Help me find a GT car. Must be BMW

[Jon325i]

^^^ I agree. E46 Touring should be choice #1. Choice #2 an E39 Touring (528 or 530).

If the intent of said GT car is for long road trips, you'll want room to haul people AND their stuff. Tourings make the most sense for this. I would stay away from anything ///M, just more costly to keep it on the road. If it were me I would be putting dependability/durability over performance for this type of car.

The ultimate would be a E46 Touring with an M54B30 swap & 5 or 6 speed manual.

[Nairb]

I have an e46 325xi Touring. It's a great all around car. I have the premium/cold weather package, silver on black leather. I get about 23/30 MPG. I've driven it to North Carolina from South Florida 3 times, and it's been nothing but great. The heated seats are awesome.

It currently has about 112,000, and as far as "major" maintenance, nothing real serious. Some front control arms, water pump/thermostat. Nothing too serious.

It's got enough power to pull hard when I want it to, and it's economical enough to not destroy my MPG's. It has plenty of cargo room for what I need it for (dog, beach stuff, etc) and the leather is holding up very nice. I put some really nice tires on it (Michelin Pilot Sport AS+) and the thing is unstoppable in heavy rain on these slick Florida roads, and I can take on-off ramps like no other with the AWD.

Only thing I don't really like is the automatic, but it does make it convenient. And since it's going to be a dedicated baby hauler, that's an added bonus. You can find the e46 xi's in stick, but good luck finding them.. they are few and far between. (I've only ever seen 1 for sale.)

So, my vote is for the e46 Touring.

[vegaskyle]

E46 touring with a s54 swap. Done.

HA. I had the same idea when I thought of a e46 touring.

I have had a e46 touring for over 7 years now. its really not that great of a long drive car-- better than an e30, but not all that comfortable either.

I had an 02 325ic and I thought it was comfortable on long drives, had the sport package too. Is there something about the touring that makes it less suitable for long drives?

Here is my thoughts on some of the other cars suggested:

E39: It looks like the 530i sport is going to be the best of the bunch. The 540i still holds some appeal. However, the reduced MPG, reliability, and added weight are all draw backs.

E38: A 740i sport would be a nice car to have but too much of a lux sedan for me.

E24: I do like the idea of a shark. It would have to be well sorted for me to take it on long road trips. Last thing I want is a broke down 25 year old car. The only other issue is the bumpers. euroshark's car looks great, the US bumpers kill it for me. I'd have to find a euro car or at least euro bumpers.

1600GT: Cool car but I need some modern comforts.

[Rennsport]

The most comfortable car I have ever road tripped in was a e32 735iL on h&r sports/bilsteins. Worst car was a Saturn sedan (worse than my stiff ass e30 with a fixed back seat)

e31's are awesome but way too easy to get in trouble in. Also if you don't find one that was immaculately cared for it will fall apart and they are more expensive to fix than m cars.

[Turf1600]

You guys got it all wrong. BMW 1600GT.

[QUKBMER]

I loved my 87 e28 535is w/heavy suspension mods and also my 95 e34 525i wagon. ;)

[e34john]

I'm not going to exclude something because it has 4 door but I'm not looking for a 740il either.

Get an e38 sport, last of the good looking BMWs besides the e39 M5.
The short wheelbase helps that car out and it looked pretty fun to drive when Bond, The Driver or Frank Martin were in them. That reminds me Imma go dust of my The Hire DVD and watch those movies again, BMWs and Adriana Lima, (love smiley goes here, what happened to it?)

[e34john]

Beyond the Nikasil issue? I don't know much about the engine. I just know the 540 6-speed was something I found unique (especially pre e39 M5) and cool.

e39s didn't have Nikasil blocks. Even then if there was an e34 540i in my area that was running great, I wouldn't worry it should have assploded 15 years ago if it was going to.

[euroshark]

E24 ftw.

[einstein57]

Dinan 635csi turbo. Thread/

[YetiX]

e46 330Ci. I put over 100k on mine in two years. Very comfortable, plenty of power and handling to be fun but could get over 32mpg averaging 80+. Never should have sold that car, I was an idiot.

[CorvallisBMW]

What kind of price range are you looking for? 2 or 4 doors? V8? I6? V12? Are you aiming for a particular MPG number? How important is trunk space???

All of these things are very important.

Personally I think the best cruisers are e34s, e39s and e32s. I love my '91 525i. I also have several friends with e39 530i Sports and they are awesome as well. I've also always liked the 735i, there is no motor more reliable (aside from the m10, those things are like herpes. They never go away)

[mikeedler]

the only real Gt car from BMW is the F07. drove one for a few hours the other day-- wow what a nice feeling car to drive-- feels like your driving in a Lazy boy, and feels like it is as wide as an H1 Hummer inside.
I guess that car is a bit out of the price range though.

I have had a e46 touring for over 7 years now. its really not that great of a long drive car-- better than an e30, but not all that comfortable either.

[RainierHooker]

For just a cruiser an eta like mine is great. But for a tourer a 6er would be the tits. Like Kovs said, mechanically they are very simple, just stay away from ones with the silly and complicated self-leveling suspension. M30 tractor motor FTW!

Edit: No, you can't have my eta. It wouldn't be prudent to sell my Daily Driver

[Kovs]

How about your Henna E30? If I ever come across one that looks as good as the one you have I'll snatch it up.

I do like the E24 but worry about the cost to keep it on the road. A good E31 is still to expensive.

Post 85 and up E24s are E28 535s underneath, so unless it is body or interior related, I wouldn't be too concerned about maintenance costs. Oh, and if you're getting one with rear AC that can be $$$ to set right.