G20 330i. Insanely cheap for how good of an all rounder car it is.

Depends on budget. Big argument to be made for the G30 540i which is substantially cheaper (in my area at least) than the 340i for a nicer / bigger car and the B58 engine is a beast. F10 is probably the ‘best’ value as far as being at the peak of depreciation, but you can still easily find clean ones. 3 series is looking in the wrong place for ’flagship BMW’ in my opinion.

G30 5 series. 530i or 540i

Pre lci can be had for $20-$25k

Lci can be had for $30-$35k

Well optioned LCI 540i with low miles might break $40k but you’ll still find plenty of cars less than that. I rented a base model 530i from sixt and immediately knew I had to get one. It’s the best daily driver.

Got a 2021 (lci) 530i xdrive with 20k miles for $30k. M sport package, premium package, and parking assist package with 3D surround view. I don’t know what kind of sound insulation they put in the cabin but it is so quiet. The same generation MB E class is no where near as quiet.

2006 was E9x series. I prefer e46 coupe designs personally esp the front.

My 2006 330ci, sport psckage 3.0 with 102k miles and still a hell of a great car. Paid 2600 and do my own work. It's a never sell.

“ hi my name is Kennan, and here are FIVE reasons why the E39 is the BEST sports sedan ever made!”

Agree. Especially the 540i sport

E39 is one of the best cars ever made imo for sure

I mean, I don't disagree. My dad has an 00' 528i that I've used on a couple occasions, and it's definitely great, but the lack of a manual makes it a slog for acceleration. Not trying to say it's slow (it is, let's be honest.), but the auto just ruins any fun it could have. The regular E39 lives to be a highway conqueror, flying through hundreds of miles like it's nothing, all comfortably at 75mph and somehow still getting what, 25mpg? Not half bad, especially for 25 years old. The 540i and M5 fit more towards the E46's niche.

But there's that one key point, the lack of sportiness. The E39, to me at least, is in some way too comfortable, too plush, too tough. It lacked lightness and playfulness in the handling like the E46. No doubt it'll handle anything just as well, just that the lighter chassis and more sport oriented suspension of the E46 is superior in a lot of ways.

I guess it comes down to what you're looking for, as per usual. The E46, E39, and E38 all share the same basic platform, and all have similar characteristics of mild sportiness at minimum, and great comfort even in bare form, it's just how much of either you want. The E46 is my pick since it's still large and comfortable enough to do a 4 hour trip just fine, but I take my 330i on backroads constantly. The E39 was perfect for my dad since he knew all he'd do was chew up highway miles going to visit family. The E38 is for those looking for the high comfort of the E39 and then some, as well as being the god damn best looking car in the past 40 years. I will die on that hill, the facelift E38 is god damn immaculate.

Best part about all three? Just do some mods and changes here and there and you can have your perfect mix. The E38 can have an LSD from factory, and you can swap in a manual from a 540i for an extremely capable luxury sedan, the E39 can use suspension upgrades and some weight reduction, and the E46 can have a better sound system and noise reduction slapped into it for more comfort. All three are all-stars in their categories, and kinda prove just how on top BMW was in the late 90's and early 00's.

Jesus CHRIST I just realized how long my comment is.
TLDR: E46, E39, and E38 are all incredible, just fit slightly different niches.

Had both an 03 530i and then an 03 M5 after the 530i was stolen. 530i had the sport package and was a 5sp. When I had had a e46 325Ci I drove a 530i at one of BMW’s Ultimate Drive events and decided right then it was my next car.

While there is really nothing that compares to the visceral grunt of that v8 in the M5 the nimbleness of the 530i was just amazing and the car felt perfectly balanced. I’m convinced the 111” wheelbase with that 50/50 weight distribution is the sweet spot between sport and luxury.

The only thing the 530i missed in my opinion was a true LSD… even at slow speeds in the turns you could really make use of it in the M5.

Closest thing for me today is my 2020 M340i. Same wheelbase though a little shorter overall, proper LSD, and a super smooth 6. Only wish sometimes it felt as plush as the 530i was when you wanted it to be.

Yup, this is my beef with the e39. I love em, but they’re not perfect due to the steering box in the cars with the engines you really want.

I’m not mad at the car mind you, just isn’t perfect.

I owned both at the same time and the I6 was better but I still find the steering in my M5 to be pretty good. Some monoball bushings in the front thrust arms definitely helped improve the steering feel.

I had an e39 m5.

The non v8 rack and pinion steering was worlds Better.

My e39 2001 525i Sports Wagon talks to me, we’ve been together 25 years now. I know her every sound and moves like the day I took delivery. I usually get at least one request every month for me to sell but never will. The interior has beautiful wood trim in perfect condition. I love the weight and stiff suspension knowing the steel frame and metal body won’t crack like fiberglass. A collector approached me a few months ago telling me my particular model actually has a “cult” following and offered $26,000.00, I refused of course. I thought he was totally full of it until I saw his beautiful 60’s Porsche. Still, that was a little over the top but it’s a beautifully designed automobile and fits my butt perfectly. My color is Anthracite Blue with dark gray seating. Sorry for the long post but I just feel great driving her even after 25 years.

I had the same. 530i MSport.

I remember my father had a 540i when I was 8 or 9 (I am 18 now). He sold it due to financial reasons and didnt want to sell the car at all. He loved that car. Since then, he made me and my uncle an e39 lover. For me,undoubtedly,the best Bmw ever made.

Peak BMW

God tier chassis with looks to match.

I love those rims

With this device, anything can become a BMW

https://preview.redd.it/xmzbsow15ymf1.png?width=600&format=png&auto=webp&s=df6bd3566dc040de3945eb5ce30a1bb80bd73cc8

no wayy im in this one

anyway Rover Streetwise, somewhere between BMW and Audi Allroad

https://preview.redd.it/hsoacvn9mxmf1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=bb1832a431e619e6458a1a61aca65e3f3a1dd5a8

also hurr durr something something mk5 Supra

Angy BMW 3 series compact

BMW 👎👎🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮😭😭🤡🤡🤡

ALFA ROMEO 😍😍😍🤤🤤🤤🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️💨💨💨🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

https://preview.redd.it/iqznckthkxmf1.jpeg?width=3396&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d8aef53b73079337a1ecc82f958c123fdb030ae2

/uj What would I do to get myself a manual V8 Pontiac G8 in Europe.

This one obviously

https://preview.redd.it/ola4klrqsxmf1.jpeg?width=2080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6f3839264e7db64da8dddd16d814bdbc3ffaca71

135i 2007-2013 is the best in my opinion for following reasons:

-no shitty technology or aids beyond tc/abs but still benefits from modern refinement and crash safety.

-Hydraulic steering rack.

-smallest lightest 6 cyl coupe in recent times.

-smallest lightest car to have a dct in a bmw ever

-comes in manual too

-m tier engine, either n54 or n55 like 1M and Og m2

-can be made into a 1M clone

-can be made to look like a diesel sleeper.

-rare to exceptionally rare depending on what looking for, there are less than 200 dct equipped models left in uk vs 380 1M's for example, so this variant is rarer than 1M here.

-n55 choice so more reliable, good gas mileage and sounds best of any modern bmw in my opinion

• cheap replacement engine and dct relative to any other modern bmw

-potential for incredible performance if you replace everything like bushings, lsd, braces, wheels etc

• comes with 6 piston brakes that fit in 17 inch wheels which is ideal for performance if you upgrade the pads/pistons/braided lines etc

-incredibly cheap to buy used for what it is and maintenence isn't bad relatively assuming no disasters.

Doubt any other non-m can best this?

Best non-M = m340i

I pray that this wins over the M340i. My suggestion, the 850CSi seems to be losing out but you give me hope!

Are we considering M-lites here? If yes then it's of course M340i again

I upvoted you but how about the 135is, non M car and more torque and ponies …. I had one in Carbon Black … it was a beast!

I think it qualifies as a non M car but the M340i is still gonna win somehow even though it has an M badge.

850CSi is fully considered an M car. WBS vin code means it was made in the separate M plant. Only thing it’s missing is ///M before the numbers because of bureaucracy.

Not really. The S70 isn't as bad as people might think. Plus this isn't about best daily. This is about the best non-M.

My favorite new bmw is the one in my driveway.

https://preview.redd.it/lsy6ujll2lsb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=70204e161f5519dfd0878fbc0818962ecc7f9557

Alpina B3 touring, I searched all the current releases, that’s the only one I don’t think it’s ugly

Alpina B3 Touring

M5, it still looks decent after everything else has been beaten by a hydraulic press

Uhm that's a legend. But not new since G series garbage is out

Also the best driving car BMW has ever released.

F90 M5 or the F92 8 series (any variant)

8 series for sure

M5 or any 8 series variant

M5 or m8 for sure

5 series G30 LCI and it's not even close

I'm currently driving my 4th BMW. If you are after the BMW driving experience, consider the following:

1. RWD. Forget about any models that are FWD.
2. Engine. Minimum in-line 4 2.0 or above TC. Avoid the engine on the 318i as it has been heavily detuned. You can always tune the car at outside workshop but then your warranty will be invalid.
3. Gearbox. Go for the 7 speed DCT. I thought the ZF 8 speed gearbox was good enough until I tried the DCT, it does elevate the driving experience. Avoid SMG at all cost

F30 335i

Looks good and capable of good power with a tune. 8sp gearbox is generally reliable and can be tuned for better responsiveness too.

Edit : If you don’t need crazy power, consider the F10 523i. Handles well, easy maintenance and is more modern all around. Has the lush N52 engine sound too with the dependable 8sp ZF gearbox.

Isn’t the m340 the best for 3 series beside the m3

M and non M is a totally different car.

Even bmw 1 will give you the experience of a bmw.

Best bang for bucks. Get the G series.

Congrats and enjoy!

Mine is literally the same! Congrats 🎊

super nice

Just leave it be.

Scoobie to BMW is usually such a sweet experience because you find in full view what you were grasping at from the edge.

I get the mod culture from the six stars but I’d say leave it be.