WTB: A New Daily Driver

[autokunst]

It is time to retire my beloved Daily Driver, Gadget, a 2011 335i x-drive, manual 6-speed with 200,000 miles on the clock. It is not being retired for the mileage alone - there are other unfortunate factors.

I have already started to look for a suitable replacement, in hope of finding a new-to-me trusted and beloved fair weather daily. I just recently missed out on a car that I thought was a perfect fit:

This is an E46 touring, with a ZHP drivetrain swap, manual trans, and a color combination that I love.


Here is the short list of my Wish List. By no means complete as there are so many cars I am open to considering:

- E46 touring
- E46 sedan (preferably ZHP package)
- Any car with the M54B30 engine
- Form factor not much if any larger than my current E90 sedan. So likely a 3-series or earlier 5 series? Or?
- Younger or older than E46, definitely considered
- Something that rises above a sea of "normal" daily drivers. An IYKYK car

To sum up: A car with at least a decade of life left to enjoy because it is low mileage and was cared for by one of us.

I am excited about tourings, sedans and even "special" coupes. Prefer the E46 era but would seriously consider special cars outside that range. I do think a manual transmission is necessary, but am open to being challenged.

Thanks for looking!
Stephen

 

[e9Leveque]

Go for the best BMW sedan of the modern era - E39 or even better M5 E39. Relatively reliable, parts are pretty easy to find, loads of power, available in manual (yes!) or auto (well, ok).
I own one and love it, previously had an E38. One of these in good condition can be found for relatively cheap. Like any BMW, there are certain things that are “has to be checked” before purchasing, mainly whether the VANOS and chain guides have been redone around 100-120k.

 

[Bmachine]

Yes! The e46 touring with zhp motor and manual box is (to me) the holy grail of DDs. I have the first part and can attest to the incredible usability combined with fun to drive character of that car. Great to throw around the corners with a bunch of 8’ 2by4s along with several 10’ conduit pipes for the next remodeling project.

Only downside is the poor gas mileage and the e90 seats are definitely better (to me at least)



10ft Xmas tree

 

[autokunst]

Go for the best BMW sedan of the modern era - E39 or even better M5 E39. Relatively reliable, parts are pretty easy to find, loads of power, available in manual (yes!) or auto (well, ok).
I own one and love it, previously had an E38. One of these in good condition can be found for relatively cheap. Like any BMW, there are certain things that are “has to be checked” before purchasing, mainly whether the VANOS and chain guides have been redone around 100-120k.

Well, sure. I think an M5 would suffice in the power category - ha ha. I hadn't let myself consider such a beast, but I am enjoying thinking about it after your suggestion. That might be a little more car than I need. But I'll add it to the list. My fears are the necessary maintenance to that wonderful S62 engine and the associated costs therein. But otherwise, yes!

 

[autokunst]

Yes! The e46 touring with zhp motor and manual box is (to me) the holy grail of DDs. I have the first part and can attest to the incredible usability combined with fun to drive character of that car. Great to throw around the corners with a bunch of 8’ 2by4s along with several 10’ conduit pipes for the next remodeling project.

Only downside is the poor gas mileage and the e90 seats are definitely better (to me at least)

View attachment 213682

10ft Xmas tree

I can only imagine the storage capacity is glorious. Heck, I can get 8' 2x4s and 10' pipes in my E90 sedan. These wagons - no one seemed to want them when they were new, and now they are a niche thing. Love it! Which version do you have, Bo? 325it? (that seems to be the most prevalent iteration).

So the hunt has been refined to:
- E46 touring/sedan
- E39 touring/sedan/M5 (these are roughly 10" longer than my E90, and 15" longer than the E46s)

This search (and fun) continues.

 

[e9Leveque]

I have the 540i, which is the M62 engine, but both that and the S62 are really not that maintenance-heavy. There are some common things that go wrong but aside from the above-mentioned timing chain/VANOS, most of them can be fixed in your own without too much difficulty. This is likely the instance, though, where spending a bit more upfront to purchase one that’s mechanically sound pays off over time. Especially for a daily driver. That evaluation may be more necessary for a 530/540 over the M5, since the non-Ms can be picked up for $8-12k, so you get a lot of younger folks purchasing them and using for a bit then selling. Since the Ms cost a bit more it’s a different crowd. But yes, highly recommend checking them out. And getting a nice M5 for around $40k is definitely possible