anything I should be aware of?

Josh (PA) · 01-18-2017, 09:51 AM

There is a pretty good chance that we're going to trade the e61 in on something relatively soon. We just hit 120k miles, our warranty has expired and we are uneasy with the potential for high cost maintenance on a car that is worth little. We had it for 30 months and put 26K miles per year on it. It served us well, and we don't want it to turn devil this year.

Financially, it looks like we can swap it for one of the below with minimal impact on our monthly expenses. I'm going to take my wife to look at examples of each on Saturday and get her preference on size and usability then start shopping in earnest. Goal is to find the best option for daily driver, weekend long roadtripper. With at least 1 kid in the back, dog in the trunk and bags. Ability to move the boat a few miles would be a plus.

I'd like your feedback on anything I should consider from the below list. On the X cars, we'd get an N55 (which i'm comfortable with). Obviously, the 3 wagon is the 4 cyl, but we like wagons. It seems like X5s are far and away easiest to find and most heavily depreciated. We'll find something in the 30K mile range.

2013 X5 n55 - lots of these in our price range. Last model year of the generation. I know there is a preference here for the dynamic suspension option, but i'm concerned that could be a maintenance issue. If you guys know of anything to definitely look for, stay away from and any major potential future pitfalls, i'd like to hear it.

2014 X3 n55 - seems like the best size, kind of ugly. That's all I know

2014-2015 X1 n55. Probably most enjoyable daily driver

2014-2015 328xiT - I do like wagons... I don't like turbo 4 cylinders, or F30 eps.

I'd consider a non-BMW as well, but honestly I like the ergonomics and familiarity of the interior layout, user experience, etc. I thought about a volvo V60, Audi or Merc wagon or even a Q5, but not too hard.

Alan · 01-18-2017, 10:08 AM

The X1 might be good for you being it looks almost more like a wagon then a truck though it might be a little too small, I think the 3 series sounds a little small as well.

Out of your choices I seriously consider the X3, they drive like a 3 series with an SUV type of seating and view.

TD · 01-18-2017, 10:13 AM

I could not imagine so much as being seen in an X1. But to each their own.

bren · 01-18-2017, 10:18 AM

We have ~40k miles on a '12 x3 n55. The only issue so far was to replace the dynamic suspension computer. Otherwise it has been trouble free.

We had a nearly new x1 loaner not long ago - it was awful. I had high hopes for it, but was not impressed at all.

rumatt · 01-18-2017, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

We have ~40k miles on a '12 x3 n55. The only issue so far was to replace the dynamic suspension computer. Otherwise it has been trouble free.

How's the steering?

wdc330i · 01-18-2017, 05:38 PM

Would a 5 series GT do the trick? Their values seem to plummet. You might be able to find one with AWD and the V8 engine.

Josh (PA) · 01-18-2017, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Would a 5 series GT do the trick? Their values seem to plummet. You might be able to find one with AWD and the V8 engine.

I thought about it for a brief moment, but figured my dog would not enjoy sitting in the trunk/hatch thing at the back.

Speaking of that, Tom don't you have 2 kids, 2 dogs and a wife? Do you all ever go anywhere all together? If so, how?

wdc330i · 01-18-2017, 08:16 PM

I guess I'd test drive the F31 or whatever it is. It is a chunk larger than the E91 and more luxurious. Almost the size of the E61. And since you want AWD and an auto, the only sacrifice is a bit of power.

TD · 01-18-2017, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

I thought about it for a brief moment, but figured my dog would not enjoy sitting in the trunk/hatch thing at the back.

Speaking of that, Tom don't you have 2 kids, 2 dogs and a wife? Do you all ever go anywhere all together? If so, how?

There are four more or less full-sized humans (the kids are teenagers) and one medium-large dog. We travel places together often.

And the dog usually is not game to ride in the far back (on the occasions we take the wagon). He usually hangs out in the middle of the back seat.

bren · 01-18-2017, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

How's the steering?

Rubberbands and oatmeal. But that's not the worst part, that honor goes to the throttle delay.

01-18-2017, 09:51 AM	#1
Josh (PA) Hello. Join Date: Mar 2004 Carmudgeonly Ride: '09 X3, '11 328xiT, '11 135i C, '17 c2, '19 X5 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 5,531	anything I should be aware of? There is a pretty good chance that we're going to trade the e61 in on something relatively soon. We just hit 120k miles, our warranty has expired and we are uneasy with the potential for high cost maintenance on a car that is worth little. We had it for 30 months and put 26K miles per year on it. It served us well, and we don't want it to turn devil this year. Financially, it looks like we can swap it for one of the below with minimal impact on our monthly expenses. I'm going to take my wife to look at examples of each on Saturday and get her preference on size and usability then start shopping in earnest. Goal is to find the best option for daily driver, weekend long roadtripper. With at least 1 kid in the back, dog in the trunk and bags. Ability to move the boat a few miles would be a plus. I'd like your feedback on anything I should consider from the below list. On the X cars, we'd get an N55 (which i'm comfortable with). Obviously, the 3 wagon is the 4 cyl, but we like wagons. It seems like X5s are far and away easiest to find and most heavily depreciated. We'll find something in the 30K mile range. 2013 X5 n55 - lots of these in our price range. Last model year of the generation. I know there is a preference here for the dynamic suspension option, but i'm concerned that could be a maintenance issue. If you guys know of anything to definitely look for, stay away from and any major potential future pitfalls, i'd like to hear it. 2014 X3 n55 - seems like the best size, kind of ugly. That's all I know 2014-2015 X1 n55. Probably most enjoyable daily driver 2014-2015 328xiT - I do like wagons... I don't like turbo 4 cylinders, or F30 eps. I'd consider a non-BMW as well, but honestly I like the ergonomics and familiarity of the interior layout, user experience, etc. I thought about a volvo V60, Audi or Merc wagon or even a Q5, but not too hard. __________________ Josh (PA) - '19 X5 '17 991.2 C2 Cab '11 135i Convertible '11 328xiT '09 X3 Last edited by Josh (PA); 01-18-2017 at 10:09 AM.

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