Big wagon; little wagon; seeedan?

wdc330i · 01-06-2006, 02:36 PM

I need some carmudgeonly advice. We are now loaded up with an excessive number of BMWs in our driveway. A new 530xiT; a 330i sedan; and a 325xiT. We need to sell one of the 3s. We've got the two dogs to haul and a baby on the way. Plus, the occasionally creaky parent/inlaw to chauffeur. The little wagon is a step transmission; the sedan a manual with the sport suspension and package. We live on a hill that's nasty in bad weather (but I have snow tires/wheels for the sedan).

Mileage on the two 3s is in the low 2X,XXX for both. The sedan is a 2002 with about three months more warranty and no more free maintenance. The wagon has another 1 1/2 years of both.

My partner has a preference to keep the little wagon because she hates driving or riding in my sedan (the hard ride; the stick) and thinks the versatility of having the two wagons is a plus. I have a preference to keep the sedan, well, because it drives like a real BMW should and it provides a real contrast in vehicles. It is also one of the rare flawless cars I've ever owned (knock wood).

Practically speaking, it makes sense to keep both wagons. Emotionally, I would really miss the sedan. The little wagon would end up as my daily driver, so I would bear the brunt of the sacrifice. However, when we bought the first wagon my partner gave up her Z3.

I understand it's a lucky dilemma to have; but a dilemma nonetheless. Any opinions or advice?

*Plaz* · 01-06-2006, 02:48 PM

Keep the sedan and let your wife ride in/drive the 5er when you need to go somewhere together. I imagine it's rare you need two wagons simultaneously.

The '02 330s with SP seem to be a particularly good vintage... just ask ff. Mine's been very good too, and if yours has been flawless...

I could never have a garage completely free of manual tranny cars. Don't submit to the deballification of yours.

Rob · 01-06-2006, 02:49 PM

Why on earth would you ever need two wagons? Will there ever be a time that the sedan won't hold the overflow of required passengers when the 5 wagon is full? Do you have to cart the dogs apart from each other?

Does your partner ever actually *drive* your car? I have a friend that can only get autos in case his wife drives the car . . . she hasn't driven it in over 3 years. Not once. But I digress.

I can't understand why you would keep two wagons at all in this position. If it were me, I would call this a compromise the partner is going to have to make.

wdc330i · 01-06-2006, 02:56 PM

Occasionally, my partner will have to drive the sedan (when the complicated and glitch-prone new 5 is in the shop). But she does know how to drive a stick (her Z was a stick); she simply prefers not to anymore. The two wagons give us the ultimate family flexibility. But of course, driving pleasure is another matter entirely. She will get the 5 as the daily driver, regardless of which 3 goes. My garage at work is packed to the gills and only the 3 will fit in the create-a-spaces.

Another argument in my favor: the sedan is much better on gas mileage (almost 5 miles more to the gallon--when I'm not lead-footed).

*Plaz* · 01-06-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwg

I have a friend that can only get autos in case his wife drives the car . . . she hasn't driven it in over 3 years. Not once.

OMG, that's fucking tragic. My wife (who doesn't drive manual) knew better than to even try that with me.

FC · 01-06-2006, 03:04 PM

My 330i has also been nearly flawless. I say keep the 330i. I could understand the two wagons if you planned on keeping the 3 cars (and given they are both nice, luxury wagons even that would be a stretch for me), but if you must have 2 cars, you don't need more than one wagon. I would ditch the 325xiT.

I also 2nd the notion of avoiding having no manuals at all. Hey, you are a carmudgeon, you should have ONE car you are happy with.

ff · 01-06-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

The '02 330s with SP seem to be a particularly good vintage... just ask ff.

I certainly agree. That car gave me no troubles. And that year was the last of the great sounding H/K sound systems.

Optimus Prime · 01-06-2006, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwg

Does your partner ever actually *drive* your car? I have a friend that can only get autos in case his wife drives the car . . . she hasn't driven it in over 3 years. Not once. But I digress.

I "forced" the wife to learn how to drive a manual.

Story:
She loves sports cars, mainly how nice they look and whatnot. She told me a couple years ago that in ten years she wanted me to build a factory five Cobra kit car because, "it's so fucking hot". Two years ago, when we went to purchase the Mazda I told her, "either you learn to drive a manual on your everyday car, or you can forget ever getting a 'Cobra'". She wasn't happy with me, but we got the 5 speed anyways.

Now, she loves driving manual and can't stand automatics.

FC · 01-06-2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus Prime

I "forced" the wife to learn how to drive a manual.

...

Now, she loves driving manual and can't stand automatics.

Nice!

My wife drove stickshift New Beetle when I met her. That was cool. Now we have two stickshifts.

ZBB · 01-06-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

OMG, that's fucking tragic. My wife (who doesn't drive manual) knew better than to even try that with me.

I agree... My wife had extremely limited experience with stick (rental cars in Europe were about it). But when we were last shopping for cars, she ended up with the MINI Cooper S, which only had stick back then (crap, almost 4 years ago)...

And I think her next car will be stick... I have a feeling it might be a 325XiT, maybe an '07 (and ED).

Back on Topic:
I think you have 2 choices:
1) keep the sedan... you like it, its your car. Enjoy it.
2) keep the 3 touring... only because its under warranty longer. When its warranty runs out (or a few months after) -- go get something else with a stick...

01-06-2006, 02:36 PM	#1
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,319	Big wagon; little wagon; seeedan? I need some carmudgeonly advice. We are now loaded up with an excessive number of BMWs in our driveway. A new 530xiT; a 330i sedan; and a 325xiT. We need to sell one of the 3s. We've got the two dogs to haul and a baby on the way. Plus, the occasionally creaky parent/inlaw to chauffeur. The little wagon is a step transmission; the sedan a manual with the sport suspension and package. We live on a hill that's nasty in bad weather (but I have snow tires/wheels for the sedan). Mileage on the two 3s is in the low 2X,XXX for both. The sedan is a 2002 with about three months more warranty and no more free maintenance. The wagon has another 1 1/2 years of both. My partner has a preference to keep the little wagon because she hates driving or riding in my sedan (the hard ride; the stick) and thinks the versatility of having the two wagons is a plus. I have a preference to keep the sedan, well, because it drives like a real BMW should and it provides a real contrast in vehicles. It is also one of the rare flawless cars I've ever owned (knock wood). Practically speaking, it makes sense to keep both wagons. Emotionally, I would really miss the sedan. The little wagon would end up as my daily driver, so I would bear the brunt of the sacrifice. However, when we bought the first wagon my partner gave up her Z3. I understand it's a lucky dilemma to have; but a dilemma nonetheless. Any opinions or advice?

01-06-2006, 02:48 PM	#2
Plaz ••••••• Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '11 1M Location: Churzee Posts: 17,741	Keep the sedan and let your wife ride in/drive the 5er when you need to go somewhere together. I imagine it's rare you need two wagons simultaneously. The '02 330s with SP seem to be a particularly good vintage... just ask ff. Mine's been very good too, and if yours has been flawless... I could never have a garage completely free of manual tranny cars. Don't submit to the deballification of yours. __________________ 2011 1M

01-06-2006, 02:49 PM	#3
Rob The user formerly known as rwg Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4 Location: Vegas baby! Posts: 8,261	Why on earth would you ever need two wagons? Will there ever be a time that the sedan won't hold the overflow of required passengers when the 5 wagon is full? Do you have to cart the dogs apart from each other? Does your partner ever actually drive your car? I have a friend that can only get autos in case his wife drives the car . . . she hasn't driven it in over 3 years. Not once. But I digress. I can't understand why you would keep two wagons at all in this position. If it were me, I would call this a compromise the partner is going to have to make.

01-06-2006, 02:56 PM	#4
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,319	Occasionally, my partner will have to drive the sedan (when the complicated and glitch-prone new 5 is in the shop). But she does know how to drive a stick (her Z was a stick); she simply prefers not to anymore. The two wagons give us the ultimate family flexibility. But of course, driving pleasure is another matter entirely. She will get the 5 as the daily driver, regardless of which 3 goes. My garage at work is packed to the gills and only the 3 will fit in the create-a-spaces. Another argument in my favor: the sedan is much better on gas mileage (almost 5 miles more to the gallon--when I'm not lead-footed).

01-06-2006, 03:04 PM	#6
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,274	My 330i has also been nearly flawless. I say keep the 330i. I could understand the two wagons if you planned on keeping the 3 cars (and given they are both nice, luxury wagons even that would be a stretch for me), but if you must have 2 cars, you don't need more than one wagon. I would ditch the 325xiT. I also 2nd the notion of avoiding having no manuals at all. Hey, you are a carmudgeon, you should have ONE car you are happy with.