What Car Should I Buy?

GSTim

Formerly M3Tim
So I'm starting to think that my almost 20 year old E46 M3 might not be the best daily driver. It's been in the shop more than in my driveway the last year, and as much as I love driving @Patrick 's old pickup everyday, that's getting a little stale also. Since I've never owned a new car, I need to keep that streak alive.

Thinking about an E90 M3 like 2011-2013, but what else should I be thinking about? Budget is somewhere around $30K. Any decent Porches for that money?

Anything Domestic (Mustang, Challenger, Charger, Camaro) that is comparable?

This will be a daily driver, 40+ miles each way, but I need to drive something a little special and with like performance.

Thoughts?
 

shrpshtr325

Infinite Source of Sarcasm
Team MTBNJ Halter's
i think the pony/muscle car type is going to be physically too big for you, they all ballpark 3500-4000 lbs or better depending on trim line, certainly fun to drive, but a different experience from the e46 by alot.

the 2008-(idr) bmws have a fair bit of seal issues with the gaskets and such on the engines (according to a guy i work with who has the 4.0l v8 in his x5) so expect to be spending time doing seal replacements if you get one of those. sorry to not be much help, just wanted to try and spare you the pain iv watched another friend go through(he swears he will never own another BMW after this one)
 

Patrick

Overthinking the draft from the basement already
Staff member
So I'm starting to think that my almost 20 year old E46 M3 might not be the best daily driver. It's been in the shop more than in my driveway the last year, and as much as I love driving @Patrick 's old pickup everyday, that's getting a little stale also. Since I've never owned a new car, I need to keep that streak alive.

Thinking about an E90 M3 like 2011-2013, but what else should I be thinking about? Budget is somewhere around $30K. Any decent Porches for that money?

Anything Domestic (Mustang, Challenger, Charger, Camaro) that is comparable?

This will be a daily driver, 40+ miles each way, but I need to drive something a little special and with like performance.

Thoughts?

500sl? or is that just trading one problem for another?
 

GSTim

Formerly M3Tim
i think the pony/muscle car type is going to be physically too big for you, they all ballpark 3500-4000 lbs or better depending on trim line, certainly fun to drive, but a different experience from the e46 by alot.

the 2008-(idr) bmws have a fair bit of seal issues with the gaskets and such on the engines (according to a guy i work with who has the 4.0l v8 in his x5) so expect to be spending time doing seal replacements if you get one of those. sorry to not be much help, just wanted to try and spare you the pain iv watched another friend go through(he swears he will never own another BMW after this one)
I heard that the later ones fixed some of the issues (rod bearings, etc.) not sure if this is true. @Carson ?
 

GSTim

Formerly M3Tim
i think the pony/muscle car type is going to be physically too big for you, they all ballpark 3500-4000 lbs or better depending on trim line, certainly fun to drive, but a different experience from the e46 by alot.

the 2008-(idr) bmws have a fair bit of seal issues with the gaskets and such on the engines (according to a guy i work with who has the 4.0l v8 in his x5) so expect to be spending time doing seal replacements if you get one of those. sorry to not be much help, just wanted to try and spare you the pain iv watched another friend go through(he swears he will never own another BMW after this one)
I have a convertible so the weight is the same (~3800lbs) even the coupes were almost 3500. Its not like I'm tracking it, just looking to have fun during my commute. :)
 

shrpshtr325

Infinite Source of Sarcasm
Team MTBNJ Halter's
I have a convertible so the weight is the same (~3800lbs) even the coupes were almost 3500. Its not like I'm tracking it, just looking to have fun during my commute. :)


lol weight may be the same footprint still isnt, but they are a blast to drive, definitely look into them, my r/t challenger (6 speed) is better on gas than my both of my buddies (gt mustang and 1le camaro) in case thats a deciding factor.
 

Carson

Sport Bacon
Team MTBNJ Halter's
I heard that the later ones fixed some of the issues (rod bearings, etc.) not sure if this is true. @Carson ?

When I was looking around it seemed like all the S65 had rod bearing wear, regardless of years. Whether the wear causes failure is the debate. Oil analysis seems to tell the story, but if you are going to buy one and keep it 10 years, I would say budget the cost of replacing the bearings sooner rather than later (or buy one that has been updated). They sound great but they don't have a ton of torque compared to the newer turbo I-6 motors. I think there are better choices.

Some ideas:

2018 Civic Type R, 20K miles, $33,000
2010 Boxster S, 30K, $31,000 (Cayman S is similar)
2008 GT500 Vert, 7K, $34,000 (Coupe is similar)
2012 C6 GS Vert, 15K, $35,000
2013 C6 Base, 19K, $28,000
2017 WRX STi, 28K, $29,000
2017 Golf R, 29K, $31,000
2017 Mustang GT PP, 7K, $28,000
2003 C5 Z06, 12K, $26,000
2013 Boss 302, 20K, $33,000
2017 Camaro 2SS, 17K, $35,000
2013 Challenger SRT, 9K, $30,000

If you get closer to $40,000, you are entering 15+ M3/M4 and 16+ M2 territory. Most of the F80/F82 M cars are DCT but the manuals are around. M2 DCT/manual is split about 50/50.
 

GSTim

Formerly M3Tim
When I was looking around it seemed like all the S65 had rod bearing wear, regardless of years. Whether the wear causes failure is the debate. Oil analysis seems to tell the story, but if you are going to buy one and keep it 10 years, I would say budget the cost of replacing the bearings sooner rather than later (or buy one that has been updated). They sound great but they don't have a ton of torque compared to the newer turbo I-6 motors. I think there are better choices.

Some ideas:

2018 Civic Type R, 20K miles, $33,000
2010 Boxster S, 30K, $31,000 (Cayman S is similar)
2008 GT500 Vert, 7K, $34,000 (Coupe is similar)
2012 C6 GS Vert, 15K, $35,000
2013 C6 Base, 19K, $28,000
2017 WRX STi, 28K, $29,000
2017 Golf R, 29K, $31,000
2017 Mustang GT PP, 7K, $28,000
2003 C5 Z06, 12K, $26,000
2013 Boss 302, 20K, $33,000
2017 Camaro 2SS, 17K, $35,000
2013 Challenger SRT, 9K, $30,000

If you get closer to $40,000, you are entering 15+ M3/M4 and 16+ M2 territory. Most of the F80/F82 M cars are DCT but the manuals are around. M2 DCT/manual is split about 50/50.
Thanks, where are you getting the prices? Craigslist or AutoTrader? Also sent you a PM.
 
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