To MR2 Mk3 or not?

[QED]

Hi guys - I'm new to the forum and at present am not an MR2 owner - however that is the reason for my post...please help.

I am going to treat myself to a 2 seater this July (bonus dependent of course) and I am having real trouble deciding between a:

• 2002 MR2 Mk3
  1998 BMW Z3 2.8

My wife and I like to go to motorsport events around the UK and usually camp at the events so my main issue is, would there be enough room in the MR2 for a tent, a couple of sleeping bags and a couple of small bags?
I have heard that some people take the spare wheel out and use the space there for extra storage (and carry a can of tireweld in case of a puncture) - do any of you guys do this?
Is the Beemer a better option?

Please help

[Lauren]

I reckon you could do it okay, though it'll be tight thats for sure. Beemer probably has more room, though i'm not sure how deep the boot is one of those.

The main storage area on a MK3 is behind the seats. Some of the roadster guys use custom made luggage bags which certainly help a bit.

[steve b]

i think you'll struggle with a mk3 to go camping in. I go with the otherhalf regularly in my mk2 and we fill that taking tent, inflatable mattress, 2 sleeping bags, cloths, trangia & booze (our camping tends to be festivals mind so you need lots of crap). If its litterally overnight and thats it you maybe ok. You could always get a boot rack. MK3s are great little cars mind, I'd prefer one that the bmw, bmw is i'd imagine more practical.

[craig]

i think you'll struggle with a mk3 to go camping in. I go with the otherhalf regularly in my mk2 and we fill that taking tent, inflatable mattress, 2 sleeping bags, cloths, trangia & booze (our camping tends to be festivals mind so you need lots of crap). If its litterally overnight and thats it you maybe ok. You could always get a boot rack. MK3s are great little cars mind, I'd prefer one that the bmw, bmw is i'd imagine more practical.

I struggled to pack my MK2 up for 2 nights at JAE

[dudeone]

I would suspect that you will not be able to get the tent and sleeping bags in the 2, I had one just over a year ago and they hold a bottle of water if your lucky.

[ENSMR2]

I would say no to the MR2.
1. due to storage issues and

2. Due to reliability. I have JUST been reading about MK3's having 3 engine swaps, cat replacements etc. Sounds like there is a huge problem with them. So far most of the work has been covered under warranty but! the owners have still experienced the same problems. What happens when the warranty expires???

Forgot to say I wouldnt go for the Z3 either. There must be something else out there that you fancy?

[markiii]

I would say no to the MR2.
1. due to storage issues and

2. Due to reliability. I have JUST been reading about MK3's having 3 engine swaps, cat replacements etc. Sounds like there is a huge problem with them. So far most of the work has been covered under warranty but! the owners have still experienced the same problems. What happens when the warranty expires???

Forgot to say I wouldnt go for the Z3 either. There must be something else out there that you fancy?

Not that bad but loads of stuff on www.mr2roc.org

we have camped for 2 nights at JAE using a MK3 so it can be done, you just have to be a little more creative with your packing, just stuffing it in a bag and throwing that in teh boot isn't an option.

[ENSMR2]

Not that bad but loads of stuff on www.mr2roc.org

You sure? Check this link. It's a US site but quite a few UK guys posted also.

http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=46

[The Morris]

Dont buy the Z3, very girlie even with the 2.8. looking a bit dated now. Save up for a S2000.

[Kieron]

Out of the 2 you listed......

Z3

There are other cars though.....

[Lauren]

MX5?

1.8 is pretty good

[Vindezal]

I would say no to the MR2.
1. due to storage issues and

2. Due to reliability. I have JUST been reading about MK3's having 3 engine swaps, cat replacements etc. Sounds like there is a huge problem with them. So far most of the work has been covered under warranty but! the owners have still experienced the same problems. What happens when the warranty expires???

Forgot to say I wouldnt go for the Z3 either. There must be something else out there that you fancy?

Well, this will be remembered for years to come now, just like when the rev1 was brought out and the press noted it for slippy tail end...

[markiii]

I'm sure,

read on, on ROC

[JohnnyC]

I worked for a week at a Toyota dealership and they had a mk3 in there having an engine rebuilt, not sure of the cause though - might have been one of their mechanics that broke it though, like they did with my timing belt tensioner then handed it back to me hoping I wouldn't notice.

[BenF]

Hi guys - I'm new to the forum and at present am not an MR2 owner - however that is the reason for my post...please help.

I am going to treat myself to a 2 seater this July (bonus dependent of course) and I am having real trouble deciding between a:

• 2002 MR2 Mk3
  1998 BMW Z3 2.8

My wife and I like to go to motorsport events around the UK and usually camp at the events so my main issue is, would there be enough room in the MR2 for a tent, a couple of sleeping bags and a couple of small bags?
I have heard that some people take the spare wheel out and use the space there for extra storage (and carry a can of tireweld in case of a puncture) - do any of you guys do this?
Is the Beemer a better option?

Please help

Depends how much the driving side of things is important to you - the MK3 Roadster would beat the Z3 hands down for 'fun' factor on the road. You considered a late MK2 NA or Turbo? That would be better than the Z3 too (they're dire!) and have more storage space.

The Mk3 doesn't have that much in the way of storage - 90 litres - but when you think of your average large rugsack being 65-70 litres you can probably get a small tent / and a couple of sleeping bags in there, but not much more!

[markiii]

2 man tent, double sleeping bag, double airbed, and a crate of beer, plus clothes for 2 for 2 days .

[QED]

Thanks for all your replies guys - having read them all and thought about it I think I have struck the MK2 off the list. I am going to look further into the Z3 and the S2000 (however the S2000 is still a tad over my budget)

Someone mentioned the MX5 but it just doesn't do it for me - thats the reason I'm not looking into it. (Same with the MGF)

[Rogue]

2 man tent, double sleeping bag, double airbed, and a crate of beer, plus clothes for 2 for 2 days .

Both male?

Rogue

[Rogue]

Both male? Rogue

..and I was referring to the fact that women generally travel with more clothes than men rather than suggesting that mk3 owners have a tendency towards more experimental relationships (that's mk1 owners).

Rogue
(mk3 owner)

[markiii]

ROFL

I managed to get the GF to pack lite for once.

normally she can fill a suitcase with shoes and makeup.