BMW M3 or 335i?

[bobosgirl]

I have both. I've had the 335I for about a year and a half and loved it....until I drove the e92 ONCE. there is no comparison between engine power and a smooth well torqued engine vs the 335I. the 335 is great on gas and may have a little more speed at take off but I personally love the growl of my M3. I got a ton of compliments on my 335 with the only mod being low pro wheels and tires but the M3 is much less common and whole lot more fun to drive.

[sergkoko]

I had a 335i coupe before my M, it had the JB4 tuner on it, it put down 320 hp and 316 torque on a mustang dyno, at elevation in AZ heat. Also took it to the track day and got my butt handed to me by a E90 M3, thus I switched. The car was faster to about 80, and had way more kick in the pants feel, also rode softerr, and I think for being 20 grand cheaper then a used E9x M3 was a great car. Would I trade back, heck no. But if I had to get a second car to drive to work every day I would strongly consider it

[positiveions]

I had an E36 M3 with a Supercharger from Dinan, and bunch of other goodies. I own now an E90 M3; love everything about thus far.
I thought about a 335is, but, an //M3 is a totally different game.

[GrumpyBimmerFan]

if you don't track the car, and don't go above 100mph all the time, I wouldn't worry abou the m3. Just get a 335, it is a very well rounded car. If you can get the F30, or you can even go for 328 F30 which is equally nice. although, with F30's i think the 335 will be more exclusive, since 328 performs just as well, so most people won't be able to justify 335.

[MMMMM3]

Originally Posted by kotik

if you don't track the car, and don't go above 100mph all the time, I wouldn't worry abou the m3. Just get a 335, it is a very well rounded car. If you can get the F30, or you can even go for 328 F30 which is equally nice. although, with F30's i think the 335 will be more exclusive, since 328 performs just as well, so most people won't be able to justify 335.

I don't track my car, and don't drive over 100mph (as I live in the world's largest nanny state). I wanted an e90, and bought an m3 because the front end looks like the (much cleaner) e92 coupe front end. And the noise the v8 makes is sublime.

[S65V8]

For the money, the 335i Coupe with mild mods is the best value. I owed a 335i coupe with a KW V1 suspension, short shifter, and it was extremely fun to drive. You can punch it to 100MPH, go on off-ramps in a spirited manner etc. Loved it. Of course after driving the M3, it's just a better car all-around and has serious performance out of the box.

However, if driving habits were severely limited to 100 below speeds and no track time, a new 335i would sound pretty good.

[GrumpyBimmerFan]

Originally Posted by MMMMM3

I don't track my car, and don't drive over 100mph (as I live in the world's largest nanny state). I wanted an e90, and bought an m3 because the front end looks like the (much cleaner) e92 coupe front end. And the noise the v8 makes is sublime.

I dunno, i wouldn't be able to justify the price difference/insurance/fuel for just the front end looks and sound. 335 can sound very good as well (hell, new m3 will come with the same engine), inline 6's of bmw sound like sex. With the proper exhaust, it will sound sick.

That's just me. We have a group of people here that have m cars, and they never go above 100mph, and mostly just cruise, and never track, and never drive fast... I consider it a waste... as in money wasted. Why buy performance car and not go fast? I mean if you want to show off, buy a ferrari, but showing off in m3 is silly, most don't even know what it is.

[adc]

Originally Posted by kotik

if you don't track the car, and don't go above 100mph all the time, I wouldn't worry abou the m3. Just get a 335, it is a very well rounded car. If you can get the F30, or you can even go for 328 F30 which is equally nice. although, with F30's i think the 335 will be more exclusive, since 328 performs just as well, so most people won't be able to justify 335.

The only problem is that the F30 is much softer dynamically than the E90, with the worst culprit being the steering. It simply doesn't "drive like a BMW" in my opinion, and that of many reviewers. Apparently the Caddy ATS drives better...

[GrumpyBimmerFan]

my GF has F30 328 with sport package, and I have loved driving it. It does feel a bit bigger (kind of like older 5 series), but it's a great car. I cruised on the Abahn at 160mph for good 10 minutes, no problem. The tranny is very responsive, and the cars dynamics change when you press the sport mode (on the sport package), the wheel feels better.

[6spdg37s]

Before I ordered the m3 I test drove an 09 6-speed manual 335i X-drive coupe. I thought about getting that as a DD and keeping my z06. But then changed my mind. I feel like there are too many 335s around. It felt nice but it just felt like a reg car to me. The M3 is a beast waiting to be unleashed.

[Tee-Tom]

These Car Choices:

We live in different areas, have different needs and wants and therefore require different qualities in our cars.
First of all, I live in a country with unenforced speed limits so we drive quite fast. Between cities I get to speeds of at least 180kmph…every time. Overtaking ability is also very important. For travelling, some refinement is a must. We also do not have race-tracks so track day abilities are not a consideration.
Right now I have a 2008 335i coupe and a 2008 M3 convertible (just bought with 6k miles) and these are my observations
Refinement: The 335 wins this. I have done many trips with it and always arrived as my destinations totally unstressed.
I wouldn’t ordinarily have bought a convertible but sometimes when you buy a pre-built or used car, you simply buy the best you see. The convertible rigidity is noticeable by its relative absence. It rattles and creaks like crazy too.
Drivability: M3 DCT is jerky and clonky in traffic so again the 335 wins. Road and other unattractive noises are much lower on the 335.
Engine noise: No competition here. The howl of the V8 is blood curling!!
Tyres: Now, the 335 has runflats so it can give excuses for not having a spare but the M3 doesn’t have run flats and doesn’t have a spare. That is really beyond comprehension for me so I cant go far away from home. I have tried to get runflats for it but cannot find a rear tyre so now searching for a spacesaver spare.
Steering: I know some might consider this blasphemy but I prefer the 335’s steering. The M3 steering can be quite lifeless at low speed. The 335 also feels like a much more nimble animal that its big brother
Visual: The M3 makes the 335 look neutered. People somehow know the car means business and gawk!!
Speed: M3 is faster. 335 speed, easier to access. When you do rev up the M3, the scream makes it all worthwhile.

Verdict: The 335i coupe is a better daily vehicle and better long distance. Except there is something else I am missing, the M3 may go. It is a pity as I’d always dreamt of owning this car.

[MMMMM3]

Originally Posted by kotik

I dunno, i wouldn't be able to justify the price difference/insurance/fuel for just the front end looks and sound. 335 can sound very good as well (hell, new m3 will come with the same engine), inline 6's of bmw sound like sex. With the proper exhaust, it will sound sick.

That's just me. We have a group of people here that have m cars, and they never go above 100mph, and mostly just cruise, and never track, and never drive fast... I consider it a waste... as in money wasted. Why buy performance car and not go fast? I mean if you want to show off, buy a ferrari, but showing off in m3 is silly, most don't even know what it is.

.

I'm pretty sure a Toyota Camry can get to 100mph, so we should get one if we don't track our cars?

That's like saying why buy a chronometer if you're not going to time races with it?

Why buy a big house if you're not going to have kids? .

If Ferrari ever sell a car of the same dimensions as an e90 m3 with an NA v8 and four doors, I'll trade mine in for that so I don't look silly in my m3, and to show off properly as you suggest.

Doesn't feel like wasted money to me. It's always an indication of discomfort at ones own choices in life when we start worrying deeply about total strangers and their money wasting ways.

I've already explained why I bought it, and you've already explained why you didn't. We can now go around and around in circles explaining ourselves in slightly reframed terms, or be happy for each other as we both drive nice BMWs.

[MMMMM3]

Originally Posted by Skullbussa

Are you going to regularly take your car to the race track?
Yes -> M3
No -> 335i

The 335i is 80% of what you get from the M3 in terms of fun behind the wheel. Stock. Upgrades to suspension and a tune can perhaps up that number to 90%.

The M3 has much sharper responses, improved looks, but comes at a premium that is beyond justifiable (IMHO) all the while having some no-BS shortcomings against the 335i (torque, fuel economy). For a $20k premium, the M3 should not feel down on low-end punch in comparison to its garden variety little brother.

I've driven the 335iS with DCT and honestly that is the most fun I've had in a BMW since the e46 days. Combine that with M3's "m mode" steering responses and you have a winner. F30 M3 should be a blast.

In Australia it's a $50,000 premium, petrol costs $1.50/Litre, and I don't track my car, and I still bought an M3 and love it. The 335 means absolutely nothing to me. I must need my head examined.

[clar]

I have given it much thought and decided that i like M3 vs 335 threads much better than M3 vs Porsche ones...

[MMMMM3]

Originally Posted by clar

I have given it much thought and decided that i like M3 vs 335 threads much better than M3 vs Porsche ones...

[alms211]

Ive owned them both and those that says one is 80% the same as the other has no idea what they are talking about. Yes, they do look somewhat similar on the exterior and interior (save for leather types etc.....which is a big difference BTW). However, that is where any similarity ends. The power delivery, driving dynamics, steering feel, suspension, engine sound, et al are not even close to being the same.

Having said that, they are both fantastic cars. Just buy the one that suits you and anyone else's opinion shouldn't matter.

[Astephens94]

Originally Posted by tibra1

You know I was just thinking to myself how come I have never seen an M3 vs 335i thread..

[/QUOTE]

I read this and nearly fell out of my chair laughing!!! Iroincally, I have a stick, '07 335i, and can vouch that this is so true about some of the owners!

For the record, I love my 335, but I'd take the M3 any day

M3 = perfection

[STi_traitor]

A Prius will do.

[two+2]

Owned both a e92 335i (N54 engine) and now an e92 M3.

Like most have said, 335i was fun, good torque on the low end and great for spirited driving. - take note the N54 engine was troublesome, had a bunch of work done under OEM warranty including VANOS issues and the much hated fuel pump issue. Gas mileage was good for a car that I would consider sporty when it needs to be.

Cons: Tracked it on a small tight course up here in Mission, the lack of an LSD sucked balls out of corners.

Loving the //M3 8 cylinder goodness. The car is superior in every way: handling, smoothness in power deliver, and just pure driving experience. Also 6speed is > auto. Haven't tracked it yet but am looking forward to the summer.

Cons: If gas is like mexican beer then the M is like:

[e92livin]

M3>

[DATM3]

I just sold my FBO 335i and purchased an E92 M3. They are completely different animals. I miss the down low torque from the 335i and it was quite fast even up top. However, I think the suspension and the "smoothness" and turning is WAY better in an M3. When I was at speeds of 120ish MPH in a 335i, it would feel like the car was starting to float and would give that feeling that you are not the one in control anymore. The M3 feels very grounded and at 100, it would feel like I am going about 70MPH. I am supercharging the M3 very soon so I doubt I will miss the 335i anymore.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by kotik

]We have a group of people here that have m cars, and they never go above 100mph, and mostly just cruise, and never track, and never drive fast... I consider it a waste... as in money wasted. Why buy performance car and not go fast?

I hear ya, but as one of that group here's my 2 cents:

I consider it a waste to buy an M3 to take to the track - i.e., who the hell would buy a luxury car (a/c, stereo, power seats, ...) for the track?? If I wanted a track hobby I'd buy a track car like maybe an older Porsche - it sure as hell wouldn't have leather interior and navigation! So different points of view but we're both enthusiasts - hail the community!

But to answer your original question for myself it's because I like engineering. I buy expensive watches when a $5 casio has better "performance". And I've never entered my watch in an accuracy competition, but I still love it for it's engineering (eg., it has a class 5 ti case)

The reason I didn't buy the 335i is ... three-fold:

(1.) It's not BMW's best design & engineering
(2.) A high-revving V8 was just too enticing to pass up
(3.) If I bought a 335i then I'd have to drive around in a 335i ... I like the M3 brand WAY better. It's not snobby - i don't think - I like the racing heritage.