What back up car should I get?

[Angler1]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Okay, bought a 2025 G80 M3 Comp xDrive as a daily driver. But after adding Eventuri intakes and bling under the hood, lips, spacers, tunes, and soon exhaust, I now want to preserve the car and not run it every day, especially through the winter. I planned to get another set of wheels with snows, but now thinking... I'll just get another car

With two young daughters and a wife, I already have 4 cars. But need a back up and thinking a good gas mileage X3 or something. Used. I don't want to spend a pile of money, maybe 25K plus or minus.

What years, B48?, mileage, etc. would make a good back up car? X3? Would I hate an X1? What do you recommend for a reliable BMW in the used market?

[Phizzzle]

You have 4 cars already and need a backup? Is this including your G80? What are your other cars to ensure we're not providing you with a recommendation that you already have?

Seeing as how you're pretty good with money and opting to go with another car vs snow tires on an xdrive car, go for that X3 my guy.

[avocet]

I've got a 2011 e70 x5d deleted and tuned. Awesome work/winter/light towing rig. Decent mileage, gets up and goes, has decent utility and comfort.

Tows my 12' enclosed with 2 motorcycles with ease.

Plus, no sh#ts given with road chips/winter scars.

25g will get you something much newer, but the m57 is perfectly suited for my needs.

[Mavus]

reliable e9x 328i or 330i if you can find one. xi models if you need awd. better dd then any x3/5/7 and x1 is rebadged mini.

[Angler1]

Originally Posted by Phizzzle

You have 4 cars already and need a backup? Is this including your G80? What are your other cars to ensure we're not providing you with a recommendation that you already have?

Seeing as how you're pretty good with money and opting to go with another car vs snow tires on an xdrive car, go for that X3 my guy.

four cars in my name, but they are used by my college age daughters and wife. G80 is one of the four. Others older Acura's and a Hyundai. Seeing any one of us could use a back up now and then if a car is in for service or something, and I would keep the G80 in the garage for the winter...hence why a decent back up car might be handy. And help keep the miles down on the G80.

[KevinC]

2018 Golf R. Super versatile. Fun. Practical. I might be a bit biased.🙃

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by KevinC

2018 Golf R. Super versatile. Fun. Practical. I might be a bit biased.🙃

Excellent option!

[eugenebmw]

I was thinking/shopping for a used car for the winter driving too. Anyone have any experience with Audi Q3 (between year 2018 to year 2022) with around 40K miles on.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Angler1

Okay, bought a 2025 G80 M3 Comp xDrive as a daily driver. But after adding Eventuri intakes and bling under the hood, lips, spacers, tunes, and soon exhaust, I now want to preserve the car and not run it every day, especially through the winter. [.. .] need a back up and thinking a good gas mileage X3 or something

Preserve it for what?
The next owner?
The landfill?

Why drive a cheap-ass X3 when you can drive an AWD G80?!?!@?

IMHO,
a

[StradaRedlands]

I get the impression you like newer vehicles Angler1, but consider a 2011-12 X3 with an N52 motor. It's the second gen F25 platform so feels a bit more modern but retains the venerable N52 NA straight six. Best of all worlds as it has a ZF8 transmission. They're in the $10-12k price range depending on mileage & condition.

[M3Sleeper]

I'm in the same position but I have a 25' G80 RWD & 24' Escalade for my wife.

I also have a beater Q7 I will replace vs driving my m3 in salt and snow

Get an X3 or X5

If you like Japanese you can consider Lexus gx, 4 runner, or Land Cruiser

[BlkGS]

Get an early to mid 2000s Tahoe or Silverado. Or a GMC or Caddy equivalent of you're fancy. They run forever.

[POBEP]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Preserve it for what?
The next owner?
The landfill?

+1

Originally Posted by afadeev

Why drive a cheap-ass X3 when you can drive an AWD G80?!?!@?

G99 could be a decent "backup" alternative

sometimes we need more that one toy, and it does not have to be cheap

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Preserve it for what?
The next owner?
The landfill?

Why drive a cheap-ass X3 when you can drive an AWD G80?!?!@?

IMHO,
a

I’ve never understood posts from people looking to preserve a 3 series.

“I’ve made my good car more fun, what shitter can I buy so I don’t get to drive it?”

I love my G81, but it’s never occurred to me to preserve it.

I rotate between my G81, a 2025 VW Touareg R-Line, a V8 Vantage Roadster (manual!) and take delivery of a new plugin hybrid Ute tomorrow my wife has a 2025 iX2.

[G30M]

i have a M550i to look at but I drive a Kia EV9 (could have gotten a iX 50 but couldn't find one with B&W). the electric SUV is much easier to drive, maintain, and live with. for me.

[pbonsalb]

I bought my 2018 M5 as an all around car. Great in rain and snow. I use snow wheels in winter and live in the Northeast. I buy nice cars for me to drive, not to preserve for the next owner. I am not scared to drive the car, scared of the car, scared of using the car, scared of the car getting used, scared of rain getting the car wet, scared of salted and sanded roads damaging the car. It is just a car. If you are scared of driving the M3, buy a car that you are not scared of driving.

If you live in a super snowy region where snow on the roads is sometimes too deep for a sedan, then an SUV or truck makes sense for winter use or maybe even all year use if you prefer having just one car. I’d probably buy a Cayenne Turbo or X5M if that was my situation, but they don’t have close to the performance of an M3 or M5 due to their weight and aerodynamics.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by Angler1

Okay, bought a 2025 G80 M3 Comp xDrive as a daily driver. But after adding Eventuri intakes and bling under the hood, lips, spacers, tunes, and soon exhaust, I now want to preserve the car and not run it every day, especially through the winter. I planned to get another set of wheels with snows, but now thinking... I'll just get another car

With two young daughters and a wife, I already have 4 cars. But need a back up and thinking a good gas mileage X3 or something. Used. I don't want to spend a pile of money, maybe 25K plus or minus.

What years, B48?, mileage, etc. would make a good back up car? X3? Would I hate an X1? What do you recommend for a reliable BMW in the used market?

From 2007 on my back up vehicle -- used for my 60 mile a day work commute -- was my 2002 Boxster. I put 317K miles on that car.

In Dec. 2018 I bought a 2018 MINI JCW (with a B48 variant) to back up my 2018 Challenger Hellcat.

I only kept the JCW for a couple of years and put around 25K (problem free) miles on it but word was the engine was quite reliable.

After I retired and moved out of CA my back up vehicles have been 2020 M-B Metris van, 2022 MINI S (with a B48 engine), 2022 BMW 230i (B48), 2024 MINI JCW (B48), 2024 BMW 230i xDrive (B48), and now a 2024 Honda Ridgeline.

The Honda Ridgeline backs up my 2024 M8 Comp Coupe.

Except for the Boxster I didn't put a lot of miles on any of the above back up vehicles. I disposed of them for various reasons but I believe any one of them would have proven to be a good reliable vehicle.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Angler1

Okay, bought a 2025 G80 M3 Comp xDrive as a daily driver. But after adding Eventuri intakes and bling under the hood, lips, spacers, tunes, and soon exhaust, I now want to preserve the car and not run it every day, especially through the winter. I planned to get another set of wheels with snows, but now thinking... I'll just get another car

With two young daughters and a wife, I already have 4 cars. But need a back up and thinking a good gas mileage X3 or something. Used. I don't want to spend a pile of money, maybe 25K plus or minus.

What years, B48?, mileage, etc. would make a good back up car? X3? Would I hate an X1? What do you recommend for a reliable BMW in the used market?

iX 50 with Bowers and Wilkins

[bandersen]

Hey OP - why no pics of the sweet ride you want to preserve?


Whats a tease….😛

[Angler1]

Originally Posted by bandersen

Hey OP - why no pics of the sweet ride you want to preserve.


Whats a tease….😛

okay

[pbonsalb]

Looks like it should be driven.

[noemon]

I got a Mini JCW as a backup. Love it.