New here. This place looks like a great resource for info and help.

Considering getting into an AWD car for my 70 mile (round trip) daily commute. Rain season here again and AWD seems like a good idea more and more.

Love my 335i, but I've had it for a while, warranty is expired, and ready for a change. The bimmer is pretty loaded with just a few light mods. For my next car, I'm thinking to go more frugal and not spend money on stuff I don't really need (premium sound system, concierge service, etc), and I'll resist modding...in keeping with the spirit of a practical DD.

The base model Evolution MR seems like it has everything I need for a DD. I might consider the Touring Package because it has some nice practical stuff w/o spending on non-essentials.

My favorite EVO color is Wicked White, but would probably settle for silver to fit into my goal of a total daily driver because silver hides the dirt and I want a real low maintenance car....silver paint can go much longer between washes and still look OK. I have a black car now and it looks clean for about 1 day after a wash.

I have lots more to read and learn, but I'm happy to have found this community!

 

well you probably won't regret getting an MR coz its less expensive to maintain but I don't know about avoiding the mod bug. BMW's are nice but hard on the pocket to maintain. I myself is contemplating on getting an M3 coz I wanted something that is more livable and mature than the Evo 9 but thinking twice coz of the price to maintain having own an X5.

 

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Thx, bzguy78. You probably won't regret the M3, it is a great car. BMWs are great, this is my 4th bimmer, and I'm simply ready for something different and something more practical.

I used to worry about the mature part, and whether a guy like me who's over 40 should be in an EVO. But I think I've reached the point now that I don't care as much what other's think about my car. I'll admit I'd be lying if I said I didn't care at all.

At least the MR doesn't have the big trunk spoiler (which I really like BTW). But my coworkers would probably give me some crap about it. And my wife might not want to borrow my car if her car was in the shop. Hence the still caring somewhat about what other's think.

 

I would personally go with the MR-T (Touring)

Subtle lip spoiler, leather heated Seats, BBS Wheels etc, all around excellent car.

Few things:
1. Plan on buying all season or dedicated winter tires as the stock tires are absolutely terrible in the snow and not so good when the weather is sub 30 degrees.

2. The EVO is expensive to maintain as well

3. The EVO X have small trunk space

4. The mod buy will bite you. A tune on a bone stock car will do wonders and is very easy to switch back to stock.

The AWD system is awesome. If you have more specific questions just ask.

 

Thanks for the tips, Srt-4 Turbo.

Yes, I think for my needs, the Touring Package is the 1 option to get if I budget for just 1 add-on. Does the sound deadening add much weight? I actually don't mind a louder car, but it isn't like they let us pick and choose which items we want in the Touring Package.


Touring Package
MSRP: $2000
Power glass sunroof with sunshade
Leather seating surfaces
Heated seats & door Mirrors
Auto rain-sensing wipers
Auto on/off headlights
Improved sound deadening

 

Where in norcal are you? I also have an 07 335i.

 

The MR-T is a nice car but if all you need is AWD for the rain then BMW's cheesy IX drivetrain would work fine for you. I traded my 325xi for an Evo and there's really no comparison in quality. The paint on my Evo looks worse after 14k miles than the BMW did at 70k. Make sure that you look into the common problems with these cars...you'll want to clearbra the car immediately.