Bored of the E46 What next?
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:00 pm
After about 7 years in E46's of varying guises as the main family bus I think I'm finally bored of them and in need for a change.
My current Alpina B3 3.3 Touring is an absolutely cracking car but after 2 1/2 years of it I still am not 100% convinced of the switchtronic box. I really hanker after a manual when gunning it.
I'm not sure what to go for next.
I am keeping my E30 328i Sport for a fun toy but my family wagon needs to be a manual fast estate of some sort. Budget of around £8-£10k
I couldn't live with anotther E39 so they are out Had a few but I find them too big.
Not too fussed for MPG. I've been tempted by Audi B5 RS4 or the later B7 S4 but don't know if I'd get bored of them quickly and want something that goes round corners without wanting to understeer all over the place. I have had 2 B5 2.8 Quattro estates and the were as dull as blancmanges to drive.
I've never had a Merc and not a fan of the C or E class shapes from 2000- 2006 so they are out.
An E91 might do the trick but will depreciate faster than a lead ballon now the F30 is upon us. I know the 335D only came with flappy paddles. What about the 335i? Is the flappy paddle gearbox just a paddle operated autobox like my current switchtronic or is it SMG based type where you can use it properly?
Bit of a leftfield thought but a 645i is within budget too. Quite like the look of them but not sure how reliable they are circa 80-100k miles or what goes wrong with them. Did they do a manual 6er?
A D3 may be at the very upper end of my budget but are they really THAT good. How would it seem compared to my current B3? I do love the high revving nature of narmally aspitrated engines and the wide torque band. Is the D3 actually a fun car that can occasionally be ragged and put a smile on the enthusiastic drivers face?
If only I could find a 6 speed manual box for my current B3
My current Alpina B3 3.3 Touring is an absolutely cracking car but after 2 1/2 years of it I still am not 100% convinced of the switchtronic box. I really hanker after a manual when gunning it.
I'm not sure what to go for next.
I am keeping my E30 328i Sport for a fun toy but my family wagon needs to be a manual fast estate of some sort. Budget of around £8-£10k
I couldn't live with anotther E39 so they are out Had a few but I find them too big.
Not too fussed for MPG. I've been tempted by Audi B5 RS4 or the later B7 S4 but don't know if I'd get bored of them quickly and want something that goes round corners without wanting to understeer all over the place. I have had 2 B5 2.8 Quattro estates and the were as dull as blancmanges to drive.
I've never had a Merc and not a fan of the C or E class shapes from 2000- 2006 so they are out.
An E91 might do the trick but will depreciate faster than a lead ballon now the F30 is upon us. I know the 335D only came with flappy paddles. What about the 335i? Is the flappy paddle gearbox just a paddle operated autobox like my current switchtronic or is it SMG based type where you can use it properly?
Bit of a leftfield thought but a 645i is within budget too. Quite like the look of them but not sure how reliable they are circa 80-100k miles or what goes wrong with them. Did they do a manual 6er?
A D3 may be at the very upper end of my budget but are they really THAT good. How would it seem compared to my current B3? I do love the high revving nature of narmally aspitrated engines and the wide torque band. Is the D3 actually a fun car that can occasionally be ragged and put a smile on the enthusiastic drivers face?
If only I could find a 6 speed manual box for my current B3