Where next after 535d?
Discussion
Hi all, I bought an F11 535d a few months ago having talked myself out of an F10 M5 for reasons of sensibility 
Am a big BM fan, and have mostly run 3 series in the past of the straight six petrol variety including E46 M3.
I bought the 5er as I quite liked the idea of a slightly lairy estate with decent MPG and space for all the stuff that goes with a couple of kids. I spent a few months looking for the right spec and while mine is not ‘fully loaded’ it’s got what I was looking for - comfort seats, HUD, 19s, sport kit, soft close etc.
I’ve just come to the conclusion in the last couple of weeks that while it’s a lovely place to be, I find it a bit boring. It’s also near as dammit a 2 tonne car and feels it under braking/corners etc.
So, as we all do, I find myself drawn to the classifieds...but no idea what I could really replace it with. Probably wouldn’t look to spend more than 20k, which rules out a return to an M3 in F80 guise. Can’t justify an E90 M3 for the price differential to my old E90 330, and the F10 M5s size (and weight) now concerns me more than it once did. Would love a C4S but not going to get a recent one in budget and probably needs to be at least saloon for practicality reasons. Merc and Audi do nothing for me.
So, what am I missing in this mix? Older 340i?
TLDR: bored of 535d, what semi practical fun car with toys under £20k
Am a big BM fan, and have mostly run 3 series in the past of the straight six petrol variety including E46 M3.
I bought the 5er as I quite liked the idea of a slightly lairy estate with decent MPG and space for all the stuff that goes with a couple of kids. I spent a few months looking for the right spec and while mine is not ‘fully loaded’ it’s got what I was looking for - comfort seats, HUD, 19s, sport kit, soft close etc.
I’ve just come to the conclusion in the last couple of weeks that while it’s a lovely place to be, I find it a bit boring. It’s also near as dammit a 2 tonne car and feels it under braking/corners etc.
So, as we all do, I find myself drawn to the classifieds...but no idea what I could really replace it with. Probably wouldn’t look to spend more than 20k, which rules out a return to an M3 in F80 guise. Can’t justify an E90 M3 for the price differential to my old E90 330, and the F10 M5s size (and weight) now concerns me more than it once did. Would love a C4S but not going to get a recent one in budget and probably needs to be at least saloon for practicality reasons. Merc and Audi do nothing for me.
So, what am I missing in this mix? Older 340i?
TLDR: bored of 535d, what semi practical fun car with toys under £20k
Does it have to be a BMW ? how about retaining some practicality...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Subaru-Legacy-2-0l...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Subaru-Legacy-2-0l...
I sort of feel the same about my 530i, its competent and most stuff, does everything i need and is reasonably nippy. Had it 5 years, but fancy a change. At normal times i do very little mileage, but with covid etc its dropped to 20 miles a week. Not sure where i'll go next after the f10. Had considered the alfa but the interior put me off a bit. The f10 is spot on inside and out, imo.
Keep thinking e60 m5 but not sure i've got the patience for the gearbox. Modern turbo stuff leaves me cold.
Keep thinking e60 m5 but not sure i've got the patience for the gearbox. Modern turbo stuff leaves me cold.
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