[jd_perspective]

Originally Posted by CAMOETO

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.

Thanks everyone for so many great replies! I do love the look of the E9X M3's. It would be a daily driver, as ultimately I will try and have my 330i lease taken over. However, I don't drive much, maybe 5-7k miles a year.

I'll take a closer look at the M235i. I visually think its too small for me. But I've never sat in one.

I also do love the 6-series! But that might be just escalating maintenance costs, I dunno... time to research.!

[jd_perspective]

Originally Posted by positiveions

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.

No. I'm doing this to partially save some money. Grad school starts in May! Fun, right?

[jd_perspective]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I know, I know... I honestly haven't driven a stick since I started driving. Everything I ended up with had an auto and honestly don't want to bother. Sport mode can be fun

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by happyjack

the 7 year window rules out the z4m coupe, so i think you've nailed it in the under $30K range.

And the automatic. Z4 M Coupes CAN NOT be had with an automatic or even automated manuals.

Plus, at this point, it's unlikely a decent Z4 M Coupe with low mileage can be had for less than $30K.

[Chiraq M5]

Get a f10 535xi

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Z4M_GT3

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.

This and the 1M were the last hydraulic-steering M division products. They had a classic BMW feel which will never be replicated.

[happyjack]

Originally Posted by The HACK

And the automatic. Z4 M Coupes CAN NOT be had with an automatic or even automated manuals.

Plus, at this point, it's unlikely a decent Z4 M Coupe with low mileage can be had for less than $30K.

ah good point on the automatic! i didnt even realize that combo wasnt available. pricing wise, youre probably right for a low mileage copy, although my cars.com saved search occasionally returns them for under $25K with less than 60K miles...

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by happyjack

...although my cars.com saved search occasionally returns them for under $25K with less than 60K miles...

If those checks out...That's a steal. Anything less than 60K miles should fetch around 30-32K for a private party seller patient enough to wait for someone who actually knows what they're buying.

There are plenty of them that has had accidents where the damage is enough for insurance company to write off based on their book value, which is typically much lower than the car is actually worth. Heck at 13 years old, my insurance company probably thinks the car is only worth about $22K. Which makes me nervous every time I drive the car in public...But that just adds an extra layer of excitement trying to dodge mall crawling G-Wagons DWA in my neck of the woods.

[DanG]

I still think that an M235I will be the most fun for the dollar. Not an M2 but still a lot of fun to drive around town.

[Roccaas]

Originally Posted by The0pportunist

640i / 650i

Convertible

[boglehead]

I would remain in the reliable year old car still well within warranty and put the 30k into low cost Vanguard Index Funds.

However, I am sure that is not the answer you were looking for.

Best of luck, cheers!

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6

No. I'm doing this to partially save some money. Grad school starts in May! Fun, right?

Then Good luck on your search and school.

[jd_perspective]

Originally Posted by boglehead

I would remain in the reliable year old car still well within warranty and put the 30k into low cost Vanguard Index Funds.

However, I am sure that is not the answer you were looking for.

Best of luck, cheers!

haha thanks, it's not exactly cash right now anyway. I was going to take some out a non-retirement fund investment and just get a small 2-3 year loan - since interest rates seem really low and it's much better than my lease payment lol

find ways to save money and drive a cool car while doing grad school!

[jd_perspective]

Originally Posted by DanG

I still think that an M235I will be the most fun for the dollar. Not an M2 but still a lot of fun to drive around town.

Never really looked at the M235i's but just did some autotrader and carmax searches just to see what's out there... not too many within 100 mi of central florida but they do look nice in Blue or Black! Maybe a low mileage 2015/2016 would be fun. I'll have to go drive one!