Thinking about buying a BMW as a daily

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03-03-2019, 05:55 AM

#51

gerry100

Join Date: Jan 2010

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You can over think this thing.

Driving a BMW is more expensive then driving an equivalent mileage alternative and can "bite you in the ass" with a hefty bill.

If the uncertainty is emotionally too much and you're not in a position to "self insure" then you should consider another ride for the time being.

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03-03-2019, 06:46 AM

#52

dv55xc

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Join Date: May 2011

Location: Los Angeles

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A small update for those who have been following this thread:

I have been looking for a used BMW 135i or 335i for a few weeks now. At his point I have decided to give up sticking with the n54 only and included both n54 and n55 in my search. It is incredibly difficult to find a car that matches my criteria locally and in neighboring states. Here is an example of what I'm looking for:

My ideal 135i/335i coupe:

Model year: 2010
Trim:135i
Exterior: White
Interior: Red
Transmission: Manual (NO auto/double clutch)
Packages/ Features: M sport pack and navigation
Mileage: 80k and below
Title status: Clean

Now let's list what I am willing to take if I don't find my preferred spec.

What im willing to take:

Exterior: Any color
Interior: Red or Black
Model year: 2010 - 2013
Transmission: Manual (no auto/ double clutch)
Trim:135i or 135is, 335i or 335is
Packages/ Features: M sport pack or sport pack, and navigation (if possible)
Mileage: 80k and below
Title status: clean

I've had zero luck so far in my searches. If this continues through May or June I might have to look for another car. I started a back up plan just in case things don't work out. Im currently talking to a dealer who has 2 new 2019 CW ctr's on the lot. They offered me one of them with a $2k mark up but I think I can do better. We'll see how things work out in the coming weeks.

Thanks again for all the advice and insight

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03-03-2019, 08:39 AM

#53

riceball777

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: Los angeles

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiHonda

I had a N54 135i and grew not to love it. I got an intake, intercooler and Cobb tube. It was an absolute torque monster and that was fun until it wasn’t. The problem is I don’t really have roads that can take advantage of all that power so it just felt like a lion in a cage. Shifting isn’t that much fun because there is so much torque that in practical terms you can be two or theee gears away from optimal but it doesn’t matter. Want to pass on the highway? 6th gear is fine. There’s no involvement. The inline 6 is smooth and luxurious but doesn’t give much sense of speed. I’d prefer an E46 M3 which has much more usable power, more involving and is a better handling car besides.

As as others have said, if you can’t get enough torque, have willingness and ability to wrench, then an N54 car makes sense. Good luck in your search.

The e46 m3 has way way less usable power. It seams like you don’t lot the fact that the n54 has crazy low end power and power and crazy tq in any gear. If you want a car with with power only in the upper rpms and you want a car where you need to be in the correct gear to accelerate then yes you want a high rpm all motor car like the s2000/e46m3/e90m3. You want a narrow power and car. You don’t want a car with a large usable power and like a 335i. Or really any factory 6 or8 cylinder turbo car.

i personally have a high power turbo s2000 as well as a e90 335I and I love the crazy low end to and the ability to accelerate hard at low rpms in any gear.

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03-03-2019, 09:20 AM

#54

asrautox

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Location: LA

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N54/N55 cars are great up until 80k-90k miles. After that you're in for some serious money to keep them running properly. It gets old quick when your $15k car consumes $5k a year in maintenance..

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03-03-2019, 04:04 PM

#55

rob-2

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My issue appears to not be BMW's fault. 2 coils and 2 solenoids went bad. Replacing them, all problems resolved.

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03-05-2019, 01:24 PM

#56

ChiHonda

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Join Date: Aug 2015

Location: Chicagoland Area

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Quote:

Originally Posted by riceball777

The e46 m3 has way way less usable power. It seams like you don’t lot the fact that the n54 has crazy low end power and power and crazy to in any gear. If you want a car with with power only in the upper rpms and you want a car where you need to be in the correct gear to accelerate then yes you want a high rpm all motor car like the s2000/e46m3/e90m3. You want a narrow power and car. You don’t want a car with a large usable power and like a 335i. Or really any factory 6 or8 cylinder turbo car.

i personally have a high power turbo s2000 as well as a e90 335I and I love the crazy low end to and the ability to accelerate hard at low rpms in any gear.

We’re basically in agreement on these cars. I’ll clarify one thing. My phrasing was clumsy. The E46 has more “usable” power in terms of street driving at least where I live which is suburbs. I mean I can use the power that it has. I don’t have open spaces of highway to really get into 450 lbs feet of torque or whatever it what was on N54. That’s like 200 more lbs feet than an the M3! It’s like all torque of the m3 and s2000 added together and then some. My n54 was an absolute monster and I totally get the appeal.