+1
The 128i or even the E90/92 328i is great with a stick. Faster than what it seems on paper. The engine is super smooth, revs like cream and it's really reliable. If you think you still need more power, get the 3 stage manifold, intake, header and tune. That will get you close to 300hp crank.
Just old enough to be affordable, just new enough to be enjoyable without sacrificing too much comfort. Just simple enough to work on yourself.
Coming from a former E90 330i, 335i, E92 M3, owner of an N52 now.
It won't feel like an FRS in the corner no matter what you do to it but as a single-car its actually really useful, even the coupe with the fold-down seats. I've done small moves with it actually and it did well in the snowstorm we had a couple of months ago on Blizzaks. Never got stuck once even on the island when the ferries were canceled.
Commute: it's damped enough to be sporty but really comfortable on long trips. Beats my family's Panamera which is way too stiff. Good on gas, take regular engine oil, unlike my old M. You don't need to worry about putting 100km on it every day, only issues are valve cover gasket, thermostat, water pump. Do it like every 130-150k and your good. Otherwise pretty much problem-free. Never had any electrical problem in any of my E90/92.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TypeRNammer
On another thread I saw you mentioned that you have the intent to purchase a place soon, and for that I would absolutely avoid financing a car 1000%
On top of that, I see you have a shit ton of cars listed in which they are all over the place in terms of budget and duty.
I think your next logical car would be either the BMW 128i or 135i (later model). Wifey had a 128i before, it was a bare bones automatic. Felt like a fun car, pretty nimble. Could call it a modern day E46 330ci. I was looking for one myself actually but in a unicorn trim model, but sort of gave up on it. The 128i with m sport package is almost double the price of the earlier models.
I wouldn't bother with Subaru unicorn cars and the overly inflated prices. Legacy Spec B's pop up once in a blue moon and they are usually high mileage. Same with the Forster Cat's in stick shift.
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