Will the modded 335i vs m3 discussions stop with the m4?

[rondocap]

What's better than a manual vs DCT thread? Not much, but the original bad boy was the m3 vs modded 335's that always popped up. Obviously misguided as the m3 isn't about just power.

But, what will happen now that we have a turbo m3/m4? Chances are anything a 335 can do, the m4 will go further. So I predict the end of these comparisons in the next gen.

I suspect most m3 owners never gave much credence to these anyway, and it was mostly 335 owners doing the comparing.

[bris2013m3]

Aren't they making a 435I so it will start over again..

[aus]

The big question is, will a tuned 335 have similar power to a tuned M3/M4/4GC?
Probably not since the N55 doesn't seem to produce the power the N54 did.

.

[Haywood]

God I hope so! I ran into a guy I used to work with who just got a 335is. I told him I got a M3. The first thing he says, "Do you know my car has my torque". I won't be associating with him again!

[Ezio]

I dont think it will stop completely, but surely with the new FI engine will not help 335 owners case.

[nujabes24]

Originally Posted by bris2013m3

Aren't they making a 435I so it will start over again..

Dude your are correct. It will never stop. The same dudes with 335i's will move up to 435i's just like we will with the m4. Meaning the battle will continue.

[FogCityM3]

Think it will actually get worse, now that its FI vs FI..at least with this last gen, you can't deny the uniqueness of a high-revving N/A engine.

[pkimM3r]

I dont know whats worse:

335 fbo vs m3 or, JB M4.

[PopsnBurbles]

The 335i/435i owners will reason their purchase. They will say, "well, I spent $10k less than you with the M4. If I spend that 10k on mods, my car will destroy yours (in a straight line)."

[nujabes24]

Originally Posted by 328pride

The 335i/435i owners will reason their purchase. They will say, "well, I spent $10k less than you with the M4. If I spend that 10k on mods, my car will destroy yours (in a straight line)."

+1 you actually have my laughing my ass off

[Gimmie5]

Originally Posted by rondocap

What's better than a manual vs DCT thread? Not much, but the original bad boy was the m3 vs modded 335's that always popped up. Obviously misguided as the m3 isn't about just power.

But, what will happen now that we have a turbo m3/m4? Chances are anything a 335 can do, the m4 will go further. So I predict the end of these comparisons in the next gen.

I suspect most m3 owners never gave much credence to these anyway, and it was mostly 335 owners doing the comparing.

Truth is, in this generation of 335i vs. M3, the debate is weak. (Some) 335i tuners do whatever they can to make their cars M3-like, M3-looking and perhaps even over performing in certain aspects, BUT, they bought a completely different "factory" package. Flairing fenders, changing bumpers, suspension mods, engine mods and the transformation is STILL not there. And yet, you ran up the bill. If talking used cars, the M3 is price matched considering these modifications. Drive the 335i because it's a good and fast car, period. Not because you want to transform it to an M copycat? Ridiculous.

There is NO DEBATE among M3 drivers, this is purely invented by (some) 3-owners. Imagine Carrera owners looking to mod-like 911 Turbos? Please, save your dough. I'd recommend the Pontiac Fiero - Ferrari conversion kits instead, like they did back in the day. At least you'd actually save money to create the knock off.

Make your car to your own, there's beauty in that. Don't try to make it into a different factory car, that's just weird.

[Ashley Schaeffer BMW]

Won't they have the exact same engine for the most part?

[pbonsalb]

The fact that BMW is going to a twin turbo 3.0L inline 6 for all around performance and daily driveability like the 135/335 with N54 speaks for itself.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

The fact that BMW is going to a twin turbo 3.0L inline 6 for all around performance and daily driveability like the 135/335 with N54 speaks for itself.

Unfortunately, it appears what that is really speaking to is BMW's main motivation in recent years -- short term focus solely on profit margins while milking the revenue stream as much as possible. It is vastly cheaper to simply create spin-offs of mainstream engines for their M-models, and if the population of BMW buyers accepts those (and all appearances are that they will simply line up to buy like the latest smartphone), then *bingo*, huge returns, bonuses for all management, etc.

It appears they are slowly but deliberately milking 40 years of customer goodwill in the brand (something that was hard earned and not without huge ups and downs here in the USA over that time), milking a new cast of buyers while forgetting (not caring actually) what got them there in the first place. It's the modern MBA-way -- cost reduce, increase margins, milk decades of customer goodwill out of a brand over a few short years -- why? Because of the way corporate rewards are structured. What gets rewarded is what gets done.

[carchrism5]

BMW's answer to the modded 335 vs m3 threads was the 1M, hahaha.

But somehow I think the 335 vs m3 will never end because some group will be like "with the saved money i can put in a roll cage, track tires, coils and take out my whole interior and beat a new M4 around a track" because that is a perfectly logical comparison, haha.

[e92livin]

tuned 435 vs m4 thread is next ... until you mod the m4.

[TurboBimmer]

There will be no 435i vs M4 threads, as BMW got things right this time and the enthusiasts will buy the M4 right away.

*flamesuit on*

[TurboBimmer]

What some fail to realize is WHY the 335i vs M3 debate arose.

Simply because the E9X M3 from the factory is not THE Uber-performer as is was the case with the previous generations. Yes, you get the nicer bodywork, some (slight) interior changes, better suspension. And a different engine.

I'm saying different and not bestter on purpose, because the S65 really does not appeal to all. Lack of torque, horrible mpg. You get the picture. If you don't, simply check the "why did you leave the M3" thread in the VS subforum.

And then you have the 335i which, with some simple mods can be made to run faster in a straight line than its big brother. For alot less money. BMW shot itself in the foot with this one.

[Gimmie5]

^ Nope.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

The fact that BMW is going to a twin turbo 3.0L inline 6 for all around performance and daily driveability like the 135/335 with N54 speaks for itself.

Too many m3 owners complained about mpg. And lets not forget the rest of the tree huggers and their laws on earth.

[i001947]

Throw in the M4 guys and the discussion will only get worst. The next thing we hear from the new M4 guys is "mine is better than your M3 crap".

It's all good!

[TurboBimmer]

Originally Posted by i001947

Throw in the M4 guys and the discussion will only get worst. The next thing we hear from the new M4 guys is "mine is better than your M3 crap".

It's all good!

Interestingly, the 4 series chassis is very different from the 3 series chassis. According to magazine tests, they drive totally differently: 3 is comfort focused whilst the 4 is much more dynamic and sporty.

I wonder how BMW will deal with these differences for the M3/M4 variants.