[Mosaud1998]

So, I just sold my E90 (I got an offer that I couldn't refuse. For folks that don't know here) to a fellow forum member. He'll be picking it up today. Driving from Ohio to IL.

My main thing was I wanted to get something quicker. So, initially, I started looking at CPO 18 340s. Found one around 1hr 30 min from me. CPO 2018 340 29k miles. Dealer asking $42,995. I got them down to $40,500 (told them that's without seeing the car). The next day, the price dropped from $42,995 to $41,995. So, I'm gonna get them lower than my original offer of $40,500 when I go there.

But, if I think ahead into the future, I'll be getting married in a few years. Then have kids a year or two after that (I'm just guessing . But kids sooner or later). A 3 series would be tight with a car seat for the front passenger. So, I started looking at CPO 5 series. I can get a 530 for the same price of a 340. But, I dont really know how reliable the B48 is compared to the B58. BMWs is known for making good inline 6 engines. So, the initial thought would be the B58. Or I can just buy a 19 Lexus ES350 and call it a day

But, a CPO 540 is close to $50k. That's $5k more than what I wanted to spend initially. This next car I would like to keep for more than 3 years (I said the same for the E90 when I brought it). Drove both 21 B48 530(Just to compare the drive to a 330), 2021 330 (drove like shit for some reason), and 2018 B58 340(loved the sound and acceleration of it). Obviously, the B58 had more pep to it. Sounded a bit smoother compared to the 21 530 I drove.

Which engine/ car would you guys recommend? Thinking about the future here also.

[Randy Johnson]

M340i

[S4NoMore]

Like I said in your other thread, if you're thinking about the future, get something under $20k. Or an E90 M3.

If you're dead set on something newer, don't bother with CPO. A big piece of the benefit of B-series engines is reliability. Get a '16 and save yourself 10 grand, that's what I did. The B48 is a B58 with 2 cylinders removed, it's every bit as reliable.

Don't worry about size. F30 is a big car, plenty of room for a car seat - in fact I test fit the car seat in my E90 and didn't have to move the front seat position. But it's likely to be a moot point, your future wife will want an SUV and that's destined to be the kid hauler.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

Like I said in your other thread, if you're thinking about the future, get something under $20k. Or an E90 M3.

If you're dead set on something newer, don't bother with CPO. A big piece of the benefit of B-series engines is reliability. Get a '16 and save yourself 10 grand, that's what I did. The B48 is a B58 with 2 cylinders removed, it's every bit as reliable.

Don't worry about size. F30 is a big car, plenty of room for a car seat - in fact I test fit the car seat in my E90 and didn't have to move the front seat position. But it's likely to be a moot point, your future wife will want an SUV and that's destined to be the kid hauler.

Why ditch CPO?

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Why ditch CPO?

Not worth the premium in my opinion. Just like any extended warranty, the odds are that it'll cost you more than it saves you. Not only that, but skipping CPO opens your options up to the 2016/2017 models which lower the cost of entry and move you down the depreciation curve even further.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

Not worth the premium in my opinion. Just like any extended warranty, the odds are that it'll cost you more than it saves you. Not only that, but skipping CPO opens your options up to the 2016/2017 models which lower the cost of entry and move you down the depreciation curve even further.

That's true. There's a bmw dealer that's got a 16 340 fully loaded with 34k miles priced at 33k. No m-pkg though. $7k less than a 18 cpo 340 with 29k miles

[Billfitz]

Get what works best for your current situation. If you do get married and have kids you'll end up in an SUV anyway, so enjoy your toys while you can.

[Mosaud1998]

My heart is not set on anything yet. Logically speaking, nothing wrong with the E90. 77k miles. All the oil leaks have been taken care of. I am getting higher than retail for it but I mean what's the point?

Car looks brand new.

[AllaVodka]

Originally Posted by Randy Johnson

M340i

Idk why but the m340i just doesnt interest me across the board. Too long, too wide, numb steering, rear looks like a lexus, front is better but also looks japanese. Side profile is nice, seats are nice, finishes are nice, technology is good but most of it is not necessary whatseoever.

I just cant justify the m340i at the price point tbh. If you need a map in your dash, then I guess its sweet…

[Chihuahua]

What is it you're having trouble making a decision on? My personal thought is that you should be HOLY SHIT excited about buying a car like the one you've mentioned. If you're not, maybe the universe is trying to tell you something....

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

What is it you're having trouble making a decision on? My personal thought is that you should be HOLY SHIT excited about buying a car like the one you've mentioned. If you're not, maybe the universe is trying to tell you something....

Idk man. Maybe I should just keep the E90

[Alvin Mpower]

If you want something bigger than 340i than get M340i because it is bigger, I would rather take M340i over 540i cause its more sporty to drive and tech is about the same. The 5 series is more luxuries due to use of materials and more comfortable suspension, if that what you looking for. Either way you can't go wrong with any b58, 2020 M340i and 2018 540i are about the same price.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by horrizenashisland

If you want something bigger than 340i than get M340i because it is bigger, I would rather take M340i over 540i cause its more sporty to drive and tech is about the same. The 5 series is more luxuries due to use of materials and more comfortable suspension, if that what you looking for. Either way you can't go wrong with any b58, 2020 M340i and 2018 540i are about the same price.

I drove a 2021 330 with the m package. It drove like shit. Worse than my E90.

[freakystyly]

I bought a 2 series instead of a 3 but the F chassis in general is softer than the E chassis but still manages to perform better.

It's up to what you are willing to sacrifice in the name of new.

Now you might understand why people keep looking back on previous generations so longingly. They may not be better on paper but they were real.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

I bought a 2 series instead of a 3 but the F chassis in general is softer than the E chassis but still manages to perform better.

It's up to what you are willing to sacrifice in the name of new.

Now you might understand why people keep looking back on previous generations so longingly. They may not be better on paper but they were real.

That's true. That 330 I drove, drove like a tin can on wheels. Maybe it was the runflats? idk

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

Not worth the premium in my opinion. Just like any extended warranty, the odds are that it'll cost you more than it saves you. Not only that, but skipping CPO opens your options up to the 2016/2017 models which lower the cost of entry and move you down the depreciation curve even further.

I completely disagree with going non-CPO. I wouldn't buy a BMW unless it was CPO, for a variety of reasons. It's not just about the extended warranty, its about what gets replaced in order for the car to become CPO, and the additional peace of mind on service history and the car's past life. The market right now might inflate CPO prices a bit more, but in general, the premium over a non-CPO car of the same year/mileage/spec is not much.

Anecdotally i can tell you that the CPO can be a huge win. My car was CPO and priced at or below comparable models (2015 335i purchased in 2018). In order to get CPO, they had to replace all pads/rotors (Mbrakes), all tires, fix curb rash on rims, repaint front bumper, and fix a few other scratches. Several thousand in work that i didnt have to pay for. Also, while installing mods on my car i noticed my tensioner wobbled, i had a OPG leak, my windshield cowl was falling apart, my park brake cable clip broke, and my exhaust rattled. All of those were fixed under CPO warranty - several thousand more in work (especially with OPG labor) that i paid nothing for.

Finally, CPO is not a perfect process but it does come with an inspection and decreases the chance your car was tuned in its past life, especially as compared to buying private party. Every car is different, just my 2c.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Idk man. Maybe I should just keep the E90

If it's not too late to back out of that deal, yes I would keep the E90. It's a better car IMO.

[p0p]

Best mod I have done to the 340i is a kids car seat; the kid is 3

Maybe a minivan?

[LS1Convert]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

A 3 series would be tight with a car seat for the front passenger.

Are you planning on marrying someone ridiculously tall or large???? I had a '14 335i when my daughter was born. I specifically got the 335i because at the time, the choices in the 300+HP RWD sedan segment under $50K were pretty slim. We used one of those all in one convertible car seats and had no problem fitting the base and her car seat in there and there was still plenty of leg room for the front passenger. Also, tons of space in the trunk to fit a giant stroller and other stuff. If you worry there's not enough space in a 3-series, you should probably just start looking at minivans now.

I completely understand your concern over the handling. I went from the F30 to an '07 E90 330i due to an overseas move. I loved the E90's handling, it is truly special. But I also missed having the extra ponies under the hood. When I returned stateside I opted for an '18 F36 440i GC. Do I miss the old E90 sometimes? Sure. Heck, if it hadn't been RHD and our import laws didn't suck, I might have brought it back with me. Actually, I definitely would have just because of the bonkers car market we've been in the last year. Still, I don't regret the change one bit. Is the steering lighter? Yes. But the car is still responsive and performs just as well as the E90 did in cornering (maybe better). I can live with how it 'feels'. Plus, I've now got 50ish more horsepower pushing me along. One blip of the throttle and I forget all about my old baby. Add in the updated tech and it was a no-brainer for me.

I'd also add that I intentionally went up to the 4-series because it's slightly lower and had more features standard (namely the HUD). Not sure the height difference is enough to drastically improve performance and it doesn't change the feel of the electronic steering, but prices were near identical for equally optioned 3's and 4's so the 4 series made sense to me. Like you, I didn't care much about options -- I added exactly 1 option (other than M-Sport package) to my 335i and it was the sport AT for the paddle shifters. However, now that I've been living with the HUD, heated seats, comfort access, and the power hatch, it's hard to imagine not having them. Maybe the lesson in that advice is to avoid fancy options because you'll never want a car without them again.

We can give you opinions on this all day, but no one can really make this decision except you. Keep the E90 and mod it for more power. Get an F3X and mod it for even more power. Swap your current E90 for an E90 M3. There is no right answer other than the one that makes you happy.

I'll leave you with this last thought: When I first test drove that F30 335i, I knew instantly it was what I wanted. Years on, I'd occasionally think, 'I'm mostly commuting in this thing, I don't need 300HP' or 'A Camry probably doesn't drive that much different'. And then I'd go on a business trip and get stuck in some crappy rental. I even remember getting a Dodge Dart one time and thinking 'Maybe this will be exciting, I bet I could live with this!'. Whatever excitement I had was gone before I left the rental lot. Those trips were all it ever took to assure me I had made the right decision. It's probably impossible to get a 24-hour test drive in this market, but see if you can get one to take on a longer drive. By the end of it, you should know which car you'd be more excited to be driving back home.

Best of luck!!

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by LS1Convert

Are you planning on marrying someone ridiculously tall or large???? I had a '14 335i when my daughter was born. I specifically got the 335i because at the time, the choices in the 300+HP RWD sedan segment under $50K were pretty slim. We used one of those all in one convertible car seats and had no problem fitting the base and her car seat in there and there was still plenty of leg room for the front passenger. Also, tons of space in the trunk to fit a giant stroller and other stuff. If you worry there's not enough space in a 3-series, you should probably just start looking at minivans now.

I completely understand your concern over the handling. I went from the F30 to an '07 E90 330i due to an overseas move. I loved the E90's handling, it is truly special. But I also missed having the extra ponies under the hood. When I returned stateside I opted for an '18 F36 440i GC. Do I miss the old E90 sometimes? Sure. Heck, if it hadn't been RHD and our import laws didn't suck, I might have brought it back with me. Actually, I definitely would have just because of the bonkers car market we've been in the last year. Still, I don't regret the change one bit. Is the steering lighter? Yes. But the car is still responsive and performs just as well as the E90 did in cornering (maybe better). I can live with how it 'feels'. Plus, I've now got 50ish more horsepower pushing me along. One blip of the throttle and I forget all about my old baby. Add in the updated tech and it was a no-brainer for me.

I'd also add that I intentionally went up to the 4-series because it's slightly lower and had more features standard (namely the HUD). Not sure the height difference is enough to drastically improve performance and it doesn't change the feel of the electronic steering, but prices were near identical for equally optioned 3's and 4's so the 4 series made sense to me. Like you, I didn't care much about options — I added exactly 1 option (other than M-Sport package) to my 335i and it was the sport AT for the paddle shifters. However, now that I've been living with the HUD, heated seats, comfort access, and the power hatch, it's hard to imagine not having them. Maybe the lesson in that advice is to avoid fancy options because you'll never want a car without them again.

We can give you opinions on this all day, but no one can really make this decision except you. Keep the E90 and mod it for more power. Get an F3X and mod it for even more power. Swap your current E90 for an E90 M3. There is no right answer other than the one that makes you happy.

I'll leave you with this last thought: When I first test drove that F30 335i, I knew instantly it was what I wanted. Years on, I'd occasionally think, 'I'm mostly commuting in this thing, I don't need 300HP' or 'A Camry probably doesn't drive that much different'. And then I'd go on a business trip and get stuck in some crappy rental. I even remember getting a Dodge Dart one time and thinking 'Maybe this will be exciting, I bet I could live with this!'. Whatever excitement I had was gone before I left the rental lot. Those trips were all it ever took to assure me I had made the right decision. It's probably impossible to get a 24-hour test drive in this market, but see if you can get one to take on a longer drive. By the end of it, you should know which car you'd be more excited to be driving back home.

Best of luck!!

Too late to look back. The guy that was going to buy my E90 booked a flight for Tuesday.

In the end, I can always buy a E90 M3 or what have you.

But, what I'm getting for my E90 right now, I'll never get. I've been wanting something new but never pulled the trigger.

Maybe it's time too.

[SRB440IGC]

I see you mentioned both 3 and 5 series. Why not a 4? (440i GC to be exact). You'll get the best of both worlds. Plenty of interior room, great styling and you get to keep the B58.

[schnellwagen]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

So, I just sold my E90 (I got an offer that I couldn't refuse. For folks that don't know here) to a fellow forum member. He'll be picking it up today. Driving from Ohio to IL.

My main thing was I wanted to get something quicker. So, initially, I started looking at CPO 18 340s. Found one around 1hr 30 min from me. CPO 2018 340 29k miles. Dealer asking $42,995. I got them down to $40,500 (told them that's without seeing the car). The next day, the price dropped from $42,995 to $41,995. So, I'm gonna get them lower than my original offer of $40,500 when I go there.

But, if I think ahead into the future, I'll be getting married in a few years. Then have kids a year or two after that (I'm just guessing . But kids sooner or later). A 3 series would be tight with a car seat for the front passenger. So, I started looking at CPO 5 series. I can get a 530 for the same price of a 340. But, I dont really know how reliable the B48 is compared to the B58. BMWs is known for making good inline 6 engines. So, the initial thought would be the B58. Or I can just buy a 19 Lexus ES350 and call it a day

But, a CPO 540 is close to $50k. That's $5k more than what I wanted to spend initially. This next car I would like to keep for more than 3 years (I said the same for the E90 when I brought it). Drove both 21 B48 530(Just to compare the drive to a 330), 2021 330 (drove like shit for some reason), and 2018 B58 340(loved the sound and acceleration of it). Obviously, the B58 had more pep to it. Sounded a bit smoother compared to the 21 530 I drove.

Which engine/ car would you guys recommend? Thinking about the future here also.

I would recommend the 340i. Live in the moment. The 340i is a desirable car, so if you need to sell it a few years down the line, a well optioned one will be easy to get rid of.
Additionally, I'd like to mention that it's very possible to easily raise a kid with a 3 series, especially a newer 3 series. I grew up with a Saturn Ion, and my parents never had any issue with the car. In fact, they considered trading it for a SUV, but then realized that it had no advantage.