R3V: Which Modern BMW (or Similar) to Daily?

[freeride53]

YET another daily thread.

But this time, it's for me, and looking to pull the trigger within a month.

Background:

I have daily driven my 318i for the last 7 years: in the SF Bay Area, in San Diego, in Chicago, and most recently drove it 6,000 miles around the whole damn continent. But I'm on my 6th week of living in Los Angeles and my commute is horrendous. For now, I am commuting around 3-4 hours per day, and it's getting old real quick. Plus a lot of the seals on my M42 are going bad and it's becoming quite apparent.

What do I want? A modern yet enjoyable BMW to drive everyday. My commute may be shrinking to 1-2 hours per day soon, but will be driving this thing ~250 miles every weekend LA - SD / SF.

Really want it to be a BMW. Must be a stick. Price range is ~$15k.

Looking to maybe throw a roof rack on it and leave it alone. Hands-off.

Here are the cars that I am considering:

• E46 M3 6-speed manual
• E60 525i / 528i manual
• E60 530i / 535i manual
• E92 328i manual
• E92 335i manual
• E39 530i manual
• 135i manual
• ONLY non-BMW considering (still a stretch) Volvo S60R 6-speed

Would like to hear feedback from current / past owners of any of these cars, or something else similar within the segment.

This is my attempt at getting a more civilized car, yet not too boring. I don't mind getting attached to it, but it'd need to be something that hopefully won't depreciate like crazy as my career/job may require me to move again within the next couple of years.

I love my E30 and would daily it forever. Hell I might even end up trying out one of these modern BMW's, hating it, and going back to the E30.

Looking forward to hearing R3V speak.

Thanks,
S

[alB5]

Don't know about California, but around here 15k will get you a very solid E46 M3. That would definitely be my first choice with regards to your criteria.

[UNHCLL]

E46 ZHP 6-speed
Thule Roof Rack

2 hours (100 miles) per day.
A/C
Heated Seats
Fun
Civilized when needed

Well under you budget, even with a $600 roof rack for bikes/boards/etc.

[BobombETA]

335 or 535 would be my choice.

[netcsk]

I "enjoy" my daily e90 with an N52. We've put about 80k miles on it (at 125k ish). Good gas mileage (30 mpg average for my 2 hour daily interstate, light traffic commute) and the N52 is a fairly reliable engine (i.e you're not going to be doing rod bearings like an S54). Considering I was driving a beat up VW Jetta TDI before we got the wife an X5 and I got the e90, its fun in comparison.

[Stanley Rockafella]

I'd skip the Volvo.

[rturbo 930]

I think I'd go for the E92 328i, or maybe an E46 330i. I wouldn't want the added maintenance of an S54 or turbos, and the associated problems.

[BECKSTER]

135i/335i.
They may not be the most reliable but with a jb4 tune they are the funnest of the bunch to drive.


S60r's are superb cars too.

[Mfever]

Of those choices, e46 m3 for sure!

[nando]

I really enjoy my E90 330i as a daily driver. It's probably been more reliable than even my E30 was. In the last 2 years, the only failure was a burned out angel eye bulb and I had a coil pack work itself loose (replaced it, but I'm pretty sure if I just plugged it in, it would have worked - but I had already purchased the new one).

The PO did maintain it fairly well though. I'm still on the original water pump at 120k, and the 330i is the N52 as it was meant to be - with the 3 stage intake and a nice torque curve. You can do the 3 stage on the 328i but it will be more costly, plus the 330i gets better brakes, suspension etc. stock.

I haven't driven an E60, but I'm not thinking if you like the E30 a lot that it will really suit. The E90 is already a large enough car for a family of 4, but still feels "nimble" somehow. I would stick to a 3 series, personally.

[george graves]

I wouldn't want the maintenance liability of e46 M3. E90 would be my choice with that budget.

[nrubenstein]

Probably the E90.

[agent]

I'm interested to hear some responses too.

[stonea]

I wouldn't want a e46 M3 as a daily. I love it and I will own one, but it won't be my daily. I would vote for a E46 ZHP

[318kid]

I had this same question and am very much considering a ZHP. They seem old enough that you can still work on them, but new enough that it has mostly modern amenities. Not as expensive to maintain as an M3 but still good.