Manual E91 back at Enthusiast

[clyde]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

That’s pretty pricey. How much were they new?

Think their base MSRP was mid $60s and typically optioned into mid $70s.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

That’s pretty pricey. How much were they new?

Think their base MSRP was mid $60s and typically optioned into low/mid $70s.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by clyde

Think their base MSRP was mid $60s and typically optioned into low/mid $70s.

Then it's really held its value. Or this is overpriced. Didn't Stuka have one?

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

..Didn't Stuka have one?

Yep

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

Yep

I remember him fussing about the quality of the interior.

[FC]

I suppose this all bodes well for me if I keep my low mileage M3 for long enough. Although I have a moonroof, so...

[John V]

Originally Posted by FC

I suppose this all bodes well for me if I keep my low mileage M3 for long enough. Although I have a moonroof, so...

I'm not sure I see the connection.

And yeah, the CTS-V interior is ... not what you'd expect from a $60k+ vehicle.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by FC

I suppose this all bodes well for me if I keep my low mileage M3 for long enough. Although I have a moonroof, so...

Originally Posted by John V

I'm not sure I see the connection.

Nor do I, but a well maintained, low mileage manual transmission M3 that's near-perfect cosmetically should be better than fine on resale anyway

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by John V

I'm not sure I see the connection.

And yeah, the CTS-V interior is ... not what you'd expect from a $60k+ vehicle.

cloth MT no-sunroof M3 I could see... FC you did get cloth did'nt you?

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by John V

GTI is an easy choice. And it's not that much less, but it's new. $30k for an eight year old BMW that is objectively not special is silly.

CTS-V wagons can be had for $30k and it'll kick the E91's teeth in and take its lunch money.

If you really must have a wagon, there are any number of Mercedes that will scratch that itch. I think Jag makes an XF wagon as well now? There's the Buick thingy as well.

Or you could buy a Mazda 3, which comes in a hatchback (which let's be honest is a wagon), has a stick, and can be bought for, what, $25k? With a warranty. And it'll run forever. And has a much nicer interior than an E91. Compared to an E91, I'm willing to bet it's just as fast in day to day driving.

Again, I understand that if you over-constrain your list of requirements to wagon + stick + rear wheel drive + BMW, this is the only answer.

I’m constraining my requirements to wagon, stick, equal to or more power, and equal to or better handling.

The CTS-V is too big, hideously ugly, has a horrible interior, and equivalent condition cars are around double the cost of the EAG car.

The Mazda3 5-door is hideously ugly on the outside, has WAY less power, and is FWD. I’m not going to rule it out explicitly on the FWD basis, but it has to be accounted for.

So yes, the logical answer is to get a GTI. Or even a Golf R for a little bit more money. I don’t think that anyone is really arguing that a Golf isn’t the correct answer.

But, again, we are talking about a unicorn car available in unicorn quantities looking for unicorn buyers. It makes perfect sense. The dozen or so cars that still exist and meet these requirements will absolutely find a dozen or so buyers.

IMO, the only real issue with the E9x interior is the navigation. It’s absolutely awful. Get one without navigation and the interior is fine. Not awesome, but innocuous.