E85 Daily - Anyone still doing it?

[Chii]

Hey hey!

It's been a good while since I last posted.
I had a 2007 3.0si for 12 years and put 110k on it (from the 40k when I purchased) in that time driving it every day and Euro trips as often as possible.
It was fantastic, I then started doing a bit more driving for work and got a 640d and gave the Wife the Z4 for shorter trips. Eventually it let the wife down a couple of times and BMW / Specialists / Local Garage all couldn't work out what was wrong with it and 3k later I essentially gave it away to WBAC - wifes orders!

The 6 Series is class, it's essentially excellent at everything - but I'm a bit bored...

I was looking at a few E89s but I don't really know them, and the boot space with roof down puts me off a fair bit. We often took the E85 camping round Europe. Looks like that would be a struggle in a E89.

I'm back on the hunt for a Z4 but wanted to see what people thought about driving a 07 e85 every day for work ~ 35miles a day in 2026!

I've seen a few e85s that look good, I'm probably hoping to get a lower mileage example to try and get another 10 years out of it, but maybe that's a dream.
Picture attached of my previous Zed.

 

[Rockhopper]

Mine is my daily. its a 2005 car and is now on 125k miles.

 

[enuff_zed]

My daily is a 2.2i 2004. Bought it with failed steering 4 years ago on 43k. Use it every day and it’s now on 78k. Replaced the shocks and brakes and its passed 4 MOTs without a single advisory. I will use it every day until either I or it croaks .

 

[Miscowjones]

Mine's an '06 3.0si daily, well a part-time daily - 11 mile commute each way, 3 days a week. Through Dorking and over Ranmore in the Surrey Hills, sets me up for the day and winds me back down again no matter the weather.

 

[wiganz4]

I've only ever used mine as a daily driver. In fact that's the bit I like most about it! Bought in 2018 with 54,000 on it and ive just passed 133,000 with no intention of stopping. Previously owned and garaged by a woman I know from new. Its a 2005 2.0i, with optional Nappa leather, comfort pack and upgraded stereo as options, and for all the stick n46 engines get on these forums it's got enough power to get me wherever I need to be with very good economy. I put 18" CSL wheels on and got rid of the run-flats, as well as de-chroming and fitted a Maxton rear spoiler. Done countless weeks away in it as well as nipping to the local builders yard and having stuff stuck out with the top down! I think the main part is constant preventative maintenance with these engines, along with keeping everything OEM or as best as possible on service and repair. I've definitely bought the car over and over with what I spend to keep it as it should be but there's no way I'd confidently find another with the service and maintenance history over it's lifetime. There's little marks and bits on it cosmetically but only usage stuff rather than any damage, but mechanically and electronically it's 100%. I actually intend to get to 200,000!

 

[DevonPaul]

My wife is currently daily-ing her 06 MC.

However I suspect that will stop when either the weather cools down, or we get another car with air con.

 

[Bolle]

I’m using my ’03 3.0 E85 as a only car, but ‘daily’ might a bit much. Living in the center of Amsterdam, I do a lot of daily things/shopping/errands walking or by bike, and some of my business appointments are easier by public transport. Generally I’d say I use the car 3-4 times a week for commuting and personal use.

Find the car good for that. Boot space is good for most things, and the car is modern enough, and had all the creature comforts, to make it great to use as a ‘normal’ car.

As with any older car you need to stay on top of preventative maintenance, I need to get off my *rse and do a cooling system refresh before that’s gonna leave me stranded one day.