Thinking About Next BMW Lease

[journeyman73]

hi guys,

I just recently joined this (and another popular BMW forum) and thought i might post here to solicit some more thoughts...

my current lease ends in the next few weeks and i visited my local dealer a few days ago. i was thinking of getting a 335 and he mentioned the really attractive rates on the e93. since i had never been in an m3 before i figured i should at least test drive it.

holy smokes - unreal! aesthetics, exhilirating to drive, i even liked the ride better than the 335.

BUT, obviously it is quite a bit more than the 335 and i guess i am curious if many of you m3 drivers use it only for road driving or if most of you track (i think that seems to be the term) yours? in a way, i just wonder if the m3 would be overkill for me.

part of the issue is coming off the m3 test, the 335 (though clearly a great car) doesnt fill me with the same sort of excitement as the m3....perhaps i am already bitten and its too late.

Also, i have recently come across some posts here that suggest that for everyday (i.e. non-track driving) one might actually get better acceleration/power/performance characteristics from an 335is (or even 335i)??? This has jolted my thinking a little bit, since i had thought one of the things that i would be getting for the additional cost of the m3 would be unquestionably better performance, even in non-racing environments. is this not a given??

at any rate, thougts would be most welcome!

[ttt]

I'm afraid that's a question only you can answer.
And I think you already answered it "holy smokes - unreal! aesthetics, exhilirating to drive, i even liked the ride better than the 335."

Regarding the performance question - that kinda depends on your driving style. Do you like to rev the engine? If so, take the m3. If that's not your style, then a 335i/s might be more suitable.

[I am Jeff]

People who are coming from a 335 and have never contemplated upgrading to a M3 are usually shocked by the attrocious MPG's that the M3 gets. The M3 is a great car, but if it's your DD and you are expecting decent gas mileage, the M3 isn't for you. If you live in a city with bumper to bumper traffic and don't spend the majority of your time above 3500 rpm, the M3 will feel slower. If none of the above are concerns or applicable, by all means get the M3. That's my 2 cents.

[MonteCarloM3]

don't do it. go get an RS5 when it comes out cuz it's the best.

[cmk227]

Man,
Get the ///M. It just a wonderful car. You will definately enjoy it.

[Prince_of_Persia]

I use my car as my DD and I ABSOLUTELY love it. If money is an issue, why don't you consider getting a CPO ?

[Prince_of_Persia]

Originally Posted by MonteCarloM3

don't do it. go get an RS5 when it comes out cuz it's the best.

WHAT?!

[kaykay]

Another winning thread over here

Let me help you out: The M3 is far superior to the 335, no question.

If you can afford it, get it, if not, don't. Simple.

The M3 is one of the best cars in the world, it really is.

[mr_yogi]

i got an M on the way (currently the boat is leaving Balitmore harbor). it slaps the 335 all around town (as demonstrated by your reaction). regarding the 335is - as said above, depends on your driving style. if you're spending most of your time in traffic with low rpms, a turbo makes more sense (i.e. 335is) with regards to both feel and fuel efficiency. if you're going to be a free-revving junkie, then the M3 can't be beat, and to hell with fuel efficiency.....

[hova00]

The M3 is such a great car that i am on my second one.
Traded the 08 in and ordered up a 2011 without hesitation

[GreasyGinzo]

A 335 is no M3 JB3, DP or not.

[esquire]

I own both so I believe I'm one of a few people on this board positioned to give you solid, unbiased advice on your dilemma

The M3 is a spectacular car, but don't be fooled - it eats an inordinate amount of gas. If you're using this as a DD be prepared to be filling up about twice as often as a 335... if not more. With gas prices where they are and where they're predicted to be going because of the unrest in the middle east, your ability to afford that much gas HAS to be a serious factor in your equation. I'll tell you that I was quite surprised by how much less efficient the M3 was than the 335 as far as fuel economy goes. I personally am filling the M3's tank up about 2-3 times a week (Compare that to my 335 that i would fill about 1 - 1.5 times a week).

The M3's handling is world's better than the 335i's. But the 335i's power is more on tap during normal street driving conditions. It pulls effortlessly from low RPMs, and at freeway speeds. The 335 offers immediate effortless power.

The M3 is much more fun to drive because of the fact that you can abuse it and throw it around and it will always stay planted to the ground. (though I can't speek for the e93 since i've never driven one). But you have to ask yourself how often you're going to be able to do that. Unless you track your car, probably not very often.

So here's my take on it:

The 335 is refined sports car - offers immediate smooth effortless power with great low end power on tap, above average fuel economy, but leaves you wanting in regards to handling

The M3 is a sports car unleashed - it takes work to tap into its roaring power, but if you're up for the work, and have the opportunity to explore it, its TRULY REWARDING. Stock for stock, you won't be pulling on a 335 from a roll at normal street speeds, in fact the 335 might pull on you. But take it to a track and you'll demolish the 335. Again, fuel cost might also be a factor for you though.


For a DAILY DRIVER, my personal choice between an e93 M3 an a 335 would be the 335. Make it an e90 or e92 M3 vs the 335, the choice would become much more difficult but in the end I'd probably opt for the M3, assuming that the extra cost is not a factor for you.

Hope this helps,
- esquire

[journeyman73]

Originally Posted by kaykay

Another winning thread over here

sorry, whats the problem with the thread?

thanks for the thoughts

[journeyman73]

Originally Posted by esquire

I own both so I believe I'm one of a few people on this board positioned to give you solid, unbiased advice on your dilemma

The M3 is a spectacular car, but don't be fooled - it eats an inordinate amount of gas. If you're using this as a DD be prepared to be filling up about twice as often as a 335... if not more. With gas prices where they are and where they're predicted to be going because of the unrest in the middle east, your ability to afford that much gas HAS to be a serious factor in your equation. I'll tell you that I was quite surprised by how much less efficient the M3 was than the 335 as far as fuel economy goes. I personally am filling the M3's tank up about 2-3 times a week (Compare that to my 335 that i would fill about 1 - 1.5 times a week).

The M3's handling is world's better than the 335i's. But the 335i's power is more on tap during normal street driving conditions. It pulls effortlessly from low RPMs, and at freeway speeds. The 335 offers immediate effortless power.

The M3 is much more fun to drive because of the fact that you can abuse it and throw it around and it will always stay planted to the ground. (though I can't speek for the e93 since i've never driven one). But you have to ask yourself how often you're going to be able to do that. Unless you track your car, probably not very often.

So here's my take on it:

The 335 is refined sports car - offers immediate smooth effortless power with great low end power on tap, above average fuel economy, but leaves you wanting in regards to handling

The M3 is a sports car unleashed - it takes work to tap into its roaring power, but if you're up for the work, and have the opportunity to explore it, its TRULY REWARDING. Stock for stock, you won't be pulling on a 335 from a roll at normal street speeds, in fact the 335 might pull on you. But take it to a track and you'll demolish the 335. Again, fuel cost might also be a factor for you though.


For a DAILY DRIVER, my personal choice between an e93 M3 an a 335 would be the 335. Make it an e90 or e92 M3 vs the 335, the choice would become much more difficult but in the end I'd probably opt for the M3, assuming that the extra cost is not a factor for you.

Hope this helps,
- esquire

interesting real world take, thanks for that!

i am curious, what is it about the e93 vs. e90/e92 that would make you get the m over the 335 for a DD?

also, how would you consider the 335is in the situations you described above?

[jluhiex]

You get hyped up driving this car. I'm finding more and more reasons to run errands just to hear the sound of that intoxicating engine.

[ksoze]

Originally Posted by 4G63

I didn't even tell my wife about buying the car and just came home with it. Life is too short, easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission.

A bold move indeed. I tend to run the finances by my wife to be fair, but she is not interested in the actual vehicle at all, but she accepts my other love interests. When I first showed up many years ago with a 1988 E28 M5, she did ask what the hell I just bought that shook the house when I pulled in the garage

[Lodaka]

I came from 335i to M3; so I share my thoughts here. I think 335i is a better DD based on the following:

1. Gas mileage (yea... M3 is atrocious in this regard, not that 335i has Prius-level mileage but I digress...).
2. M3 is no slouch when taking off from lights (legally), but I find that it does attract more attention (i.e. noisier and higher rev) to do so (which I don't mind). 335i does it effortlessly and quietly.
3. M3 rides a bit firmer.
4. DCT not as easy to use as easy to use automatic (ignore this if you are getting manual).

At times, I do miss 335i as I find that it is a different car from M3, and there are certain things that I do miss about it. However, as any M3 driver here will tell you, none of this matters; I like to be in M3 any chance I get. I can't really put my finger on it, but it's just a better package overall: can be quite tame when not pushed but when pushed, it's a monster. When it comes down to it, I will take my M3 each and every time...

[journeyman73]

Originally Posted by ksoze

A bold move indeed. I tend to run the finances by my wife to be fair, but she is not interested in the actual vehicle at all, but she accepts my other love interests. When I first showed up many years ago with a 1988 E28 M5, she did ask what the hell I just bought that shook the house when I pulled in the garage

well, in my particular case, my fiancee is strongly pushing me to get the M...a combination of she thinks its really the one i want plus its a convertible vs not (and she likes the look of the M more)

[journeyman73]

and you M lovers love it just as much when driving around town, not pushing it, not taking corners at 100 mph, etc.?

[MonteCarloM3]

Originally Posted by ksoze

A bold move indeed. I tend to run the finances by my wife to be fair, but she is not interested in the actual vehicle at all, but she accepts my other love interests.

I tell the wife I need a guy hobby, so it's gonna be playing around with sports cars or playing around...guess what i am allowed to do :P

[nick3753]

Originally Posted by MonteCarloM3

I tell the wife I need a guy hobby, so it's gonna be playing around with sports cars or playing around...guess what i am allowed to do :P

I'll have to try that one! Although she is so against me getting an M she'd probably choose the latter.

[GreasyGinzo]

Originally Posted by journeyman73

and you M lovers love it just as much when driving around town, not pushing it, not taking corners at 100 mph, etc.?

absolutly