545i Alternative?
#1
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My Ride: 2004 545i SMG
Good Morning,
I've got an '04 545i with SMG and my work situation has changed (unfortunately about 3 months after I bought it) so now I am faced with a 35 mile, each way, commute in Washington DC rush hour traffic. I am torn here as I absolutely love the 5er, but that commute with SMG and premium fuel blowing through 8 cylinders is starting to wear on me... not too mention my ride. I am thinking of getting into something a little more efficient and less likely to need costly repairs (read NO WARRANTY on the 5), but it has to be as fun to drive as the 5er. Any ideas.. or should I just suck it up? A newer 3 would be good, but at that point I might as well keep the 5, then I was recently looking at the new Jetta GLI Autobahn with DSG, but with only 200hp, sounds like it would be way short on power.
Thanks for any suggestions..
Will
I've got an '04 545i with SMG and my work situation has changed (unfortunately about 3 months after I bought it) so now I am faced with a 35 mile, each way, commute in Washington DC rush hour traffic. I am torn here as I absolutely love the 5er, but that commute with SMG and premium fuel blowing through 8 cylinders is starting to wear on me... not too mention my ride. I am thinking of getting into something a little more efficient and less likely to need costly repairs (read NO WARRANTY on the 5), but it has to be as fun to drive as the 5er. Any ideas.. or should I just suck it up? A newer 3 would be good, but at that point I might as well keep the 5, then I was recently looking at the new Jetta GLI Autobahn with DSG, but with only 200hp, sounds like it would be way short on power.
Thanks for any suggestions..
Will
#2
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My Ride: ///M5 BEAST
Model Year: 2006
What price range do you want to be in? And what's more important, has mileage it power even it comes to the ratio?
Being stuck in bad traffic I automatically think u should aim for an auto trans for simplicity/ease...
Being stuck in bad traffic I automatically think u should aim for an auto trans for simplicity/ease...
#3
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My Ride: 2004 545i SMG
I would like to keep it in the $25k range at less than 2 years old with under 25k miles. Parameters.. not a Prius, I can handle anything over about 22 mpg combined, but I would prefer to use the cheap gas rather than premium and it MUST be fun to drive AND be a sedan (two kids). I would like a sub 6 0-60 and be able to handle on the weekends. I also really would like to have some steering feel, so the lexus/honda/nissan stuff is probably out. I know, picky picky, probably doesn't exist.
#5
Random thoughts:
Does the Subaru WRX come with an automatic transmission? A coworker has one (with a stick), and I really liked it, despite its general "teenage tuner from L.A." vibe.
Plus it gets you to work on snowy mornings, and Subaru quality is bulletproof.
And maybe it's heresy on this forum, but I loved my '05 A4 3.0. The newer A4s feel like a Passat, but a few years back they were better. Read: more BMW-like! Maintenance and repairs will kill you with an Audi, though.
The sad thing is that I can't think of an American car that fits your straightforward requirements.
Does the Subaru WRX come with an automatic transmission? A coworker has one (with a stick), and I really liked it, despite its general "teenage tuner from L.A." vibe.
Plus it gets you to work on snowy mornings, and Subaru quality is bulletproof.
And maybe it's heresy on this forum, but I loved my '05 A4 3.0. The newer A4s feel like a Passat, but a few years back they were better. Read: more BMW-like! Maintenance and repairs will kill you with an Audi, though.
The sad thing is that I can't think of an American car that fits your straightforward requirements.
#6
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My Ride: 2004 545i SMG
Random thoughts:
Does the Subaru WRX come with an automatic transmission? A coworker has one (with a stick), and I really liked it, despite its general "teenage tuner from L.A." vibe.
Plus it gets you to work on snowy mornings, and Subaru quality is bulletproof.
And maybe it's heresy on this forum, but I loved my '05 A4 3.0. The newer A4s feel like a Passat, but a few years back they were better. Read: more BMW-like! Maintenance and repairs will kill you with an Audi, though.
The sad thing is that I can't think of an American car that fits your straightforward requirements.
Does the Subaru WRX come with an automatic transmission? A coworker has one (with a stick), and I really liked it, despite its general "teenage tuner from L.A." vibe.
Plus it gets you to work on snowy mornings, and Subaru quality is bulletproof.
And maybe it's heresy on this forum, but I loved my '05 A4 3.0. The newer A4s feel like a Passat, but a few years back they were better. Read: more BMW-like! Maintenance and repairs will kill you with an Audi, though.
The sad thing is that I can't think of an American car that fits your straightforward requirements.
I thought about the WRX, but never really looked too hard for fear of the "boy racer" style. I will look a little closer. "Jetta TDI", every where I look it seems to point back to the Jettas. Why can't they put a little more power in there? As for the Audi, yeah I guess, but at that point I might as well keep the 5, still needs premium and just as likely to break down $$$$. Any thoughts on the 2013 Fusion/Aston Martin? The biggest engine will be about 237hp, but they will allegedly have a variable steering adjustment allowing you to dial in the right feel.
#9
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My Ride: 07' BMW 550i
Good Morning,
I've got an '04 545i with SMG and my work situation has changed (unfortunately about 3 months after I bought it) so now I am faced with a 35 mile, each way, commute in Washington DC rush hour traffic. I am torn here as I absolutely love the 5er, but that commute with SMG and premium fuel blowing through 8 cylinders is starting to wear on me... not too mention my ride. I am thinking of getting into something a little more efficient and less likely to need costly repairs (read NO WARRANTY on the 5), but it has to be as fun to drive as the 5er. Any ideas.. or should I just suck it up? A newer 3 would be good, but at that point I might as well keep the 5, then I was recently looking at the new Jetta GLI Autobahn with DSG, but with only 200hp, sounds like it would be way short on power.
Thanks for any suggestions..
Will
I've got an '04 545i with SMG and my work situation has changed (unfortunately about 3 months after I bought it) so now I am faced with a 35 mile, each way, commute in Washington DC rush hour traffic. I am torn here as I absolutely love the 5er, but that commute with SMG and premium fuel blowing through 8 cylinders is starting to wear on me... not too mention my ride. I am thinking of getting into something a little more efficient and less likely to need costly repairs (read NO WARRANTY on the 5), but it has to be as fun to drive as the 5er. Any ideas.. or should I just suck it up? A newer 3 would be good, but at that point I might as well keep the 5, then I was recently looking at the new Jetta GLI Autobahn with DSG, but with only 200hp, sounds like it would be way short on power.
Thanks for any suggestions..
Will
Also I want to ask, if you are not far away from Leesburg/Reston area, I would like to try your car for throttle response, if I figure you are going sell it anyway.
#10
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My Ride: 2004 545i SMG
Yes try to get 3-series, it should give you at least 22mpg. Really, what is your commute? I have 550 so from Leesburg to Sterling/Dulles area in rush hours, give me between 18 and 19.5 with auto tranny. I think SMG should be even better. VW Passat is very roomy but lack of power on 5 cylinder engine. I was looking to buy one for my wife but it doesn't go.
Also I want to ask, if you are not far away from Leesburg/Reston area, I would like to try your car for throttle response, if I figure you are going sell it anyway.
Also I want to ask, if you are not far away from Leesburg/Reston area, I would like to try your car for throttle response, if I figure you are going sell it anyway.
Thanks