Am I nutz?
 

ok, maybe that's a separate issue all together....:rofl:

I'm thinking of selling my 06 4.4i Imola Red X5 AND my 2000 Porsche Boxster S and buying a 335i or 535i XDrive coupe or similar, maybe even a convertable.

1 car to maintain, insure, pay taxes on, and I really don't use the Boxster S much...

The X drive would get me around in the Maine winter and offer me performance so I can play the rest or the time..


Thoughts?

What year 335/535? My 08 is a luxury couch. I'm sure the 335 would be more in line with your X and S experience. I can give you a list of things to look for on the 535 if same era as mine. It's all the same issues as the X's, they just threw some turbos in there for fun :)

That'd be great LVP!

Just beginning to "think" about it. Not sure I could part with either , I really like them both...

Not really sure what year model...Open to recommendations... I do want some go power and sport appearance... Not really ready for a sublime sedan yet...

was thinking 2012 or older....

I am trying to get informed on the differences between 3 and 5 series. I do Need X-drive if I make the swap. And I do prefer auto trans...

Keep the X. Sell the Boxter and find a slightly cheaper 535i XDrive than the one currently in your budget.
..Because one simply don't sell an Imola Red X. :D

Jokes aside, considering that your Imola Red 06 is a relatively rare specimen, i would do as described above and hang on to the X for a while.
If it turned out that i liked the 535i so much that the X just collected dust in the garage, then -and only then i would sell that too and enjoy my 535i and what ever amount of extra monthly $$ i would have liberated in the process.

Go as new as you can afford if you are buying a 335. The reason is because of the issues related to the turbos. I would also stay away from the first two model years (07-08).

List of issues:

water pump+thermostat (This is standard in all 3 series)
turbo(s)
HPFP
injectors
coils in the earlier models

Thanks... For the record, I am open to different models as well.... Not set on 335/535... The last thing I want is issues!

I need to get up to speed on the differences and what is available...

I'm wide open.

bc

If you are keen on purchasing a 3 series or 5 series, why not go with a 328 or 528? Yes, they aren't as fast as the turbo powered engines, but much more reliable. I would keep your X though, mainly due to the fact that it is imola

Cars for purposes....
 

Personal preferences is what should drive your planning, purchases/selling, and usage. Everyone has an opinion, you have to live with the choices. In my world the more vehicles the better as long as there is the mind set of vehicle to use/purpose.

Fun car = sunny weekends/AM drive no people on roads
Daily Driver = when not sloppy
Expendable = not any of the above
Costco/Home Improvement Place/Nursery/Mall parking lots/downtown meetings = Truck/Minivan (There is nothing sadder than someone stuffing a tree in the back seat of a BMW Convertible)

Others as your needs differ (example: Rug rat hauler, Soccer/lacrosse team hauler, mom needs new wheels, and more).

For me this equates to:
M5, X5, Minvan, a 528 for trips and driving vacations, and a Vespa for short trips to the Post Office. I think I need a P/U truck too, mulch hauling trips and slop days. Then there is always that low mileage Red? Yellow? 6 Sp, Daytona Chairs, 360 Ferrari that I have been looking for....

Older models are cheaper to buy, higher in out of pocket/time/effort to maintain. Daily drivers should have one priority above all > Must start and run every time.

The auto world is FULL of nice cars. What do you want to own, maintain, and drive?

Wait Wait, I just noticed you live in Maine.
Southern or northern? Coastal or interior? Your choices of vehicles just became slimmer by a wide margin. Winter car/vehicle for 9 months must be 4x4 with dedicated snows and will rot in 3-4 years, Dry nice car (4 weekends per year - if you're lucky) and a slop car for the rest of the year to catch bugs. What an area. Salt on the roads, salt in the air, vacation space for 2-3 months with bugs the size of humming birds. :wow:
Recommendation: Move!!!

Maine and Vermont State Vehicle: (Note: Even the tail pipe has holes!)

:iagree:

I figure we can bust his balls all day on "What car should I own in a frozen waste land 9 months a year, followed by bug jerky season?"
:bustingup:bustingup:bustingup:bustingup:bustingup :bustingup:bustingup

Or he can be one of those who chooses a great car for all the wrong practical reasons and expected seasons but complains. :nanana:

I think we can keep this thread going for a life time....

Your next car....

Forester 2.5i.

I'm not asking you guys to pick out my next car,,,, Sheesh. and certainly not asking anyone to move to Maine.... i'm assuming you';re all smarter than that.

For the record, i am on the Southern Coast, Portland area..

I'm just looking for an education on 3/5 BMW's... and recomendations on what to run from and what to run too... If I get up outa my chair and decide to run.... Well walk

Hadn't considered 328/528 as I wanted more performance. But am open.. I like the covertable too, but I suspect they are not X drive.

bc

..

BTW,

No Subarus! Had an Outback for my dogs at one point... Always started, went anywhere in snow or mud...

Drove like a school bus and sounded like a bag full of rocks....

No thanks

also for the record, i am 55 years old and had about that many cars/trucks/off road vehicles/motorcycles/performance and non-performance cars as well as a few English cars - yes, an entirely whole new catagory of junk...

I know what I like, the X5 is really a great vehicle... The Boxster S, is the most balanced, horse power to weight car that I have ever driven. I just don't use it.

I get bored and like to try different cars... Maybe I'll do nothing... If I do, I have a feeling it'll be a BMW, just not sure which one.

bc

Just busting your balls.

The 3 series is the size of the E39 5 series. The 5 series is the size of the 2003 7 series.

The new 328i with the 2. 4 cyl turbo model is cute and offers good service. Add on all the performance options will get you to $52K real quick.
The 335i offers more 6 cyl feel and feedback that you are used to from BMW. All are turbos that create complexity to long life maintenance. But will provide good service in your area with dedicated snow tires for that 9 month long Winters.....:rofl:

When it comes to the 5 series the 550 will be more inline with a performance sedan without having to move all the way to the M5 at $125K. Offers 4.4 V8 and optional tweaks to make it a fun car to own and drive. Stay away from the Adaptive Drive as it will eliminate any feeling.

Used: I would look at a 550 3 years old as the price would be nice as the first owner takes all the depreciation hit. Fun and it could be an all season car with no regrets.

X drives in your area will represent 80% of the cars for sale, as snow belt car dealers sell what the general public is looking for (I know, surprise!). Allows a year around vehicle. I hate them as it removes almost all driving dynamics that I expect from a BMW. Dumbs down the road feedback....

There is so much stuff on the market now days, some 550 models, each offering something for every taste and budget. I personally would go used and would look at the 550.
Helpful?

Interesting. Thanks! 550i .. I'll poke around ans see what I can find..

I did see a nice 335i coupe on my way home today, very nice looking..

Then, I thought I really like my Imola x5.

Doesn't hurt to explore options...

Keep the thoughts coming guys.

Pup

What about a B8 or B8.5 S4? S5 if you prefer two doors. The B8 and B8.5 S4 has a supercharged V6 and responds exceptionally well to a simple tune. Can be had in both automatic and manual, and has awesome awd. The B8 S5 has a 4.2 V8, where the B8.5 S5 has the same supercharged V6 as the S4. It is the same car but a two door version.

Or... A C6 S6 and listen to that V10 howl.