{"version":"1.1.0","producer":"fm.getcarcurious","layer":"official","episode":{"title":"New BMW M3! Plus £1,500 cheap car challenge and where have all the convertibles gone? | TGS","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/new-bmw-m3-plus-1-500-cheap-car-challenge-and-where-have-all-the-convertibles-gone-tgs","audioUrl":"https://anchor.fm/s/10765e390/podcast/play/122168646/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-5-29%2F427066963-44100-2-d428722009e95.mp3","description":"BMW's new M Concept Neue Klasse isn't just a glimpse into the next M3 - it's practically the finished article.In this episode, Cam and Sam break down everything they learned from the M Concept's world premiere at Le Mans, detailing the massive differences between the upcoming electric and combustion versions.Then the two dive into a classic £1,500 cheap car challenge before wrapping things up with a troubling story on the frustrating decline of convertible sales and why there's no sign of a rescue mission anytime soon.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-serviceChapters:0:00 Intro11:35 BMW M Concept Neue Klasse34:03 £1,500 cheap car challenge52:54 Where have all the convertibles gone?Topics:BMW M Concept: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-germancars/le-mans-debut-for-bmw-m-concept-neue-klasse/51299Fun for £1,500: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2144944Convertible sales down: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2144467 Cam’s MG TF: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20573202 Sam’s Audi A4: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20598036 FOLLOW US: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads\n"},"annotations":[{"id":455641,"startTime":29.2,"endTime":38.6,"type":"place","title":"Le Mans","url":"/glossary/le-mans","quote":"We had quite possibly the most frantic Le Mans ever. 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I've gone for a 2007 Mercedes C class. It's a C 200. So it's only 1800 CC, but got 163 horsepower.","canonicalId":"car:mercedesbenz:cclass","priority":0.6,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"Mercedes-Benz's compact executive car line, with the 2007 model (W204 generation) noted for its sharp styling, improved reliability, and comfortable ride.","simplifiedExplanation":"A comfortable, mid-sized luxury sedan built by Mercedes-Benz, popular for daily commuting and highway driving.","imageAttribution":"Benespit (CC BY-SA 4.0)","imageLicense":"CC BY-SA 4.0","imageSourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:0_Mercedes-Benz_W206_1.jpg","sourceStartTime":2206.41,"sourceEndTime":2213.55}},{"id":455667,"startTime":2352.19,"endTime":2357.63,"type":"car","title":"Audi A4 Convertible","url":"/cars/audi/a4","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/2016_ASA_AutoX_IMG_6561_edited_%2828385495764%29.jpg","quote":"Drop the roof Audi A4. 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And it's, it's got 98,000 miles.","canonicalId":"car:mg:tf","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"A mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive roadster produced by MG Rover from 2002 to 2005, featuring a lightweight chassis and the lively Rover K-Series engine.","simplifiedExplanation":"A small, affordable British sports car with the engine placed in the middle of the car for better handling.","imageAttribution":"MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)","imageLicense":"CC BY-SA 4.0","imageSourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2001_MG_TF_X_Power_500_MARC.jpg","sourceStartTime":2918.8,"sourceEndTime":2927.3}},{"id":455672,"startTime":3033.55,"endTime":3039.77,"type":"car","title":"Mercedes-Benz Cclass","url":"/cars/mercedes-benz/c-class","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/0_Mercedes-Benz_W206_1.jpg","quote":"Yeah, go on. You sold me then. MGTF. That's my choice. Well, I'll contrast that massively with my C-Class, my Avant-Garde SE. Are you sure? Because I think if this was my money, I would want the A4. Oh, yeah, I do like the A4, but I'm just like, it's posh and I could put classic FM on the other one.","canonicalId":"car:mercedesbenz:cclass","priority":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive car that offers a blend of luxury, technology, and comfort. The 'Avantgarde SE' trim was a popular specification in older generations, offering a sportier aesthetic and upgraded equipment.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact luxury sedan made by the German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. 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Oh, wow.","canonicalId":"car:tvr:griffith 500","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"A lightweight, fiberglass-bodied British sports car powered by a thunderous Rover-derived V8 engine, famous for its lack of electronic driver aids and raw performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"A wild, loud British sports car from the 1990s that has a massive V8 engine but no modern safety features like traction control, making it very exciting (and tricky) to drive.","imageAttribution":"Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0","imageLicense":"CC BY-SA 3.0","imageSourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TVR_Griffith_.jpg","sourceStartTime":3104.8,"sourceEndTime":3117.0}},{"id":455674,"startTime":3208.93,"endTime":3214.79,"type":"car","title":"Pontiac GTO","url":"/cars/pontiac/gto","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/05_Pontiac_GTO_%286199097261%29.jpg","quote":"... spec room. It is even more basic. 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It is designed for everyday driving, offering a balance of comfort, space, and affordable running costs.","imageAttribution":"Lowdown (CC BY-SA 3.0)","imageLicense":"CC BY-SA 3.0","imageSourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Google_Street_View_camera_car_at_Konopnickiej_and_Ustronie_Streets_in_Sanok_(2021)a.jpg","sourceStartTime":3729.39,"sourceEndTime":3737.73}},{"id":455678,"startTime":3809.39,"endTime":3817.67,"type":"car","title":"Porsche 911 GT3 RS","url":"/cars/porsche/911","image":"/images/cars/porsche-911-press.jpg","quote":"Well, funnily enough, the car I'm driving next for PH will be the 911 GT3 SC. Very on topic. Very cool. Convertible. 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