Which one to let go? Consolidating the stable

[Nolimite39]

I am having a bit of a dilemma, we just sold our house and are moving to a smaller one with much less garage and driveway so I am having to downsize the stable. Currently we have the following vehicles:

- 2015 X5 x35d (Wife's DD)
- 2008 335i auto (My 1/2 time DD)
- 2003 X5 4.6iS Dinan S3 (My other 1/2 time DD)
- 1992 Z32 (300ZX) TT (Forged Internals, HKS 2530s with the works)
- 1999 540i 6spd (My old DD, currently needs timing guides)
- 1990 300SEL (purchased as a project but have too many so its currently up for sale)

We can realistically keep up to 4.
- My wife hates the Z32 (history, death of a close friend, sentimental value, etc.) but wont make me get rid of it because of the sentimental value.
- The 540i was the car we went on our first date in and my wife and son both love it (I do too) plus market value on it is pennies.
- The 2015 X5 obviously stays, its a great vehicle, family hauler, road trip highway eating machine that so far (knocks on wood) has asked for nothing.
- As noted the 300SEL is up for sale so that's one off the list (BTW if anyone is interested feel free to reach out) its by no means perfect but would probably make it cross state if not cross country as it sits.
- So this comes down to the 4.6 and the 335. I could get rid of one or the other or both and replace with something more practical. The 335 is probably the best DD I've ever owned with exception of my EK hatch. The 335's only downfall is its an automatic (I prefer 3 pedal cars). The 4.6 is a monster and so much fun, 450 supercharged hp/tq in an AWD panzer tank is silly. Its not incredibly fast especially in comparison to the Z32 but with a ~5.0 sec 0-60 and never-ending top end its a joy to drive but its a maintenance hog and even with having the big jobs under my belt, the constant oil leak here or window regulator there is becoming an issue that is creeping into the family life (NOT GOOD!).

- THE PROBLEM: There isn't a damn thing for under 50k on the slightly used or new market at the moment that comes even close to either of these vehicles in overall driving enjoyment. Trading up for a newer version of either seems silly since we only have one car payment at the moment. And driving something like a TRD Taco seems counter-productive since I drive a lot and if I'm going to make a move I'd like it to be to something more efficient (335 averages 23mpg, 4.6 averages 13 :gapteeth: )

So I'm here to have y'all sling whatever at me, maybe something will stick, maybe y'all talk me into growing the F up, maybe nothing happens, maybe someone even takes the Benz off my hands. . . Have at it ladies and gents.

[EODguy]

Well.....

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[Nolimite39]

The wife gave me 6 years to embrace, she's tired of the embracing, I don't really blame her, I kind of want my weekends back to do things other than get my hands oily. <NO this is not a euphemism.

[haigha]

I'd say keep the 4.6iS and sell the 540i. Downside is you'd only have one manual. Both have window regulator issues though, correct?

I'm tempted to go see this one, a great color combo and low miles:

https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/c...445604588.html

Would be a fun long day trip for me to check it out. But it makes no sense when I now put less than 2k miles on my X5 per year. Still waiting on my first window regulator and brake job at 18+ years and 43k miles. Hopefully, I didn't just jinx myself for the former. I hear some clicking on both front windows when they're on the way down.

[Nolimite39]

I have the same question posted on a couple other boards that I'm a member of and everyone is saying to get rid of the 540 it's like no one has ever seen an E39 aka the most beautiful thing to come out of Munich, ever. The 540 isn't going anywhere. The 3 candidates for sale slreally are the 4.6 The 335 And the 300zx. The 300 SEL should be gone this evening.

[haigha]

Originally Posted by Nolimite39

... like no one has ever seen an E39 aka the most beautiful thing to come out of Munich, ever...

E39 is great! Drove a friend's 2001 M5, awesome! Also drove a E30 M3 in the late 80's. Almost bought it, but it was just over a year old and over 50k miles! Obviously someone loved driving it! I bought a new E30 325i instead. In California, I babysat an E24 M6, manual... did they make automatic versions? Superb to drive. It was in the late 90's, another friend was the original owner. All beautiful vehicles that I'd choose over the 540i. F10 and current M5 look great to me. Then, going back to my childhood all those 2002 tii's zipping around the neighborhood. The E9 3.0 CSi. That's art!

4.6iS is more unique and interesting to me than an E39 540i, even with a manual. I respect your point of view. I think there are lots of great choices

[Nolimite39]

I guess age has a lot to do with it. I was in my preteens when the E39 was released and remember thinking it was the bees knees, but then the E53 came around soon after and I have photos of me in my bedroom with a huge E53 poster on my wall. Ultimately though the E39s sentimental value will keep it in the family. The 4.6iS though rare as can be will never be as loved by the family. I could get rid of the Z32 but that would be a punch to the gut.

[haigha]

I agree. All the cars I drove below are manuals. My E53 is automatic because I wanted the V8. Any future purchase will be automatic or DCT, because there are days when my old body doesn't like dealing with the third pedal now

[Nolimite39]

I was always the one to swear I'd never own and auto until life dictated that I needed a full size truck, since then The DDs have all been auto. on the off chance I want to drive something manual I have 2 in the garage or if both of those are under maintenance I just go steal my dad's GTI for a day.

[Nolimite39]

So the 4.6 is first on the chopping block, to be followed by the 335i shortly.

And the replacement, after consulting with the wife, will likely be an F10 535d.