Hi everyone first time posting in here.
Basically we may have the need for a semi practical car in the near future with around £4-5k to spend. It will only be used sparingly during the week and a little more at weekends. Around 5k miles a year. Not bothered by fuel economy as we have two super cheap to run eco boxes for commuting and daily duties.
I've always liked the E90/91 (might go for the Touring) and have many pleasant memories of my E39's (528i SE and 530i Sport) and an E46 330ci Sport 5 speed manual, although that was a troublesome, rusty car.
Covid-19 seems to have driven prices up, but I'll have £4-5k to spend and ideally want a manual M Sport. I don't really care about mileage as long as it's been looked after. Quite happily have a cherished 150k car over a 80k knackered example. Is my budget a bit too ambitious? I really want to try and avoid anything that's been modified. The lower end stuff £2-3k ish all look pretty rough or are SE spec, which isn't really what I'm after in this car.
I know that rust can be an issue on earlier ones, I've seen a couple of crusty wheel arches, was there a model year that this was improved? And also I've heard the rear subframe is a weak point? UK roads are salty and I live near the coast...
Money isn't tight, but I can't afford to plunge thousands of pounds a year into the car. I could cope with around £1200 p/a maintenance which is around what my E39's used to cost and they were doing 12k a year. However safety and reliability is my number one priority with the car. It will be looked after as it should be, have the best tyres and brakes etc but I'll stay away from dealers.
Alternatively I've considered an E60 530i M Sport but concerned about their potential to empty my wallet, and there aren't many manuals.
Any thoughts would be welcome. Cheers!
Basically we may have the need for a semi practical car in the near future with around £4-5k to spend. It will only be used sparingly during the week and a little more at weekends. Around 5k miles a year. Not bothered by fuel economy as we have two super cheap to run eco boxes for commuting and daily duties.
I've always liked the E90/91 (might go for the Touring) and have many pleasant memories of my E39's (528i SE and 530i Sport) and an E46 330ci Sport 5 speed manual, although that was a troublesome, rusty car.
Covid-19 seems to have driven prices up, but I'll have £4-5k to spend and ideally want a manual M Sport. I don't really care about mileage as long as it's been looked after. Quite happily have a cherished 150k car over a 80k knackered example. Is my budget a bit too ambitious? I really want to try and avoid anything that's been modified. The lower end stuff £2-3k ish all look pretty rough or are SE spec, which isn't really what I'm after in this car.
I know that rust can be an issue on earlier ones, I've seen a couple of crusty wheel arches, was there a model year that this was improved? And also I've heard the rear subframe is a weak point? UK roads are salty and I live near the coast...
Money isn't tight, but I can't afford to plunge thousands of pounds a year into the car. I could cope with around £1200 p/a maintenance which is around what my E39's used to cost and they were doing 12k a year. However safety and reliability is my number one priority with the car. It will be looked after as it should be, have the best tyres and brakes etc but I'll stay away from dealers.
Alternatively I've considered an E60 530i M Sport but concerned about their potential to empty my wallet, and there aren't many manuals.
Any thoughts would be welcome. Cheers!
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