- 335 ----> M3 - Insight Needed

[HK_M3]

Hey all...I am sure this question has been asked in different capacities...and I have done some searching but alas a brief argument remains.

I have a 2007 335 and I think it handles like shit, the ride sucks...and the boost is annoying. I drove the M3 and I like it...it handles better, rides better and the engine sounds nice...although the exhaust and engine note are much more visceral on the M5.

So my question.....buy the 2009 335 (Gets rid of the chrome around the windows) drop coilovers and software into it...or bite the bullet for the M. I used to have a 95 M and loved it....I probably won't be doing any track days...

Thanks in advance,

Nate

[Year's_End]

if the 335i handles like shit to you, you might wanna step it up to a GT3 RS or a Scuderia

[nusevad]

Get the M3...its in a different league than a 335.

But ill bet if you ask the same question in the e90post section, majority of responses will tell you to keep the 335 and mod it.

Even though the 335 has a magnificent engine, overall it can never compare to a M3.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

Get the M3...its in a different league than a 335.

But ill bet if you ask the same question in the e90post section, majority of responses will tell you to keep the 335 and mod it.

Even though the 335 has a magnificent engine, overall it can never compare to a M3.

+1, my somewhat heavily modified 335xi (tune, IC, DP, exhaust, coilovers, sways, BBK) just didn't come close to confidence in handling of the M.

Get the M and don't look back. I know I made the right decision as soon as I got onto the highway on ramp after leaving the dealership. That was two nights and some 100 miles ago.

[HK_M3]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

if the 335i handles like shit to you, you might wanna step it up to a GT3 RS or a Scuderia

It's not like that. I feel that the 335 has too much understeer, the suspension is somewhat squishy at times...the rear end likes to lift while cornering and going over undulating terrain...that kind of thing....and the run flats are almost unbearable.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by HK_M3

It's not like that. I feel that the 335 has too much understeer, the suspension is somewhat squishy at times...the rear end likes to lift while cornering and going over undulating terrain...that kind of thing....and the run flats are almost unbearable.

ok, well handling like shit is not what i'd call it man.

the m3 will fix that. you could do that or get a stiffer suspension and non-RFTs. it doesn't matter, either one is fine. the m3 will cost more. if you have the $, do it.

[lincoln]

It sounds like if the cars cost the same, you'd get the M. So the real question is whether or not you believe the price difference is worth the difference in vehicles. You're asking the M forum where most believed that the difference in price was indeed worth it.

[HK_M3]

Originally Posted by lincoln

It sounds like if the cars cost the same, you'd get the M. So the real question is whether or not you believe the price difference is worth the difference in vehicles. You're asking the M forum where most believed that the difference in price was indeed worth it.

True story......thanks. (No sarcasm) I'm asking the M3 forum...because I want the justification nudge! haha

-Nate

[HK_M3]

Originally Posted by Kev

+1, my somewhat heavily modified 335xi (tune, IC, DP, exhaust, coilovers, sways, BBK) just didn't come close to confidence in handling of the M.

Get the M and don't look back. I know I made the right decision as soon as I got onto the highway on ramp after leaving the dealership. That was two nights and some 100 miles ago.

And I'm guessing you prefer the rush and feel of the V8 to the 335 modded?

[Kev]

Originally Posted by HK_M3

And I'm guessing you prefer the rush and feel of the V8 to the 335 modded?

I like the linear power delivery of the S65. It doesn't feel as slow as I thought it would in city driving. The M-DCT mated to the engine helps quite a bit in terms of delivering the power on demand.

The N54 has a boat load of TQ that is ready always there for you. However, the handling is very uninspiring and power delivery becomes boring after a while. I won't even have to kick down a gear to over take other people.

[Krueger///M3]

Originally Posted by Kev

I like the linear power delivery of the S65. It doesn't feel as slow as I thought it would in city driving. The M-DCT mated to the engine helps quite a bit in terms of delivering the power on demand.

The N54 has a boat load of TQ that is ready always there for you. However, the handling is very uninspiring and power delivery becomes boring after a while. I won't even have to kick down a gear to over take other people.

Congrats on the new car man!

[AWM3]

Getting rid of the runflats will help a lot with the ride and handling issues. The biggest difference is in the engines. The 335 has lots of torque and is a bit boring with a nondescript engine sound. The M3 is a lot racier and sounds great but is more work to drive. Which one is for you? Both are great cars.

[dawgdog]

If you are going to track the car or go to driving events the M3 might be the better fit. I had a heavily modded 335 which I sold to my brother in law when I bought the M3. With coilovers, sways, better rubber it handles very well, but not quite up to the M3. It does, however, get 25% better gas mileage and has a shitload of torque.

One problem with extensive modifications is you do not get that money back. So an M3 will probably hold value better than the modded 335, though both are abysmal investments.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by car62

Getting rid of the runflats will help a lot with the ride and handling issues. The biggest difference is in the engines. The 335 has lots of torque and is a bit boring with a nondescript engine sound. The M3 is a lot racier and sounds great but is more work to drive. Which one is for you? Both are great cars.

nondescipt?

[E90RWC]

I have a 335 and have driven a M3. The cars are certainly different. You don't have the massive torque on demand with the M3. You do have a throaty V8 under the hood though which makes life better. The M3 is good for the open road. The 335 is good for street racing.

I need to drive the M3 once more before I order it. I am addicted to the TQ in the 335, but I love the sound of the V8 in the M3. We shall see...

[Advskier]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

if the 335i handles like shit to you, you might wanna step it up to a GT3 RS or a Scuderia

If you posted this in the E90 section you'd probably get a lot more of this, because they don't like to admit that the M3 is the exact answer to your issues with the 335.

If you want better suspension/handling, no turbo lag, and a sportier car in general, get the M3. It's a massive improvement for a lot less money than a Scuderia or GT3 RS, and not that much more than a 335.

[blk335i08]

Originally Posted by Advskier

If you posted this in the E90 section you'd probably get a lot more of this, because they don't like to admit that the M3 is the exact answer to your issues with the 335.

If you want better suspension/handling, no turbo lag, and a sportier car in general, get the M3. It's a massive improvement for a lot less money than a Scuderia or GT3 RS, and not that much more than a 335.

My 335i doesn't have any turbo lag.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by HK_M3

It's not like that. I feel that the 335 has too much understeer, the suspension is somewhat squishy at times...the rear end likes to lift while cornering and going over undulating terrain...that kind of thing....and the run flats are almost unbearable.

I thought the same thing when I got my 335I with ZSP.

I added KWV2 coilovers, H&R Sway bars and the car now feels like it should. The back-end squirm is done, now it hunkers down and never feels unsettled no matter what the road conditions are. It corners a lot flatter as well.

Then I added 18" CSL's with 265/35/18 in the rear with Michelin RE-01 R tires and it sticks and handles very well. As to compare that set-up to the M3, I can't answer as I have never test driven the new M3. That is a question I would love to know myself.

As to the power/TQ diff. that is a hard choice. I come to the 335I from a C5 Corvette Z06 that weighed in at a little over 3100lbs and had 405hp and 405TQ in a N/A V8 and while the turbos do spool quickly in the 335I , there is nothing that can compare to that instant, RIGHT NOW throttle response you get from a N/A V8.

I am rather dissappointed in the M3's low TQ numbers. the HP is perfect, but that TQ sucks.

I also had the displeasure of owning a 2005.5 S4 that was specced at 345HP and 302TQ and it felt like a slug. IMO, there is no way that todays N/A V8 should have such low TQ numbers. Especially for the price you pay for the S4 and M3.

I don't care how much HP you have, for a high performance expensive car like the M3, 300TQ is just way too little for a car that weighs 3500 lbs. Now if the M3 weighed in at like 2500lbs, well then 300TQ would be ok, but it doesn't.

Anyways, my .02

[taylorcoleman]

Originally Posted by HK_M3

Hey all...I am sure this question has been asked in different capacities...and I have done some searching but alas a brief argument remains.

I have a 2007 335 and I think it handles like shit, the ride sucks...and the boost is annoying. I drove the M3 and I like it...it handles better, rides better and the engine sounds nice...although the exhaust and engine note are much more visceral on the M5.

So my question.....buy the 2009 335 (Gets rid of the chrome around the windows) drop coilovers and software into it...or bite the bullet for the M. I used to have a 95 M and loved it....I probably won't be doing any track days...

Thanks in advance,

Nate

Ummm, didn't you just answer your own question?

You say the 335 handles like shit, and "I like it" regarding the M3. I would not go with anything other than what makes you say, "I love it". Consider something other than a BMW?

[BIGNTASTIE]

like I said before, a simple test drive will solve everything. I drove both cars.. my choice was beyond clear on what car I wanted. and AGAIN.. theres a GOOD reason why bmw puts a difference between M's and regular bimmers.

[aus]

I don't understand this post. He doesn't like the boosted engine and hates the suspension. So what's the question?

Maybe your dealer gave you the software update that introduced lag down low? There's suppose to be a fix for that.

You can also do what Mr.5 did, and change out the suspension arms to the M arms. That should give you the M suspension feel. Tisher and EAS sell the suspension arms in a kit. You could get get some coils or a slightly used M3 struts/springs and good to go. The last time I checked it was around $1,200 for the arms for both front and back. It's not too much labor to change the arms, but if you want to change the rear bushins, it's about 5 hours for that.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

But it sounds like you want an M3, so just get an M3.

[reelgr]

i'd go with the M, although a chipped 335i will beat you in a straight line...

The M looks great too.