IF You Were Buying A USED BMW 3-Series, WHICH Generation Gets YOUR Vote?

I'm not sure that any of them thrill me enough to want one.

The generation and model year that would absorb a balance between the largest depreciation hit and accord the longest CPO warranty - because we all know the warranty will be necessary to avoid "maintenance surprises".

Probably a 2017 of the current model series - 340i X-Drive, 6 speed manual.

Go to BMW's Certified Pre-Owned website - there are currently six, 340i X-drive, manual transmission 2016-2018 on offer from $35,000 to $45,000. That's what I would get - a 340i for Golf-R money, with 4 more years of warranty and biggest chunk of depreciation gone.

Not to make everything about Tesla, but a two-year old 340i for mid-$30's is better than buying a twice-as-expensive $60,000 Tesla Model 3 any day of the week.

Sold!

@mre30 well thought out. On the other hand if we can include the M versions, I would go with the previous gen V8 M3 coupe. I don’t want to be saying years from now “Wow I could have had a V8”

I owned an e92 M3 V8. That motor is magnificent.

It is a nice engine..but doesn't it explode with connecting rod issues at around 50,000 miles, just like the V10 M5/6 it is based one?

340i - most highly evolved and reliable of BMW's I-6 turbos. Sweet engine and all the power anyone would need.

Although I keep reading that I should want the E46 M3, I found moving from that generation to a 2009 coupe was a major upgrade in technology, comfort, and reliability. I keep going back and forth between wanting to upgrade to a 335is (the ultimate expression of the inline 6) or the E92 M3. These are also the last generation with hydraulic steering.

You'll only know when you drive them.

I've found that a lot of the lust over the E46 is a bit silly. As you note, they feel quite archaic when you drive an E92.

Don't get me wrong though: I still adore the E46's design — top to bottom.

A coworker buy a E36 M3 in near perfect condition with 68k miles for $6800. Great car and a great value.

That is one hell of a deal on one of the last beautiful 3 series cars. I prefer the E30 myself but I'd love to have one of those in my garage as well. All the cars here (metro Toronto) all have high mileage/rust and they want stupid money for the condition so a southern car is the way to go but first I need to finish building my garage...

I'm not sure that any of them thrill me enough to want one.

— MDarringer
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As someone who has owned a bunch of these, I agree. They are daily drivers with a good enough combination of style, performance, luxury, etc.

I mean they aren't terrible, but they also don't stir the soul. For their price they should have a LOT more engine.

I had a 3 Series Sport from 2000-2008. Loved driving it. Super little car. It was a drag when it started to fall apart. I have never seen that kind of short life with standard parts like window motors, central dash fan, 4 struts, etc. As @MDarringer has said repeatedly, lease it and hand it back in 3 years. They are not worth owning and keeping.

Completely agree with CC - it seems BMWs simply are not worth anything after three years - they simply tend to disintegrate right in front of your eyes. That eliminates anyone but the current model - and the current model Needs much more engine - and more Front Seat Travel for me.

Very different experience than what I have had. I have had a number of BMWs, kept almost all of them at least 5 years (X5d being the exception) and all of them were very reliable. 1972 1802, 1973 3.0CSL, 1989 325ix, 1992 850i (have it now), 1995 M3, 2000 M5, 2007 X5d, 2012 318d.

Good on ya for keeping the 850i!

Nonsense on the 3 year life of these. I have owned a half dozen and have average 8-10 years. And they are good value during that period. You just have to get out at the right time.

So you've been driving a 3 Series for 60 years?

As someone who has owned over 17 BMW's (325is, 528, 540, 540 Dinan Stage 3, M3, M5 and a Z8) I am most partial to the E30 M3 as it is still one of the sexiest cars ever made along side the vintage 80's M6 and 635CSI or 850's.

My 88 325is had over 250K miles on her and I used to roll the odometer back to feel better about my car and it was virtually bullet proof minus a melted fuse box and normal wear and tear items. The guy I sold it to (tmu) kept it running for a few more years and I regretted selling her every time I saw the car or another similar model.

I lost interest in the brand 15 years ago as the cars became more commonplace and poserish and subsequent design rollouts further alienated me. I still love 70/80/90 BMWs as they were fun to drive (for the era), handsome and had soul -quirks and all. I can't feel that anymore with electronic steering, automatic trannys and audio exhaust sounds.

Good stuff!

So, what marque has your attention, today?

@qwertyfla1 Did you ever play around with a Lexus ISF? What a hoot it was.

The ISF looks enticing but I can't get over the cow catcher front grille and don't much like Lexus origami styling.

I'm waiting to see what Porsche does for prices with the Taycan as I'd really like an electric vehicle so I can use the HOV lanes around Toronto legally for a change. Aside from Mazda and Merc all the other brands at the moment leave me cold.

My current rides are a F150 and older Mazda3 hatch stick which I am content with and in no hurry to replace. The gf drives a 2018 X3 which I joke to her that she has no taste as she chose the BMW and me...

The E92 M3 V8 was an eye opener for me. I left the dealer expecting a torque filled "American type" V8. It was the opposite. Two weeks later I was a follower of high rev motors.... It transformed my love of driving a manual tranny high rev motor. To this day I covet my V10 R8 manual because of the E92 M3. An atmospheric engine singing to 9000 RPM's while shifting your own gears embobies the point of driving. Otherwise it's a unenvilloved video game....

Love it!

I have to say though, the only high-revving motors I like — for some weird reason — are of the Italian persuasion.

I haven't been a fan of cars like the new GT350 or E92 M3. You really have to drive the pants out of them everywhere you go, which is not something I want to do in a DD-type of vehicle.

I bought a E30, I had a E92 M3. The E30 is so simple and elegant in its design. Still handles amazing, and it truly ecapsulates what makes a BMW a BMW, a true drivers machine.

-00J

I would love to see a redesign based on the E30. Looks 10x better even in the back of the photo.

So you've been driving a 3 Series for 60 years?

— MDarringer
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Since the 80's for me, since the 90's for my wife.

Why no variation? Why not live a little?

I owned an e92 2008 335i twin turbo coupe for 10 years (with two separate turbos, instead of the twin scroll single turbo). Wonderful car with more than enough power for me. This was my favorite style. I prefer the simpler lines of that era; I find the newer BMW models are somewhat overstyled.

Why no variation? Why not live a little?

— MDarringer
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We do have other cars - the Z3, a Volvo, looking at a Jeep now - nothing too fancy. But the BMWs are the everyday drivers. We have looked at other things through the years but have never really been close to buying any of them.