What would you do with my garage?

[Sean1031]

Howzit gents,

Long-time lurker on the forum, posting to get some advice from the experts.

I'm a bit confused about what's next for my garage setup and keen to hear what you would do. If possible, I'd like to keep one car as a manual. I enjoy rowing through the gears in my Civic, even though I'm going nowhere slowly.

I'm not trying to chase big kW or build the fastest car.

Current garage:

The Daily: 2008 Honda Civic Hatch (340,000 km). Reliable, and it probably still has 50,000 km+ left, but the clear coat is peeling badly and the headlights are basically candles now.


Weekend Car: E90 335i auto (N55). Mine is a bit of a low spec (halogen lights, non-M Sport) with 100,000 km on it. Needs some routine maintenance.


What I spend on the daily runner affects what's left for the weekend spot.


Option 1: SUV I'm not the biggest fan of a SUV, But between our road conditions, potholes, and the fact that everyone else is sitting up high, it feels like you need one for visibility and peace of mind.

• BMW X3
• VW Tiguan
• Volvo XC60

Bang for buck, the Volvo feels like the winner, especially under R400k.

Other options for the daily:

• E46 330i (manual): feels impossible to find one with M Sport etc.
• E82 125i Coupe (manual)
• Golf 7 GTI (manual)

Weekend options:
Ideally a Z4 M Coupe/e46 m3, but prices have gone completely crazy lately (R500k to R600k+), so that's on ice for now.

• Keep the 335i: downpipes, light map, nice wheels, plus an OEM xenon retrofit.
• M240i / F30 340i, though I personally don't think the F30 aged as well.
• M340i, which would mean the daily replacement needs to be cheaper. I took a brief spin in a G20 M340i and while it was fast, it felt way too refined and detached, but maybe I didn't drive it long enough.
• OG M2 (manual, N55)
• C55 / CLK63 / old E63 AMG
• F80 M3/M4, though that may be a bit above my skill level, lol.

What would you do?

Appreciate any feedback,
Shot,
Sean

 

[TurboLlew]

my 2c

These cars are a) incredibly difficult to find in good condition and b) will not solve your constant spending issue on the daily. Even in VERY good condition, they are in need of TLC regularly.

• E46 330i (manual): feels impossible to find one with M Sport etc.
• E82 125i Coupe (manual)
• Golf 7 GTI (manual)

These cars:

• BMW X3 - 20d/30d can work
• VW Tiguan - pass
• Volvo XC60 - Very good choice

Look at Cayennes as well -they are very good money and use VW parts. Just watch out for year and engine specific issues. the value for money is incredible and it feels more like a 'car' than even the BMW SUVs

 

[TurboLlew]

Weekend options:
Ideally a Z4 M Coupe/e46 m3, but prices have gone completely crazy lately (R500k to R600k+), so that's on ice for now.

• Keep the 335i: downpipes, light map, nice wheels, plus an OEM xenon retrofit.
• M240i / F30 340i, though I personally don't think the F30 aged as well.
• M340i, which would mean the daily replacement needs to be cheaper. I took a brief spin in a G20 M340i and while it was fast, it felt way too refined and detached, but maybe I didn't drive it long enough.
• OG M2 (manual, N55)
• C55 / CLK63 / old E63 AMG
• F80 M3/M4, though that may be a bit above my skill level, lol.

What would you do?

Appreciate any feedback,
Shot,
Sean

For some reason, my previous post auto-posted but anyway to continue LOL:

I would keep the 335i either way if its clean and trouble free. You'll never find another one in that condition. One of the nicer non M cars I've driven is an E92 N55 335i 6MT coupe. Good luck finding a nice one though.

Pass on all the below for weekend cars. I find it quite strange seeing guys have things like M340is as their 'apex' cars trying to pickle them. They are meant to be refined and detached because despite the marketing being around 'm-lite' - they are still just daily cars.

• M240i / F30 340i, though I personally don't think the F30 aged as well.
• M340i, which would mean the daily replacement needs to be cheaper. I took a brief spin in a G20 M340i and while it was fast, it felt way too refined and detached, but maybe I didn't drive it long enough.

Below: You either think this is a special car or not. I don't think its a special car at all and I think this is a terrible idea if you already have an 335i and would get the M2C. Again this is VERY difficult to find in a condition that makes sense. The excuses people give for liking it make no sense to me. They seem to WANT a car that feels cobbled together from leftovers. Before even driving it everything you touch feels nothing like an M car.

• OG M2 (manual, N55)

These below can work. Don't get an old E63. I don't know why you think an F8x would be above your skill level but you're considering M2s and 340is - they are all more or less the same 'tier' if you're thinking that way. It is just going to be VERY much more expensive to own any of the below than your 335i as a weekend car. Again, all will require attention to varying degrees as they are now objectively old cars.

• C55 / CLK63 / old E63 AMG
• F80 M3/M4, though that may be a bit above my skill level, lol.

 

[EATYOURVITAMIN5]

+1 on the Cayenne suggestion - I think they are a lot of car for the money. Look specifically at the diesels.

Secondly, E90 guy here - your plan on sprucing up your E90 is a tempting one, but as soon as you start looking into the specifics and feasibility, you will realise that you're chasing your own tail.

A xenon retrofit to a halogen car is a huge PITA - you need new everything. New headlights, new FRM units, leveling sensors, new plugs, coding AND rewiring.. the juice just isn't worth the squeeze.

This is unfortunately a common theme with E9x retrofits, most of them require too much work and lots of time sourcing parts.

If you do go down that route however, I have a steering wheel you might be interested in.

 

[MR_Y]

For experience on used XC60 ownership, I advise to contact @CK4LIFE 👍