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You won't find many 2000 MY...they had just begun.
-Sports Pkg offers firmer ride, (though our '01 and most of the time frame MYs you are looking at, whether Sport or Non, will have softened up considerably, by now.)
-Some would suggest an '04 in good shape may be better/less problematic than a comparable '01. Hard to compare; fwiw, our '01 3.0 5MT, sport has 76k+ and has been nearly problem free for its 11+ years.
-A 3.0 will chug all day and go as fast as one wants; the 4.4 simply goes faster, but I have never wished I had a V8 based on my driving needs. Some anecdotal responses suggest the 3.0 has less 'problems', but it is what it is.
-Same for mpg: I suspect my 3.0 will do equal or better in most driving conditions, to the V8s. That difference seems to have lessened in later MYs, comparing IL6 to V8. Neither are econo cars, but as a DD and winter getter it is your pick and mpg shouldn't be high on your list.
-Almost all models have automatic trans, which run well for some, run ok for many, go kaboom for some...as suggested, a MT is faultless, but hard to find.
-The Sport pkg will often come with 18 or 19" wheels, and for serious winter driving in snow/mtns, a set of oe 17s with dedicated snows can not be beat, in my experience, but snow tires are available for 18/19" wheels.
-Whatever car you narrow in on, a thorough PPI by your best BMW oriented Indie is a must: these are older cars, and some have been taken care of, but many have been beaten to a pulp by several owners, at this time point.
GL, mD
Last edited by motordavid; 12-14-2012 at 09:26 PM.
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