[JingChai]

My dad ordered the new Tesla Model 3 and it should be arriving sometime next year in March to May. He doesn't want to give up his 2006 530i that he bought new from the factory because he wanted a 6MT which was impossible to find in the US without special ordering.

I told him that I could sell my car and buy his off of him so he can still drive his E60 from time to time. I currently have a 2011 328i with 6MT that only has 59k miles.


His car has around 45k miles if I remember correctly. The issue is that there has been at least 3 accidents involved with his car that I know of, but none of them were major. Also there are a few features that he doesn't have like an usb and aux input that I have on my car.


My question is if you were given this option, would you go from a newer E90 to an older E60?

Thanks!

[Biginboca]

If you need the extra room then it makes sense.

I have a 4 door Jeep when I need extra space so I would not consider the trade because I like the more nimble handling and lighter weight of the 3 series.

[Dlpfcb]

I am just throwin out my 2 cents because I have owned an E60 and I got rid of that think so fast after I got out of my CPO warranty. Everything started to break. Fuel bank, alternator, water pump and the list goes on. Only had 65 k miles when I dumped it but it was a maintance nightmare. When I went to trade it in they offered me what I owed on it and I shouted for joy. TAKE IT! I would go towards the E90 from my experience. Maybe I just got a bad one but won't touch that car again.

[DDD31]

I went from a 2007 E90 335i to a 2008 E60 535xi. There is quite a difference in the two cars with both having good points and bad points. The E90 was definitely sportier and had much better driving dynamics (granted the E60 was an xi which had the base suspension while the 335 was RWD and had the sport package). The E60 was definitely more luxurious with a much nicer interior, higher quality materials, and overall better fit and finish. The E60 rode better over our cratered roads and had less road and wind noise. I always felt the E60 was definitely a step up in model lines compared to the E90.

I preferred my E60 over my E90 but in your case it would be very difficult going to a 5 year older car that has had some accident damage so in my opinion I would probably stick with your E90.

[JingChai]

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

[Dave4501]

I used to have an 06 330i w/ Sport Pkg and moved to an 07 530i also with Sport Pkg. I loved both cars. In fact I wish I still had them today. I personally would prefer the E60 you mention but I would drive it and see what you think.

Neither is worth very much in today's world so it really comes down to what you like.

Today, I have a 2012 535 and I hate the car. It drives like a Buick. Oh how I miss my E90 and my E60.

[Boland01]

Originally Posted by DDD31

I went from a 2007 E90 335i to a 2008 E60 535xi. There is quite a difference in the two cars with both having good points and bad points. The E90 was definitely sportier and had much better driving dynamics (granted the E60 was an xi which had the base suspension while the 335 was RWD and had the sport package). The E60 was definitely more luxurious with a much nicer interior, higher quality materials, and overall better fit and finish. The E60 rode better over our cratered roads and had less road and wind noise. I always felt the E60 was definitely a step up in model lines compared to the E90.

I preferred my E60 over my E90 but in your case it would be very difficult going to a 5 year older car that has had some accident damage so in my opinion I would probably stick with your E90.

We've got a 2007 and 2008 335i E92 both with a sport and a 2010 535ix. Exactly what was stated above.

[srmast1]

I would say that swap doesn't sound like a bad idea IF the e60 was a 2011 535 AND did not have such an extensive accident list. But no, I personally would not swap an 2011 e90 for a 5 year older, slower e60 unless you are absolutely desperate for a 5 series and this is your only way to get one. Just ask yourself, if this wasn't your father's car (but was the same car with the same issues/accidents) would you even consider doing this? Also, the e60 body style looks extremely dated at this point. Even more dated looking than the e90.

[bkwld]

Short answer no. I think your issue is not financial or being practical rather sentimental. In which case you keep both.

[avocet]

Originally Posted by JingChai

The issue is that there has been at least 3 accidents involved with his car that I know of, but none of them were major.

Thanks!

You have a known history of this car since new, and it was driven by your DAD. If the accidents were minor this should not even be on your radar.

If you want an e60 530i then I would consider this a no brainer. BUT if deep down you want your e90 then, well, that is a no brainer as well.

[natedog7700]

Nah to big

[Unknown_Car]

Tell him to keep it if he doesn't want to sell it. Plus with the 530i he can travel, but with tesla you cant.

[TemjinX2]

i would say only for a e60 M5 6 speed manual...but since its it for your dad. Go for it.

[RocketSurgeon]

Your car is much newer, I wouldn't trade for a car that is that much older. That being said, I definitely see the appeal of a 5 over a 3. I really like my 335i M-sport, but it rides like absolute hell. It makes me miss my old e39 540i sometimes. The 5 has a few more fancy little goodies that can break, but that's pretty typical. The e60 also has the whole trunk flooding thing. I think I would keep the e90 and persuade dad to keep the e60. A manual e60 is a rare thing, surely it would provide enough driving enjoyment to justify keeping it.

[unrealii]

That e60 is going to feel dated compared to you 2011 e90. I would stick with the e90.

[CTinline-six]

He should keep the 530i as a second car for two reasons.

1. Tesla will probably take 5 years before they even make enough Model 3's

2. He can drive the 530 when the Tesla is always broken

[calicolorado]

Originally Posted by JingChai

My dad ordered the new Tesla Model 3 and it should be arriving sometime next year in March to May. He doesn't want to give up his 2006 530i that he bought new from the factory because he wanted a 6MT which was impossible to find in the US without special ordering.

I told him that I could sell my car and buy his off of him so he can still drive his E60 from time to time. I currently have a 2011 328i with 6MT that only has 59k miles.


His car has around 45k miles if I remember correctly. The issue is that there has been at least 3 accidents involved with his car that I know of, but none of them were major. Also there are a few features that he doesn't have like an usb and aux input that I have on my car.


My question is if you were given this option, would you go from a newer E90 to an older E60?

Thanks!

I like E60's but I would keep your 2011 E90 unless you need a larger car than the 328. Both are manuals, which is sweet, but the better handling, lighter weight of the 328 are, in my opinion, far more appealing than the larger E60. I have two young kids, so I have contemplated going from my 328 to a 5er, but none are manual beyond 2011-13. I also enjoy the E90 so much.

[calicolorado]

Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon

Your car is much newer, I wouldn't trade for a car that is that much older. That being said, I definitely see the appeal of a 5 over a 3. I really like my 335i M-sport, but it rides like absolute hell. It makes me miss my old e39 540i sometimes. The 5 has a few more fancy little goodies that can break, but that's pretty typical. The e60 also has the whole trunk flooding thing. I think I would keep the e90 and persuade dad to keep the e60. A manual e60 is a rare thing, surely it would provide enough driving enjoyment to justify keeping it.

YES, find a way to keep the manual E60!

[max_330i]

If I were in your shoes, I would keep my E90. The above posters are correct that manual E60's are rare; however, what exactly are you gaining by going from the 2011 328i to the 2006 530i? Other than its novelty and rarity, what's better about the E60? From what I can tell, you would gain the ability to more comfortably carry passengers, but lose straight line performance, handling ability, and some degree of reliability.

When I browse Craigslist/Autotrader I am always thinking "what is the newest car my money can buy..." I would never trade my '06 330i for any '01 5-series, or any 2001 car for that matter. But hey, you might have different priorities, and if that's the case then do whatever you please.

[JingChai]

I spoke to my dad again this week about this and he's more open now to the idea of selling/trading in his E60 and keeping my E90 because it's newer and would make more sense than the other way around.

I told him he can drive my car if he really wants that 6MT feel again.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by JingChai

I spoke to my dad again this week about this and he's more open now to the idea of selling/trading in his E60 and keeping my E90 because it's newer and would make more sense than the other way around.

I told him he can drive my car if he really wants that 6MT feel again.

That's probably for the best. If your dad is a 5-series guy, he can probably find the newer F10 generation with a manual transmission, too. No offense but a three-accident manual E60 is well beyond the "collector" category, so its future would be as a fun daily driver, which you don't need.