About two months ago, I wrote about the beginning of my search for my next BMW. I was still very much in the research stage, I had a few models I was considering and found some listings that I liked, but I also still had my Civic Type R in the garage, which I needed to sell before I went looking for a car in earnest.
Well, after sitting on Facebook Marketplace for a few weeks, the Type R found a new home, and that means I’m now looking in earnest for my next car. In the time since my last post, my thoughts on what I want have changed, and the models I’m considering have evolved. The original list was down to three models: the i3 REX, E91 328i, and an E90 M3. Two of those have now fallen down the list, and two other cars have entered the conversation. And, no, none of them are the prototypes in the above photo, unfortunately.
For now, I’ve decided against the i3 REX. I still think it’s cool, but after speaking to an electrician, installing an EV charger in my garage would prove to be a harder and more expensive endeavor than I’d like, and stories of how the REX reacts when it runs out of charge on the highway have turned me off.
The E91 has also fallen down the order, but not off the list. We have a wagon as our family car already; do we really need two? Also, I tend to drive my cars less than the family car, so I want my car to be something exciting. The E91 is interesting and rare, but is it exciting to drive? I don’t think it is. That said, there’s one that I’ve been looking at on Marketplace for the last few weeks and thinking about. It ticks a lot of boxes…
So where is my brain now? Well, here are the three cars I’m most interested in. My budget remains the same, ideally less than $25,000 to get a driver-quality car that’s ready to go. Of course, I know it’ll need maintenance and work in the future, but I don’t want to worry about big things when I take delivery. And I just don’t want a red car or one with a light interior.
E46 M3
Last time, I was on the fence about an E46 M3, mainly because I had a 330i ZHP and wasn’t sure I needed another E46-chassis car. However, there’s a lot to like about the E46. It’s the right size. The cabin is airy and it’s simple inside, a time before screens dominated everything. It looks great. And it is at home as a daily, can do occasional kid duty, and will be fun on a lon
ger journey.
There are also a lot of them out there, many with the big three done, within my budget. It’s just about finding the right one, which, ideally, is an LCI slicktop coupe with a six-speed and check marks next to the big service items.
E90 M3
Yep, the E90 is still on my list, though I’ve become a bit more decisive on spec. I’m only interested in an LCI sedan with a manual, and one that’s had the big engine work done. No E92s, no E93s. I care less about mileage than I do about a trail of receipts and documentation.
E39 M5
This one kind of came out of nowhere, but I like the M5 a lot. It’s a perfect size, looks elegant, and it’s one of the all-time great sports sedans. I’d feel like an executive dropping off the kids or going out for a drive; most people would think I was in an old 5 Series, but those in the know would see me as a man of great taste. At least, I assume.
So, now my search has become more real and I’m actively messaging and starting to collect more info. I’m trying to break an old habit of just buying the first thing I see that I like without considering anything else, but will also jump when the right car enters the picture. If you have a lead on one of the above or one that you want to sell, drop me an email or leave a comment. Hopefully the next update will be me showing off my next BMW.
