I want an old school BMW feeling in a modern car package! What should I buy? – Jalopnik

Andy lives in Chicago and loves his 3-series of the E46 generation, but the 20-year-old BMW becomes inconsistent in terms of reliability. He wants another sedan with that BMW controller connection, but a more modern package. With a budget of up to $ 60,000, which car should he buy?

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Here is the scenario.

I have a BMW 30xi manual from 2004 (E46), a beautiful car that is cracked and loosened to rely on cross-country travel. I do most of my driving in the city, but there is an occasional trip to the east coast. My wife and I love the size of the car, are responsiveness, feeling and comfort. The problem is finding a replacement. We have test -driven or rented SUVs (Ford Edge, Porsche Macan, Honda CRV, Acura RDX), but find them ugly. We prefer the low center of gravity of a sedan and especially one that is fun to drive. I have driven test, Camry and Lexus 350. The Lexus feels firm and has a great reputation, but not the feeling or pleasure of the E46. The agreement and camry just seem bla.

Budget is a maximum of $ 60,000, a manual would be great, but I understand the lack of three pedal options.

Fast facts:

Budget: Up to $ 60,000

Location: Chicago

Daily director: Yes

Want: A car with a driver, fairly reliable,

Don’t want: A crossover

Andy, you already know that recreating the driving experience of the E46 will be a challenge. They just don’t make them anymore. Almost everything from the past ten years has become bigger, heavier and more loaded with technology. So the key will find a car that offers the best driver experience with regard to its contemporaries. Although BMW has strayed a bit from the ethos “Ultimate Driving Machine” in its regular models, Porsche continued to prioritize the pilot experience in the line -up.

The Porsche Panamera is supplied in a four -door Sportback or Funky Sportturismo Wagon. Although it is not the icon that is the 911, the Stuttgart engineers are able to have enough sports cars in this executive cruiser infused to make your ride pleasant. The control is assisted electronically, which is a change compared to the hydraulic unit in the BMW, but that is inevitable with modern cars and you get exactly the right amount of feedback. The engine is linked to the excellent PDK gearbox from Porsche, and if you give up with having a clutch pedal, this is the car to get.

Panamera -examples below $ 60,000 are relatively abundant, but you probably want something above a basic model. Here is a 2018 4S with a 440 hp twin-turbo V6 with 52,000 miles for around $ 50,000. Given that this car was originally sold for more than $ 120,000, that is a performance for one of the last remaining four -door driver cars.

Well, Andy from Chicago, I have bad news for you. Even with a budget of $ 60,000 you will find it difficult to find something that E46 Magic in a new or new car. Or are you? What if I could find a car for you that offers everything that you like about your current car in a package that takes away the cracking looseness that makes you no longer want to drive on long way?

You could say that that is impossible, but we are about to solve all your problems, the only way I know how – throw more money to the problem than someone else would ever consider reasonable. For only $ 4,990 more than you were planning to spend, you can go down to see the people of EAG and to become the new owner of This almost perfect, 95,000 miles 2004 BMW M3. On the other hand, if you don’t need the power, you can always save and buy $ 20,000 This 54,000 Mile 2004 BMW 330 ZHP.

Many people will tell you that this is way too much money to spend on a two decades-old E46, but if you want a fully restored, rebuilt, strengthened and rejuvenated version of the car that you already own and love, the money will cost. I would also claim that it is better to stay with the devil you know than to waste a lot of time to learn how to deal with a completely new devil. Become an Eag man, Andy from Chicago. You know that this is the only thing that you will really make happy.

After 21 years, Andy, I think it is fair to retire the E46 from Roadtrip. Fortunately, you have chosen a good time to do this – the perfect car for your needs is just on the market, and Chicago Autotrader seems to be full of it. You need an Acura Integra types, and there is nothing else that suits you better.

Do you want performance? Account. Handling? Account. Luxury? Account. The Integra Type S is not only closest to your 3-series that is still on the market, it is an outright better car. More power, less weight, and I am willing to bet that the transmission of the Integra is more satisfactory to walk through the gears.

Here is a type S within your budgetBut each Type S is within your budget. Technically you can technically one more than $ 60,000 with the accessories installed by dealer if you really try, but that is not a specification that a dealer would order, find a color that you like and buy new. Take one ride in the type and see if your BMW – or another car – ever holds your interest.