The BaT thread for the cars we won't buy, but kinda wish we would

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by JST

I’ve driven a fair number of cars, but there was something about the E61 that made it feel like…the richest car I’ve ever driven? Maybe that’s not quite right. The most old-money car I’ve ever driven. Like, this is the kind of car that would be driven by titanically wealthy people.

It was a really nice car, suspension squishiness aside. That’s a spectacular example. Not sure I’d want to pay to keep one on the road now, and the idrive tech is now woefully out of date. But a very cool car.

I tend to agree. I had the ?pleasure? of using my mechanics 530xi loaner the other day. Its a beat up N52 example with 140kmiles on it and it drove absolutely awesome. Even better than I remember our n54 e61 feeling. BMW did a great job of getting the feel of that car just right for purpose. I think the wagon unicorn aspect made it seem even more special.

[equ]

That wagon is a manhattan car (perhaps explaning the old money aspect, perhaps not). So while the miles are low, they do count.

[wdc330i]

Old money is spot on, definitely how I felt driving our E61–and ours was a step with the weaker engine. My parents’ Volvo 850 wagon had a touch of that, too, but without any driving pleasure!

Oddly, there’s just a touch of that feeling in my M440 Gran Coupe. And it handles far better than the E61.

Edit: And, whoa, how crappy was the 330xi loaner I had? 2019 with 17k miles. Former fleet car in Woodcliff, NJ. So beaten up. Just awful power, felt almost like the engine was missing. Oh, and practically bald tires. And, of course it’s for sale as a CPO…

[nate]

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9ea...w-320i-touring

Someone needs to buy this

[JST]

Neat car, though the M3 badging is silly. No AC, though, I don’t think.

This is the same seller that was offering an M3 swapped wagon last summer. I went and took a look at that car since it was so close; Nick waved me off based on rust in the control arm pockets. Can’t tell if this one has that same issue, though the note about some rust on the suspension is ominous.

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by nate

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9ea...w-320i-touring

Someone needs to buy this

I didn't know they made a 2.0l I6. Early 911 style

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by JST

Neat car, though the M3 badging is silly. No AC, though, I don’t think.

This is the same seller that was offering an M3 swapped wagon last summer. I went and took a look at that car since it was so close; Nick waved me off based on rust in the control arm pockets. Can’t tell if this one has that same issue, though the note about some rust on the suspension is ominous.

I am ok with motorsport decal but not a fan of the m3 door guards

[wdc330i]

Sweet thing. But, sounds sloooow.

[nate]

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

I am ok with motorsport decal but not a fan of the m3 door guards

Yeah, I had not noticed that. Dumb but should be able to remove or obscure them.

At least there's no M3 badging on the exterior of the wagon.

[equ]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Old money is spot on, definitely how I felt driving our E61–and ours was a step with the weaker engine. My parents’ Volvo 850 wagon had a touch of that, too, but without any driving pleasure!

Oddly, there’s just a touch of that feeling in my M440 Gran Coupe. And it handles far better than the E61.

Edit: And, whoa, how crappy was the 330xi loaner I had? 2019 with 17k miles. Former fleet car in Woodcliff, NJ. So beaten up. Just awful power, felt almost like the engine was missing. Oh, and practically bald tires. And, of course it’s for sale as a CPO…

Weird, I drove a new 330i at some point. It felt like it had more than enough for a daily, noticeably more than the 328i (4-cyl). Nothing interesting, but one of the stronger 4-cyls I've sampled.