4 ms·

Sterile compared to what? Is there another manufacturer of acceptably-tuned rear-drive sedan chassis out there at a semi-reasonable price point that I should kn

Sterile compared to what? Is there another manufacturer of acceptably-tuned rear-drive sedan chassis out there at a semi-reasonable price point that I should know about? (I'm talking about pre-2010 BMW here; I would totally agree with most new ones being sterile)

johncalvinyoung 4y ago
As a current owner of a 90s Jaguar and an 05 Volvo, I've been looking at low-mileage E90 era BMWs for my next daily driver. Not too scared of moderately expensive maintenance, but would like it to be more reliable than the Volvo has been.
- JPws_Prntr_Fngr 4y ago
  As a former E46 and current E83 owner, my advice is go for the earliest chassis code you can find while keeping mileage low. You need to find a unicorn at this point. (Unless you like turbos - then you have to go E90 or newer.) BMW really ramped up the electronic complication starting with my E83, and that shit wears out right alongside all the typical flimsy BMW plastics and rubbers. Plus the delightful parasitic drains from tfa. They also ramped up their maintenance-unfriendly designs around the E46 era. On an E39, a rear spring swap is easy. Try it on a newer one, and you will regret the attempt.
legitster 4y ago
I mean, I guess if you are limiting yourself to that exact style of car then yeah I guess. (Although the Mazdaspeed6 was 90% of a BMW with 10% of the maintenance bill).
- throwawayf37jg 4y ago
  I agree it may be 90% as fun to drive (which is subjective), but you're comparing FWD to RWD. I'd much rather have a 80's-90's Nissan or Subaru, especially built, than a modern BMW, though. Much more soul in vintage cars imo. Some vintage BMWs were pretty reliable, a lot of modern Nissans have awful reliability.
  - BoorishBears 4y ago
    It's AWD, but the MS6 has about 100% the repair bills of any old BMW, this person just has no idea what they're talking about. Maybe they owned one when they were new and doesn't realize what long term reliability is like

johncalvinyoung 4y ago

As a current owner of a 90s Jaguar and an 05 Volvo, I've been looking at low-mileage E90 era BMWs for my next daily driver. Not too scared of moderately expensive maintenance, but would like it to be more reliable than the Volvo has been.

JPws_Prntr_Fngr 4y ago
As a former E46 and current E83 owner, my advice is go for the earliest chassis code you can find while keeping mileage low. You need to find a unicorn at this point. (Unless you like turbos - then you have to go E90 or newer.) BMW really ramped up the electronic complication starting with my E83, and that shit wears out right alongside all the typical flimsy BMW plastics and rubbers. Plus the delightful parasitic drains from tfa. They also ramped up their maintenance-unfriendly designs around the E46 era. On an E39, a rear spring swap is easy. Try it on a newer one, and you will regret the attempt.

legitster 4y ago

I mean, I guess if you are limiting yourself to that exact style of car then yeah I guess. (Although the Mazdaspeed6 was 90% of a BMW with 10% of the maintenance bill).

throwawayf37jg 4y ago
I agree it may be 90% as fun to drive (which is subjective), but you're comparing FWD to RWD. I'd much rather have a 80's-90's Nissan or Subaru, especially built, than a modern BMW, though. Much more soul in vintage cars imo. Some vintage BMWs were pretty reliable, a lot of modern Nissans have awful reliability.
- BoorishBears 4y ago
  It's AWD, but the MS6 has about 100% the repair bills of any old BMW, this person just has no idea what they're talking about. Maybe they owned one when they were new and doesn't realize what long term reliability is like