[Lucky1]

Been meaning to make this post for a while. Looking to sell my dear to my heart 2008 BMW 128i sport package 6speed fully loaded for something a bit bigger and with AWD. Alternatively may even give to the girlfriend to drive and just get a bigger car myself. Prefer to haul larger adults in the back seats now that parents are getting older and nephews getting bigger. I already have a 991.1 and a Z4M the 128i has become a salt eater/Home Depot runner/rolling trunk for me but lacks some larger four door sedan practicality.

I have been circling the following cars:

E9x M3 w/6 SPD
E9x 335xi w/ 6 SPD
F30 340i x-drive w/6 SPD

Test drove a mint and young F30 340 x-drive the other day and liked it much more than I thought I would. Fast, responsive, tons of traction, modern clean interior, etc. BUT after later that night getting into my 128i well, let's just say this 12 year old car with original suspension, non-runflats and hydraulic steering just made me feel like I've felt after driving ANY non-M F30 or F22...sloppy. The whole experience just feels sloppy. I can't pay $32k USD for a car like this.

So now I'm back to figuring out whether I should go with my passion dream car (E9x M3), E9x 335xi or even B8 Audi S4 for a more practical, budget oriented approach.

What do you guys think? My wants out of this change are:

-Winterproof...want to be able to go anywhere and feel utterly confident in the winter until the laws of physics re: height of snow no longer make it possible

-Bombproof...want to make this thing solid and reliable and at this point willing to put $$ in to bring it to baseline for expected condition per mileage

-Power!! Need 335i like power minimum

-6 speed manual

-Seat 4, preferably 5 adults comfortably in the back

-Fun to drive for long periods of time, not too noisy exhaustwise, not too stiff (never driven a BMW I found uncomfortable TBH)

-Handles like what you'd expect from a BMW or otherwise good German car

-Rear seats fold down to create lots of cargo space

-Bluetooth

-Comfort access/keyless access a nice to have


I didn't like how my 128i forces me to drive very, very slow in the winter time and pulls to the side in deep snow (open diff?). Gets stuck in deep snow and struggles up hills even with winter tires. In 12 years I've only been stuck about 2-3 times so not bad but its not as confidence inspiring as I'd like it to be anymore. I hear LSD makes things tighter that way but causes the rear end to be harder to handle.

What car is right for me here guys? Willing to modify any to adjust for their stock factory weaknesses (ie suspension, power, handling, etc). No SUVs please.

[tcphoto]

I could not imagine driving an M3 in those kind of conditions but would lean towards an X5 or ML350.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by tcphoto

I could not imagine driving an M3 in those kind of conditions but would lean towards an X5 or ML350.

No SUV's please...prefer a BMW 4 door sedan with a 6 speed manual. If I could make the E9x M3 winterproof tractionwise (differential change??) including with appropriate non-performance winter tires (ie Bridgestone Blizzak equivalents, think Continental has them?).

Other that its either 335xi or B7 RS4 or B8 S4 I guess ?

[fastboatster]

e90 m3 is not going to be that great in winter plus using it as a rolling "trunk" exposed to all the salt and snow sounds nearly sacrilegious to me. I'd still go for something more disposable and throwaway instead of all the cars you mentioned. Maybe 535xi should do? Will set 5 comfortably, not a lot heavier than 3 series so has enough pep.

[M-technik-3]

Or consider an E91 granted does not have the power you want but has the features. If it's just the winter bomber/trash hauler why pay extra for the insurance and maintenance as well as fuel costs?

Something Japanese, a Lexus IS sport wagon? The 535xi in say a wagon or sedan was a good vote. The Audi A4 AllRoad ?

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

Or consider an E91 granted does not have the power you want but has the features. If it's just the winter bomber/trash hauler why pay extra for the insurance and maintenance as well as fuel costs?

Something Japanese, a Lexus IS sport wagon? The 535xi in say a wagon or sedan was a good vote. The Audi A4 AllRoad ?

Because I will drive it in summer also and I've learned that boring beaters are not worth my time. I love my 128i and on wintery poor weather days I don't care about its power deficit. Its the lack of room when I have passengers/family and the lack of power when I'm going to Home Depot or longer family trips. First world problems! I think 300HP is minimum. I'm addicted to speed and performance.

[simsima90]

If you know so much then get what you want and not what others think.

[mecheng77]

F30 -340i or M240i

The B8 S4 has trans issues with the auto

[fastboatster]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

F30 -340i or M240i

The B8 S4 has trans issues with the auto

Mine just got it’s engine hydrolocked due to charge air cooler in the supercharger starting to leak during some on-ramp pull. Seems like there are so many reasons b8 s4s can “surprise” you.

[E92William]

I think the obvious choice here is a 6 speed manual 335i xdrive. Now whether you get an n54 or n55 is still to be decided

I'd be hard pressed to let go of a 128i 6mt but seems like you got better alternatives to it

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by E92William

I think the obvious choice here is a 6 speed manual 335i xdrive. Now whether you get an n54 or n55 is still to be decided

I'd be hard pressed to let go of a 128i 6mt but seems like you got better alternatives to it

Don't know why I keep trying to give Audi a chance. They just seem to have too many problems both reliability wise and driving dynamics wise!

Oh and news on the 128i front...I jumped into it the other night and remembered why I haven't sold it. Its too awesome. My girlfriend is moving in so I'll give it to her to drive. Now time for new replacement car for me!

I think I'm going to go for the E90 M3. Life's too short and I've always wanted one. Continental Viking 7's, M diff, adjustable aftermarket suspension that can be raised for ride height all ftw? What else can I do to winter harden this car driving wise!

[fastboatster]

I thought e90 m3 already comes with locking diff, although you might get another aftermarket diff. Doubt it will be much of an improvement. If you want to give Audi a chance you can try the s3. It does not come with mt, though just like most (all) their cars

[freakystyly]

I'm kind of in the same boat, eyeing up the Golf R. Need a manual, has AWD. I'd take it over a F30 anyways. They're tune-able like any turbo these days.. The only big downside is FWD bias, which does suck. They're roomy enough inside while not being too bloated.

Subaru (they fit your criteria) but mehhh.

Audis are all automatic these days anyways, only the S5 was available up to 2016 or so.

Mercs have been auto since forever, with only a handful of manuals over the decades.

[neilvan]

If you are looking for 4wd in your search the M3 lacks that. Though they do well in the winter with snows, you already have 2 nice toys so why not search for an awd car.

The e90 335 has xi (not super reliable) but it does meet what you want other than the xi suspension doesnt come sport(like your 128) so its inbetween that and the F30.

Another option is the E60 535xi? comes 6spd and is a bit bigger. Also is an E chassis so it does drive better than the F series(My winter car is an E61 6spd wagon)

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by fastboatster

Mine just got it’s engine hydrolocked due to charge air cooler in the supercharger starting to leak during some on-ramp pull. Seems like there are so many reasons b8 s4s can “surprise” you.

Originally Posted by fastboatster

Mine just got it's engine hydrolocked due to charge air cooler in the supercharger starting to leak during some on-ramp pull. Seems like there are so many reasons b8 s4s can "surprise" you.

So the oil in the supercharger hydro locked the
Engine?

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Don't know why I keep trying to give Audi a chance. They just seem to have too many problems both reliability wise and driving dynamics wise!

Oh and news on the 128i front...I jumped into it the other night and remembered why I haven't sold it. Its too awesome. My girlfriend is moving in so I'll give it to her to drive. Now time for new replacement car for me!

I think I'm going to go for the E90 M3. Life's too short and I've always wanted one. Continental Viking 7's, M diff, adjustable aftermarket suspension that can be raised for ride height all ftw? What else can I do to winter harden this car driving wise!

Originally Posted by fastboatster

Mine just got it's engine hydrolocked due to charge air cooler in the supercharger starting to leak during some on-ramp pull. Seems like there are so many reasons b8 s4s can "surprise" you.

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Don't know why I keep trying to give Audi a chance. They just seem to have too many problems both reliability wise and driving dynamics wise!

Oh and news on the 128i front...I jumped into it the other night and remembered why I haven't sold it. Its too awesome. My girlfriend is moving in so I'll give it to her to drive. Now time for new replacement car for me!

I think I'm going to go for the E90 M3. Life's too short and I've always wanted one. Continental Viking 7's, M diff, adjustable aftermarket suspension that can be raised for ride height all ftw? What else can I do to winter harden this car driving wise!

I know why: both VW and Audi have classy and sharp timeless styling. They are also very practical, affordable used and have decent performance. Other than the S4 dct trans they are decently reliable but a trans is a big thing to worry about, just the part alone will destroy your purchase. They got more reliable with time but that exact info is hard to come by. It drove nice

[fastboatster]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

So the oil in the supercharger hydro locked the
Engine?

No, not the oil, coolant. Supercharger has 2 heat exchangers built in to cool the compressed air, on for each bank. Conveniently, they are just sitting right on top of the intakes.

Not too uncommon as it turns out.

[E92William]

My notion has always been audis are very hard to work on. But well that's what I used to think about BMW's before I had one, though I doubt I'm wrong on the Audi assumption this time lol

[fastboatster]

Originally Posted by E92William

My notion has always been audis are very hard to work on. But well that's what I used to think about BMW's before I had one, though I doubt I'm wrong on the Audi assumption this time lol

Yeah, your assumption is not wrong, I can attest to that. BMW diy for N/A 6 cylinders is like taking a vacation to me. I always felt like I’m cheating the system when doing stuff on my e90, it’s supposed to cost a bunch of money and I’m just doing it myself while nearly having fun. With that Awdi DIY feels like a job. A job you don’t like and want to quit but you have a mortgage) or will be paying another mortgage if you have somebody else work on it. That said, working on Audis is very good for character building lol