Here's my sad story.
My 2009 335i LCI Sedan, 6spd, RWD, Sport Pkg etc., which I've had from new, factory order was involved in a collision recently. It is likely going to be deemed a write-off from the numbers (repair estimate / vehicle value). I was hit in the driver side rear quarter, and with the nature of the unibody construction, the labour involved with replacing that panel is quite involved.
Regardless of how generous the insurance payout will be (give or a take a couple thousand), it's still a shitty situation. My car must've been a lucky one, the opposite of a lemon, compared to some of the stories and jokes I hear about N54s. Rarely any issues. That said, even before this accident, over the last couple years I periodically wondered to myself what the heck I'd replace this car with (when the time came due) that would come close to the value, performance and driving enjoyment of my E90 335i.
Well here I am. Looks like I'm going to have to come up with something pretty damn quick.
New vs. Used.
I've typically been a new car buyer, either negotiating the best cash deal and using HELOC to manage to balance, or occasionally have used a dealer finance plan depending on the deal. I tend to pick THE car I want/desire and keep it long term, vs. flip 'em every few years.
Buy vs. Lease.
I generally haven't considered the lease option, mainly based on my usual buying and ownership cycle, plus the notion of mileage restrictions, damage penalties, etc.
Cheap interim purchase vs. all in on THE next car
This is the do I buy something on the cheap for now just to get me by for the next season or two and defer the decision of the next big purchase to later, or just get it over with now. That could mean looking for a comparable used BMW similar to what I have or one of its competitors. Of course, I'm not likely to be as lucky with say another N54 car. Shrug.
Buying the next car.
Oh boy. Where to start. AWD is a high want.
Manual or DSG? Up until now I'd been reluctant to give up the manual gearbox, but now I'm willing to give it a try. (I would say hard no to something like a Nissan CVT, but the sequential gearboxes intrigue me).
Needs decent back seat room (at least as good as the rear seat row in an E90 sedan). I have two kids aged 7-8, who will likely be teenagers while I still own this vehicle. It won't be the main family hauler (wife has a 3row SUV). It will be my commute to work car plus dropping kids off at school etc.
I've typically been a sedan guy, buy would consider a smaller to mid-size SUV.
Here are some cars that have crossed my radar:
VW Golf R, Audi RS3 or S4, BMW 3-series (the new gen, not F-series), Infiniti Q50, Mazda 6 (yeah I know, a bit downmarket from the rest)
SUVs:
Porsche Macan (used?), Merc GLA/GLC
Any recommendations based on my situation and preferences would be appreciate.
I was really into the Golf R coming out of the auto show in the spring. It seems to hit a nice sweet spot of performance, practicality, size, etc. The back seat room seemed roughly comparable to my bimmer. It has close to that ~300hp range, AWD, and either a 6spd MT or a DSG. The only issue is my understanding is the R is now out of production (until the mk8) so could I even get a new unmolested one from leftover dealer stock? (I haven't made dealer visits or calls yet)
I'd consider another BMW, but the F series never interested me. I've been hearing the new 3 series is much improved. But is it too early in its model cycle?
Anything I missed that should be on my radar that I might not have considered? Thanks.