M3 vs 335i

[BigGuyM3]

I've been reading some posts and I came across few that people are debating between the 335i and M3. Some are trying to justify that savings from 335i you can upgrade it and making a better car.

I own a 2008 335i Coupe Manual. I have this car for about 2 years. It is absolutely a great car no question about it. The power the handling, styling comfort, you name it the car has it and it feels great to drive.

I just test drove the 2010 M3 Coupe and I ordered it and will be here in less than two months.

Since I drove both cars, maybe I help some of the guys make a decision that is in between the both.

M3 has many reasons why its better: For one luxury and comfort of the seats make a huge difference (335i has premium package), the handling in another reason but mainly the rear differential, 335i one wheel spinning, while M3 got power to both wheels(limited slip).

Now the main one the power: Yes you can put lots of upgrades to the 335i and make it torque but that car isn’t build for that much power, one reason the rear differential isn’t made for it. (You'll have to upgrade that before putting the power to the ground efficiently)

Plus with the 335i with upgrades you have to worry about possible warranty problems, and its expensive to fix those cars, M3 will be stress free, when it breaks, warranty will cover it.

335i is a regular 3 series with few upgrades and great engine, M3 is build from beginning has a sports car.

My best suggestion is drive both cars, what you read and watch on YouTube isn’t the same as feeling the cars and diving them. That will help you make a decision very quickly. You will know and feel why some many people say the M3 is much better even if you upgrade the 335i (which is still one amazing car)

Now go drive the cars, and buy the one you like better and not what everyone else says. You'll know after driving them which one you like more.

BTW I'm a new guy to the site, this is my first post and want to say hello to everyone, and I enjoy reading everyones posts.

[chungdae]

Oh boy not another one of these threads. You will probable get flamed.

[!Xoible]

seriously man, seriously!

[alpineweissM3]

Sorry, but

[enfield]

Come on guys. That was an interesting opinion by the OP. He is not asking anything. He is just trying to help.

Welcome to the board.

[brava09]

The OP is right

M3

[GOLFFRR]

nice

[Leozap]

Can't argue with OP. For me, the only advantages that the 335i has over the M3 is that it's cheaper and it costs less gas . The M3 looks sexier than the 335i too.

[Poppin Fresh]

I don't think it was to start another BBQ cookout but to honestly give an opinion from a previous 335i owner's standpoint. We're all entitled to an opinion.

[littleyellowm3]

I completely agree. I just got my M3 on Friday and put 800+ miles on it since then. I came from a 335i coupe with a JB3. The feeling of the M is so much better than the 335i, even if it is not as quick... although my butt dyno thinks the M edges out the JB3.

[Buschy]

I had a 335 sold it got a m3 and then sold it and got another 335. so 335 is better then M3. LOL

[footie]

It's a shame these discussion always turn ugly, when really all anyone is saying that in their opinion one or the other is better suited to them. There is many agruments for saying the 335i is better and just as many reason to say the M3 is better, they are different animals that are designed for different purposes but each can fulfil each one's role reasonally well.

This is my personal opinion, so don't jump down my throat but I think the 335i M/Sport version is a better looking car than the M3. The lack of the power hump makes it's appearance more appealing and the same goes for the nose treatment.

Agree that for the purpose the M3 serves it LSD is an advantage but I wonder how big an advantage it will be when BMW start offering the vectoring diff from the X6 on their rwd models?

[GnokGnik]

Originally Posted by buschy

I had a 335 sold it got a m3 and then sold it and got another 335. so 335 is better then M3. LOL

Not trying to say OP is biased, but most people will always say what they own as better than the rest.

I.e 335i owner will say 335i is better than a M3 when it makes no sense. The M3 is the natural 'big brother' of the 335i in BMW's 3 series range (yes the m3 is a 3er). Just like some M3 owners will argue their balls off saying the M3 is better than the GT-R (it isn't in any way, the M3 was built to do what the GTR demolishes). Same thing for a 911 owner like me. I will probably argue for the 911 being better than the GTR....BUT IT ISNT In anyway relevant. The 911 is a posh track car, the GTR is a track car. As such they are apples to apples.

We are just trying to make ourselves feel better about a purchase that is a significant chunk of our property. 335i to M3 is an improvement, no question about it, but is it worth the $? That's were we posters come in arguing day and night for 100's of pages.

[GnokGnik]

Originally Posted by footie

It's a shame these discussion always turn ugly, when really all anyone is saying that in their opinion one or the other is better suited to them. There is many agruments for saying the 335i is better and just as many reason to say the M3 is better, they are different animals that are designed for different purposes but each can fulfil each one's role reasonally well.

This is my personal opinion, so don't jump down my throat but I think the 335i M/Sport version is a better looking car than the M3. The lack of the power hump makes it's appearance more appealing and the same goes for the nose treatment.

Agree that for the purpose the M3 serves it LSD is an advantage but I wonder how big an advantage it will be when BMW start offering the vectoring diff from the X6 on their rwd models?

You're in a tough position as you do not own any of the mentioned cars. This makes you more credible critic than a 335i owner or a M3 owner etc.

[zamm3k]

Originally Posted by GnokGnik

You're in a tough position as you do not own any of the mentioned cars. This makes you more credible critic than a 335i owner or a M3 owner etc.

I believe it says he drives an E92 335i.

[footie]

Originally Posted by GnokGnik

You're in a tough position as you do not own any of the mentioned cars. This makes you more credible critic than a 335i owner or a M3 owner etc.

As a post M3 owner (sold in mid August) I think you must have me mistaken with someone else.

[ihyln]

Originally Posted by GnokGnik

Not trying to say OP is biased, but most people will always say what they own as better than the rest.

I.e 335i owner will say 335i is better than a M3 when it makes no sense. The M3 is the natural 'big brother' of the 335i in BMW's 3 series range (yes the m3 is a 3er). Just like some M3 owners will argue their balls off saying the M3 is better than the GT-R (it isn't in any way, the M3 was built to do what the GTR demolishes). Same thing for a 911 owner like me. I will probably argue for the 911 being better than the GTR....BUT IT ISNT In anyway relevant. The 911 is a posh track car, the GTR is a track car. As such they are apples to apples.

We are just trying to make ourselves feel better about a purchase that is a significant chunk of our property. 335i to M3 is an improvement, no question about it, but is it worth the $? That's were we posters come in arguing day and night for 100's of pages.

Here's the thing, if you spend any time reading the threads over on e90post you will find many of the 335 making indignant remarks about the M3 and go as far as comparing their cars to GTRs, Vettes, etc.

The bottom line is whatever price difference 10 or 15k, it will take a lot more to be comparable to the M3 and that's the real truth to it. I'm not saying the 335i is a lesser car by any means but I think BMW screwed up by making the M3 "performance numbers" close to its sibling. Then again, the type of behavior you see is mostly from spiked hair and jager crowd. Because you don't see Porsche lower end owners ragging on 911s if they mod theirs to make more power.

[GnokGnik]

Good point

Edit: The only time I will take someone's opinion about cars seriously is when they are:

1, VERY knowledgeable about that very car.
2, driven it
3, do not own it

[MMMorish]

Originally Posted by GnokGnik

You're in a tough position as you do not own any of the mentioned cars. This makes you more credible critic than a 335i owner or a M3 owner etc.

Not for anything, but if you read the amount of posts that Footie has (5828), common sense would have you figure out that he's not here just for the fun of it, he's been around a while and his knowledge and input in this site are a valuable asset.

[BMW-driver]

A 335i is much better then an M3.

[Poppin Fresh]

[!Xoible]

i got to a point where i dont even care to read what people have to say about DCT, 335, and other things that went ridiculous on these forums.