About the Car
Bought a year ago after selling the race car. Wanted a convertible with 4 seats for the kids. Tested a 435i but it wasn’t as fun and nimble as the 235i. Also an E93 M3 convertible but didn’t like the lack of torque or possible engine issues you hear about.
Bought it on a Tuesday, hated the lack of traction with spirited driving, LSD fitted by Birds Thursday. I was going to leave it there but since then I have fitted the Birds suspension; even with EDC the standard set up is too harsh for the UK roads. Now rides so much better. Also MHD stage 1 giving an extra 30bhp or so and a good amount of torque. Now a much more drivable and fun car.
| Power: | 321 bhp (+30) |
| Top Speed: | 155mph |
| 0-60mph: | 5.0 secs |
| Torque: | 450nM, 322 ft-lbs |
| Weight: | 1600 kg |
| Length: | 4454mm |
| Width: | 1984mm |
| Height: | 1403mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2690mm |
About the Owner, Andy
I have worked in Engineering all my life (Mechanical), currently a Chartered Project Manager. When I’m not having my kids I spend all my money/time/thoughts on cars/motorsport.
My main motoring highlights:
Turning a car into a banana and coming out unscathed (as did the passenger!). Tree wasn’t harmed.
A load of car and bike track days. A season of Club100 karting many moons ago. I thought I was good until I did that! Getting divorced and deciding to go with the dream of becoming a racing driver. Swapped the Caterham R300 for a Caterham Academy race car, built it in a (single!) garage winter 2016 and raced it in 2017. Amazing year, would recommend to anyone.
Emotionally the best and worst weekend ever all rolled into one! It was televised on Channel 4 – I felt famous for a little while. Helped with the dating too!! Won the Championship, kept the car for a few more years. Raced at Spa in 2019, bucket list stuff. Kept it for trackdays and road driving but after racing they just don’t have the same attraction. Sold it & went completely the other way and bought the hairdressers car!
Still enjoying it but hankering after something a bit more special.
Cars owned:
- Mk1 Astra 1.3
- MG Metro
- Mk2 Astra Sri
- 205 GTi 1.9
- Mk2 Golf GTI
- Mk2 Astra GTE 16V
- Renault 19 16V Chamade
- BMW E46 325i Coupe
- BMW E60 545i Manual
- BMW E92 330d SE
- BMW F31 330d M-Sport
Current:
- BMW F23 M235i Convertible
- BMW G11 730d M-Sport
- BMW S1000XR Motorbike
Aspirations:
Porsche 911 or Audi R8
Dream car:
Pagani Zonda
