Help me decide Oppo

"Bill"TheStig"Murray" (stigy-murray)
05/16/2015 at 11:45 • Filed to: None

I need a new car. It has to be somewhat practical (four doors and a trunk) but still fun to drive.

I’ve narrowed it down to three (really more like two) choices:

Late model E46 330i (hopefully with ZHP)

Late model E39 540i (hopefully with M-sport)

Brand new VW GTI with PP

Choices 1 and 2 have similar pros and cons. PROS: Much cheaper up-front cost, rear-wheel drive, plenty of power, my favorite generation of BMW, still very mechanical to maintain. CONS: Used car grab-bag, no warranty, I don’t work on cars very much, parts are expensive.

Choice 3 has a warranty, scheduled maintenance, nearly as much power, modern amenities but it’s nearly twice the cost (however it can be financed to a similar level although for much longer.)

So which one should I get? Sadly they have to be automatic because the wife needs to be able to drive it in an emergency.

DISCUSSION (38)

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 11:51

Why not a Lexus IS or GS?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 11:53

VW’s DSG is really good, so that’s what I would go for if I had to choose.

djmt1 > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 11:54

Golf

Bill"TheStig"Murray > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/16/2015 at 11:56

Honestly I really just want to try out German car ownership lol

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 12:01

Then in that case, I’d go with the Golf too so you get a warranty with it.

Unless you want to try the super German car ownership experience, then I’ll gladly go on all the websites to find you a W12 Phaeton, W8 Passat, or an old Audi S6 with the V10.

Steve in Manhattan > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 12:02

WRX. You’re welcome.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 12:03

OH OH OH. E38 7-series.

Kinja'd!!!

Cause they clearly look the coolest.

But answering the question properly, Golf.

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 12:05

E39.

Vicente Esteve > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 12:06

It’s a hard question. You can’t beat the feeling of having a new car in which you are the first owner.

But then again, RWD.

I’d say try the BMW first, if it is not what you need or didn’t live up to expectations go with the Golf.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 12:17

So you’d rather pay possibly more for a guaranteed headache?

I mean, I know those are decent cars to drive, but I don’t think anyone is going to say that long-term or used German car ownership is a wonderful ordeal.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 12:28

Well with the money you save on the used cars you could get a pre purchase inspection, and maybe also keep it maintained for less.

Also, teach your wife how to manual, I’ve taught my 16 year old friend who doesnt even have a license yet.

Cash Rewards > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 12:42

As an owner of a 2011 gti, I say go with that if an automatic is a must. The dsg is the reason we got ours, my wife loves it and i use the paddles most of the time.

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/16/2015 at 12:48

I love my M3 the 20,000 miles I put on it have been nothing but awesome. I highly recommend a ZHP 330ci, they’re great cars.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 12:50

Late model 540i are prone to timing chain guide failure. I’d get the E46.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
05/16/2015 at 13:08

You’re the exception then. I haven’t heard a great many positive ownership stories about late model German cars.

Bill"TheStig"Murray > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/16/2015 at 13:08

Yeah, that’s my main worry. I’m not sure how much of a headache it would be. My wife’s uncle is a mechanic with his own shop, so I could quickly be taught and work on it myself but I know it’s a big gamble on my favorite cars.

Bill"TheStig"Murray > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
05/16/2015 at 13:11

I guess my question is, are they all the same amount of headache? I’d like to think that the 330i is easier to maintain and live with than the comparable M3. If not, I’ll just get the GTI and save for the actual M3 and M5 that I want lol

Tohru > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 13:13

1996 Chevrolet Impala SS.

Kinja'd!!!

Front-engine, rear wheel drive. 260 HP and 330 lb/ft. of torque. 3.08 rear axle ratio with limited-slip. 4L60E automatic. It has a lot of Caprice 9C1 (police package) bits, including a sport-tuned suspension with reinforced shocks and springs, a high-capacity reverse flow cooling system (derived from the Corvette’s LT1), larger four-wheel disc brakes, transmission cooler, dual exhaust, and a higher-output electrical system. 17” model-specific 5-spoke aluminum wheels. The 1996 model has an analog speedometer instead of the digital one, and a console shifter instead of column shift.

Since so many bits of it are Chevy Caprice, parts are cheap and you can take it pretty much anywhere to get worked on.

Bill"TheStig"Murray > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash
05/16/2015 at 13:13

I’m trying to warm her up to it, she’s not interested right now but being 32 weeks pregnant isn’t the time anyways lol

Bill"TheStig"Murray > Vicente Esteve
05/16/2015 at 13:15

I think I’m going to do that, I have a buddy looking to buy a FiST and another interested in a Civic Si and the FiST. We’ll probably make a grand day out from it and drive new cars all day.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 13:21

Any car is a gamble, but you can stack the odds toward your favor buy buying more reliable vehicles, or at least ones that aren’t such a premium to maintain.

I’m not saying that BMW doesn’t make good cars, only that they don’t have the same record Toyota/Lexus do, and that you’re going to pay a ton for parts if something does happen.

Lexus parts aren’t exactly cheap either, but there is a reason for the reputation Toyota has when it comes to their cars. I’d want to buy something that I am not going to have to worry so much about over a car that is more fun, but I’m always concerned it’s going to go wrong.

If you want to learn how to fix your own cars, getting one that will need repairs is a great way to learn. Just as long as you can budget the time and money for it, then it’s okay.

Your boy, BJR > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 13:22

Chevy SS!

RPM esq. > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 13:34

I’ve had both the 330 and M3. I haven’t found the M3 to be any more difficult to maintain than the 330 was, everything is just slightly more expensive, and more of it is delicate enough that I don’t trust myself to do the work. Ffrom a peace of mind perspective, there are more bogeymen to worry about in terms of big expensive things that could possibly go wrong down the road. I think the M3 is worth that slight headache because I find myself giggling like a child every time I rev it up and staring at it lustfully every time I park it. But the E46 330 is a great car, and it shouldn’t be too hard to find a good one. I like the E39 a lot, but a 540 would definitely be a bigger headache to maintain than a 330.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 13:40

If you don’t work on cars, don’t get the BMWs. You can make them affordable by doing a lot of simple stuff yourself. I just did the thermostat on my 540i, <$100 part, 3 hours labor. Mechanic was going to be $400+. Brakes are another good example, you can use duralast pads and do it yourself, or pay the mechanic $400. I did just have the vanos chain guides done on the 540 by the mechanic though. Its one of those “well while we have it apart” jobs, spent $4k but got all the front end seals redone, new chain guides, all chains/belts, water pump, etc. I’ve been living the 10 year old german car dream for a while now. I could go out and get a new vw/ 3 series but I’d rather have an older 5 series and pour money into repairs... (seriously)

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 13:48

Before you decide, call your insurance to see what the rates are for each car.

And also have a budget to spend an average of $200-$300/month on maintenance and repairs on those older BMWs. You may get lucky and not have to spend that much, but just have the money set aside. Because when things break with these used Euro cars, it can get expensive fast.

If this is going to be a primary vehicle that you need to depend on, the new VW is the best bet.

Vicente Esteve > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 13:49

That’s what I’d do!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > itranthelasttimeiparkedit
05/16/2015 at 13:51

Yep... that’s the best approach to owning an older Euro car. Do what you can yourself. But also know when it’s best to take it in to a trusted specialist.

Bill"TheStig"Murray > Your boy, BJR
05/16/2015 at 14:01

Ah, I would if I could afford those payments! I love sleepers!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/16/2015 at 14:29

But the E46 Getrag 6 speed with short throw ZHP shifter is really, really good!

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 14:35

ahaha yeah, that changes things i suppose

TTercel > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 14:55

GTI hands down.

Yossarian > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 14:57

GTI all the way. No way would I buy an almost 20 year old BMW, especially without a manual. The autos are old GM units and not good for fun driving. That plus the headaches that come from an old BMW, and I say that as a BMW fan.

Get the GTI with performance pack, DSG by all accounts is great, practical, very fun to drive, more economical, better value.

20 year old BMWs don't drive like they did 20 years ago without a lot of work put into them.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
05/16/2015 at 15:18

Yeah, but new car with a warranty. Plus it has to be an auto.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/16/2015 at 16:10

Oh, I didn’t realize that. Agreed; the DSG is excellent as automatics go and a used BMW is hit or miss in terms of running costs.

Schaefft > Bill"TheStig"Murray
05/16/2015 at 18:11

E39, even though there nothing wrong with a 330i E46. Just please don’t buy a Golf...

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/16/2015 at 19:07

Must be owners who don’t maintain their cars.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
05/16/2015 at 19:20

Which isn’t surprising given how much maintenance costs at a BMW dealer.

That said, any car can be easy to own when maintained properly. Any car can also be a nightmare when neglected. Being a German car has nothing to do with either.

Only that there is a reason Toyota has the reputation is does.

I’m glad your M3 has been a good purchase and I hope it stays that way for you.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
05/16/2015 at 20:03

high mileage bmw v8? budget 2k/year for vacuum and oil leaks and fix the rest yourself