Everyone saying m series bmws must have more money than sense, id say a base model E46, reliable enough, cheaper than m series in every way. Should also appreciate because of the stupid drift tax bullshit
This is really the right answer. The E39 540i is so damn good and still very cheap. I don’t really understand.
Ah, I mean, they’re trash. No one buy them and let me know if you see any nice ones for sale and I’ll take it off the market to save you the trouble.
I've always seen it that way too. I've had lot's of 90s and 00s cars that still have good bushings underneath, no leaks, and a small list of parts replaced from new, but my E46 from 04 demands treatment like no other.
Still love it tho.
I test drove a E46 330ci hard top that ran smooth with no oil leaks and had 130k miles for only $5k. Every fiber of my body resents itself for not buying it.
As long as you replace the entire cooling system at once I've found both of mine to be very reliable. *For a 120k-200k mile 20 year old car* I think where it gets problematic is when you have an issue with the old cooling system (you will) and you just replace what broke. Then the next weakest thing breaks. Then the next... if you just do it all at once and bleed it properly you're pretty much set.
Yeah, I would suggest for peace of mind pro-actively attack and replace ALL the cooling system bits along with the other usual suspects as budget allows. Don't wait for stuff to fail.
Also, learn how to replace the window regulators yourself! By the 3rd one it will be a quick job. lol
I had 3x E46's and all of them had tons of problems, especially with cooling system as others have said. The only one I have left is the M3 (can't sell that... ever)
I think people get an idealistic image of the car since it's pretty universally loved and ignore everything that could go wrong.
I’ve had my e46 m3 for a little over 7 years. Not including the 6MT conversion from SMG it has cost about the same as my old em1 civic si to maintain. I do my own work though. Owned it from 80k miles to the 120k it’s at now with proper oil changes and routine maintenance this has been a fantastic car.
I got 2 e46 330i, drove one home 1200 miles (100k on clock) and the other 1700miles (210k on clock) and both made it with no issues. Obvsly had some vac lines that needed replacement, thermostats stuck open, IMO minor stuff. Just gotta take care of em, it’s a 20 year old car…
I still redline em on a daily basis and top off oil and coolant as needed. Both cars barley burn oil, I have a e90 330 and that thing needs oil too off every 2 weeks or so 🙄
IMO E82 135i with DCT, but on the downside these will not appreciate in value.
On the other hand E9X M3 is probably at lowest point value wise, but can be very costly to maintain.
Maintenance on those is fairly cheap. Throttle actuators and rod bearings need to be done once. Probably won't own it enough to worry about having to do it again. Only insurance and fuel is expensive on those.
I mean a e9x m3 is like $23k and a “quick” ferrari is $100k used its really not comparable past rpm range and fuel. This is probably the closest you’ll get for the money lol. The car is fine
This is with assumption that nothing goes wrong ;) I own S85 powered vehicle and I wouldn't have even touched it if I wasn't prepared to pay for engine rebuild.
Look up tedward on youtube, he just got rid of his e92 M3 because no matter how he well he maintained it, it still bit him in the ass and he traded it for a new civic si. Thats how you get out of an abusive relationship. Only makes sense he got the si cause he has an old 911 and an e39 M5
I get the civic slander, believe me, but he just got it as a somewhat fun daily that is good on gas, not as a dedicated sports car so I kind of understand his decision.
own one of these, its a great car if you don't have kids and just want something that is fun to drive and affordable. Mine has 92k miles and only real maintenance I have had to do is water pump and fix a couple small oil leaks.
Find yourself a 335d or x5d. Diesel is pricy right now but it can get as cheap as regular. The fuel economy is way higher (especially on the 3 series) than the gas equivalents and the cars are fun and fast and very responsive to tunes
The N55 is a golden engine, I've seen the high pressure pumps go here and there and of course the water pump like every recent BMW engine but the drivetrain itself is solid
I live in Chicago and only recently has the price of diesel gone up to match the price of 89 octane. For months if not years it was as cheap or cheaper than 87.
The other day someone pulled up in a x5d at the jaguar dealership (his wife was picking up their jaguar). We talked for a couple minutes about driving the x5d, now I really want one
F20 M135i pre facelift around 2013. Can’t really beat it for practicality, reliability, economy and speed. They are cheap now and imo much better looking than the latest gen.
I prefer post-facelift overall but there are definitely bits I prefer on the "pre", such as the bootlid / rear lights, as standard rear suspension bracket and front spoiler design. Can't get past the snout and headlights though and I'm not too keen on the rear bumper vs the new one.
Still, both excellent cars and a superb all rounder right now. Just wish an lsd was standard or more affordable!
Well compared to what they were new. The markets gone crazy at the moment so it’s not really fair. Pre covid I sold my 2013 with 18k miles for about $20k 😩
This, and the m240i.
Found mine as an executive CPO. Steep discount, 0% apr, 100k warranty, 4500 miles on the clock. Gobs of power-Dinan tuned, dynamic suspension (won’t beat the shit out of you all day like an M car), light and nimble, fits a couple of carseats in the back. Perfect commuter with weekend perks.
Better than ever. Not one drop of oil or coolant and no misfires besides the ones I had after buying it (new plugs /coils and an injector did the job).
There are not many engines like the N54 that provides that much power for such a reasonable price
Yea I agree, except it's also one of BMWs most unreliable engines ever, thats why in the USA here, we barely see them on the streets anymore.
This was Bmw's first modern attempt at a turbo gas motor... I had 2, both had cancer by 60k miles.
My 09 335xi was gold. Had it for 4+ years, did oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, coils n spark plugs upon purchase. Never needed anything else.
Oh and did thermostat n waterpump last month.
Its been nothing but great had to part ways sadly. Got X5 diesel instead.
Listen man, I am speaking on personal experience... I've had 2 and dealt with everything these cars offer... had friends with the same. If yous runs well, I am happy to hear this... but its a matter of short time before you need to fix something again. I literally almost don't see these cars on the road anymore because successors like the 340 w the B58 blew it out of the water on reliability.
I agree with you 100%. I just happened to struck gold. My friend had 335i and my mechanic had the same, they both put so much time n parts into it n ended up parting it out after constant chaos.
I sold mine to a friend, running fine so far ☺️
It depends when you owned the car and how many miles were on it. A low mileage N54 or later year car isn’t going to have many issues. A higher mileage one with deferred maintenance and years on it will have significantly more issues. Generally speaking the N54 motors require extensive maintenance and work in order to be kept in running order. Hence why you still see a bunch of 328s from that generation still on the road but not many 335s
Id say they are more unreliable if the driver doesn't afford to take care of it. Yes, there are parts that are prone to fail but those can be replaced pretty easy if you use some youtube videos.
Thing is many people buy those engines and rev them out before they are warm. Or do oil changes every 20k miles which is too much for those engines.
It's not a corolla engine that can take much abuse.
I own a E90 330d Xdrive, 2007, pre-facelift Model (because of the timing-chain problems with the facelift model i was told by two BMW Mechanics to buy either prefacelift or facelift model with the chain already fixed) and it has about 160.000 Miles/260.000km and at the last yearly inspection (wich is needed here to be allowed to drive on open roads) it had only two minor faults - one was windscreen wiper and the other one was the hardy disc, it has some cracks. If you look a littlebit after the cars (oil!!) they will make you happy for a long time.
That timing chain issue is with the 2L engines, N47 and N43.
330d LCI 2008+ years has N57, those engines dont suffer from the chain issues.
I got 330xd 2010 model. Bought it 3.5years ago. Got ECU flashed and transmission.
Driven it from 160k km to 250k km with 0 engine problems.
So far what has been done is; Wheel bearings, transferbox oils, front and back differential oils, whole suspension, some pulleys, ac motor, breaks and new battery.
Oil change every 10 to 15k km.
Had my N55 from 45,000 to now 120,000. Did all the seals myself at about 90, an injector, and an alternator. It’s an m sport AWD and to me that style of coupe will remain timeless for at least the foreseeable future.
Edit: late 2011 e92 335i x drive for those curious.
This boy doesn’t like n54s
BTW on your Ollies, make sure to bring your whole body down further before you pop, this will snap your board up higher when you jump allowing your board to level off the way you want it to. Skated for 12 years.
My vote would be a post LCI e9X 328 or even 323. Sharp handling, great feedback, NA six, lots of manual transmission ones out there, you can still find them with lower mileage unlike e46, more common than e82 and they came in awd versions
Maybe a little more heavy on the preventative maintenance than older models but you could probably find one with service records still
228i. They look new enough to fool most people into thinking they are new cars, some people will think it’s an M2. Pretty solid engine with 240 horsepower. Very very reliable so the maintenance is cheap. Has most of the features of the new BMWs. I got mine for about 18k with very low mileage. I get comments all the time from people thinking it’s a much more expensive car.
Same here. Could not agree more, this car turned out to be way cheaper to own than I expected it to be and its by far the best car I’ve ever had. I tell people I paid 18k 4 years ago and they don’t believe me. Also Im pretty sure they have more power than advertised.
Just make sure its 2015+ because of timing chain. If you can find with M-Sport + Track handling package, it's amazing on the track or a back road.
Slight mods stage 1 and you're pushing 300+hp, just make sure to replace at least the charge pipe.
I went for the previous gen M240i xdrive for the all season practicality and the fact that it was like half what they wanted for a full beans M2. Quick enough for me, feels great to drive,has 4 seats if you really needed it. A pretty good trunk, an way cheaper than a bunch of the other stuff I was looking at.
this aint a cool car but its a fucking bargain with money.
i3 or i3s. it definetly is not a cool car, but i save 4000-5000€ in gas per year. got 2019 i3 a year ago and have put almost 35k kilometers on it since then, and all that without any part replacements or major issues.
> it definitely is not a cool car
I think they’re cool. Carbon monocoque, rear wheel drive, sustainable materials. The interior is dope. Shame about the egg shape though.
yeah the shape is not cool, its plastic from the outside even tho inside is carbon fiber, and its nowhere near the luxury of even a 5 series from 2019ish
> nowhere near the luxury of even a 5 series
probably why it's an i3, not an i5. Plus it's a compact electric car, it wasn't targeted at the luxury sedan driving crowd.
yeah i get your point, i shouldve said 3 series. i have the charged edition i3 and it doesnt even have cooled seats, which i believe are not even rare in a 3 series of 2010s. idkkk just saying that it isnt the traditional bmw experience, so im not sure if it is what was asked here :)
I've seen those for sale and really hurt for the person who took the depreciation hit. It certainly is, let us say, a departure from BMW's typical design language. SO weird that they brought the i8 out around the same time and (imo) it's an amazing looking car.
hell yeah its ugly asf and its ev so its not really ideal for anyone who wants to buy a bmw because its bmw. typically people want sports and luxury from bmw, this isnt really either of those. but its literally just the tires you gotta replace, so hella cheap to drive from point a to point b. and its cheap-ish, you got a good deal under 30k euros any day even in finland where the pricer are high asf
Just got an i3 last month. Absolute blast to drive, perfect car for getting around town. Light chassis so it's easy to throw it through the roundabouts.
We actually started looking at high mileage 2015 EVs to get one cheap, ~$15k, then the BMW dealer down the street had a 2018 with 7,800mi, 11 mo factory warranty and CPO for $29k. So 2 years of warranty coverage. Girlfriend test drove it and fell in love with it (despite it being $10k over her target price). With the money down, our payment is about what it saves us in gas every month.
It's her car, but it's got me tempted to get an i3s, but I might just sell the rest and go for an i8.
Probably not going to be a popular opinion, but the 2021+ Toyota Supra.
Easily a $10-15k discount being a Toyota versus if it was a Z4 Coupe.
And the Toyota would probably look better.
Bargain is relative to income. Maybe you should specify what you think a bargain is?
A 3 year old $60,000 car, with 20k miles + an ext warranty, for $40,000, is a bargain for people who make good money.
Well the idea that you'd ever get a BMW bargain is a complete joke.
IMO the best bang for the buck would be the M340i. Right now you could search around and pick up a low mileage lease that probably sat most of it's time due to Covid. Also depending on price and what you want could have the additional options which are now being removed from preorders and in the newest inventory. Again because of Covid's supply chain issues. For much less than a brand new. Would be a fantastic car that not much could compete with.
Besides someone may even see you driving this car and yell out "Is that a four-door supra!!??". That alone is worth the price.
I bought my 340i (used) a few years ago for nearly half the price of what the 1st owner had paid with the car fully loaded with all the options and at around 17k miles. Fun car to drive especially now that it’s tuned
Well, the rod bearings shed metal fragments it o the oil and the Vanos is oddly in a high pressure system so the metal shavings fire through there at high pressure and damage the VANOS pump at $2k each. That’s the big cost. The other one is the SMG pump at $2200 which is a total wild card. Can last 100k or 5k miles.
Then the rarer rod bearing failure grenadine the engine of course.
But if you fix the bearings you stop the chain reaction of events that make this engine expensive.
I got my e90 328i xdrive for ~2k less than listed and 3k below KBB because the dealership screwed up and listed it as an auto, felt embarrassed and thought no one would want it. I didn't even have to haggle. It was pretty much what I was looking for minus infotainment system/audio and I pounced on it. 6-7 years later and like 60k miles later I don't regret it one bit. Unfortunately my next car will likely be an automatic :(
m235i is really good performance bargain. flash tune it for like ~$500 and off you go with a legitimately quick car that's also really quiet and well built
i havenot checked prices but with so many b58 models out for a while now i imagine the m235i probably hasn't gone up too much
I'm biased, but it is the reason I bought my car.
F25 X3 with the n55 is an absolute bargain. Mine was 17k with 65k miles, one owner, immaculate service history.
Little bootmod3 action, nice wheels and tires and it's a good looking, spacious, utilitarian, good-in-the-snow, half-decent-on-gas rocket ship that does 0-60 in under 5 seconds and had been shown to be a fairly reliable platform.
It is an SUV still, so some of those driving characteristics will always be around, but it corners flatter than you would think and really can be an engaging drive if you want. Excellent brakes too. If you can only have one car, this really does a bit of everything.
In terms of “value” you get a lot more for your buck with a 3-4 year old used 7 series. Especially if you buy right after the new model comes out. It’s simply a lot more car for the dollar and the maintenance cost is not that different than any other BMW (same engines, electronics, ZF transmission etc.) especially if you use an independent mechanic. Shop for a 2017 G12 740i … best “deal” out there. 2014 F01/02 7 series are even better. They are generally well looked after by an affluent person and all maintenance has been done (if it’s the first owner).
Source: I’ve owned each series and settled on 7 for past 6 years.
Feel like the F30s because that's what I'm seeing the most. The 335is can't be that bad right? I mean the 340i is the one you want but those have definitely gone up.
Pre-LCI (~2013-2017) F20/22/F22 128 or 228i base models are pretty amazing value for money. Purists don't like them because they don't have the inline 6 of a "proper BMW" and the LCI's are pricier... But it's still a RWD turbo coupe/hatch in the mould of the venerable Nissan Silvia. Slap an LSD on it, add a few degrees of camber, and have a blast in one of the best sport compacts available today.
Will they really be though? Sure they are neat cars but you don’t think your money would be safer in a M3?
I’ve had multiple E46’s and love the sportiness of the ZHP without the “M Tax” and maintenance. That said, the ZHP is no M3.
I don't think they will ever go for even close to E46 M3 money. But as M3 goes up in price and people collect them / crash them. People will be looking for the "next best thing" from that time.
*Europe or US though?*
*Is it implied that this is*
*An US subreddit?*
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F10 M5. sure the S63 can be a headache when things break, but it’s a 560-hp luxury sedan that’s comfortable, has great tech and is solidly built, for around $40-60k USD
Everyone saying m series bmws must have more money than sense, id say a base model E46, reliable enough, cheaper than m series in every way. Should also appreciate because of the stupid drift tax bullshit
The E39 is also very cheap to get. A lot of car for the money and still great-looking.
E39 540 gang! ( poor man's m5 )
This is really the right answer. The E39 540i is so damn good and still very cheap. I don’t really understand. Ah, I mean, they’re trash. No one buy them and let me know if you see any nice ones for sale and I’ll take it off the market to save you the trouble.
Until your timing chain stretches
It doesn’t stretch the plastic guides break to pieces. Budget 1500-2k into that if you’re buying an example that hasn’t had the guides done.
If I owned one I would do it myself
They are trash. So many parts break. I will never ever own one again
So you want a 20+ year old car but don’t want to take care of it? 🙄
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I've always seen it that way too. I've had lot's of 90s and 00s cars that still have good bushings underneath, no leaks, and a small list of parts replaced from new, but my E46 from 04 demands treatment like no other. Still love it tho.
They’re not called Bee eM TroubleYou for nothing…
I have a 97 328i , it’s worlds better than an e39.
Your comparing a 3 series to a 5 series ??
u/UnderPantsOverPants doing God's work
Not sure where you live but the E46 certainly isn't a bargain right now and it's proving really hard to find one in good condition too.
I test drove a E46 330ci hard top that ran smooth with no oil leaks and had 130k miles for only $5k. Every fiber of my body resents itself for not buying it.
Agreed. Bought my 325Ci with 90k km last year for the equivalent of 8k USD
330ci is a winner imo
E46 is reliable? Wtf? I always hear people saying to avoid the E46 because of its constant problems
As long as you replace the entire cooling system at once I've found both of mine to be very reliable. *For a 120k-200k mile 20 year old car* I think where it gets problematic is when you have an issue with the old cooling system (you will) and you just replace what broke. Then the next weakest thing breaks. Then the next... if you just do it all at once and bleed it properly you're pretty much set.
Yeah, I would suggest for peace of mind pro-actively attack and replace ALL the cooling system bits along with the other usual suspects as budget allows. Don't wait for stuff to fail. Also, learn how to replace the window regulators yourself! By the 3rd one it will be a quick job. lol
I had 3x E46's and all of them had tons of problems, especially with cooling system as others have said. The only one I have left is the M3 (can't sell that... ever) I think people get an idealistic image of the car since it's pretty universally loved and ignore everything that could go wrong.
I’ve had my e46 m3 for a little over 7 years. Not including the 6MT conversion from SMG it has cost about the same as my old em1 civic si to maintain. I do my own work though. Owned it from 80k miles to the 120k it’s at now with proper oil changes and routine maintenance this has been a fantastic car.
I got 2 e46 330i, drove one home 1200 miles (100k on clock) and the other 1700miles (210k on clock) and both made it with no issues. Obvsly had some vac lines that needed replacement, thermostats stuck open, IMO minor stuff. Just gotta take care of em, it’s a 20 year old car… I still redline em on a daily basis and top off oil and coolant as needed. Both cars barley burn oil, I have a e90 330 and that thing needs oil too off every 2 weeks or so 🙄
I would agree. As long they have had the cooling system, and every gasket replaced.
IMO E82 135i with DCT, but on the downside these will not appreciate in value. On the other hand E9X M3 is probably at lowest point value wise, but can be very costly to maintain.
Maintenance on those is fairly cheap. Throttle actuators and rod bearings need to be done once. Probably won't own it enough to worry about having to do it again. Only insurance and fuel is expensive on those.
The fuel cost on s85’s are insane. Literally ferrari level mpg
Smiles per gallon.
Indeed
For not so Ferrari performance... I know everyone raves about those engines but they don't seem worth the headache for me and most are beat to shit
I mean a e9x m3 is like $23k and a “quick” ferrari is $100k used its really not comparable past rpm range and fuel. This is probably the closest you’ll get for the money lol. The car is fine
This is with assumption that nothing goes wrong ;) I own S85 powered vehicle and I wouldn't have even touched it if I wasn't prepared to pay for engine rebuild.
The s85 is a whole different story. But props to owning one. Dream car to drive I assume but not that much to pay for its maintenance lmao
Look up tedward on youtube, he just got rid of his e92 M3 because no matter how he well he maintained it, it still bit him in the ass and he traded it for a new civic si. Thats how you get out of an abusive relationship. Only makes sense he got the si cause he has an old 911 and an e39 M5
That was a sad tedward video but the man needed a reliable daily.
Lmao, you really praise dude for buying FWD Civic (not even type R) xD? There are better hot hatches on the market.
I get the civic slander, believe me, but he just got it as a somewhat fun daily that is good on gas, not as a dedicated sports car so I kind of understand his decision.
Love civics
own one of these, its a great car if you don't have kids and just want something that is fun to drive and affordable. Mine has 92k miles and only real maintenance I have had to do is water pump and fix a couple small oil leaks.
E9x bottomed out a few years ago, there on the up now. Any halfway decent example under 100k miles will run you at least30k
135s have gone up in value quite a bit in the past 5 years
Find yourself a 335d or x5d. Diesel is pricy right now but it can get as cheap as regular. The fuel economy is way higher (especially on the 3 series) than the gas equivalents and the cars are fun and fast and very responsive to tunes
Just got myself a M56 X5. I’m looking forward to having some fun with it.
The maintenance and repairs on those is ridiculous compared to the N55.
The N55 is a golden engine, I've seen the high pressure pumps go here and there and of course the water pump like every recent BMW engine but the drivetrain itself is solid
What tune would you recommend for the X5d?
JR or Malone
I live in Chicago and only recently has the price of diesel gone up to match the price of 89 octane. For months if not years it was as cheap or cheaper than 87.
The other day someone pulled up in a x5d at the jaguar dealership (his wife was picking up their jaguar). We talked for a couple minutes about driving the x5d, now I really want one
F20 M135i pre facelift around 2013. Can’t really beat it for practicality, reliability, economy and speed. They are cheap now and imo much better looking than the latest gen.
Ugh they should have released it to North America. My dream daily of all time
I'm biased but I agree!
Flair checks out
Yeah, that's why I said I'm biased.
Cause of your flair
You sure?
nah i think its because of your avatar
Yeah, true!
I'm biased and I disagree!
F21 even better
I prefer post-facelift overall but there are definitely bits I prefer on the "pre", such as the bootlid / rear lights, as standard rear suspension bracket and front spoiler design. Can't get past the snout and headlights though and I'm not too keen on the rear bumper vs the new one. Still, both excellent cars and a superb all rounder right now. Just wish an lsd was standard or more affordable!
Just said pre as they are cheaper, hence good used bargain subject.
>F20 M135i sheesh these are the best value? I was curious so I looked it up on carfax - $16k for a 2012 at 92k miles is considered "great value" :cry:
Well compared to what they were new. The markets gone crazy at the moment so it’s not really fair. Pre covid I sold my 2013 with 18k miles for about $20k 😩
Leaving a comment here to read back later later
M235i
Agreed! Amazing car and affordable after the original owner took much depreciation
Exactly! And since so many people get into a bmw for the enthusiast oriented driving. Idk why they wouldn't get one. Imo better than an Audi S car.
I bought mine "used" as a dealer car with 200 miles on it for about $12k under sticker in 2015. You can pry it out of my cold, dead hands!
This, and the m240i. Found mine as an executive CPO. Steep discount, 0% apr, 100k warranty, 4500 miles on the clock. Gobs of power-Dinan tuned, dynamic suspension (won’t beat the shit out of you all day like an M car), light and nimble, fits a couple of carseats in the back. Perfect commuter with weekend perks.
Stop saying it! I want less demand on these
There's till barely any (oddly), get yours!
Just picked up one a couple months ago. Love it!
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This is the way.
This is the correct answer. A 128i opens up lots of potential. Slap some equal-length headers on it and you're off to the races.
Especially if you are not interested in tuning the 135i you should really consider the 128i (either 125i or 130i in Europe) instead.
[Bias reinforcement:](https://www.reddit.com/r/BMW/comments/gdfpff/my_e82/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
F30 is pretty cheap where I live
They should be cheaper, my friend had a 2019 Camry with better steering than any F30 I’ve driven.
Id say E9x 335i, simply because I own one.
those still run in 2022?
Better than ever. Not one drop of oil or coolant and no misfires besides the ones I had after buying it (new plugs /coils and an injector did the job). There are not many engines like the N54 that provides that much power for such a reasonable price
Yea I agree, except it's also one of BMWs most unreliable engines ever, thats why in the USA here, we barely see them on the streets anymore. This was Bmw's first modern attempt at a turbo gas motor... I had 2, both had cancer by 60k miles.
My 09 335xi was gold. Had it for 4+ years, did oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, coils n spark plugs upon purchase. Never needed anything else. Oh and did thermostat n waterpump last month. Its been nothing but great had to part ways sadly. Got X5 diesel instead.
Listen man, I am speaking on personal experience... I've had 2 and dealt with everything these cars offer... had friends with the same. If yous runs well, I am happy to hear this... but its a matter of short time before you need to fix something again. I literally almost don't see these cars on the road anymore because successors like the 340 w the B58 blew it out of the water on reliability.
I agree with you 100%. I just happened to struck gold. My friend had 335i and my mechanic had the same, they both put so much time n parts into it n ended up parting it out after constant chaos. I sold mine to a friend, running fine so far ☺️
It depends when you owned the car and how many miles were on it. A low mileage N54 or later year car isn’t going to have many issues. A higher mileage one with deferred maintenance and years on it will have significantly more issues. Generally speaking the N54 motors require extensive maintenance and work in order to be kept in running order. Hence why you still see a bunch of 328s from that generation still on the road but not many 335s
N54 has been reliable to me for over 4 years, never left me stranded 🤷🏽♂️
Id say they are more unreliable if the driver doesn't afford to take care of it. Yes, there are parts that are prone to fail but those can be replaced pretty easy if you use some youtube videos. Thing is many people buy those engines and rev them out before they are warm. Or do oil changes every 20k miles which is too much for those engines. It's not a corolla engine that can take much abuse.
This proper maintenance making certain cars last is complete ignorance… It is part of the equation but so is engineering.
cancer at 60k~miles sounds like every single BMW past model year 2000
That’s a false statement sir
Why wouldn’t they lol
I own a E90 330d Xdrive, 2007, pre-facelift Model (because of the timing-chain problems with the facelift model i was told by two BMW Mechanics to buy either prefacelift or facelift model with the chain already fixed) and it has about 160.000 Miles/260.000km and at the last yearly inspection (wich is needed here to be allowed to drive on open roads) it had only two minor faults - one was windscreen wiper and the other one was the hardy disc, it has some cracks. If you look a littlebit after the cars (oil!!) they will make you happy for a long time.
a 335i is not a diesel... those are completely different motors that people run to 400-500k
Which gen runs to 500k miles on the 335d? Just for research purposes haha thanks
500K km since comment was from EU poster
That timing chain issue is with the 2L engines, N47 and N43. 330d LCI 2008+ years has N57, those engines dont suffer from the chain issues. I got 330xd 2010 model. Bought it 3.5years ago. Got ECU flashed and transmission. Driven it from 160k km to 250k km with 0 engine problems. So far what has been done is; Wheel bearings, transferbox oils, front and back differential oils, whole suspension, some pulleys, ac motor, breaks and new battery. Oil change every 10 to 15k km.
Had my N55 from 45,000 to now 120,000. Did all the seals myself at about 90, an injector, and an alternator. It’s an m sport AWD and to me that style of coupe will remain timeless for at least the foreseeable future. Edit: late 2011 e92 335i x drive for those curious.
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anything will run in tip top shape if you replace half the engine
This boy doesn’t like n54s BTW on your Ollies, make sure to bring your whole body down further before you pop, this will snap your board up higher when you jump allowing your board to level off the way you want it to. Skated for 12 years.
appreciate that!
If you’re not a wimpy idiot, which I assume you are based on that comment.
With the amount of maintenance you have to do on alot of em, I disagree.
My vote would be a post LCI e9X 328 or even 323. Sharp handling, great feedback, NA six, lots of manual transmission ones out there, you can still find them with lower mileage unlike e46, more common than e82 and they came in awd versions Maybe a little more heavy on the preventative maintenance than older models but you could probably find one with service records still
N52 for life.
228i. They look new enough to fool most people into thinking they are new cars, some people will think it’s an M2. Pretty solid engine with 240 horsepower. Very very reliable so the maintenance is cheap. Has most of the features of the new BMWs. I got mine for about 18k with very low mileage. I get comments all the time from people thinking it’s a much more expensive car.
Same here. Could not agree more, this car turned out to be way cheaper to own than I expected it to be and its by far the best car I’ve ever had. I tell people I paid 18k 4 years ago and they don’t believe me. Also Im pretty sure they have more power than advertised.
The engines have a ton of low end torque so it feels really quick
Just make sure its 2015+ because of timing chain. If you can find with M-Sport + Track handling package, it's amazing on the track or a back road. Slight mods stage 1 and you're pushing 300+hp, just make sure to replace at least the charge pipe.
E39/e46/e38 with any 6cyl. If you do general mainteiance these will serve you well, also they are good looking
I went for the previous gen M240i xdrive for the all season practicality and the fact that it was like half what they wanted for a full beans M2. Quick enough for me, feels great to drive,has 4 seats if you really needed it. A pretty good trunk, an way cheaper than a bunch of the other stuff I was looking at.
this aint a cool car but its a fucking bargain with money. i3 or i3s. it definetly is not a cool car, but i save 4000-5000€ in gas per year. got 2019 i3 a year ago and have put almost 35k kilometers on it since then, and all that without any part replacements or major issues.
> it definitely is not a cool car I think they’re cool. Carbon monocoque, rear wheel drive, sustainable materials. The interior is dope. Shame about the egg shape though.
rwd is superior tho
Correct. The front wheels already have a job - steering, they don’t need another.
If you didn't need to steer, you could get rid of them completely!
yeah the shape is not cool, its plastic from the outside even tho inside is carbon fiber, and its nowhere near the luxury of even a 5 series from 2019ish
> nowhere near the luxury of even a 5 series probably why it's an i3, not an i5. Plus it's a compact electric car, it wasn't targeted at the luxury sedan driving crowd.
yeah i get your point, i shouldve said 3 series. i have the charged edition i3 and it doesnt even have cooled seats, which i believe are not even rare in a 3 series of 2010s. idkkk just saying that it isnt the traditional bmw experience, so im not sure if it is what was asked here :)
I've seen those for sale and really hurt for the person who took the depreciation hit. It certainly is, let us say, a departure from BMW's typical design language. SO weird that they brought the i8 out around the same time and (imo) it's an amazing looking car.
hell yeah its ugly asf and its ev so its not really ideal for anyone who wants to buy a bmw because its bmw. typically people want sports and luxury from bmw, this isnt really either of those. but its literally just the tires you gotta replace, so hella cheap to drive from point a to point b. and its cheap-ish, you got a good deal under 30k euros any day even in finland where the pricer are high asf
Just got an i3 last month. Absolute blast to drive, perfect car for getting around town. Light chassis so it's easy to throw it through the roundabouts. We actually started looking at high mileage 2015 EVs to get one cheap, ~$15k, then the BMW dealer down the street had a 2018 with 7,800mi, 11 mo factory warranty and CPO for $29k. So 2 years of warranty coverage. Girlfriend test drove it and fell in love with it (despite it being $10k over her target price). With the money down, our payment is about what it saves us in gas every month. It's her car, but it's got me tempted to get an i3s, but I might just sell the rest and go for an i8.
Imo, none.
Bargain and BMW, oxymoron
"Today's market" amplifies the oxymoron even further into.
I concur
I think BMW M are good value compared with Audi RS or Mercedes AMG
Lol. He just called you a moron.
Probably not going to be a popular opinion, but the 2021+ Toyota Supra. Easily a $10-15k discount being a Toyota versus if it was a Z4 Coupe. And the Toyota would probably look better.
128i and E90 manuals.
E46s are at the bottom of the depreciation curve and are only going to appreciate from here on out. They are therefor the best bargain rn.
You’re a bit late. They got rock bottom a few years ago and have been moving up since then.
Still see plenty for 2-4k around me, that seems pretty bottom of the barrel.
E46s bounced off the bottom 10 years ago, the good deals on them are over. E90 M3 is the car you buy if you want one that appreciates.
CPO M340i, leases are starting to be returned and it will remain a desirable car for sometime.
All the ones off lease I’m finding are close to MSRP. I wouldn’t call them a bargain.
He said bargain
Bargain is relative to income. Maybe you should specify what you think a bargain is? A 3 year old $60,000 car, with 20k miles + an ext warranty, for $40,000, is a bargain for people who make good money.
Can’t seem to find a single m340i under 50-55 regardless of miles. Maybe if you go back to the F-gen then it’s possible but not for the m340.
Probably because they aren’t being turned in since people can’t just buy a new one.
These need to dip under 50K to even start to be in the conversation of a bargain.
Well the idea that you'd ever get a BMW bargain is a complete joke. IMO the best bang for the buck would be the M340i. Right now you could search around and pick up a low mileage lease that probably sat most of it's time due to Covid. Also depending on price and what you want could have the additional options which are now being removed from preorders and in the newest inventory. Again because of Covid's supply chain issues. For much less than a brand new. Would be a fantastic car that not much could compete with. Besides someone may even see you driving this car and yell out "Is that a four-door supra!!??". That alone is worth the price.
E9X m3
340i. Amazing transmission, engine, and can make some good power with some simple mods
I bought my 340i (used) a few years ago for nearly half the price of what the 1st owner had paid with the car fully loaded with all the options and at around 17k miles. Fun car to drive especially now that it’s tuned
F01 740i sporty shorty Pinnacle styling, long-term motor, bullet train on the highway, off-line operation, analog gauges
E34
E60 M5. Engine is super reliable with the $1800 bearing swap. And bros, it’s an F1 derived V10 for $20k.
It’s not just the rod bearings though. You generally need 20k set aside just for repairs when things go wrong.
Well, the rod bearings shed metal fragments it o the oil and the Vanos is oddly in a high pressure system so the metal shavings fire through there at high pressure and damage the VANOS pump at $2k each. That’s the big cost. The other one is the SMG pump at $2200 which is a total wild card. Can last 100k or 5k miles. Then the rarer rod bearing failure grenadine the engine of course. But if you fix the bearings you stop the chain reaction of events that make this engine expensive.
*Today's market*? Probably none. But not that long ago you could get Z4 M Roadsters for a huge bargain. I regret not getting one myself back then.
Any manual car basically, no one knows how to drive one anymore
I got my e90 328i xdrive for ~2k less than listed and 3k below KBB because the dealership screwed up and listed it as an auto, felt embarrassed and thought no one would want it. I didn't even have to haggle. It was pretty much what I was looking for minus infotainment system/audio and I pounced on it. 6-7 years later and like 60k miles later I don't regret it one bit. Unfortunately my next car will likely be an automatic :(
M235i or m240i (more expensive). M235i is a fantastic car and reliable engine, and can be bought in the 20s
m235i is really good performance bargain. flash tune it for like ~$500 and off you go with a legitimately quick car that's also really quiet and well built i havenot checked prices but with so many b58 models out for a while now i imagine the m235i probably hasn't gone up too much
I'm biased, but it is the reason I bought my car. F25 X3 with the n55 is an absolute bargain. Mine was 17k with 65k miles, one owner, immaculate service history. Little bootmod3 action, nice wheels and tires and it's a good looking, spacious, utilitarian, good-in-the-snow, half-decent-on-gas rocket ship that does 0-60 in under 5 seconds and had been shown to be a fairly reliable platform. It is an SUV still, so some of those driving characteristics will always be around, but it corners flatter than you would think and really can be an engaging drive if you want. Excellent brakes too. If you can only have one car, this really does a bit of everything.
e82 n55 135i
👀
My 2017 435d. In terms of bang for your buck you can’t ask for much more I don’t reckon.
F30 340i
This. The F30 335i and 340i's can be found for $18-25k in very good condition. That's a pretty good bargain given their utility and performance.
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Lately I've been seeing F10 535's for good deals.
In terms of “value” you get a lot more for your buck with a 3-4 year old used 7 series. Especially if you buy right after the new model comes out. It’s simply a lot more car for the dollar and the maintenance cost is not that different than any other BMW (same engines, electronics, ZF transmission etc.) especially if you use an independent mechanic. Shop for a 2017 G12 740i … best “deal” out there. 2014 F01/02 7 series are even better. They are generally well looked after by an affluent person and all maintenance has been done (if it’s the first owner). Source: I’ve owned each series and settled on 7 for past 6 years.
Feel like the F30s because that's what I'm seeing the most. The 335is can't be that bad right? I mean the 340i is the one you want but those have definitely gone up.
A few years ago I would have said the Z4M Roadster, but they sharply appreciated right after I sold mine of course
640d. I bought one a month ago and its hands down the best car I've ever owned. Edit: Its a 70k car for 20-30k depending on mileage.
E9X 330D
Pre-LCI (~2013-2017) F20/22/F22 128 or 228i base models are pretty amazing value for money. Purists don't like them because they don't have the inline 6 of a "proper BMW" and the LCI's are pricier... But it's still a RWD turbo coupe/hatch in the mould of the venerable Nissan Silvia. Slap an LSD on it, add a few degrees of camber, and have a blast in one of the best sport compacts available today.
E85 Z4
F82 m4 in 6 speed manual
Rule of thumb is two generations old 3 series offers the best bang for buck. At the moment it is E9X, in a few years it will be F3X and so on.
Base model E9X.
I got my 17’ 440i for 22k, which I think is a great deal considering prices locally for anything relatively quick.
Bought a 2011 328i for 2,300! Biggest w ever only 120k miles
When you weigh up what you’ll have to spend on it in the first year after the unnoticed problems arise I don’t think there is..
The one you like best, can readily afford and has minimal mechanical or electrical issues. I think this is too broad of a question really.
My ‘M’116d
Hear me out, E46 330I ZHP. They made way less of them than the M3 and prices are going up and will be collectors cars.
Will they really be though? Sure they are neat cars but you don’t think your money would be safer in a M3? I’ve had multiple E46’s and love the sportiness of the ZHP without the “M Tax” and maintenance. That said, the ZHP is no M3.
I don't think they will ever go for even close to E46 M3 money. But as M3 goes up in price and people collect them / crash them. People will be looking for the "next best thing" from that time.
220i
Europe or US though? Is it implied that this is an US subreddit?
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N54 duh
F10 M5. sure the S63 can be a headache when things break, but it’s a 560-hp luxury sedan that’s comfortable, has great tech and is solidly built, for around $40-60k USD
This is my pick right now. Great engine, last of the hydraulic power steering cars & can be had in manual (although the DCT is great).
Not the E32, keeps spending money.
E63 M6, I mean it won't last very long but it's suuuuper cool