New used E90 to go with my E84

[mcdanielvzw]

I don't think I've posted my X1 yet, so here it is with my addition!
After dropping $1300 for tires, alignment, and installing a new fog light (not including the fog light itself) after one year and 30k miles of owning my X1, I got another car to dedicate for work use since I drive about 21k miles a year just for work. Now, Why the 3 series as an addition? It's a straight up plain jane RWD automatic 6 cylinder and gets better MPG than my X1 with less expensive parts to repair/replace, but still fun to drive! Also I work on my own cars, so I don't have to learn another one and it uses many similar parts.

My 2014 X1 xDrive35i, 60k miles



My 2009 328i, 117k miles. The engine and transmission appear to be very strong still. First 2 pics are from the test drive, 3rd is from replacing the main front lights. The angel eye bulbs were replaced last night but no pic yet since my GF is in the hospital with pneumonia.
I'm in the process of replacing all bulbs to get rid of some dash lights that exterior lights are out (just replacing all of them, TBH).

[E46M3E84X1]

I think the e90 is as expensive as the x1. Since it’s older it will probably break down more than the x1.

[dingo ate my baby]

Cool pick up

We have the same two in our garage

[mcdanielvzw]

Originally Posted by E46M3E84X1

I think the e90 is as expensive as the x1. Since it’s older it will probably break down more than the x1.

Initial PS - this is longer than I planned on it being

I'll take that bet. RWD vs AWD, no turbo on the inline 6, 17" tires that are 2/3 the cost. Much more popular than the X1 platform (let alone the xDrive35i), so aftermarket is more plentiful. Older can be better, more mainstream/popular is definitely better. The car itself is in good mechanical condition.
Keep in mind I'm going to do most of the work on it, except for indepth engine or transmission stuff. There is a lot more information and community around the E90 to help and draw from.

Relatively speaking (obviously), it wasn't an expensive purchase and it is cheap for an additional car to insure. Even if I do more to it in 2-3 years than replacing transmission/rear diff fluid and spark plugs, it's paid for itself and then some by keeping the 45-70k miles of wear off my '14 X1 (bought this one at 30k, now 60k and 4 years of payments left). I can't plan on getting something that is *new*, as powerful (but practical in all ways) yet as affordable (laugh if you want) as an X1 35i for my next car.

Ignoring the initial cost of the car (which I would make up in < 18 months by not having a car payment once my still reliable X1 is paid), I'll save $300/year. That includes paying for tires once a year for the E90 as well as insurance and registration. If I do need to do work on either car I have a backup, and when the E90 is too long in the tooth for me I'll sell it and make 1/3 to 1/2 of it back.

[E46M3E84X1]

Originally Posted by mcdanielvzw

Initial PS - this is longer than I planned on it being

I'll take that bet. RWD vs AWD, no turbo on the inline 6, 17" tires that are 2/3 the cost. Much more popular than the X1 platform (let alone the xDrive35i), so aftermarket is more plentiful. Older can be better, more mainstream/popular is definitely better. The car itself is in good mechanical condition.
Keep in mind I'm going to do most of the work on it, except for indepth engine or transmission stuff. There is a lot more information and community around the E90 to help and draw from.

Relatively speaking (obviously), it wasn't an expensive purchase and it is cheap for an additional car to insure. Even if I do more to it in 2-3 years than replacing transmission/rear diff fluid and spark plugs, it's paid for itself and then some by keeping the 45-70k miles of wear off my '14 X1 (bought this one at 30k, now 60k and 4 years of payments left). I can't plan on getting something that is *new*, as powerful (but practical in all ways) yet as affordable (laugh if you want) as an X1 35i for my next car.

Ignoring the initial cost of the car (which I would make up in < 18 months by not having a car payment once my still reliable X1 is paid), I'll save $300/year. That includes paying for tires once a year for the E90 as well as insurance and registration. If I do need to do work on either car I have a backup, and when the E90 is too long in the tooth for me I'll sell it and make 1/3 to 1/2 of it back.

Cool.
This is one thing I will never understand lol
Why people buy new cars and afraid of putting miles on them. I have an 06 M3 w/ 50k miles and I DD. (Bought it with 40k last year). But best of luck with the e90 they are great. love them specially in white.

[mcdanielvzw]

Originally Posted by E46M3E84X1

Cool.
This is one thing I will never understand lol
Why people buy new cars and afraid of putting miles on them. I have an 06 M3 w/ 50k miles and I DD. (Bought it with 40k last year). But best of luck with the e90 they are great. love them specially in white.

It's a financial decision ultimately. I don't want my $30k+ car (when purchased) to be wasted on work with 80 daily miles and still owing 4 years on it, or be at 150k miles and still have 1-1.5 years of $500/month payments left. If it were paid off fully or I got mileage reimbursement from work, then it would still be my DD because it wouldn't be my money at that point and I could save for something else. As I said though, the 35i is powerful and affordable, I'd like to keep it reliable as long as I can until it is paid off.

I also chose an E90 as a work DD because I know myself, and it has to be a car I want to drive vs something I know I would hate (Prius or equivalent with excellent MPG). If I had a new Tesla Model 3, I'd DD the hell out of it because it would be worth it personally and financially.

I don't mind putting the miles on my car, don't get me wrong. I put 30k DD miles on my 2015 35i that I had for 2 years, but I had a shorter commute at the time. I'll still drive the 35i probably one day a week for work, and then use it expressly on weekends.