful car, you would probably be better off trying to increase your power of self control and to calm down a bit.
If you can't then i don't really ever want to meet you on the road as that's a dangerous mentality.

If you really must get a car to "slow you down" then get something completely un sporting, boring and diesel that will not reward you in any way for trying to go stupidly fast and will make speeding frustrating enough to outweigh whatever pleasure you get from it. Something like a 1970s series 3 landrover with 4 speed box and non turbo diesel engine that can only realisticly do 50-55mph and will deafen you and rattle you senseless if you try to do more than that.

What engine is in the 3 series?

Stevie Dakota

If you think you are going to go slower in an MX5 you're nuts, you'll want to go quicker everywhere!

billymitchell

kona wrote: »

unless you buy a moped or something, your always going to be able to break the speed limits easily?

I dont think your mad swapping for a roadster, I just think the reasoning behind it is mad!

In the beemer, you can be breaking the speed limit easily without realising. It just makes no noise when its going fast. And it accellerated rather smoothly as well, so you dont really notice it picking up. Surely with a smaller engine car, you would hear it accelerating and it would feel more like its actually going at pace rather than a larger engined car

_Conrad_ wrote: »

That is not about power, that just means you have no self control/ sense when it comes to speeding. My daily runaround is a super slow 1.9 diesel 96 passat which i bought purely because it's really cheap to run and really economical for a car with as much space and workhorse ability as it has but if i want to i can still break any of the speed limits. But i don't because firstly i have no desire to go fast in a battered old car and second it saves me money when i take it handy.
Driving that car would hinder your speeding, but it would actaully just make you more dangerous as the car would be right on the limit of it's ability. You'd probably go insane though as the fastest it'll go is probably about 95-100mph (as a guess).


I'm not actaully trying to be a d*ck but rather than getting a less powerful car, you would probably be better off trying to increase your power of self control and to calm down a bit.
If you can't then i don't really ever want to meet you on the road as that's a dangerous mentality.

If you really must get a car to "slow you down" then get something completely un sporting, boring and diesel that will not reward you in any way for trying to go stupidly fast and will make speeding frustrating enough to outweigh whatever pleasure you get from it. Something like a 1970s series 3 landrover with 4 speed box and non turbo diesel engine that can only realisticly do 50-55mph and will deafen you and rattle you senseless if you try to do more than that.

Point take on this, but I usually am well behave anywhere near other cars, its just when I have a bit of open road in front of me is when I speed.

RoverJames wrote: »

What engine is in the 3 series?

2.0L diesel. And a very quiet one

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

If you think you are going to go slower in an MX5 you're nuts, you'll want to go quicker everywhere!

Maybe, hence I asked the question

kona

billymitchell wrote: »

In the beemer, you can be breaking the speed limit easily without realising. It just makes no noise when its going fast. And it accellerated rather smoothly as well, so you dont really notice it picking up. Surely with a smaller engine car, you would hear it accelerating and it would feel more like its actually going at pace rather than a larger engined car

Well a MX.5 wont exactley be slow as such, in fact I doubt it would be far behind a 2.0 Diesel 3 series.

If you want the illusion of speed, you need to get something thats not a barge, get a small hatch, deck it as low as it will go, make the suspension harder, do a few engine mods and 50 KMPH will feel like light speed.

PaulKK

What milage is on the 320d?

billymitchell

PaulKK wrote: »

What milage is on the 320d?

about 170k. Its an ex rep car from the uk. Going back into the nct centre tomorrow for a retest, but its going to pass. So I am thinking now could be the best time to sell it as it would have a couple of years nct on it.

I do want to get a smaller car, doesnt necessarily have to be a roadster, even a hatchback. Something slow ( :eek: ), low maintenace and comfortable to drive

pburns

A 05 320d is what - 150bhp? Not slow but hardly a rocketship! Irish people have a pretty conservative perception of what constitutes a 'powerful' motor. I drive a similar powered car & sometimes a slow 4x4. It's easier to break the limit in the car but your reasoning is still nuts. If the reason is you want a sportscar tho - just do it!

billymitchell

pburns wrote: »

A 05 320d is what - 150bhp? Not slow but hardly a rocketship! Irish people have a pretty conservative perception of what constitutes a 'powerful' motor. I drive a similar powered car & sometimes a slow 4x4. It's easier to break the limit in the car but your reasoning is still nuts. If the reason is you want a sportscar tho - just do it!

Point taken, its not the most powerful motor in the world, but its still too powerful for me right now. I do admit that I speed when on a straight open road, in my experience, most people do. I do have to calm down on the roads, I know that now.

But to help me in doing that, I would like to have a slower car, that I realise I actually am going fast in.

colm_mcm

A 320d is quite quick between 40 and 80mph, way faster than an mx5.
Seems like a bizzare move, just use cruise control.

Absurdum

if you can't keep a 320d under control, you should consider the bus instead :pac:

PaulKK

pburns wrote: »

A 05 320d is what - 150bhp?

Early E90s are 163bhp.

Absurdum wrote: »

if you can't keep a 320d under control, you should consider the bus instead :pac:

That's a little sarcastic, they aren't a rocket but they are brisk enough.

colm_mcm wrote: »

A 320d is quite quick between 40 and 80mph, way faster than an mx5.
Seems like a bizzare move, just use cruise control.

This.

Very amusing how so many are looking down their noses at the 320d. The are one of the faster and better driving cars in that segment, certainly not a sports car but they aren't exactly slow either.

qz

This is the first time in my 7 years frequenting this forum that someone has ever asked for recommendations of a slower car.

OP if you can't stop speeding the problem is not with the car it's with you.

billymitchell

qz wrote: »

This is the first time in my 7 years frequenting this forum that someone has ever asked for recommendations of a slower car.

OP if you can't stop speeding the problem is not with the car it's with you.

Eh thanks for the newsflash :rolleyes:
I've kind of said in the thread that the problem is me, but I would like a slower car to help me over come my problem!
I dont need power in my car, just need to get from a-b in comfort and style.
Is there any well kitted out(i'm talking about interior) hatchbacks out there that you could recommend for around the 9-10k mark?
Something preferably with an engine of 1.6 or less!

You'd swear 'twas an M3 he was driving at the moment. If you want to slow down a roadster won't help, the likes of an MX5 will zip up to the ton effortlessly. Get a 1.4 Focus if you want to slow down.

Danbo!

How bout a straight swap for my mkiv golf, 1.4, 75bhp? It sounds like it's exactly what youre after. Stick a suitcase in the boot or a passenger in the passenger seat and you won't have any trouble keeping within the limit.

bazz26

Not a hatch but still a well finished and decent spec saloon:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201124202926840

challengemaster

If you start driving a tiny engine/underpowered and large hatch, you'll be on in no time whinging about fuel consumption being crap. :rolleyes:

Mr Benevolent

You can have my 1L Corsa for only €400. Speed limits are only an accelerator pedal away though.

OP, by how much do you break the limit on average?

but43r

Looks to me like a troll...

Squall19

Had a 320d as a rental car in germany last year, think it was 177bhp anyway it is quick, maybe not 0-60 quick, but past that its very very smooth and pulls hard.Its a great engine.

Gearing is what makes it so hard to keep around 60mph, in 6th gear at that speed its barely in turbo and feels likes the engine is going cut out.

Most 6 speed diesels with good power have that problem though, gearing is way too long for our roads on the autobahn it was great as the car was doing 100mph and it was just cruising along.

My current car is alot faster than the bmw 320d ( 2.3l tubro petrol ) but its gearing is short and its petrol.

Natural cruising speed of the 320d I drove was around 80mph.

The cruising speed of a car, is just there, and you have to concentrate hard to make it go somewhere else.

It has nothing to do with engine size. It’s a few things – the chassis, suspension settings, gearing, torque, road noise, engine sound.

My turbo petrol Mazda, if I’m not concentrating, sits at 65-70mph.

That’s fine, but fail to concentrate in the bmw, and it sails up past 100,wierd I know.

So dont laugh at the OP;)

billymitchell

Confab wrote: »

You can have my 1L Corsa for only €400. Speed limits are only an accelerator pedal away though.

OP, by how much do you break the limit on average?

If its in around the city, I dont break the limit as you cant. 3 times I was done, was about 40% over the limit, as I wasnt aware of the limit in the area. They were national roads leading into Dublin, where the spped limit is reduced down to 50/60km/h and I thought it was still 100km

but43r wrote: »

Looks to me like a troll...

:mad:

challengemaster wrote: »

If you start driving a tiny engine/underpowered and large hatch, you'll be on in no time whinging about fuel consumption being crap. :rolleyes:

Whats this got to do with the op?

TestTransmission

billymitchell wrote: »

Whats this got to do with the op?

Don't mind them,just sounds like you're looking for an excuse to change your car .If you hadn't mentioned the whole speed thing everyone would be suggesting a MX5,I'd do the right thing though and get a s2000

billymitchell

TestTransmission wrote: »

Don't mind them,just sounds like you're looking for an excuse to change your car .If you hadn't mentioned the whole speed thing everyone would be suggesting a MX5,I'd do the right thing though and get a s2000

you are probably right

Wolverine_1999

I have a BMW coupe and a Roadster. Have to say that each has it's own functions and advantages.

I would find it difficult to not have a Coupe at the same time.

ShadowHearth

Last time 1.8 was a big engined car, now 320d is a sports fast car on boards.ie.

If you are looking for slower car, then getting a roadster ( which is biuld to be fast ) is kind of mad.

On paper mx5 is slower, but when you sit in it, you just want to go fast. That car just makes you go fast! Like it or not!

Deffine fast? On a track roadster will beat 320d, on drag 320d will beat roadster. Everyone got different definition of speed.

If you want a change and have no problem living with 2 seats and smaller boot then why not? I guess you will be even be able to afford mk3 mx5, which fatter, but more refined for day to day driving.

galwaytt

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

If you think you are going to go slower in an MX5 you're nuts, you'll want to go quicker everywhere!

...well, you'll want to, and you'll think you are........but you probably won't actually. Such is the deceptive nature of small size, low height, short gearing and noise..........that it's deceptive. In the coolest possible way, of course.

Mind you, you won't slow down for roundabout's .....

sentient_6

I really think changing the car won't do anything for ya interms of sticking to the limits. It's all you, sorry to say man. I drive a 2L diesel, remapped to 177, how come i can drive the limits when i choose? I know with the comfort level the speed your travelling can be deceptive but it's not an excuse!

My vote: stick lyric fm or the sound of whales on the stereo, lean back get comfortable, get a nice cup of coffee, stretch the legs, chill out & start enjoying your journeys just steady slinging!

Surely a 2005 320 Coupe has cruise control anyway? That's the motorway sorted for speeding if you really want to be a good motorist.

ShadowHearth

sentient_6 wrote: »

I really think changing the car won't do anything for ya interms of sticking to the limits. It's all you, sorry to say man. I drive a 2L diesel, remapped to 177, how come i can drive the limits when i choose? I know with the comfort level the speed your travelling can be deceptive but it's not an excuse!

My vote: stick lyric fm or the sound of whales on the stereo, lean back get comfortable, get a nice cup of coffee, stretch the legs, chill out & start enjoying your journeys just steady slinging!

I have to say from 3 cars I own allways manage to speed in ****y 1.6 mondeo most of the times. There is no noise from revving or exhaust. So alot of the times when I check speedo I am already speeding with 3-4 revs in.

Driving something sportisih has noise, so when you hear bigger revs, you start controlling yourself more.

It might be personal thing or I am just not right in the head... . Or op has same problem

billymitchell

ShadowHearth wrote: »

I have to say from 3 cars I own allways manage to speed in ****y 1.6 mondeo most of the times. There is no noise from revving or exhaust. So alot of the times when I check speedo I am already speeding with 3-4 revs in.

Driving something sportisih has noise, so when you hear bigger revs, you start controlling yourself more.

It might be personal thing or I am just not right in the head... . Or op has same problem

Thank you, this is what I was trying to say. I am not saying its the car, it is defo me. But I would like my car to tell me every now and again that I am going a little too fast. Be it either through noise, perception or whatever.

Can you fellas just help a guy out who wants to be safer on the roads???

listermint

As stated somewhere in the miriad of posts above.

Get yourself a 1.4 Focus, Its comfortable stylish (for the most part ) a nice place to be and you will know when your 'rocking the sh**' out of it as it will tell you.


The alternate is to stick a speed connected GPS beeper in your car that beeps at you when your driving over the limit. This is available on Tom Toms as far as i know. A worthy investment for a fella with your passion.

ShadowHearth

billymitchell wrote: »

Thank you, this is what I was trying to say. I am not saying its the car, it is defo me. But I would like my car to tell me every now and again that I am going a little too fast. Be it either through noise, perception or whatever.

Can you fellas just help a guy out who wants to be safer on the roads???

well then last think you need is - luxo barge or some boring little piece of crap.

if you do want roadster, then i would just go for mx5.

now keep in mind, even mk3 one will be less comfortable and have move road noise then bmw, but i guess thats what you looking for. if that wount be enough, i would put some nice subtle aftermarket exhaust.

cork sham

billymitchell wrote: »

Thank you, this is what I was trying to say. I am not saying its the car, it is defo me. But I would like my car to tell me every now and again that I am going a little too fast. Be it either through noise, perception or whatever.

Can you fellas just help a guy out who wants to be safer on the roads???

Did you decide what to do?
Why not a 316i, same car, tiddly engine?
Or a Golf with a speed warning? it'll bong and tell you when you about to hit the speed limit

billymitchell

cork sham wrote: »

Did you decide what to do?
Why not a 316i, same car, tiddly engine?
Or a Golf with a speed warning? it'll bong and tell you when you about to hit the speed limit

I have thought about it for a while, and I am thinking of changing car. There are a lot of things to love about my current car, but I am still finding it hard to keep within them limits. Too many times I think I am within the limit, only to I look down and see that I am 20-30% above.

I havent driven a lot of cars, so I am not sure if its the diesel car or its the BMW, but I find it hard to judge what speed I am doing. I drive my missus car a lot at the moment as well, the 1.9 Audi A3 petrol and I can always seem to judge better what speed I am doing in that car. Dunno why, just seems to be the case.

I also dont need all that space in the car, rarely that I am driving people around or carrying much stuff from A->B, so I am thinking of going for the mx5. One, because I want a little sports/hairdressers car. And 2 because test drove one a couple of times, and I seem way better to judge what
speed I am doing in it, maybe its because its petrol or maybe its the car .Like I said about I dont know.

Could anybody tell me what to look out for when buying mx5's? Mods, I can start a new thread if its necessary

BostonB

Seems to me that most people don't stick to the limit anyway. But I find using the cruise control helps a lot on big open roads. Considering you see small 1L belting past above the limit, dropping to small car isn't going to help if you've a heavy right foot.

Mr Benevolent

I try my best to stick to the limit, mainly because it's generally the limit for a reason. Granted that doesn't always help, noticeably country roads with 80kph limits. I also find that sticking to limits tends to piss people off, especially on the N32 with people undertaking me all the time when I'm sitting at 60kph. t's not a dual carrigeway, it's a standard road with an inactive buslane!

Personally I find it's about choosing the right gear for the limit. In a 50 zone I stay in fourth but in a 60 zone I'll change to fifth.

Bottom line OP - you're going to start racking up penalty points and you can't hide them from your insurer anymore - they're all going to be on the database.

billymitchell

BostonB wrote: »

Seems to me that most people don't stick to the limit anyway. But I find using the cruise control helps a lot on big open roads. Considering you see small 1L belting past above the limit, dropping to small car isn't going to help if you've a heavy right foot.

Thing is, I have found in other(petrol) cars, that I am mostly under the limit rather than over the limit. Maybe its the way the other cars put the power down compared to my one, but I could be cruising along at 30kph in other cars, and think I am doing 50.

Anybody got any tips for what I should look for if I was going to get an mx5, other than the guide provided by Limerick man at the top of this thread?

Big Nasty

Confab wrote: »

I also find that sticking to limits tends to piss people off, especially on the N32 with people undertaking me all the time when I'm sitting at 60kph. t's not a dual carrigeway, it's a standard road with an inactive buslane!

If this road has two lanes going either way and the bus lane is not currently in use shouldn't you adopt the keep left policy?

galwaytt

billymitchell wrote: »

Anybody got any tips for what I should look for if I was going to get an mx5, other than the guide provided by Limerick man at the top of this thread?

Say hello to the people on www.mx5ireland.com and see who lives near you: most will be happy to show you a car and what to look for.

billymitchell

Confab wrote: »

I try my best to stick to the limit, mainly because it's generally the limit for a reason. Granted that doesn't always help, noticeably country roads with 80kph limits. I also find that sticking to limits tends to piss people off, especially on the N32 with people undertaking me all the time when I'm sitting at 60kph. t's not a dual carrigeway, it's a standard road with an inactive buslane!

Personally I find it's about choosing the right gear for the limit. In a 50 zone I stay in fourth but in a 60 zone I'll change to fifth.

Bottom line OP - you're going to start racking up penalty points and you can't hide them from your insurer anymore - they're all going to be on the database.

Where did I mention about hiding stuff from my insurer? And I've already said about 5 times that in other cars other than the one I have, I seem to have no problem sticking within the limits.

I agree, some limits are a bit mind boggling, but as you said they are that way for a reason. I have no problems with any of the limits, my only problem is that in the car I have I seem to constantly driving over the limit. In either of my previous cars, I never broke the limit or got any penalty points. And I was driving them for 3-4 times a long as my current car

BostonB

billymitchell wrote: »

Thing is, I have found in other(petrol) cars, that I am mostly under the limit rather than over the limit. Maybe its the way the other cars put the power down compared to my one, but I could be cruising along at 30kph in other cars, and think I am doing 50.

Anybody got any tips for what I should look for if I was going to get an mx5, other than the guide provided by Limerick man at the top of this thread?

Use a GPS which will warn you when you are speeding. You can set a speed warning on our VW.

Mr Benevolent

MCMLXXV wrote: »

If this road has two lanes going either way and the bus lane is not currently in use shouldn't you adopt the keep left policy?

That's what I wonder. Anyone else got an opinion?

Wossack

Buy a monster 4l SUV for peanuts, and it'll be the mpg that keeps your right foot light