[Got f1?]

I'll likely cross post this in E46 and E9x forums too.

Here's the deal. Wife has recently had a 2012 Mini Cooper S, which she loved. Unfortunately, a bad oil change and failed chain guide killed that one. Now she has a 2012 Audi TTS Coupe with 60k miles about to be sold on Cars & Bids.

We found a 2013 135is on Carvana and bought it. It arrived yesterday with a small undisclosed tear in the convertible top, a passenger seat that wouldn't go back once reclined forward and adhesive from a removed clear bra on front bumper. They took it back and may fix it but I doubt they will take care of the top. She did drive it and liked it. Liked it was quick to merge into traffic and thought it was playful looking. Also the blue exterior was eye catching.

She needs an automatic transmission.

Anticipating it won't be fixed, we started looking again at other choices. All below are convertibles.

1 - 2012 135i DCT in Titan Silver with 41k miles, black top and interior. No sport package and no nav which is a plus for us. About $19k

2 - 2013 335is DCT with M Sport, Convenience Pkg, no nav, Alpine White with Black interior. Sport seats. 50k miles for about $21k

3 - 2006 330Ci automatic with 48k miles. Mystic Blue with blue top and sand interior. This has ZHP, Performance Pkg. Cold Weather Pkg, Navigation. BMW Assist, Harmon Kardon. Also have solid service history.

I really love the E46. She wants me to choose because she can't decide. We live in Columbus, Ohio so once life gets to post-covid, this car will be daily driven about 10k miles a year, even sometimes in winter. Winters here are not terrible in general

What should I be considering in these choices? I do most of my own work on our cars but don't want to make a career out of it.

[lowrydr310]

Get the 335is. Everyone who has them is extremely happy. The N55 is reasonably reliable too.

[Vivek.]

+1 for the IS. It's an N54 btw but a later model one so some of the little things were fixed. 2013 is the last year which is great, and the color combo is nice. For 2k more than a 1er that's a no brainer I'd say.

You didn't say how much the e46 is which is why I didn't give it as much consideration. Likely it'll be far cheaper in every way, and the look is pretty timeless. I've always loved the e46 but the e92 (e93?) will be a lot more fun.

[Got f1?]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

+1 for the IS. It's an N54 btw but a later model one so some of the little things were fixed. 2013 is the last year which is great, and the color combo is nice. For 2k more than a 1er that's a no brainer I'd say.

You didn't say how much the e46 is which is why I didn't give it as much consideration. Likely it'll be far cheaper in every way, and the look is pretty timeless. I've always loved the e46 but the e92 (e93?) will be a lot more fun.

The E46 is $18.5k. Pricey but gorgeous.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by Got f1?

The E46 is $18.5k. Pricey but gorgeous.

No e46 is worth $18.5k. Far too much for a ~15 year old car, we are talking a 3 series here and not some exotic or something very special. Still sticking with my opinion and recommend the 335is.

And yes I was wrong it’s the later N54 not the N55, though many of the issues from the early model N54s have been resolved, hence the comment about increased reliability. A friend of mine has an e93 335is DCT and it’s great. I’ve driven it a few times and it’s very nice.

[Tunafish]

Dont get a BMW for the wife... You want a reliable car and BMW is not that car.. If you had to get one get a 328i ... Less parts to break.. I love my BMW but would never have one for a love one that didnt know cars.

[Efthreeoh]

Your wife seems to be more about style and nameplate than about driving dynamics and performance. Absolutely nothing wrong with that as she is 90% of the BMW market now. I have a 2005 E46 330ci Convertible. I bought it used at just under 100,000 miles from the 2nd owner, who is a work colleage. The interior of the E46 does not hold up well. The plastics are painted with a weird flat paint that eventually scrapes off and it feels tacky all the time, meaning it feels sticky and dirty. The M54 in the E46 is a classic BMW inline 6, but it is prone to having plumbing issues with the cooling system and intake/CCV systems. Issues that come of age and material degradation. At best and E46 Cabrio in perfect condition even with ZHP is worth maybe $10K to $12K.

I also have a 2006 E90. While not a convertible, same base car. My E90 is 2,000 miles shy of 400,000 and I'm the original owner so I know the E9X pretty well. My opinion is the E90 is the better designed and built of the two. The E90 suspension is more composed and longer lasting before it needs a rebuild. The interior is better. The metal roof will be better for winter. But boy, the N54 was BMWs re-entry into turbocharging a gasoline engine, and it shows it. No one can say the N54 is not a problematic engine. The N52 available in the E93 is a tank motor in comparison. In an automatic E93 it will be a bit taxed for performance driving, but for around town and highway cruising, it will satisfy her I'd bet.

I'd try to find her the newest E93 you can if she's looking for a drop top. The E46 is wrench able, and is no different in that respect from other 3-series versions, but it's an old BMW and one that doesn't age as well as the E9X.

[eljay]

That E46, while nice, is M3 convertible money and I don't think you'd want either for the reasons mentioned above: care-free(ish) driving.

I'd too vote for a E93 328xi - not a performance car, but has looks and best reliability of the choices. If she feels it's too much of a performance drop, than that 335is is a nice option!

[Got f1?]

Originally Posted by eljay

That E46, while nice, is M3 convertible money and I don't think you'd want either for the reasons mentioned above: care-free(ish) driving.

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Your wife seems to be more about style and nameplate than about driving dynamics and performance. At best and E46 Cabrio in perfect condition even with ZHP is worth maybe $10K to $12K.

When I met my wife she had just sold her Ford Escort and traded it for a base Subaru Impreza. It is my car enthusiast nature that got hereunto the Mini then Audi. No doubt she appreciates that now.

Originally Posted by Tunafish

Dont get a BMW for the wife... You want a reliable car and BMW is not that car.. If you had to get one get a 328i ... Less parts to break.. I love my BMW but would never have one for a love one that didnt know cars.

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

No e46 is worth $18.5k. Far too much for a ~15 year old car, we are talking a 3 series here and not some exotic or something very special. Still sticking with my opinion and recommend the 335is.

First, thank you all for sharing options and experience, exactly what I was hoping for.

330Ci vert's seem to be on the upswing lately:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...convertible-3/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-bmw-330-26/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-bmw-330ci-17/

I owned a 2007 328i and really loved it. That in an E93 is something I thought about, just the weight penalty of convertible on that engine seems like it may be tough.

My son's car is a 1999 E46 323i. Still holding up well with 60k miles. Will need suspension refresh soon and other stuff but has been pretty solid.

Interesting no one voted for the 135 though.

Tunafish What other car did you have in mind?

[rick100]

those are some high prices for those cars, I thought for a moment it was canadian dollars.

For that type of money you are already looking into M235 territory , you can find some in the low 20s now days with similar mileage

The 335is is nice though , tough call between the IS and M235i , I still think the M235i takes the win for being newer but its a close call

I would personally have a hard time paying 21$ US for an e90 that its not an M car. Even paying anywhere near 20k for a 10 year old car that is not a M car is a hard one to justify for me. The IS may be one of the very few I would consider paying that much money in pristine condition but I have seen them go for less .

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by Got f1?

Interesting no one voted for the 135 though.

I'll throw a vote in for it. The 2012 135i got the N55, which is a more reliable motor than the N54 in the 335is. If you don't need the space, that's the one I'd pick out of that group.

With that said, why not a 128i? As Efthreeoh mentions, the naturally aspirated I6 is a great motor and in a small, light car like the 128i, its plenty quick. The transmission is a normal 6AT that works pretty darn well too and will be smoother in daily driving than the DCT.

[Tunafish]

Asian. Toyota, Honda, Hyundai... But I know the appeal of the E93..

[Got f1?]

Originally Posted by rick100

those are some high prices for those cars, I thought for a moment it was canadian dollars.

For that type of money you are already looking into M235 territory , you can find some in the low 20s now days with similar mileage

The 335is is nice though , tough call between the IS and M235i , I still think the M235i takes the win for being newer but its a close call

I would personally have a hard time paying 21$ US for an e90 that its not an M car. Even paying anywhere near 20k for a 10 year old car that is not a M car is a hard one to justify for me. The IS may be one of the very few I would consider paying that much money in pristine condition but I have seen them go for less .

I don't disagree, but show me where there's any for these prices. M235 'verts are over $26k and certainly same for M cars. 335is are $22k+ with less than 50k miles. Trying to stay below $23k. Cheapest on is $24k with a rebuilt title. Not doing that.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Got f1?

When I met my wife she had just sold her Ford Escort and traded it for a base Subaru Impreza. It is my car enthusiast nature that got hereunto the Mini then Audi. No doubt she appreciates that now.





First, thank you all for sharing options and experience, exactly what I was hoping for.

330Ci vert's seem to be on the upswing lately:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...convertible-3/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-bmw-330-26/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-bmw-330ci-17/

I owned a 2007 328i and really loved it. That in an E93 is something I thought about, just the weight penalty of convertible on that engine seems like it may be tough.

My son's car is a 1999 E46 323i. Still holding up well with 60k miles. Will need suspension refresh soon and other stuff but has been pretty solid.

Interesting no one voted for the 135 though.

Tunafish What other car did you have in mind?

Using BaT as a pricing guide is difficult, since it's unrealistic. Buying a used car is always a crapshoot regardless of where it is sourced. If you are familiar with BMWs, which it sounds like you have some experience, and your wife is tolerant of the downtime, then a really nice E46 cabrio is a fine choice. You did say you didn't want to make a career wrenching on it, which is my only reservation. My sample is a well used '05 that at 100,000 decided a new starter was necessary 1-week after I brought it home as a welcome gesture to its new owner. But I have 30+ years of BMW ownership under my belt so I laughed at it.
My E46 Cabrio came to me, I was not looking for one, and my workmate offered it to me for $3,000, so it was a no brainier. I needed a cheap beater anyway, having a folding roof was just icing on the cake.

So again, if your wife understands the game, then go for it. Well-sorted 15 year old cars are rare. BTW my wife drives only her 1997 Z3 with 190,000 on the clock. She bought it new. She's a die-hard Bimmerhead.

[socal619]

I'm on my 2nd 335is convertible. First one was tbone. Cant go wrong w/ hardtop convertible that's one of reasons why choose e93. Plus the build quality is on a different level. Good luck on your next purchase.

[NGEE]

135is DCT is a blast, but probably more performance than your wife is looking for. The 2012 135i you listed is overpriced. Two years ago I bought my 2013 135is DCT in perfect condition inside and out with 41k miles for $19k - at a Mercedes dealer.

[rick100]

Originally Posted by Got f1?

I don't disagree, but show me where there's any for these prices. M235 'verts are over $26k and certainly same for M cars. 335is are $22k+ with less than 50k miles. Trying to stay below $23k. Cheapest on is $24k with a rebuilt title. Not doing that.

oh you must have convertible...

I dont know , honestly the difference between 26k and 23k is nothing . You are getting a whole newer model, better interior, newer car.


If you are goin convertible then 335is , it is. The soft top looks so cheap to me and nasty , hard top all the way.

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Got f1?

Interesting no one voted for the 135 though.

IMO, because the other options are in a different league altogether. I've always hated the 1 series; ugly POS that BMW made to sell more cars. It's a good driver's car, but since you're only looking at convertibles that doesn't seem to be a priority so what's the point?

[CTinline-six]

Those are all pretty different cars, so it really depends on which one you like more. The E46 will be easier and cheaper to fix being older, but will likely break more often. I don't get the hate for the 1-series, especially the 135i, those things are really fun to toss around. I guess you should compare what you/your wife like about each one and then decide, since the cars themselves are so different.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

I don't get the hate for the 1-series, especially the 135i

Me either, but to each his own. A lot of people think they're too small, and therefore not worthy. Some guys see them and think "chick car".

I own both the 135is (N55) and the 335i (N54), and IMO the 135 is waaay better. Super tight, fun to drive. In comparison the 335 is a boat. Don't get me wrong - I think my 335 is a sexy beast, even though she's six years older, not an M-Sport and doesn't have the DCT. But 135is all day for me.

OP: my experience with the E46 (2000): it had lots of problems in addition to the usual suspects. May depend on how long you plan to keep it. Mine had 150K+ miles when I bought it...

- The dreaded trifecta: brake/DSC/Traction Control all lit up like a Christmas tree. Common. Required a new ABS unit/pump. Must find a low mileage used one since they are in the neighborhood of $2G.
- Burned a quart of oil almost weekly. That M54 is known for bad rings.
- Final stage resistor (blower motor) caught fire under the dash - almost a disaster and a bitch to replace.
- Headliner and ABC-pillars all peeled off
- Rear subframe weld cracks (in trunk) are common on this platform, though mine did not have this issue.

Even though it was a one-owner car, I don't the the PO took great care of it, so take my experience with a grain of salt.

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by NGEE

Me either, but to each his own. A lot of people think they're too small, and therefore not worthy. Some guys see them and think "chick car".

I own both the 135is (N55) and the 335i (N54), and IMO the 135 is waaay better. Super tight, fun to drive. In comparison the 335 is a boat. Don't get me wrong - I think my 335 is a sexy beast, even though she's six years older, not an M-Sport and doesn't have the DCT. But 135is all day for me.

The 135is and 1er M coupe are the exceptions to my 1er hate. The iS is a cool little car albeit quite hard to come by in a coupe and didn't get the more tunable n54 that the 335is did. For the price most people are asking for them nowadays, you could go buy a 240 with the b58 which IMO is a better car.

FWIW my close friend's 135i convinced me to get my e92. Too small is not an issue for me, its the cheaply-made feel that accompanies its size and price point that kill it.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

its the cheaply-made feel that accompanies its size and price point that kill it.

Surprised - I like the interior of the 135 over the 335. But then it's probably that "is" difference - sport seats, M-sport wheel and trim, etc. Plus it feels so tight - I'm not very big and always feel like I'm swimming in the 335.

I'd probably feel differently if I had the 335is.