Suffering from BMW Envy-Resist or Not?

[MOMO3.2]

My job now requires me to travel to 3 different worksites during the day. I drive my (2,500 lb stripped) 1987 Carrera (with 187,000 miles on the clock) to work 2-3 times per week. And, frankly, it is getting to me.

To add further flame to the fire, I just bought my wife a Certified Pre-Owned E90 BMW 330i. And, it is a pretty impressive sports sedan. I am suddenly confronted with fantasies of selling my Carrera for a BMW! I don't fancy starting and stopping my Carrera 4 times every day I take it to work. I am also getting old enough to really miss a relatively comfy new(er) car with A/C, and a nice stereo.

My irrational mind says "Suck it up and hold on to the Carrera forever". My rational mind, however, says "Sell the Carrera and put $10-15,000 down on a CPO BMW. They are pretty damn sporty. They are fun. And, they are comfy and more practical than the 23 year old Porsche."

I am guessing this maddness will pass...

Mike

[Oh Haha]

Buy the BMW and keep the Carrera for nice days.

BMW leases are pretty attractive right now. You might be able to expense or write some of the lease because you are using it for work.

[WIL84911]

Have you thought about a 996? Feedbacks I've read show owners are happy. A test drive might answer your question.

[Oh Haha]

Originally Posted by WIL84911

Have you thought about a 996? Feedbacks I've read show owners are happy. A test drive might answer your question.

+1 for an even better idea.

[89911]

I own a 89 911 and a BMW 550i. I understand how you feel and the easy answer would be to buy both, but I think if you could, this problem would not arise. I could never see me driving the 911 as a commuter. No AC, loud droning exhaust, 5 speed terrible in traffic, and a small car amongst large SUV's. Plus no navigation, satellite, Ipod and other stuff that I like. I drive the 911 on the right days and for trips to no where just to get in it. I don't know if driving a 996 would be the solution either if its not your kind of car. For some, a BMW might be more "Porsche like" then a 996.

[FinallyGotOne]

Well, one thing I have learned on this board is that EVERYONE who sells their 911's really end up MISSING them terribly no matter what car they get into.

But the good news is you can always buy another Porsche when the Bimmer begins to bore you. Could be a few years or could be right away. Eventually they all come back to the Porsche...

[widgeon13]

Back in the late 90's I had an M3 and 911 and decided to sell one, the 911 went first and then I realized I liked the 911 better than the M3 so sold the M3 and bought another Carrera.

I'm happy now and learned my lesson. I can't see being w/o an air cooled Pcar.

[teamfee3]

I had an '06 E90 3'er that I got rid of to drive my '86 Carrera daily (30 miles X2) and I really miss the 3'er. You can get them cheap now. A 996 is an idea.

[Eharrison]

I've got an 09 Audi A4 and a 996 (gasp!) I can tell you that I wouldn't even think of driving the 911 for a commuter car. Too much traffic and more of a chance that I'd get a ticket. I really like the A4 you might want to take a look at those too.

But just don't sell the 911 right now. The market is down, and the only people that are buying are ones that are looking for an awesome deal. If you can do what ever it takes to not sell a car in this market.

[Todd Simpson]

You could skip the CPO payment and buy a $5-$10K E46, E39, E36 or similar.

They are durable, easy to maintain and make a great daily. Keep the Carrera.

[88911coupe]

I've owned several BMWs over the years and really miss the 535i I got rid of to move into Porsches. I also got sick of using my 88 coupe as a daily driver here in Dallas, in particular in traffic in the summer...totally miserable. Got a new A4 about 3 years ago and never looked back. The 911 is a weekend car and sometimes take it to work.
996 though may be a good answer.

[don gilbert]

I would think that even thinking of trading the brand, you have lost your passion. sell it, get the bimmer, you are not one of us anymore. Just joking of course, but seriously, man, get real, I have 20 Plus years of wrench time on bimmers at Coker BMW in texarkana tx, I would never, ever consider owning one.

[logan2z]

I recently sold my E36 3-series and bought an '87 Carrera for daily driving duties. Let's just say that I don't miss the 3-series one bit. Droning exhaust? I haven't turned the stereo on in my Carrera once, I love the sound of it!

[Jagshund]

As soon as it's off the stands, I'll be driving my '71 914 rather than my 328i. As good as they are, there's still something missing- and who wants a car that starts without a hitch? Then again, there's something to be said for a driving experience that doesn't include mittens.

[MOMO3.2]

Thanks for the replies.

A 996 might be the answer, but that would put pressure I don't want on our budget.

If I did make a move to buy something else, I would definitely have to sell the 911 and use that money to pay down any purchase. It is about 99% odds that this will pass and I will keep the 911. I have owned a Porsche for 18 years of my driving life. So..., don't be claiming any loss of love for the marque.

The wise move is probably to tough it out for a couple more years (maybe 3-4). Then, really look at getting a 3-4 year old CPO BMW or Boxster or???

The thing that caused this issue is how nice the BMW really is. It handles, hauls a$$ pretty good, and offers all the modern comforts and ammenities a "mature person" (old grandpa like me) may want.

Mike

[G450X]

I have an '05 e46 M3 I special ordered new. I needed space for 3 kids in the rear seat, which precluded any thoughts of a 911 (similar performance and 20k less). My M3 compliments my old SC, but does not replace it. The SC has the charm & the "tinker need" that my M3 has yet to attain. This is hard for some people to understand. My wife told me - "I thought the SC was in good shape, why are you working on it all the time?" I wanted a vehicle to work on - the M3 has been bulletproof (knock on wood) for 5 years now.

My old SC is loved for what it is - a 60's sports car that has been constantly updated to keep pace with newer designs. I think that's part of the charm, all the archaic little design features (cable clutch, finicky gearbox, air cooling, plywood kick boards, etc..), and the nice build quality. Repair a few of the well know quirks of the SC/Carrera series, and you've got a solid "lifetime" heirloom.

I'd keep the 911 for occasional use and buy a more "beater" grade coupe/sedan for the day to day gruel. An old e46 330i (even M3's are becoming downright affordable), or even a GTI could be a cost effective and fun ride. Get collectors insurance on the 911 to save money, and pile the miles on a more plebeian ride.

[Winter]

Originally Posted by Todd Simpson

You could skip the CPO payment and buy a $5-$10K E46, E39, E36 or similar.

They are durable, easy to maintain and make a great daily. Keep the Carrera.

Yeah, time to start thinking about two cars in your stable. You can get an early (93-95) inline 5 turbocharged Audi S4 sedan, with nice mods, all wheel drive, heated seats and a/c that cranks for about $5k. Those cars FLY, and there's a quattro community that rivals Pelican for advice, help and parts, so it's easy to work on them. Or take Todd's advice and find an nice E46. Used cars are cheap these days, and there are plenty of well maintained examples of BMW, Mercedes and Audi that can be had for a pittance. If fact, it's hard for me to resist all the deals I see out there. But since I have an S6 avant to compliment the 911, I'm all set!

---

Tom '75 targa / 95 S6 avant MTM stage I + RS2 mods.

[cloud89]

the road is full of those things, dime a dozen. IMHO.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by don gilbert

I would think that even thinking of trading the brand, you have lost your passion. sell it, get the bimmer, you are not one of us anymore. Just joking of course, but seriously, man, get real, I have 20 Plus years of wrench time on bimmers at Coker BMW in texarkana tx, I would never, ever consider owning one.

Well, dealer mechanics are like cops - they see the worst while on the job. I can't think of a single car that a dealership mechanic works on and would spend his own money on, even at Toyota or Honda.

That aside, I agree that a nice used E46 would be fairly cheap and as fun to drive as your wife's E90 - actually, you might like it better as it's pre-EPS, pre-RFT (electric power steering, run-flat tires). I sold my Porsches (1983 911, 928S, 944) a few years back and only really miss the 944, and that occasionally. I seriously miss my 2003 325i.

[xReddogx]

I love having two cars...the E55 sedan for daily driving and the Porsche for occasions. It makes the time I spend with the SC even that much more special.