[mousefarmer]

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I have been nursing along a 2007 328i E90 series BMW that has about 130k miles on it. It is is great in many ways but the gas mileage of 20MPG or so isn't the best and the car won't last forever so am wondering what to get in the next 3-4 years or so.

I am looking for a modern equivalent that is similar but with better gas mileage, doesn't have to be new.

My first thought is a used Tesla Model 3 for $25k or less. It looks OK and is sort of sporty even though I'm not a fan of the button free interior, poor parts market and high insurance rates.

Is there a car that looks cool like an E90 that gets better gas mileage and isn't too expensive, maybe a hybrid car of some sort? Anyone?

[Joebie]

Its going to be tough to replace a RWD car with one that gets good gas mileage as RWD = sporty and sporty more often than not mean sacrificing efficiency for power.

If you're ok with a FWD car (yuck) i would consider a used

-Corolla Hatchback
-Mazda3
-VW Golf
-Civic SI


The only RWD cars that immediately come to mind are

-Toyota GR86 (not sure if these are terribly efficient, but they look good and are sporty)
-Mazda Miata
-Lexus of some sort? I'm not overly familiar with the Lexus lineup but i think the IS250 and e90 might have some similarities. Its a 4-door sedan that looks pretty decent, similar power, and comes in RWD or AWD. I dont think they get amazing MPG though, but not bad MPG either.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[BMWbiker]

A new or recent non-M 3 or 4 Series will get better gas mileage than that, at least with a light foot.

I have gotten as high as 36 MPG droning on the highway in eco-pro mode in my X3M40i. Even around town it gets in the 20s.

Of course, a hybrid will be better, and an EV better still.

[Westside Guy]

Mousefarmer what is your budget? 😉

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Mousefarmer what is your budget? ��

It isn't me but is my girlfriend's daughters car. She is becoming a nurse but wants to save money for a little while. If she wants another sports car in the future I am just wondering. I don't know what she would spend but probably $25k or less for a used vehicle I would hope if she wants to be careful with money.

I hardly ever drive, no need when so much stuff can be done online or delivered to house.

It seems to me that with all the investment and popularity in crossover vehicles and light SUVs that is basically what everyone will drive especially if buying a used vehicle that is what is available on the used market in the future.

[335i54n]

practical/logical would be any toyota hybrid-corolla, prius, corolla cross suv

little more fun would be civic si

[NYG]

If you're a car guy, you'll be really disappointed in how lifeless and boring the Tesla is. My commuter is a Tesla and while I admit the insta-torque is nice, zero maintenance, and it makes a ton of sense as a daily A to B car, it's an awful driving experience.

If I had to do it over, I don't think I'd get an EV again.

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by NYG

If you're a car guy, you'll be really disappointed in how lifeless and boring the Tesla is. My commuter is a Tesla and while I admit the insta-torque is nice, zero maintenance, and it makes a ton of sense as a daily A to B car, it's an awful driving experience.

If I had to do it over, I don't think I'd get an EV again.

What is the issue with the driving experience? Is it the lack of buttons, turning or what? As I understand the steering feedback is pretty numb compared to an E90 but newer BMWs like F30 sort of numb too.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by mousefarmer

What is the issue with the driving experience? Is it the lack of buttons, turning or what?

It's just lifeless and dull. Don't get me wrong, a lot of people enjoy it including family members but the driving experience puts me to sleep. It's not really the steering feel, it's just the whole symphony of driving a car with an ICE and transmission. The Tesla is just boring for me. The navigation sucks too and even though I'm used to it, I can't stand having the speedo on the ipad and not in front of me. Autopilot isn't that amazing and I had a loaner Q8 with autopilot that worked better than the Tesla did. The windshield wipers are ATROCIOUS. They work when you don't want them to, they don't work when you want them to and there's 3 settings and you'll always find yourself wanting a setting in between.

The suspension is also ridiculously stiff for a car that lifeless. It should drive like butter.

The low center of gravity makes it feel a bit more planted but it's still ridiculously heavy to feel sporty.

I'm not anti-Tesla or anti-EV fyi, it's just not a car that I enjoy driving is the best way I can put it.

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by NYG

It's just lifeless and dull. Don't get me wrong, a lot of people enjoy it including family members but the driving experience puts me to sleep. It's not really the steering feel, it's just the whole symphony of driving a car with an ICE and transmission. The Tesla is just boring.

The suspension is also ridiculously stiff for a car that lifeless. It should drive like butter.

Yes, and tire pressure is around 40PSI from my understanding and nearly every video I see with model 3 looks a little bouncy.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by mousefarmer

Yes, and tire pressure is around 40PSI from my understanding and nearly every video I see with model 3 looks a little bouncy.

If you can rent one for a few days, you should. There's a reason why they sell so well. I just can't vibe with mine and I'm kind of looking to get out of it asap.

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by NYG

If you can rent one for a few days, you should. There's a reason why they sell so well. I just can't vibe with mine and I'm kind of looking to get out of it asap.

I test drove one for about 15minutes and that was about it. It started swerving me out the lane or into it which I immediately found annoying which I suppose you can turn off but I am used to driving myself.

The seats seemed comfortable and soft which is probably is necessary for a car with 40+psi in the tires. I hate the idea of a glass roof in the hot mojave desert sun.

I hate the lack of buttons unless I can tell it everything to do with voice.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by mousefarmer

I test drove one for about 15minutes and that was about it. It started swerving me out the lane or into it which I immediately found annoying which I suppose you can turn off but I am used to driving myself.

The seats seemed comfortable and soft which is probably is necessary for a car with 40+psi in the tires. I hate the idea of a glass roof in the hot mojave desert sun.

I hate the lack of buttons unless I can tell it everything to do with voice.

A lot of cars have that lane assist crap so I can't fault Tesla for that. Also the high tire pressures are becoming a thing too, my R8 has 50psi as the ideal pressure.... seriously. I'm not a fan of the seats, this is the only car I get backpain in.

The voice controls are pretty good, I can't deny. There's a lot of great things that the Tesla does but yeah, the drive isn't for me (I drive a lot)

The thing I love most about the Tesla is how basic it is and how little attention it gets.

[Efthreeoh]

Buying a used car 4 years from now? A 6-year old 2022 Cadillac CT4 would be an E90 replacement.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by mousefarmer

I have been nursing along a 2007 328i E90 series BMW that has about 130k miles on it. It is is great in many ways but the gas mileage of 20MPG or so isn't the best and the car won't last forever so am wondering what to get in the next 3-4 years or so.

I am looking for a modern equivalent that is similar but with better gas mileage, doesn't have to be new.

My first thought is a used Tesla Model 3 for $25k or less. It looks OK and is sort of sporty even though I'm not a fan of the button free interior, poor parts market and high insurance rates.

Is there a car that looks cool like an E90 that gets better gas mileage and isn't too expensive, maybe a hybrid car of some sort? Anyone?

I replaced my 2006 E90 330i that I had for 11 1/2 years with a 2018 F30 340i M Sport and I am very happy and satisfied with it. That would be my recommendation to you. The F30 is still “analog” enough that it maintains its traditional “BMWness”. The G20 3er is too techie for me and the body is too big for a 3er.

edit: I didn’t initially notice the 3 to 4 year thing. If that’s truly the timeframe then you’re asking this question way too early.

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by NYG

A lot of cars have that lane assist crap so I can't fault Tesla for that. Also the high tire pressures are becoming a thing too, my R8 has 50psi as the ideal pressure.... seriously. I'm not a fan of the seats, this is the only car I get backpain in.

The voice controls are pretty good, I can't deny. There's a lot of great things that the Tesla does but yeah, the drive isn't for me (I drive a lot)

The thing I love most about the Tesla is how basic it is and how little attention it gets.

I had no idea cars were getting up so high in PSI for tire pressure now.

Yeah BMW seems to get quite a bit of attention even an older one like my girlfriends 2012 335i. Whenever she parks far in the back of the lot or away from cars when we come out from the store 10-15 minutes later someone has parked next to it. There was a comedian that put up a "small penis parking" sign next to people that started parking next to his Porsche in the back of the lot. Sometimes I feel like doing that.

[Westside Guy]

mousefarmer, you said in your initial post that you had 3-4 years before you made this purchase. My wife has a 2021 228i Gran Coupe (FWD) and by that time the prices for this and the 2022’s should be more than affordable and fall into your budget. It was also available with xDrive for $2k more.

We have gotten as high as 40 mpg on really long road trips while in eco mode. The car has beautiful lines, is a comfortable ride and should be on your list of vehicles to check out.

[s_ribs]

My last car needed to be very economical, and also as fun as possible to drive. That car ended up being a 2015 VW Golf tdi and I'd highly recommend considering one. I loath front wheel drive cars but it really wasn't bad in this car (except when I wanted to have fun in the snow). It's a really fun car to drive and excellent on long freeway trips too. My only regret was not being willing/able to afford the wagon varient. But I was quite impressed on the space for what looks like a tiny car (nearly as much as early Honda CR-V's for a comparison).

I think the worst average mpg I got was ~37 with LOTS of in town driving and the best was ~48 mpg (all hwy of course). Mine was a 6-speed manual which I believe were ever so slightly better than their dsg.

You should be able to find them with another 1-1.5 years of dieselgate warranty left if that makes any difference. Well under the $25k budget too.

This is my only suggestion based on personal experience. I don't have much else to contribute here. They can always come back to a BMW, and likely enjoy it more, once done with school.

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

mousefarmer, you said in your initial post that you had 3-4 years before you made this purchase. My wife has a 2021 228i Gran Coupe (FWD) and by that time the prices for this and the 2022’s should be more than affordable and fall into your budget. It was also available with xDrive for $2k more.

We have gotten as high as 40 mpg on really long road trips while in eco mode. The car has beautiful lines, is a comfortable ride and should be on your list of vehicles to check out.

Sounds like a nice car but I don't think I have seen many of them sold here along west coast. How is the torque steer?

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by s_ribs

My last car needed to be very economical, and also as fun as possible to drive. That car ended up being a 2015 VW Golf tdi and I'd highly recommend considering one. I loath front wheel drive cars but it really wasn't bad in this car (except when I wanted to have fun in the snow). It's a really fun car to drive and excellent on long freeway trips too. My only regret was not being willing/able to afford the wagon varient. But I was quite impressed on the space for what looks like a tiny car (nearly as much as early Honda CR-V's for a comparison).

I think the worst average mpg I got was ~37 with LOTS of in town driving and the best was ~48 mpg (all hwy of course). Mine was a 6-speed manual which I believe were ever so slightly better than their dsg.

You should be able to find them with another 1-1.5 years of dieselgate warranty left if that makes any difference. Well under the $25k budget too.

This is my only suggestion based on personal experience. I don't have much else to contribute here. They can always come back to a BMW, and likely enjoy it more, once done with school.

How much did the performance change after the software update for the dieselgate? I heard in the news that the MPG and power went down after some software tweaks.

[pikkagtr]

The correct answer is another, lower mileage better condition E90 🤣

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

The correct answer is another, lower mileage better condition E90 🤣

that is an imposibility.