[drumm8]

First, yes I know the 35i is much quicker. I have both of these and I'm curious what others would choose to keep if you could only have one or the other. Just had our first baby so the wagon is appealing but I'm not sure I can say goodbye to the turbo six... What would (or did) you do in my situation? Both are Msport fully loaded.

[axe127]

Tough call. Other factors to consider: both cars paid off? Mileage/upcoming service? The space and lower maintenance costs of the E91 probably make it the practical choice, but that depends on lots of stuff, including the above-mentioned factors.

I have an E91 bias, but finding another E91 6sp MSport later on will probably be tougher than finding another E90 6sp MSport 335, if you ever change your mind or decide you need one of each again.

[Biginboca]

If you and your significant other are sharing a car then the wagon would be more practical for sure. If it’s a 2 car household then I don’t see any reason why the E90 couldn’t work, especially if the other car is a SUV. Child seats in the back of a E90 is exact same as E91, and a stroller will fit an E90 trunk no problem.

Overall it’s a tough call. Strangely enough the manual E91 with the lowly N52 is likely to hold value better than a 335. And maintenance on the 335 is likely to be higher to boot. I’d probably hold on to the e91 cause I’m partial to N/A and it would be harder to replace.

[dakine_surf]

I'm totally partial to the e91 obviously... and I think a well maintained 6MT e91 with Msport will hold is value over time... it's a smaller market but 3 pedal wagons bring enthusiasts out of the woodwork.

The n52 is kinda a sweetheart of an engine anyway.

It's funny, maybe I just haven't driven my e91 in such a long time that I forget, but I never think of it as a "slow" vehicle. I don't seem to have a hard time keeping up with faster cars in the canyons... but I actually prefer to go slow and look good.

[Gamb1t]

I'd keep the e91. It's more practical, reliable and value for manual e91 will likely hold if not go up. While the 335i is almost as practical, it can be a real headache as a 1-car household. Reliability being the main knock. Also values will continue to tumble as they are a dime a dozen. You do not want to be in the situation to be stranded with your newborn by the 335i.

That said I'd keep the 335i as a second car because the reality is that you r not going get much money by selling it.

Lastly and most importantly.... Listen to what up with wife say on this matter!

[hassmaschine]

I'd keep the E91. I wish we still had ours. It was a great family car, and the 6 speed
with the 3-stage made it not annoying to drive.

do a 3 stage swap and tune if you want to have more fun in the wagon.

Although I don't see why a 335i sedan wouldn't work with a baby. You don't need an 8000lb SUV just because you have one kid.. mine are older and my 330i sedan works just fine.

[Donutz]

Swap the N54 into the e91.

[Bob Shiftright]

I would keep the E91, and buy a minivan.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Bob Shiftright

I would keep the E91, and buy a minivan.

This. Minivans are quite amazing

[W37V]

keep e91. They keep their value way better than any variation of e9x, especially 335.

[3ismagic#]

E91 MSport 6MT is a unicorn never to be seen again. I'd keep it til the wheels fell off.

[spak888]

I think we need to see them side to side...

[drumm8]

Thanks for all the replies 🙂 both cars are paid off, both similarly maintained, equipped with coilovers and upgraded brakes. They are both 2011's with cold weather, premium, Msport, comfort access, xdrive. The e90 is LMB and the e91 is space gray. Both black interiors. E90 has 90k and the e91 is at 110k.

We will still have 2 vehicles, but wife is not crazy about the wagon and prefers an SUV. Minivan is not an option since we both agreed we'd never go that route haha. If she won't stick with the wagon then we'll be getting an E70 X5 35i.

I'm considering keeping the wagon for me and doing the 3 stage manifold swap but I've heard mixed results about whether it's worth it or not.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cbmvw6aXwe93XEwK7

[Biginboca]

It’s totally worth the $300-400 it cost

[spak888]

Originally Posted by drumm8

Thanks for all the replies 🙂 both cars are paid off, both similarly maintained, equipped with coilovers and upgraded brakes. They are both 2011's with cold weather, premium, Msport, comfort access, xdrive. The e90 is LMB and the e91 is space gray. Both black interiors. E90 has 90k and the e91 is at 110k.

We will still have 2 vehicles, but wife is not crazy about the wagon and prefers an SUV. Minivan is not an option since we both agreed we'd never go that route haha. If she won't stick with the wagon then we'll be getting an E70 X5 35i.

I'm considering keeping the wagon for me and doing the 3 stage manifold swap but I've heard mixed results about whether it's worth it or not.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cbmvw6aXwe93XEwK7

Wow! I would keep the e91 if I were you... but if you don't, I'll buy it from you.

I could not find an e91 M-Sport for the wife after months of searching so she ended up with an f31 M-Sport. It's nice, but it's no e9x.

[Thorin]

The wagon has bigger rear doors, so it's easier to get a car seat in and out, or avoid hitting the kid's head on the roof sill when your kid gets in a front-facing car seat.

The wagon also comes with the roof rails, so cross bars are an easier option to get a roof rack/roof box/bike racks.

Keep the wagon. If power is an issue then sure, 3IM, and/or the diff from an auto.

[W37V]

Originally Posted by drumm8

I'm considering keeping the wagon for me and doing the 3 stage manifold swap but I've heard mixed results about whether it's worth it or not.

Not sure where you seen this, but def not the case. It's worth doing the swap, especially when combined with proper tune. You can do free route on bimmerlabs, or paid.

[hassmaschine]

We went from an E91 to an X5. Biggest mistake ever..

[avocet]

lol... I was just about to say get an E70 X5d. I have a 2011 DD and an E90 328i with enough mods to make it an impractical daily.

A few emission related issues but it is my second one. Awesome torque. I don't have a family but use it to haul my motorcycle trailer(6x12 enclosed 3-3500lbs with 3 bikes and gear) and does that with ease.

But being a fan of the N52, I'd say keep the E91.

[drumm8]

Originally Posted by W37V

Not sure where you seen this, but def not the case. It's worth doing the swap, especially when combined with proper tune. You can do free route on bimmerlabs, or paid.

Do you know of a thread that details the parts required to do it? I searched a bit and didn't find anything that seemed definitive. More just arguing lol

QUOTE=hassmaschine;25029134]We went from an E91 to an X5. Biggest mistake ever..[/QUOTE]

Why do you say that?

[hassmaschine]

It's too damn big. It's waaaaay more complicated and expensive to repair. The depreciation is way worse. It sucks gas. After the E53, you're stuck with the AT. I could go on..

The only reason we got it honestly is because it has the 3rd row. It can also tow a lot more but I never tow anything with it anyway..

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

It's too damn big. It's waaaaay more complicated and expensive to repair. The depreciation is way worse. It sucks gas. After the E53, you're stuck with the AT. I could go on..

The only reason we got it honestly is because it has the 3rd row. It can also tow a lot more but I never tow anything with it anyway..

Yeah, I’ve been eyeing 3rd row machines lately. Maybe I’ll stray from the brand and get an MDX or something.

Argh. Tough choice. Or and e350/400 wagon since they have a third row, as well. I don’t know Mercedes repairs tho, so ugh. I imagine much less info out there on self repair than BMW.

Any other you considered?