New Car for the Wife

/Angelo350Z/ · 08-03-2016, 03:22 PM

Hello my Z brothers, my wife and I currently reside in Germany. Aside from the Z34, we have a '00 BMW 540i as a DD. It's old, but we both love the E39 for the same reasons. It's a handsome sedan with respectable power, impressive high speed stability, and exceptional driving dynamics for a large vehicle. However, since we're expecting our first baby, and a constant influx of visiting family members, we decided to get a newer sedan. I don't like driving SUVs, so that wasn't even an option. After driving the 540 for a while, and owning two E34s in the past, my wife was set on getting another BMW. Our limit was $72K, but eventually decided not to spend over $50K.

I would never go back to FWD, so I was happy with her choice. The search and fun began shortly

. We test drove almost every M3, M4, 335, 235, 435, 440, 128, 320, 550, 340, 535, S3, and S4 Quattro from 2015 and up in our price range. Every car was fun it its own way, but we soon realized we simply needed a 5-seater; which meant every BMW coupe was out of the equation. Initially, I wanted a slightly used M3, M4, or new 335/340 with M Sport brakes, but that combination in used but decent condition, was very hard to find. I was close to ordering the 340 of my choice, but with all the added options I wanted, we were in brand new M3 territory.

To make a long story short, I settled for what we needed and not what I wanted. I dreamed of a blue M3/M4/335/340 with black interior, cold weather, driver assistance, sport, and track handling packages. However, we settled on an Alpine White BMW 320 xDrive, and I couldn't be happier. Sure, it's not fast nor exciting, but that's what the Z is for. Besides, aside from an M car, no BMW can compete with the Z34's fun factor. The bottom line is, we simply needed a BMW sedan that will take us from point A to point B with GPS and heated seats. The AWD, excellent fuel consumption, and de-tuned 328 turbo motor was certainly a plus. The car does the job perfectly and costs $9K less than the exact same car if bought in the US. What's not to like? I did tell the wife, however, that we will get the BMW (or Porsche) of our choice before we leave Germany. Sorry for rambling, the Johnnie Walker is particularly good tonight. Anyway, below is a pic of my wife's boring, over-priced D. I highly recommend it.

forgot pw · 08-03-2016, 08:01 PM

"Settled for what we needed", huh? First world problems!!

forgot pw · 08-03-2016, 08:02 PM

Fak, I settled on a brand new bimmer

fully loaded. My life is faked.

Z-Girl 12 · 08-03-2016, 08:03 PM

Me likey!

ChaseZ · 08-03-2016, 08:09 PM

Congrats! BMW's xdrive is excellent. That little engine ain't going to propel that thing very expediently though that's for sure. Regardless it really looks sharp. I like them in white, accentuates the lines well.

Glad to hear you settled for the bimmer you needed

/Angelo350Z/ · 08-04-2016, 08:24 AM

Thanks guys. Yeah, it's far from quick, but the motor is excellent. It really is hard to beat the driving dynamics of a BMW. A lot of people seem to dislike the new M3 or M4, but I would love to have either one. They're a bit softer than previous M cars, but man they haull a$$.

forgot pw · 08-04-2016, 08:53 AM

u dont need quick on every car u own. for the most part people only use about 30-35% of the car's potential anyways in day to day. dat might equal 60-70% on a slower car but still got margin to spare.

if u think about it dat way then ure being a lot more efficient on your spending cause you're actually USING the car. enjoy it, its a bimmer.

JARblue · 08-04-2016, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgot pw

u dont need quick on every car u own. for the most part people only use about 30-35% of the car's potential anyways in day to day. dat might equal 60-70% on a slower car but still got margin to spare.

if u think about it dat way then ure being a lot more efficient on your spending cause you're actually USING the car. enjoy it, its a bimmer.

110% or nothing!

Nice car, OP

forgot pw · 08-04-2016, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

110% or nothing!

Nice car, OP

no wonder ur car breaks all the time! ...

/Angelo350Z/ · 08-04-2016, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgot pw

u dont need quick on every car u own. for the most part people only use about 30-35% of the car's potential anyways in day to day. dat might equal 60-70% on a slower car but still got margin to spare.

if u think about it dat way then ure being a lot more efficient on your spending cause you're actually USING the car. enjoy it, its a bimmer.

Absolutely. As much as I love my Z, it's a little too intense to drive around on a daily basis. The 540 and 320 perfectly complement the Z simply because they offer a completely different driving experience. They're quiet and spacious with very conservative styling as opposed to the Z's loud and aggressive demeanor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

110% or nothing!

Nice car, OP

Thank you

. I'll post more pics when it stops raining.

sgosh · 08-04-2016, 07:28 PM

Ooh! Another Bimmer owner on the Z forum!

Grats on the new ride.

Best of both worlds!!!

08-03-2016, 03:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
/Angelo350Z/ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Germany Posts: 2,230 Drives: Z34 \| MK7 \| F82 Rep Power: 3660	New Car for the Wife Hello my Z brothers, my wife and I currently reside in Germany. Aside from the Z34, we have a '00 BMW 540i as a DD. It's old, but we both love the E39 for the same reasons. It's a handsome sedan with respectable power, impressive high speed stability, and exceptional driving dynamics for a large vehicle. However, since we're expecting our first baby, and a constant influx of visiting family members, we decided to get a newer sedan. I don't like driving SUVs, so that wasn't even an option. After driving the 540 for a while, and owning two E34s in the past, my wife was set on getting another BMW. Our limit was $72K, but eventually decided not to spend over $50K. I would never go back to FWD, so I was happy with her choice. The search and fun began shortly . We test drove almost every M3, M4, 335, 235, 435, 440, 128, 320, 550, 340, 535, S3, and S4 Quattro from 2015 and up in our price range. Every car was fun it its own way, but we soon realized we simply needed a 5-seater; which meant every BMW coupe was out of the equation. Initially, I wanted a slightly used M3, M4, or new 335/340 with M Sport brakes, but that combination in used but decent condition, was very hard to find. I was close to ordering the 340 of my choice, but with all the added options I wanted, we were in brand new M3 territory. To make a long story short, I settled for what we needed and not what I wanted. I dreamed of a blue M3/M4/335/340 with black interior, cold weather, driver assistance, sport, and track handling packages. However, we settled on an Alpine White BMW 320 xDrive, and I couldn't be happier. Sure, it's not fast nor exciting, but that's what the Z is for. Besides, aside from an M car, no BMW can compete with the Z34's fun factor. The bottom line is, we simply needed a BMW sedan that will take us from point A to point B with GPS and heated seats. The AWD, excellent fuel consumption, and de-tuned 328 turbo motor was certainly a plus. The car does the job perfectly and costs $9K less than the exact same car if bought in the US. What's not to like? I did tell the wife, however, that we will get the BMW (or Porsche) of our choice before we leave Germany. Sorry for rambling, the Johnnie Walker is particularly good tonight. Anyway, below is a pic of my wife's boring, over-priced D. I highly recommend it. UNKNOWN_370, TreeSemdyZee and MagmaRed370z like this. __________________ 2013 MB NISSAN 370Z SPORT

08-03-2016, 08:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
forgot pw Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Iggyland Posts: 409 Drives: enterTrollment Rep Power: 2518	"Settled for what we needed", huh? First world problems!! /Angelo350Z/ likes this. __________________ temporary newb suit.. i hope

08-03-2016, 08:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
forgot pw Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Iggyland Posts: 409 Drives: enterTrollment Rep Power: 2518	Fak, I settled on a brand new bimmer fully loaded. My life is faked. /Angelo350Z/ and ChaseZ like this. __________________ temporary newb suit.. i hope

08-03-2016, 08:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Z-Girl 12 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 4,105 Drives: Spirited Rep Power: 11716	Me likey! /Angelo350Z/ likes this. __________________ 2012 Z-SOLD 2014 Nismo #565 Fast Intentions CBE/HFC/Swift/SPC/RJM/H&R-15/20mm/Z1 CAI/Headers/Intake Manifold w/Uprev Tune 328.31whp/263.64tq

08-03-2016, 08:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
ChaseZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2016 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,799 Drives: 16 370z Rep Power: 94683	Congrats! BMW's xdrive is excellent. That little engine ain't going to propel that thing very expediently though that's for sure. Regardless it really looks sharp. I like them in white, accentuates the lines well. Glad to hear you settled for the bimmer you needed /Angelo350Z/ likes this.

08-04-2016, 08:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
/Angelo350Z/ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Germany Posts: 2,230 Drives: Z34 \| MK7 \| F82 Rep Power: 3660	Thanks guys. Yeah, it's far from quick, but the motor is excellent. It really is hard to beat the driving dynamics of a BMW. A lot of people seem to dislike the new M3 or M4, but I would love to have either one. They're a bit softer than previous M cars, but man they haull a$$. forgot pw likes this. __________________ 2013 MB NISSAN 370Z SPORT

08-04-2016, 08:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
forgot pw Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Iggyland Posts: 409 Drives: enterTrollment Rep Power: 2518	u dont need quick on every car u own. for the most part people only use about 30-35% of the car's potential anyways in day to day. dat might equal 60-70% on a slower car but still got margin to spare. if u think about it dat way then ure being a lot more efficient on your spending cause you're actually USING the car. enjoy it, its a bimmer. /Angelo350Z/ likes this. __________________ temporary newb suit.. i hope

08-04-2016, 07:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
sgosh Base Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: New Westminster, BC Age: 55 Posts: 234 Drives: 16 370Z 14 X6 12 TL Rep Power: 10	Ooh! Another Bimmer owner on the Z forum! Grats on the new ride. Best of both worlds!!! /Angelo350Z/ likes this. __________________ History: Pontiac-> Honda-> Datsun-> Toyota-> Chevy-> Acura. Currently: Acura, BMW and Nissan.

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