Opinions Wanted on 3-Car Fleet: E46 M3 + Family SUV + ???

[BTB]

This is sage advice on many fronts.

OP: You might already have the ideal garage. Fun car—e46 M3. Useful car—Cayenne. Everything else—significant other’s car.

With multiple similar-use cars, as Obioban points out, you will eventually find yourself grabbing one key over the others. Then you wind up driving the “others” out of obligation. That is my reality, at least.

I feel pretty close for sure! FWIW, the Cayenne is technically spouse's car. Although she doesn't love to drive and doesn't commute, so it's really just our joint/family car. So the third car would really be my own personal daily/beater car, though would be good for her to be comfortable driving it if needed.

[BTB]

I'd say a 3 car fleet should be a sports car, a real (body on frame) SUV or truck, and a sedan that can seat 4 and drive a long distance in comfort. For me, that means
M3-- DD/track/fun
Land Cruiser-- driving more than 4 people, towing, plowing, overlanding, moving large things
6 cylinder e39-- long distance road trips, family stuff, driving 3-4 people, etc.

The sedan used to be a toss up between 6 cylinder e39 and e39 M5 (of which I've had both, put 130,000 miles on our e39 M5), but e39 M5 part pricing has made them untenable for regular use. Just priced a rear view mirror (just the glass) for a friend-- $1100. Dumb. I moved to a e60 M5 when e39 M5 parts pricing went nuts, but e60 was a huge downgrade from e39. Plus, the e39 6 cylinder cars are better than the M5's in a lot of ways-- 550 lbs lighter, better steering (rack and pinion on the i6's), full size spare. When I had the e39 M5 and 530i at the same time, I often found myself choosing the 530i for a back road blitz.

There's a lot of logic here for sure ... at the moment Cayenne doubles as SUV and road trip/driving 3-4 people car. We don't really have a use for a truck at the moment and can always rent from Home Depot for a few hours for ~$60 if we need to move something. If our family grows beyond 2 kids I would say something larger than Cayenne will likely be needed.

TBH, been thinking a lot about a used '22 or '23 Model 3 long range (maaybe performance). The value is ridiculous (can be had for $20-30k all day) and EVs seem to work well with Texas climate. I like the idea of being able to sit at a job site in the parking lot on my computer, A/C blasting and no concern about idling engine, sitting in traffic etc. for literally hours if I want.

Also, shameless plug for E92 now for sale: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2012-bmw-m3-coupe-60/

[LSB4Me]

I'd say a 3 car fleet should be a sports car, a real (body on frame) SUV or truck, and a sedan that can seat 4 and drive a long distance in comfort.

. . .

When I had the e39 M5 and 530i at the same time, I often found myself choosing the 530i for a back road blitz.

This is sage advice on many fronts.

OP: You might already have the ideal garage. Fun car—e46 M3. Useful car—Cayenne. Everything else—significant other’s car.

With multiple similar-use cars, as Obioban points out, you will eventually find yourself grabbing one key over the others. Then you wind up driving the “others” out of obligation. That is my reality, at least.

[repoman89]

I would swap my E39 M5 for an equivalently clean 530i 5-speed (+ cash) any day. In fact that’s what I originally wanted but nice 530s with a manual are rarer than nice M5s. Also the full leather M5 interior is really a significant step up.

[Obioban]

I'd say a 3 car fleet should be a sports car, a real (body on frame) SUV or truck, and a sedan that can seat 4 and drive a long distance in comfort. For me, that means
M3-- DD/track/fun
Land Cruiser-- driving more than 4 people, towing, plowing, overlanding, moving large things
6 cylinder e39-- long distance road trips, family stuff, driving 3-4 people, etc.

The sedan used to be a toss up between 6 cylinder e39 and e39 M5 (of which I've had both, put 130,000 miles on our e39 M5), but e39 M5 part pricing has made them untenable for regular use. Just priced a rear view mirror (just the glass) for a friend-- $1100. Dumb. I moved to a e60 M5 when e39 M5 parts pricing went nuts, but e60 was a huge downgrade from e39. Plus, the e39 6 cylinder cars are better than the M5's in a lot of ways-- 550 lbs lighter, better steering (rack and pinion on the i6's), full size spare. When I had the e39 M5 and 530i at the same time, I often found myself choosing the 530i for a back road blitz.

[amiao]

My current 3 car garage is as follows. E46 M3 mt, 135i N55 DCT, & for the family/business car (run my own business) RAV4 Limited Hybrid. Needed 1 reliable car that would be maintenance free. The RAV4 is modern, easy to drive, great on road trips, & cheap to insure. Will probably be swapping the 135i for either an E90 M3 or R33 skyline. IMO the SUV should be a worry free experience in order to upgrade/maintain the other cars.

[ugaexploder]

Had my company car taken from me going into a new role so no more minivan life. I have nothing but BMW's in the driveway now, G01 X3, G05 X5, and E46 M3.

[simon_c]

EV is the way to go for at least one daily imo. And you
re right, the peace of mind for a cheaper, reliable Honda was a big factor. Still have the E46M and a 981 Cayman in the stable to drain my wallet lol

[BTB]

You are way overthinking it. The cars you have right now are perfectly fine for one kid for the next few years. When I had my first, we had a E60 530i and a Z3. And never thought we needed anything bigger or different.
Cayenne should totally work for the job of a kid-hauler/family mobile.

Congrats on a little one!

Thanks !! Hah-- yeah I tend to do that. It's like I want to be an 'automobile curator' where each one has to be the ideal selection. The Cayenne has really been awesome at everything (other than cost)

[BTB]

I was considering an Ioniq 5 SEL because they were cheap to lease ($300/mo) but ultimately didn't love the look and the potential ICCU issues. Went with a Civic Hybrid Sport Touring instead which is not nearly as fun but more of a daily commuter. Also sold my tuned F16 xdrive35i X5 for a CRV hybrid touring. I guess this is old age kicking in

😆😆

The desire to have one car that is not a German luxury car is strong, for some weird type of piece of mind. Even though 3 cars always gonna cost more than 2 cars. Somehow in my mind this means it should be a 600+ HP EV

[TexaZ3]

You are way overthinking it. The cars you have right now are perfectly fine for one kid for the next few years. When I had my first, we had a E60 530i and a Z3. And never thought we needed anything bigger or different.
Cayenne should totally work for the job of a kid-hauler/family mobile.

Congrats on a little one!

[simon_c]

I was considering an Ioniq 5 SEL because they were cheap to lease ($300/mo) but ultimately didn't love the look and the potential ICCU issues. Went with a Civic Hybrid Sport Touring instead which is not nearly as fun but more of a daily commuter. Also sold my tuned F16 xdrive35i X5 for a CRV hybrid touring. I guess this is old age kicking in

[BTB]

If anyone cares, I'm seriously considering an IONIQ 5 N. So cool, and would complement the Cayenne and E46 so well IMO. I likely will get the E92 prepped for listing and see how we do with just the 2 cars for a bit. Maybe next year go for a 3rd car depending on how we feel

[LSB4Me]

Speaking of air cooled, I made a filthy liar out of myself re: my post not two weeks ago in this thread to not do two old German cars with a little one. 88 Carrera 3.2 incoming alongside my E39 M5. 88s and later got rear shoulder belts

Ayyy congrats on the G50. The late Carreras are fantastic. Hurry up with the SSIs and Steve Wong chip.

While I’m here, the stock AC in these cars is decent. Modern AC is a $4k outlay and works like a champ.

[PSUEng]

My daily is a 2022 Tacoma modified. Love it. Wife drives an X5. I wouldn't have a daily German vehicle--no time to mess with it, running costs, etc.