[_2fast2furious_]

1. Get a new job
2. Move closer or somewhere else
3. Take public transit
4. Keep the bmw for the weekend car and buy a beater to drive the 100 mile run

[MarkDemma]

Originally Posted by _2fast2furious_

1. Get a new job
2. Move closer or somewhere else
3. Take public transit
4. Keep the bmw for the weekend car and buy a beater to drive the 100 mile run

1. I took this one because the pay was pretty damn good and didn't get an offer closer to me. With my severance run out, I really needed to accept this one.
2. Two words - rent control. Anyone that lives in the Bay Area knows knows you don't "just move" when you live in a rent controlled place.
3. Anyone who has ever tried to get from SF to Sunnyvale on public transit knows how precious you sound thinking that's even an option.
4. Isn't that what I was contemplating? A used electric so I could charge it for free at work.

But bless your heart for trying.

[FCBuff]

The struggle is real!
I also have a long commute and have all of the same issues and concerns. Whenever I try the "buy a beater" method, I find myself thinking "why am I not in my bimmer"? Life is too short! Drive what you want to drive and forget it. There will be other cars. There is no perfect answer really. The I3 seems like a good alternative idea to me with California specific issues...

I bought my son a 2003 330xi 6mt and every time I drive it I think it is the perfect car. Plenty of power, cool car, all wheel drive, stick, handles great, feels right! I paid around $6k for it and to me, that is the definition of a perfect "beater" minus the reliability/maintenance issues. Drive your ZHP. Problem solved!

[FCBuff]

Question? What is your vanos issue on your e46? Those cars are fairly easy to DIY? Lots of good info out there if you can turn a wrench.

[happyjack]

Originally Posted by DaleHeinz

Not a day goes by that I don't look forward to driving it to work and back on my 100 mile round trip commute to D.C. And, on the weekends, she's just what I need for driving like a hooligan and pissing off the left lane grannies.

Don't sweat putting miles on it. Just drive it and enjoy it. If you spend as much time in the car driving to work like I do, why not spend the time in a car you love?

so much this!

to the OP: trust me, beaters SUCK! i suffered though driving a nissan sentra and a subaru crosstrek. the seats are uncomfortable, they have horrible road noise, and when you finally pop out of the traffic they drive like @$$. there's no reason to divert onto a back road or take the long way home for some spirited driving to blow ff steam!! you're just in the awful limbo driving a crappy car 400 miles per week...and wasting all that time in a soulless car.

you didnt buy a bimmer to let it sit 4 days per week. drive it and enjoy it!

BTW, i'm also doing 100 miles daily around the DC beltway from annapolis to alexandria. over the years i've daily driven an E36, an E83, an E91, and now my F22.

edit: and definitely pay for the extended maintenance plan! i was more worried about those costs than the extended warranty

[USA-RET]

Personally, I'd buy a super-eco box car for the commutes. Something that gets in the high 30's low 40's MPG or an Electric (especially if you can recharge at work). i3 is expensive and the range isn't very good IMO. I'd look look a other less expensive EV's if I were you. There are a number w/ good range and less expensive than the i3. (Bolt and Leaf come to mind, both offer over 200 miles range ....Leaf starts at under $30K)

Not knowing your financial situation - if keeping the M240i as your long term "fun car" for weekends and keep it low miles is possible. I'd do that. If you can't, than a trade would make sense for something more practical.

I would be concerned keeping a BMW for long term high mileage use. Baring a major problem, normal wear items can be very costly.

I'd shy away from any used EV's. At present, it's my opinion that battery replacement is prohibitively expensive. Getting one that is used give you less service life. You could check out lease options for an electric, but based on your yearly mileage, probably not going to find one that fits.

[gnjlee]

I drive 37 miles each way for my commute in my M235i, but it is full of canyons and twisties here in Northern New Mexico, making it a no brainer to put the miles on my 2 as opposed to my Rubicon.