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      02-22-2019, 10:07 AM   #1
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WWYD: $30K to spend on any used late model BMW, what would you get?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Let's say you have $30K to spend (out the door) and are looking for a fun BMW with more performance than a 2018 330i (my current car that I'm bored with) what would you buy?

Minimum Criteria:
- Has to be no older than maybe 7 years old, flexible but don't want something really old
- Nothing too specialty that maintenance is going to be a fortune, eg no V12's lol not that they would be $30k
- must be fun & sporty and come with an automatic... sorry I just dont care about driving a manual

and go!
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      02-22-2019, 10:16 AM   #2
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An E92 M3 is the first thing that comes to mind. Second would be an E82 135is. An E92 335is would also work if you prefer the turbo six in a larger car.
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      02-22-2019, 10:16 AM   #3
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135is?
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      02-22-2019, 10:37 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gurusan View Post
135is?
the 7 year window rules out the z4m coupe, so i think you've nailed it in the under $30K range.
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      02-22-2019, 10:37 AM   #5
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Any 2012-215 N20 or N26
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      02-22-2019, 10:42 AM   #6
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      02-22-2019, 10:46 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
An E92 M3 is the first thing that comes to mind. Second would be an E82 135is. An E92 335is would also work if you prefer the turbo six in a larger car.
Same here e92 m3 or a e82 135is those are very fun cars.
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      02-22-2019, 11:13 AM   #8
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Drop down to a 2 series, chip + tune. Lighter, more agile platform with all the creature comforts and utility you are accustomed to. Also has the benefit of a vastly improved paddle shift transmission compared to the older variants.
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      02-22-2019, 11:31 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
An E92 M3 is the first thing that comes to mind. Second would be an E82 135is. An E92 335is would also work if you prefer the turbo six in a larger car.
Cheap E90 M3 + new rod bearings + actuators

Call it a day
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      02-22-2019, 12:33 PM   #10
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I'd probably go with an e90m3 as many have suggested. If it was to be my daily, I'd probably opt for a e91 328/335. Don't think we have the e91 335 here in the states though.
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      02-22-2019, 01:29 PM   #11
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I would get a 2014 M235i. Not quite 7 years old, but a fun car in the price range.
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      02-22-2019, 01:39 PM   #12
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Considering it has to be less then 7 years old, E9X M3 alllll day. Nothing else comes close for the price/year etc from BMW as far as fun.
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      02-22-2019, 03:44 PM   #13
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If it's a DD I would not advise a e9x M3, although it's super fun. It's also super harsh, gets MPG in mid-teens, has rod bearing issues, and expensive maintenance in general.

I would recommend an F22 m235i. You can score clean and low miles 2014-2016 examples for < $30k all day long. 2014s are currently in the low-mid 20k range. Put a M-performance LSD on it for $2500 and call it a day. It's actually not much slower than an e9x M3, and feels quicker for normal driving due to the turbo-6. With a flash tune, it will be even quicker and retain stock driveability.

Also cheaper maintenance and they have been very reliable so far.
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      02-22-2019, 09:01 PM   #14
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M235i if you want something a bit newer. Otherwise an e92 m3 would be great if you can find a well sorted example.
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      02-22-2019, 10:10 PM   #15
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Any chance that the allowance can be increased to 45k? Cause my #1 choice would be E30 M3. It may not be as fast as 330i, but sure does bring joy driving one.
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      02-23-2019, 12:18 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6 View Post
- must be fun & sporty and come with an automatic...

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      02-23-2019, 12:12 PM   #17
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Extended warranty.....

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      02-23-2019, 12:55 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by gurusan View Post
135is?
More specifically, my 135is....way less than $30k.
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      02-23-2019, 07:00 PM   #19
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      02-24-2019, 02:03 PM   #20
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A nice low mileage e46 m3 or a nice e39 m5.
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      02-24-2019, 04:20 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CT335xi View Post
A nice low mileage e46 m3 or a nice e39 m5.
I would stay away from older M cars. They will eat you up in maintenance cost. One of the problems with the E46 M3 was the valves. They had to be manually set like on an older motorcycle. When I owned one several years ago it was $1,000 just to set the valves.
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      02-24-2019, 05:56 PM   #22
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I’d buy a used e550 MB, fast, big, cheap.
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