[newoldbeemer]

I've posted here (I think years back) with a similar question but I haven't found any yet.

Requirements:
- four door, four seat
- punchy engine (especially low-end & midrange torque)
- decent interior & exterior looks
- automatic transmission
- steering with a feeling of accuracy
- BMW sport seats or something equally good
- Nav, rear view camera
- Not older than 3 years old, 20k miles

Primarily I am looking for a car to punch holes in traffic and something I can have fun doing so, haul my family to local destinations in comfort.

I currently drive an E92 328i (I used to own an F30 328i between 2013 to 2015), switched primarily for steering feel, but now the four door requirement is a must-have. The E92 is excellent otherwise.

Here are alternatives I considered and why they don't "fit":
- B8.5 S4 - Interior is too dated, I can't live with it
- B9 S4 - Way too expensive
- C43 AMG - Too expensive
- C400 / C450 (discontinued) - The automatic transmission felt weird and slow-shifting on these, apparently thats part of the stuff they overhauled as part of the C43 upgrade.
- Q50 - I dislike the looks
- Jaguar XE - the V6 one is 55k+, can't find a decent used one around where I live. Also, concerned with resale-ability.
- WRX / STI - I don't like the WRX in automatic (not a CVT fan), and I need an automatic (already have a motorcycle for when I feel like shifting)
- Audi S3 - dislike the looks, wish they gave us a hatchback instead!
- Golf R - This is an interesting one - I can't find one with Nav this side of 40K! Still considering this one but 40K+ for a Golf is really expensive.

A lightly used 335i with msport, tech & driver assistance looks immensely compelling compared with everything else. Going to look at one on Saturday.

On my previous F30 I had the M Peformance Suspension, so not sure how I will feel with an Msport. But my current E92 has "just msport" too, and to be honest I actually think E92 suspension isn't that great. So I suspect it wont be so bad.

Wife was suggesting that we try something else after owning three 3-series (N54, then N20 and then N52), but I really don't see an alternative at this price point.

Just thought I would post here and get any additional thoughts?

[pz619]

What's your price cap?

Maybe the new alfa if you don't care about reliability and build quality. Word from the streets is that it's a good drive though. $38K base price.

[EatMoreLobsters]

I have a 335i, absolutely love it for a performance sedan. My wife has the new Infiniti Q60 (300 HP edition) which is the coupe version of the Q50 you listed. Comparing the 335 vs q60 which both base at 300 HP I would pick the 335 every day of the week, the q60 is a comfortable car but the performance is mundane. I know this is way out of the league, but i've drive an Audi S8 and RS5 - neither were very enjoyable. MB c class are, just as every MB overpriced - but if you want straight luxury that will beat a bmw. I have not driven the Golf R but that looks like an interesting car, although I would not buy it.

There is no better car maker for what you want than BMW, wrx/sti is probably the next best thing but I don't care for their body.

[donkey]

I'd get the Golf R. You don't really need the nav as it has carplay/android auto.

[insanecoder]

If you can grab a used and unabused 335 thats my vote

[dreamingat30fps]

You didn't specify price range so. Some cars I like that have not been mentioned yet.

Jaguar XF
Cadillac CTS or ATS

[anotheran]

These are my choices:
- B9 S4 - Way too expensive
- C43 AMG - Too expensive

Due to your budget and vague definition of "decent interior & exterior looks" eliminating some good choices, 335i or ATS-V

[Buzzo]

Originally Posted by newoldbeemer

- steering with a feeling of accuracy

- Golf R - This is an interesting one - I can't find one with Nav this side of 40K! Still considering this one but 40K+ for a Golf is really expensive.

335 and steering feel don't go together so well. If you can look past the "but it's a Golf" the R is actually quite a bit of bang for the buck. Even so, I consider the GTI Sport to be the sweet spot at well under 30K.

[H2O]

Why not a 535d with msport. It has all the characteristics you are looking for + fuel savings. I have that same engine in my x5 and it is a blast to drive in terms of low-end midrange punch. Couldn't even imagine what it would be in a sedan. 335d would be even better but I don't know if it was brought at all in North America. Not in Canada for sure.

[newoldbeemer]

Sorry forgot to mention my budget, its about 40k.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[newoldbeemer]

Originally Posted by drive

I'd get the Golf R. You don't really need the nav as it has carplay/android auto.

Thats interesting! I assumed CarPlay is only in the version that has nav, is that not so?

[BMW11]

honda accord v6 ? Lexus G350?

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by newoldbeemer

Sorry forgot to mention my budget, its about 40k.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Carmax has a bunch of Golf R with nav around $35k. Given that Carmax pricing is usually high I'm sure they can be had for even cheaper.

Between the Golf and the 335 I would personally go with the 335i if you want it for family trips. Or I would go down to a GTI and save a bunch of $$.

At the top of your budget you could get a CTS Vsport Premium and I would take that over the Golf or 335 any day.

[413Bimmer]

335i with some Bilstein B14s put in? Comfortable enough for the short rides with family but gives you that steering feel your looking for... just a thought

[Rick Hunter]

If I was in the market I'd seriously consider a used Maserati Ghibli. It would satisfy most of the checklist. It's got poor residuals which makes them excellent used purchases.

[donkey]

Originally Posted by newoldbeemer

Thats interesting! I assumed CarPlay is only in the version that has nav, is that not so?

Yep, all GTIs and Rs come with CarPlay. If it were my money, I'd get a base R since DCC isn't really needed, or a Sport/SE GTI since they come with an amazing LSD and can be had much cheaper.

I have a GTI SE and 335i, and to be honest I find the GTI better in almost every possible way.

If you're into modding the GTI can become an absolute monster as well.

[Humdizzle]

sounds like you want a 335i. the car just does everything well and there is a ton of aftermarket support for improvement since the BMW community is very motorsport driven.

but i can also see your wifes point of view. lifes too short to drive the same car over and over again. this is my 3rd bmw but in fairness the e36 and e46 m3 i had were vastly different from the modern BMWs.

give the golf R a test drive. i looked at one but they aren't really autobahn cars which is what i needed for my commute.

[ssuene93]

What about a 435GC or 440GC? They fit well on what your need.

[oftenimitated]

Chevrolet SS - the sedan that was produced for small period of time.

great engine, nice interior, understated exterior which turns most people off but I think they look good with nice wheels and de-badged.

[newoldbeemer]

Originally Posted by ssuene93

What about a 435GC or 440GC? They fit well on what your need.

Sorry by F30 I really meant including 435i GC. To me they are similar enough that I consider them pretty much the same.

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

sounds like you want a 335i. the car just does everything well and there is a ton of aftermarket support for improvement since the BMW community is very motorsport driven.

but i can also see your wifes point of view. lifes too short to drive the same car over and over again. this is my 3rd bmw but in fairness the e36 and e46 m3 i had were vastly different from the modern BMWs.

give the golf R a test drive. i looked at one but they aren't really autobahn cars which is what i needed for my commute.

I really do! I'm really torn between it and the Golf R. I did test drive both already.

Looking at a brand new GolfR, and a two year old 335i. The Golf costs 3K MORE than the 335i.

Golf R appeal:

• Small, chuckable, tons of fun weaving through traffic
• I love the touchscreen and the Apple CarPlay
• AWD for trips to Tahoe

Golf R turnoffs:

• Looks like the eGolf

335i appeal:

• Stay with my favorite brand!
• Toys - The one I'm looking at is actually pretty loaded, Driver Assistance, Driver Assistance Plus, Msport, DHP, Premium, Tech, HK...
• More effortless power (the GolfR feels quick when you flog it but I feel like it has to be worked a bit more to extract the power, the 335i is all-torque all the time)
• Will look amazing with a few $100 on a front lip, side skirt and blacked-out grille.
• I feel like when it comes to resale time this will sell higher / easier than the GolfR (after say 3 yrs and 40k miles on either car)

335i turnoff:

• No new experience. Already had an F30, already had an N54 and driven many N55s. The "new car" feel will last just hours if not minutes, pretty sure my wife won't even want to see it when I bring it home (not that she hates it or anything, she'll be like "ok cool, another 3 series"). The Golf, she would probably want to drive it (she already loves Golfs and wants one someday)

So yeah.. I'm really torn here.

[scostu]

Originally Posted by newoldbeemer

Sorry by F30 I really meant including 435i GC. To me they are similar enough that I consider them pretty much the same.



I really do! I'm really torn between it and the Golf R. I did test drive both already.

Looking at a brand new GolfR, and a two year old 335i. The Golf costs 3K MORE than the 335i.

Golf R appeal:

• Small, chuckable, tons of fun weaving through traffic
• I love the touchscreen and the Apple CarPlay
• AWD for trips to Tahoe

Golf R turnoffs:

• Looks like the eGolf

335i appeal:

• Stay with my favorite brand!
• Toys - The one I'm looking at is actually pretty loaded, Driver Assistance, Driver Assistance Plus, Msport, Premium, Tech, HK...
• More effortless power (the GolfR feels quick when you flog it but I feel like it has to be worked a bit more to extract the power, the 335i is all-torque all the time)
• Will look amazing with a few $100 on a front lip, side skirt and blacked-out grille.
• I feel like when it comes to resale time this will sell higher / easier than the GolfR (after say 3 yrs and 40k miles on either car)

335i turnoff:

• No new experience. Already had an F30, already had an N54 and driven many N55s. The "new car" feel will last just hours if not minutes, pretty sure my wife won't even want to see it when I bring it home (not that she hates it or anything, she'll be like "ok cool, another 3 series"). The Golf, she would probably want to drive it (she already loves Golfs and wants one someday)

So yeah.. I'm really torn here.

CPO'd F31 Msport, adaptive suspension (or KW coilovers) and add JB tuner or Dinan tuner.

Works great for me, wife and 2 young kids.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by oftenimitated

Chevrolet SS - the sedan that was produced for small period of time.

great engine, nice interior, understated exterior which turns most people off but I think they look good with nice wheels and de-badged.

I would totally get one of these if they would update the interior ala Camaro/Corvette and you could get them for a bit cheaper. The used ones seem to go for high 30s. One of the few sedans you can actually get with a manual, total sleeper.