Anyone go from M3 to 135 or 335i

[mjposner]

Flamers wanted, but that aside, my business has gone tight cash flow so now that I have to buy a car, I am looking to spend less than the cost of a used M3 (45k versus 25-35k).

So I am looking at either a 135i or 335i coupe with a six speed. Anyone downsize and how different for a daily driver (I have only driven one 335i, and it was a slushbox).

Thanks, and again, flamers go at it. Trolls too!

[DivideBYZero]

Why do you have to buy a new car?

[Parkanzky]

His previous car was totaled.

I haven't had a 335i as a daily driver, but when I got the BMW bug, I originally thought that I'd buy a 335i. I shopped around and checked a couple out. When I drove one, it really didn't do anything for me. No "sense of occasion," that you get from the V8 M3. Then I drove an M3 and the rest is history...

[electronspeeder]

Originally Posted by Parkanzky

Then I drove an M3 and the rest is history...

Sorry about that.

[Parkanzky]

Originally Posted by electronspeeder

Sorry about that.

I'd already driven one. Yours is how I found out that I needed DCT.

I've been bugging Joe to get that exhaust modified so I can check it out. I also told him to buy enough materials to do two...

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by mjposner

Flamers wanted, but that aside, my business has gone tight cash flow so now that I have to buy a car, I am looking to spend less than the cost of a used M3 (45k versus 25-35k).

So I am looking at either a 135i or 335i coupe with a six speed. Anyone downsize and how different for a daily driver (I have only driven one 335i, and it was a slushbox).

Thanks, and again, flamers go at it. Trolls too!

How about going back to a 2006-2008 Z4MC? You can get into a Z4MC or Z4MR for under $30k.

[armyav8tor]

Just buy an econobox and call it a day if cash is tight.

[Buschy]

I went from 335 to m3 to 335. you will be ok but guess what I am doing now back to m3.
the m3 is funner and cooler and better period, yes even for daily driving. the 335 is NOT better for daily driving I don't care who says it is. but there is nothing wrong with it.
Best thing to do is get rid of the m3, drive a 4 cycle civic or something for a couple weeks then get the 335. It will feel better then you even remmber the M3.

[Titanium Silver]

If I had to do it, I would get a 335d. Mad torque and good gas milage. I liked it better than the 335i xdrive that I've driven. You don't see to many of them, but I def liked it better than 1-er or 335 gas.

[slo_guy]

Originally Posted by Parkanzky

His previous car was totaled.

I haven't had a 335i as a daily driver, but when I got the BMW bug, I originally thought that I'd buy a 335i. I shopped around and checked a couple out. When I drove one, it really didn't do anything for me. No "sense of occasion," that you get from the V8 M3. Then I drove an M3 and the rest is history...

Exactly what happened to me. I was totally convinced I was gonna buy a 335i. Until I test drive an ///M3. When I found one for 5000 more than I was gonna pay for a 335i, it was a no brainier.

[Foodle]

There was a review of the 1M from a previous M3 driver (Captain Kirk, I believe). It was posted on 1addicts.

... and through the magic of Google ...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=597799

[///M Rakete]

I drive both and while I'm very happy with the 135i as a daily driver it is not anything close to an M3 except for initial acceleration. I can't imagine such a transition as being anything less than a let down.

[dmw16]

Coming from a M3 I think the 135 will be a disappointment. I had one before I bought my E46 M3 and the real issues with the 1er are small interior and budget materials on the inside of the cabin.

If you need to put people in the back seat then forget the 1. A 335 would be fine on both accounts but I think anything trying for performance after driving the M will fall short. A 335 despite a great engine isn't an M3.

If cash is an issue why not just get an econobox until things turn around. Or if a nice car is a must a slightly older (gasp) S4 or RS4 might be an option? Or maybe a 335d. I'd buy a 335d before I'd get a 135 or 335i.

[IFX]

I've honestly never heard of anyone going from m3 to 335 or 135. I'm sure there is a reason why.

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by armyav8tor

Just buy an econobox and call it a day if cash is tight.

I agree with this. Personal fiscal responsibility should come first. Odds are that you are a young guy, so you can always return back to the M brand (or better) in the long term.

[JulieDriving]

Test drive both.

I only know the 335i really well and I find the car with sport suspension, sport seats, steering wheel, etc., the best in its class.

[Longboarder]

I have both a 335i and an M3 and I daily drive both. My 335i is a modded 2010 n54 e92 6AT 335 (Procede, meth, dps, LSD, coils, wheels/tires) and my M3 is a 2013 e92 ZCP DCT M3.

For daily driving, I would say that the M3 looks great and is much more comfortable than my 335i but that's it...otherwise the 335 is much better in that regard.

The 335 is a rocket at any speed and at any RPM. And it gets 25 mpg in mixed driving. The M3 has to be wound up to go fast and even driving it easy I get 15 mpg. Both are fully-loaded with NAV, Premium, upgraded stereo and so it's almost like driving the same car except when you step on the gas.

I drive the M3 more because it's new to me and I'm trying to put more miles on it. I want to break it in nicely before I put my blower and exhaust on. Maybe after those are installed I will have a different opinion. But currently modded 335i > stock M3 for daily duties.

[LoriClarkel]

I'm sure there is a reason why

[nachob]

Originally Posted by Foodle

There was a review of the 1M from a previous M3 driver (Captain Kirk, I believe). It was posted on 1addicts.

... and through the magic of Google ...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=597799

This is one of the most concise reviews ever written and it is spot on. I wish I could be like Captain Kirk and own both because I would be just like him, the E90 M3 Sedan and 1M. Unfortunately, after agonzing between the E90 M3, I went with the 1M but I still have a sweet spot and hope once I pay off the 1M to buy a used E90. With that said, I still keep on this thread because many of the problems and components in the M3 are the same in the 1M. The brakes, rear diff and axles, some suspension, mirrors etc. There seems to be some confusion though that the 1M is just a 135i so this review would not be useful to the original poster. While the 1M has the same motor as the early 135i, it has a lightened flywheel, more power and torque including an overboost function. The sheetmetal is bespoke to the 1M. It is not a body kit but actual bulged sheetmetal that fits wider tires. It has a full lock M3 diff where the 135i and 335i have open diffs with some electronic pseudo LSD-like features. The suspension in the 1M is mostly aluminum like the M3 and the brakes are the exact same as the M3 in a lighter car. It comes with M3 competition package wheels and tires (non-runflat) and a new version of the 6 speed gearbox that as Captain Kirk mentioned is really a great feeling gearbox.

So the point is not trying to pump up the 1M in an M3 forum just clarifying that the 1M review will not give you a valid idea of the 135i. It is not as stiff riding as the 1M, it is actually more comfortable and comes with run-flats. Its also quieter than the 1M.

With this said, here are my two cents for the poster. If you can afford the M3 with an amazing normally aspirated V8, it is a car you will tell your kids about in 20 years. However, having an enourmous financial anchor around your neck both with payments and gas bills will take a lot of the fun away. The 135i and 335i will are bitchin' cars and you might enjoy them more if you have some extra money friday night to go out riding to a nice dinner.

Around town, the turbo motors are pretty fun and are no slouches. Good luck.

[radiantm3]

I owned a 135i before my M3 and have had 2 335i's (currently own one now as well). The 135i is so much more fun to drive than the 335i. And I've had 2 full grown adults in the back of my 135i with no issues. My brother is 6'1 and he fit back there just fine. Sure it was tight, but definitely doable. Just go test drive them both and come to your own conclusion. There's a lot of bias on the forums and comments from those who have not had enough seat time in each of the cars.

[mjposner]

To answer some questions, here goes:

1. No to the Z4M, fun to drive but to small for me and I have a hard time getting out.
2. Not a young guy chronologically (51)
3. I will die before I buy an econobox.
4. I am a small business owner and this year cash flow is off 20%. Looking to save some money so I am doing the usual, including refinancing to 3.36% on the house and looking to lower monthly nut on car from $760 to mid $500.
5. Most of the 08 M3s I can afford have 40k+ miles and no warranty. When you add in sales tax and a decent warranty I am looking at 50k. I can get a cpo 335i for 35k and a 1 series in the high 20ks.
6. I drive alone 95% of the time, and 4.5 with one other person, so back seat is nit an issue (plus my wife has an SUV and my corvair seats 5!

Penfed has 1.74% on 60 months with a balloon payment so I have some options,

[WarrantyTracker]

I think you should seriously consider an E46 M3. When your fortunes revert to mean, you can afford to keep it as a joy ride.