Why?

[Yugo]

As I am in the process of selling my beloved E46 ZCP M3, I had the opportunity to drive a '11 135i as a loaner for the day during the PPI process. Driving that car and back to back with my M3, I wondered why in the world would anyone ever that has had the chance to own or drive an M3 (either gen) buy that car.

It has a good amount of low end tourque, but it handles terrible. Night and day difference.

Plan is to get into an E90 M3 soon and I was wondering does the E90 M3 handle anything like the 135i or is it not even comparable?

I have driven E9x M3's before, but don't exactly remember the handling as it's been a while. Refresh my memory please.

[kscarrol]

You will not notice any difference between an E92 and E90 M3. Any difference is so small that unless you are pushing the car to the edge on a track, you will not find any difference.

Have never driven the 135 so cannot make a fair comparison between my E90 M3 and the 135...

[Jaymax85]

I had a 135i before and have an e90 M now. The 135i was a fun car but is no where near the performer the M is, it's a completely different animal.

[speedaddictM3]

The M3 will easily outhandle a 135i. The 135i just isn't the nimble and capable sports car it was supposed to be. The 1M on the other hand is a totally different beast, too bad about the limited production numbers and insane pricing.

[carchrism5]

Solution.......Get a 1M

But seriously, the 135 is a fun car but in terms of handling, road feel and braking it is nothing like the 1M or M3. The lateral grip on the M's is much better, more fun and a more organic driving experience. I wouldn't even think of comparing the driving experience between the two types.

[NYBulldog]

Originally Posted by carchrism5

Solution.......Get a 1M

But seriously, the 135 is a fun car but in terms of handling, road feel and braking it is nothing like the 1M or M3. The lateral grip on the M's is much better, more fun and a more organic driving experience. I wouldn't even think of comparing the driving experience between the two types.

+1000 great recommendation

[i001947]

A simple test drive will make you a believer. Have at it!

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by tpowerdinny

+1000 great recommendation

Indeed, though their rarity means that the prices on used 1Ms are sometimes higher than they were when new!

I definitely enjoyed the time I got to drive one on back roads, but even though the car felt nimble and the torque was fun, somehow it didn't feel as special as my M3. I think a lot of that had to do with the engine, which I guess is expected given that the 1M is a somewhat modified series production engine whereas ours was built from scratch specifically to be an M engine. In any case, I wouldn't give up my M3 for a 1M personally, and given how many other fun cars there are out there, I don't even think owning both would be the best allocation of funds to maximize driving enjoyment and diversity.

[mdosu]

Handling good like Derek Rose

[Techjunkie666]

I agree with this. Once you drive a 1M its the best. Get an akra exhaust on it with a tune and its a fun car!

Originally Posted by carchrism5

Solution.......Get a 1M

But seriously, the 135 is a fun car but in terms of handling, road feel and braking it is nothing like the 1M or M3. The lateral grip on the M's is much better, more fun and a more organic driving experience. I wouldn't even think of comparing the driving experience between the two types.

[IB M]

Why not keep the e46 a while longer? How many miles are on it? Post a picture of e46 please.

[Yugo]

38k miles, selling to buy something more family friendly, most likely an E90 M.

[mjposner]

I know the M3 is better, but as a daily driver on straight roads without many curves, no winter, is an M3 worth the extra cost and mpg over a 135is? I ask this because my budget is 50k and I really want to try Euro delivery, and the New M4 is just going to be out of reach. I drive 95% alone, 4% with 2, have an suv and a classic convertible at home, so for my DD what do you all think.

[Denk]

Gorgeous e46 you have there! The e46 doesn't have the boosted steering that the e9x has. At speed, the the e9x firms up nicely but it doesn't have the level of road feel of the e46. It's not a bad thing to me, it's just different, more refined.

[IB M]

I love your E46.

New E90 will be awesome as well.

[BMW Fanatic]

If you go over to the non-m section of this forum, you will have people telling you why 135i/335i is so superior to an M3 because they can boost the crap out of it and kill you in straight line speed. An M3 owner will be like handling this and performance that.

The way I see it... Stock for Stock, the M3 wins. Modded for Modded, the M3 STILL wins. It's like comparing a Benz C350 to a C63, they might look the same (minus the hood) but the C63 is just raw power and sounds like an earthquake.

I bet we will have some fanboys just in and say oh yea my 500hp 335i is way better than your car, just like my friend always does. He even went as far to say both cars are the same the M is just priced more because of the name. I was literally laughing my ass off.

Good luck in whatever you decide but just know E9X M3 > 135i any day of the damn week.

[rondocap]

Why not check out the new M235i coming out soon? Should be under $50k and a little more performance than a regular 135i.

[Mr. Liu]

Selling that E46 M3 will be the biggest regret you will ever have. That thing is gorgeous!!

[carchrism5]

Originally Posted by Mr. Liu

Selling that E46 M3 will be the biggest regret you will ever have. That thing is gorgeous!!

x2

That E46 is so clean, I say to keep it, or sell it to me.