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      04-17-2014, 07:05 AM   #1
the_e90
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New Purchase Dilemna - 08 M3 or 2011 335i

**Dilemma, not Dilemna**

Hello guys -

My beloved 325i has passed 182K miles, I bought her with only 8k miles about 6 years ago.

Its time to upgrade. And I am looking around at a few options. Maybe an input from you guys would help.

Here is what I can afford at the moment:

Choice 1:

2008 M3 Convertible, silverstone, manual with 38K miles. Not certified, no warranty. Overall good condition.

Choice 2:

2011 335i Convertible, silver, padel shifters, nav, sports package. Certified. 2 additional years of warranty. 2K $ lower than above M.

I understand having warranty is a massive plus. The 2011s are great looking 3, however the overall buying allure of an M car is very hard to beat.

What would you had done if you were in my place?

Last edited by the_e90; 04-17-2014 at 07:08 AM.. Reason: typo
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      04-17-2014, 07:37 AM   #2
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How much for the M?
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      04-17-2014, 07:37 AM   #3
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In my opinion if I went for the 335 and then a M3 pulled up next to me at a stop light I'd be jealous and regret the 335 and wish I went with the M even if it's $2k more and older. On that feeling is how'd is chose.
Good luck with your choice!!
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      04-17-2014, 07:40 AM   #4
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If it were just about the $2K price difference, it wouldn't be a question... but you know its not. You need to figure out what the M3 will cost you over the next few years and see if you want to spend that much. Good luck...
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      04-17-2014, 07:45 AM   #5
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Hi guys - here is the price:

2008 M3 manual - $37,900
2011 335i auto/warranty/maintainence - $36,900
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      04-17-2014, 07:49 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MerchantSailor03
In my opinion if I went for the 335 and then a M3 pulled up next to me at a stop light I'd be jealous and regret the 335 and wish I went with the M even if it's $2k more and older. On that feeling is how'd is chose.
Good luck with your choice!!
+1000

Find a good local Indy shop who can do the maintenance
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      04-17-2014, 07:56 AM   #7
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Thanks, but i only prefer dealer to work on my cars.

With my 325i, which of course is drastically different car than an M3, the cost of repair is very minimal. Only regular maintainence items every 6 months or so. Always dealer maintained.
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      04-17-2014, 07:57 AM   #8
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Not a dilemma. CPO it and it's a no brainer. Regardless of how many mods you put on a 335i, it will still never be a M and you won't ever enjoy one the greatest NA V8's ever produced.
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      04-17-2014, 08:06 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by the_e90 View Post
**Dilemma, not Dilemna**

Hello guys -

My beloved 325i has passed 182K miles, I bought her with only 8k miles about 6 years ago.

Its time to upgrade. And I am looking around at a few options. Maybe an input from you guys would help.

Here is what I can afford at the moment:

Choice 1:

2008 M3 Convertible, silverstone, manual with 38K miles. Not certified, no warranty. Overall good condition.

Choice 2:

2011 335i Convertible, silver, padel shifters, nav, sports package. Certified. 2 additional years of warranty. 2K $ lower than above M.

I understand having warranty is a massive plus. The 2011s are great looking 3, however the overall buying allure of an M car is very hard to beat.

What would you had done if you were in my place?
Nice dilemma to have mate!

I went the 325iM ->335iM ->M3 route myself. Entering the twin turbo 6 after the 325 is a massive change and will without doubt give you a smile as wide as it gets. If its Msport on top it gives you a fair chassis and the nice looks.
I'd settle for that as an interim solution and enjoy fully one step at the time, while you also get used to the increased cost..

PS. Also, 2008 is becoming an old car. Might be worth while to google around on M3 issues which certainly exists...
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      04-17-2014, 08:18 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywood View Post
Not a dilemma. CPO it and it's a no brainer. Regardless of how many mods you put on a 335i, it will still never be a M and you won't ever enjoy one the greatest NA V8's ever produced.
I just bought a 08 M3 w/ 37k I was concerned about it being off warranty as well. I bought extended service on the car through a reputable 3rd party and the dealer does all the work. ( I'm in Canada but its available in the US I've seen a few threads in the pre owned section w/ people discussing.)

I too was looking initially at a 2010 335 msport. once you drive the ///M3 it makes the decision for you. No chance I wouldn't have been disappointed buying the 335 with a M3 sitting there too for the extra couple grand.

Buyers remorse.... nothing worse.
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      04-17-2014, 08:33 AM   #11
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believe it or not, the 335i is more expensive maintenance wise than the m3..
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      04-17-2014, 08:55 AM   #12
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$36k seems very expensive for the 2011 335. For that price there are a lot of other great cars you can get. Heck, you can even find some 2013 335 sedans for that price.

As much as I like both, you also have to remember that the M3 will be more expensive gas wise. It seems like you put on a good amount of mileage per year on your car, so that gas expense can also add up significantly per year.
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      04-17-2014, 09:08 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by the_e90 View Post
Hi guys - here is the price:

2008 M3 manual - $37,900
2011 335i auto/warranty/maintainence - $36,900
Really 37,700 seems high to me for a 08 M, for a few thousand more or about the same you can probably find a 2010, all you need is Patients. 2008 is to old IMO to buy now, unless its much cheaper.

Check these out, 2011 M3=http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=895623

2013 335=http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=957108
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Last edited by Someone?; 04-17-2014 at 09:26 AM..
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      04-17-2014, 09:49 AM   #14
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Thanks. I am not looking to make a purchase with a private party.

Check this:

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...=GN_REFINEMENT

Either there are accidented cars or cars that actually dont exist and used car dealers are advertising to fish customers. Or high mileage.

So I guess price wise, nationally, this isnt that bad coming from a reputable BMW dealer.
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      04-17-2014, 10:12 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MerchantSailor03
In my opinion if I went for the 335 and then a M3 pulled up next to me at a stop light I'd be jealous and regret the 335 and wish I went with the M even if it's $2k more and older. On that feeling is how'd is chose.
Good luck with your choice!!
Exactly. That's how I felt with my 335is. At the gym there used to be an M3 everytime I finished a work out,And it just ruined my 335is for me lol. Till I switched.
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      04-17-2014, 10:52 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by the_e90 View Post
Hi guys - here is the price:

2008 M3 manual - $37,900
2011 335i auto/warranty/maintainence - $36,900
What are the miles on each one? This is an important variable...

You seem pretty conservative: No Indy shops, No private party purchase, 325i long time owner... which is not a performance car.

Are you looking to just upgrade or have you changed from conservative to wanting a performance vehicle? The M3 is performance oriented and hence has its own set of unique problems... and the 335i is a great upgrade from the 325i.

If your looking for performance: M3 coupe...skip the convertible with its dead weight. Get a warranty...$$ you don't want to own these cars without one.
If your looking for an upgrade from your previous car: 335i with warranty etc. much faster and better than your past 325i.

Note: Your going to get a lot of performance junkie, M3 owners on here telling you to go with the M3...including myself. I personally would not even own a BMW unless it was a M3.

Last edited by M3-S65; 04-17-2014 at 10:59 AM..
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      04-17-2014, 11:02 AM   #17
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Thanks, I like your last comment. Perhaps the reason I started this thread. Upgrading to a performance car from a 325i, without warranty. Worth it?
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      04-17-2014, 11:18 AM   #18
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Define worth it? I had 1999 328is and upgraded to M3. Totally worth it. You can still buy 3rd party extended warranty if you're concerned about unknown future issues. Wait until you find a coupe/sedan unless you're set on E93 M3. Think about the added cost of gas. If you still drive as much as you did, that's a huge expense going forward.
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      04-17-2014, 11:30 AM   #19
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Definately a good point. Well currently i put on average 450 miles a week on my 325i. The cost of filling up the gas is approx $63 per week. I am well preparred it would go higher.

Most of my driving is highway.
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      04-17-2014, 11:37 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by the_e90 View Post
Thanks, I like your last comment. Perhaps the reason I started this thread. Upgrading to a performance car from a 325i, without warranty. Worth it?
There are a couple of informative threads that discuss the higher mileage 2008 e9x M3s. TLDR: most owners just pay maintenance.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682601

and

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=951733
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      04-17-2014, 11:45 AM   #21
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The biggest burn is the old iDrive unit that you could operate with an oven mitt since it has two buttons.

Get the 08, CPO it, maintain it well and swap out the tail lights for the 2011+ LCI ones and your car will be so much better than any 2011 non M E93.

The maintenance isn't supposed to be so bad on the car. A brake job at the dealer will definitely cost you a good bunch though. Oil changes are no big deal once a year either. I had a 335is and that car was a nightmare for maintenance while it was under warranty, let alone out of it.
It got to a point where I was regularly wondering when my injectors or fuel pump would call it quits.

Don't be a squid. Get the M3.
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      04-17-2014, 11:58 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by the_e90 View Post
Definately a good point. Well currently i put on average 450 miles a week on my 325i. The cost of filling up the gas is approx $63 per week. I am well preparred it would go higher.

Most of my driving is highway.
So, you're paying about $.14 mile. Gas here in CA is high, $4.41 for shell/chevron 91 octane. Based on conservative calculations, 20mpg @ $4.41 and 450 miles. You're going to pay about $100 week, which is $37 more than what you're currently paying. That's going to add to your overall costs as well. I'm sure gas is cheaper in Chicago.

Switching from 328i to m3, that's what I didn't account for. lower mpg and premium gas. I guess you gotta pay to play

FYI, here's one clean e90 for sale locally. 2010 51k miles asking $39k. I think you can do better than your 2008 for $37k

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4419905359.html
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