Hello folks
Hope you're all doing well.
I'm looking to get another BMW, been awhile since I last had one, around 12+ years ago. Looking forward to reading and learning on this forum. Hopefully one day I too will meaningfully contribute here
Previous BMW's:
1. e30 318i manual coupe - was lucky enough to find a crashed 325is in a scrap yard and bought the drive train, had it installed in my 318i, kept the 318i badges. Was also young and dumb enough to keep the 318i brakes and suspension. Fun car, was sadly stolen, still miss it.
2. e36 320i manual - stock standard, very responsible and boring.
3. e46 330d manual - 2004 model with the 6 speed manual gearbox, lovely car but the maintenance got a bit too hectic for me at that stage in my life.
I'm looking for a fun daily runaround at the moment, budget +-R200K, and the e82 manual 125i has caught my attention. The detuned N52B30 engine seems great and quite reliable. Very little separating it from 330i power. Doesn't seem like a lot of effort to install the e90 330i 3 stage intake manifold, take it to Xcede for a tune and get close to 200kw at the crank (at sea level)? Maybe an exhaust too, upgraded suspension, brakes...
My ego is telling me to rather get a manual e82 135i but I think realistically I'd be better off with a 125i. The extra maintenance of the N54/N55 motors doesn't appeal to me, but the power sure does.
I did look at the Z4 3.0si but I need a back seat for my son, he's 6 years old so doesn't need a lot of legroom but does need a seat
Are there any other options out there worth looking at? Fun, 2 door, manual, fairly agile...
Regards
Jon
Hope you're all doing well.
I'm looking to get another BMW, been awhile since I last had one, around 12+ years ago. Looking forward to reading and learning on this forum. Hopefully one day I too will meaningfully contribute here
Previous BMW's:
1. e30 318i manual coupe - was lucky enough to find a crashed 325is in a scrap yard and bought the drive train, had it installed in my 318i, kept the 318i badges. Was also young and dumb enough to keep the 318i brakes and suspension. Fun car, was sadly stolen, still miss it.
2. e36 320i manual - stock standard, very responsible and boring.
3. e46 330d manual - 2004 model with the 6 speed manual gearbox, lovely car but the maintenance got a bit too hectic for me at that stage in my life.
I'm looking for a fun daily runaround at the moment, budget +-R200K, and the e82 manual 125i has caught my attention. The detuned N52B30 engine seems great and quite reliable. Very little separating it from 330i power. Doesn't seem like a lot of effort to install the e90 330i 3 stage intake manifold, take it to Xcede for a tune and get close to 200kw at the crank (at sea level)? Maybe an exhaust too, upgraded suspension, brakes...
My ego is telling me to rather get a manual e82 135i but I think realistically I'd be better off with a 125i. The extra maintenance of the N54/N55 motors doesn't appeal to me, but the power sure does.
I did look at the Z4 3.0si but I need a back seat for my son, he's 6 years old so doesn't need a lot of legroom but does need a seat
Are there any other options out there worth looking at? Fun, 2 door, manual, fairly agile...
Regards
Jon
