What's your next car going to be?

[pundit]

After an E34, what comes next?
I'm talking realistically, not a wishlist of some megadollar exotics.
I'm thinking of maybe an E39 in the next year or two.
E39 prices are falling to the point where it's becoming an option.
Probably a 528i with a few extras.
I'm thinking airbags, quieter, a little better economy etc.
A 540 would be nice but with the cost of fuel destined to climb even more, V8's are probably going to get cheaper to buy but not practical when your fuel bill starts equalling your mortgage.

[Zeuk in Oz]

Probably a 528i with a few extras.

I agree !

Personally I think I would prefer the rack & pinion steering and overall balance of the sixes to the eights.

Perhaps it's just because I'm old ! ;)

[pundit]

I agree !

Personally I think I would prefer the rack & pinion steering and overall balance of the sixes to the eights.

Perhaps it's just because I'm old ! ;)
Yeah! The sixes are supposed to be better with the rack & pinion and reduced weight. Plenty of twisties where I live.

[Paul in NZ]

either a nice e34 540 6 spd,or a e39,an 528 530 535 or 540 pref manual and "Sport".This (http://www.bmwclub.org.nz/marketplace/index.php?showtopic=91) would be nice buts its an auto.
Granted the eights use more gas than the sixes,but you only live once.Maybe a little runabout as the daily driver and the 8 for special occasions

[Jesda]

1990-1993 Infiniti Q45 like the one I used to have.

[kyleN20]

to be honest, probally a jeep chrekee, or grand chrokee, to be wishfull, a nice 540 6. a dream would be a 540-6 touring.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

E34 525 tourings & a few E31 8s

I am torn between practicality and performance

[pundit]

either a nice e34 540 6 spd,or a e39,an 528 530 535 or 540 pref manual and "Sport".This (http://www.bmwclub.org.nz/marketplace/index.php?showtopic=91) would be nice buts its an auto
Looks nice. The sad thing is I actually prefer the look of the E34 over the E39.
To be more to the point, it takes more effort to make an E39 look good than an E34.
You almost need some kind of bodykit on an E39 to avoid the bland look.
Just a set of wheels on an E34 can really transform it but somehow an E39 seems to need more or it just looks like it's trying.

I've noticed a few E39 535i V8's around that seem reasonably priced but somehow I thinked a chipped 528i, while not being a rocketship, would be adequate.
For me an auto is really the only option due to the traffic on my daily commute to work.
If it wasn't for that I would have a manual. I drove nothing but manuals for 25 years, but the novelty wears off when you can barely get past 2nd gear for half the trip.

[angrypancake]

I want my father's e39 528iM. Great gas mileage, and power when needed. He won't even let me look at it though...

[Zeuk in Oz]

Looks nice. The sad thing is I actually prefer the look of the E34 over the E39.
To be more to the point, it takes more effort to make an E39 look good than an E34.
You almost need some kind of bodykit on an E39 to avoid the bland look.
Just a set of wheels on an E34 can really transform it but somehow an E39 seems to need more or it just looks like it's trying.

I've noticed a few E39 535i V8's around that seem reasonably priced but somehow I thinked a chipped 528i, while not being a rocketship, would be adequate.
For me an auto is really the only option due to the traffic on my daily commute to work.
If it wasn't for that I would have a manual. I drove nothing but manuals for 25 years, but the novelty wears off when you can barely get past 2nd gear for half the trip.

Just as well, because apart from the E39 M5, and a couple of private imports from the UK, all E39s in Oz are auto ( or so I believe).

[McWatters]

Ive always thought of a nice 3 series, a 94. forget the chasis identity. But yea i like them alot. Just insurance on those smaller cars would be alot. so i probably wont get to that stage till im 24 or somethign (when my rates go down)

cheers

J.McWatters

[Kalevera]

6 speed E60, 6 speed 750 -- E32 or E38, maybe a 3.8 M5.

Personally, I can't find a good reason for owning an E39.

best, whit

[bjl4776]

Im actually lookin for a new car now. I really want to find a 97 M3 coupe, but practicality in the northeast says find an audi or subaru. I didnt have good luck with my last audi, but a wrx would be nice. I thought of the 540im, but for the money and gas, id rather find the M3.

[Bimmer Nut Ed]

I want to replace wifey's Z3 with a e46 M3 vertible, and I want to replace my e34 535im with a e39 m5. But I know that M5 is a long way off, partly because the E34 is just broke in with 170k miles. And prolly got to get some kids out of the house first so I get more room in the drive/garage and can add the M5 and not replace the E34.

Believe me, working at the dealership I ponder thisw question every day!

[632 Regal]

I would go nuts working at a dealers...I feel your pain...lol

[Johntee540]

I have had hankerings for an e39 M5 - they are coming down in price lately. Here in DC you see them all the time with 40k miles or less going for $45k or less.

There is a car lot on my way to work that always has 2 or 3 of them out front calling to me as I go by. - JT

[RobPatt]

:d

[Akhil]

always wishing I could buy this one. :D

http://used-cars.autos.yahoo.com/usedcars/detail/index.html;_ylt=A9ibyETv5tpDl8QAhABJSMUF?cid=autom obiles-127228452&dst=17.54&rsr=bWFrZT1CTVcmbW9kZWw9JmNsX3k9MTk5NiZjaF95PTE5OT kmY2xfcHJpY2U9NTAwMDAmY2hfcHJpY2U9NzUwMDAmY2xfbWk9 JmNoX21pPSZjaz03NDBpbCZndXI9NTAmY3N6PTc3MDgzJnZ0eX BlPWF1dG9zJm1rPUJNVyZtbz0-

Must be be driving Twin turbo-charged 520 HP engine ;)

[Nick.Hay]

Personally, I still reckon it'll be an E34 touring... Dunno when, but it'll happen!!

[SC David]

I've been quite tempted by the Volvo S60R, but the E46 330i is on my list as well. I'll just have to see where prices are at, and where my head is at in 2-3 years.

[liquidtiger720]

hmm.


honda civic si. then, when I can afford it... a e34/e39 m5.

[Alexlind123]

I understand the M5, but why the civic?

[pundit]

always wishing I could buy this one. :D

http://used-cars.autos.yahoo.com/usedcars/detail/index.html;_ylt=A9ibyETv5tpDl8QAhABJSMUF?cid=autom obiles-127228452&dst=17.54&rsr=bWFrZT1CTVcmbW9kZWw9JmNsX3k9MTk5NiZjaF95PTE5OT kmY2xfcHJpY2U9NTAwMDAmY2hfcHJpY2U9NzUwMDAmY2xfbWk9 JmNoX21pPSZjaz03NDBpbCZndXI9NTAmY3N6PTc3MDgzJnZ0eX BlPWF1dG9zJm1rPUJNVyZtbz0-

Must be be driving Twin turbo-charged 520 HP engine ;)
Just gimme the twin submachine guns!
But where is the passenger ejector seat, tyre shredders and equipment for projecting oil, nails and smoke? ;)

[KB535i]

hmm.


honda civic si. then, when I can afford it... a e34/e39 m5.
honda civic huh?....cool tiger.

[pundit]

...Personally, I can't find a good reason for owning an E39.

best, whit
Well I had a look at a couple of E39's today.
Both 1996 528i's in white with pretty much the same spec.
I didn't go for a drive just sat in one and fired up the engine.
First thing I noticed is you sit 'on' the seats not slightly 'in' them like in the E34.

Of course you can't tell much without going for a drive but I feel more at home in the E34. The driving position just feels more correct. These E39's were fairly basic spec. No sunroof, electrics seats. sports paqckage etc.

I've seen a couple of higher spec sports versions with nappa leather and all the trimmings etc. Much nicer than these but of course that adds at least $10k to the equation.

I'll have to take one for an extended drive and see what I really think then!

[liquidtiger720]

I understand the M5, but why the civic?


saves gas, cheap parts, easy to work on...

daily driver...duh!

[liquidtiger720]

honda civic huh?....cool tiger.


what can I say. sometimes, you just can't beat japanese reliability. My family had a lexus rx300 for 5 years...of which all I did was change the oil, brake pads once, and tires once. It still ran like it was new the day we turned it in. Can't say the same for the e34 or the mercedes or land rover or 740i that we have.

[Jose]

Sorry to say, it would be a 2000-2003 civic. There is no option for anything else as most of my newer customers drive them and I need a affordable custom demo car for oncoming shows this summer. In the winter a blown E36 coup is next on the list.

[onewhippedpuppy]

E34 540/6 for the next few years until I'm done with school, then hopefully I can afford to move onto a E39 M5 or E34 M5. I'll have to drive them both to see which I like better, they're both spectacular cars. In two years, my guess is that a nice E39 M5 will have dropped to $20k or so, they're already into the low $30s. The other plan would be if the 540/6 is still going strong, I'd love to do an S50 or S52 swap into an E30. That, or get another old 911. Or maybe a 3.0CSi. Or maybe a ................:D

[mikell]

New up-coming M Coupe looks pretty sweet to me.

[Jay 535i]

Either:

1. Ditch the E34 and get an E39 M5

or

2. Keep the E34 and add a Boxster S

[DueyT]

I'm with Blitzkreig Bob, I'm actually keeping my eyes peeled for a nice E31, that has always been my dream car, to which the 540 ran a close second. I'd kill for a nice Black on Black E31 (with manual trans, of course)

Cheers,
Duey

Like here...probably could get that for 10-12k Cdn (http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=6424&adid=4919870)

[E34 530]

what can I say. sometimes, you just can't beat japanese reliability. My family had a lexus rx300 for 5 years...of which all I did was change the oil, brake pads once, and tires once. It still ran like it was new the day we turned it in. Can't say the same for the e34 or the mercedes or land rover or 740i that we have.

This is true. My mom's Infiniti Qx4 NEVER breaks, has good performance and styling, and just needs oil changes.

[kyleN20]

like the 2002 si, cause i dont like the new one? i do like the previous one though, looks sweet, hatch only, bent nail shifter.

[we_call_him_doher]

I love the way the Infiniti G35 coupe looks like, especially in red with a 6-speed. An E39 M5 is the dream car though....

[Incantation]

well since we are over the peak of oil production and gas prices are going to be sky-rocketing, i think i will probably by an echo or some sort of hybrid

as it is i am going to be insuring my crf50 for the street and using it for running errands. i am getting rid of my e34 and will hold on to my e31 just for the occassional pimp drive

[danzee]

The E39 is nice and handles well (it's a Sport) but it does not have the "all of a piece" feel of the E34. All in all, I'm convinced that the E34 is a better made car. Having said that, I'm sure you'd like an E39, but I'd be surprised if you won't miss the solid feel of the older car.
Z

[Paul in NZ]

Here is one for ya Pundit.Maybe the price is worth a trip over the Tasman?
Manual 528 NZ$39,900 1999 73000 K Imola red

http://locator.bmw.co.nz/images/vehicle/GE38704-interior.jpg

http://locator.bmw.co.nz/images/vehicle/GE38704-side.jpg

http://locator.bmw.co.nz/images/vehicle/GE38704-front.jpg

[pundit]

The E39 is nice and handles well (it's a Sport) but it does not have the "all of a piece" feel of the E34. All in all, I'm convinced that the E34 is a better made car. Having said that, I'm sure you'd like an E39, but I'd be surprised if you won't miss the solid feel of the older car.
Z
It's by no means a done deal yet.
Basically I was contemplating what's the next logical step after an E34, and E39 prices are coming down... like most things automotive.
My E34's 16 years old, but still in good condition.
I agree about the feel. The E34 does feel more solid.

[Paul in NZ]

yes i know what you mean.I wonder what i would replace mine with.The sports spec make my car quite special.Even the BMW dealers say its special.

[Kobe Diesel]

The new M3 with V8 (if it ever arrives on US soil)