Hi everyone! It has been a while.

My daily driver is a 2015 m235i and I truly love it. But, for reasons I will spare you, I need to replace it with something else and I’m turning to this trusted Reddit to help me decide with what.

My m235i is the best, most fulfilling car I’ve owned. Quick, AWD, small form factor, a joy to drive, confidence-inspiring, comfortable, technologically modern and decently equipped. But if I had to identify something I occasionally miss, it’s the ‘utility’ factor. It’s not an impractical car, don’t get me wrong (certainly more practical than a 2-seater), but moving things or people can be a task. So if I were going to replace it, I’d want something with at least 4 doors that wouldn’t be too much of a compromise in the other areas.

I’m trying to stay at or below $15k. Here are some options I’ve considered and my thinking on each (I have found examples of each in this price range, so no need to discuss my price range): E90: I would target an n55 model, so 2010+ 335i sedan. Future upgrades could conceivably match or outperform my m235i. F30: same as above, a 335i, could mod/upgrade it in the future. F36: 435i Gran Coupe has the looks! same thoughts as above. F10: haven’t driven this generation, but many accounts make the 535i sound like a bargain, while others make it sound like a boat. For something this big, I wonder why I wouldn’t just go for the practicality of an SUV. E60: I have seen a couple M5’s in this price range. I know the V10 can have its issues…but it’s an M 😅 E84: the X1 xDrive35i seems like a potentially very worthy platform. I’ve read that it drives like an E90 with crossover/SUV practicality in a package that is only 2-inches longer than my m235i. With future upgrades, I wonder if this could be the “ultimate balance” or if I’m completely crazy. (I know I might lose the purists here, as many dislike the idea of an SUV altogether. I don’t mean to offend!) E70: I’ve seen a couple X5M’s in this range. Never driven this generation, but the reviews were great. Like my comment about the F10, if I had the choice between an E70 X5M and an F10, I don’t know why I wouldn’t pick the X5M. At the same time, I’m not naive enough to believe it would drive anything like my m235i, but could be fun in its own right.

I’m open to other suggestions too, even non-BMW ones (blasphemy, I know). Have even considered an earlier Porsche Cayenne (GTS, Turbo, or Turbo S) but I’ve never driven one of these either.

Of course I plan to test drive anything I haven’t yet, but wanted the opinions of this trusted community to help me narrow my focus.

Please let me know what you think and why, and know that I value your perspectives!