modded 335i to M3

TMR · 11-23-2010, 01:42 AM

OK, so i was looking at getting an X6 but the M3 is looking good. My stage 3++ 335i is in my opinion faster. What are the thoughts of you guys that have switched to an M3 from a modded 335?

kyleb350 · 11-23-2010, 02:04 AM

Coming from a 335, I love the M3 bits like the seats, gauges, steering wheel, and especially the way the suspension feels. Not gonna lie though. The torque isn't there for launching like a bat out of hell, but it's still no slouch. When you get past 4k RPM, the power comes on very nicely, but I'm sure you've read that in many reviews and other threads before. A big thing is I wasn't used to the power building all the way to redline, lol. Exhaust sounds a lot better as well

It's a lot more expensive to get extra HP out of 'em, but you don't need many to have fun. I plan on just doing intake, exhaust, and tune for now.... we'll see.

TMR · 11-23-2010, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyleb350

Coming from a 335, I love the M3 bits like the seats, gauges, steering wheel, and especially the way the suspension feels. Not gonna lie though. The torque isn't there for launching like a bat out of hell, but it's still no slouch. When you get past 4k RPM, the power comes on very nicely, but I'm sure you've read that in many reviews and other threads before. A big thing is I wasn't used to the power building all the way to redline, lol. Exhaust sounds a lot better as well

It's a lot more expensive to get extra HP out of 'em, but you don't need many to have fun. I plan on just doing intake, exhaust, and tune for now.... we'll see.

The power lacking scares me. My car is full stage 3++ with LSD, sway bars and BBK. I do however LOVE the dual clutch tranny. If i go with a 335is its $60K and a loaded M3 is $70k. I am honestly having such a hard time deciding.

kyleb350 · 11-23-2010, 03:27 AM

Well if power is your concern, I believe you can get close to 400whp NA and 500+whp going FI on them but you better open your wallet.

The 335is and M3 are indeed a tossup. I guess the only way to find out is to test drive them both!

ragingclue · 11-23-2010, 08:09 AM

Stg3++?

So you have aftermarket turbos? Dunno if I'd want to get a different car after sinking that much money into something.

wrh3 · 11-23-2010, 10:50 AM

My 335 was not as modded as yours but I had a fair amount of time and $$$ in it. It felt a little faster (feel has a lot to do with immediate torque delivery) but if you enjoy driving, the M3 is a better package IMO. One drive and we were sold, took a few days to take the 335 back to semi-stock condition but no regrets. It is also the last NA and probably the only V8 we will see in an M3.....and the sound of the exhaust near redline.....mmmmm

adc · 11-23-2010, 11:44 AM

1 year later - no regrets.

The only car I'd be swapping it for would be the 1M Coupe, but only due to the weight issue. I have a feeling the M3 may still be a better car to drive.

But compared to the 335i - no contest.

fastrack · 11-23-2010, 11:46 AM

i was in the ame boat as you. took me a while to make up my mine. I've had my m3 for a few days now. I don't miss the 335 at all. This thing is a totally different beast. It just " feels" better. It's hard to explain. Nothing wrong with the 335, but this has been debated a 1000 times...

peanuboy · 11-23-2010, 11:55 AM

I came from a semi-modded 335 to an M3 and after a week, not a teeny bit regret and the M3 is such a blast to drive.

Sure, low-end torque might not be as strong as the 335 but once you are past 4,000rpm, it screams and the V8 grunt is just pure sex, and yeah agree this might be one of the last M cars out there making it even more rare!

ES_TRADER · 11-23-2010, 12:15 PM

why not save ur troubles n just buy an M3?? i dont get it..

per · 11-23-2010, 01:06 PM

I also had 2 335 stage 3 one with dct tranny, i bought an M3 just because i was curios how a supercharged m3 felt like, so after 2000km i installed the kit.
It is a beast...
But i believe i would have missed the torque to much with a stock M3, as a daily driver the 335 was much stronger than a stock M3, and have a real nice torque kick,

ooowowizstev · 11-23-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMR

The power lacking scares me.

Drive it before making assumptions. It doesn't lack power, it just isn't delivered the same way as your 335.

Brosef · 11-23-2010, 05:16 PM

The M3 does everything better than the 335 with the exception of gas mileage.

I ran JB3 and DCI in my 335i. It was probably about as fast as my stock M in a straight line, but the driving experiences couldn't be any more different. The M feels much more solid. I don't know how they did it, but despite handling better it also rides a bit better. The M3 is a much more emotional car to drive - the sound of the engine is irreplaceable.

You really have to drive both to see which makes more sense, but I can tell you right now that if you only care about straight line acceleration or gas mileage, I'd say stick with a 335. Otherwise I'd give the M a close look.

Absolutely no regrets from me... except perhaps not getting the M3 to begin with.

ssabripo · 11-23-2010, 07:15 PM

I'm coming from a nicely modded 135i (JB3 map7, DCI, Downpipes, KW v2 coilovers, etc... pushed close to 390rwp on 93octane) and I've tracked the car several times; it's a great fun car.

The M3 is not as fast in a straight line as a nicely modded N54 variant, but it's close enough. Take it to the twisties and on the track, and the story changes completely! The handling and transmission, the balance of suspension and the M diff in conjunction with the beautiful delivery of the power from the engine, is not gonna be matched by the 335 no matter how much you dump on it with bolt ons.

Both are great cars for what they were intended to do.

mocsman · 11-23-2010, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richpuer

why not save ur troubles n just buy an M3?? i dont get it..

hope this doesnt turn into a "my modded 335 is much faster than ur stock m3" kinda stupidity... you get an m3 because you believe in what it represents... if you just want fast then get the 335 and mod yourself into the m3 price range... i think this would make you happier.

IFX · 11-23-2010, 10:45 PM

Based on the posts already in here, OP should have made his mind up already.

NYCMCBM3 · 11-23-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooowowizstev

Drive it before making assumptions. It doesn't lack power, it just isn't delivered the same way as your 335.

+1 ,this car surprises me at times, at how great it handles and how fast it can go , with no effort

davedave · 11-23-2010, 10:54 PM

there must be a reason it carrys the M badge and your 335 is not. go test drive it.

slimflem · 11-23-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooowowizstev

Drive it before making assumptions. It doesn't lack power, it just isn't delivered the same way as your 335.

thank you!

erics02wrx · 11-23-2010, 11:09 PM

The 335 feels fast....the M3 is deceivingly fast, it has an exotic car feel! If you are going to track the car get the m, if not get the 335.

mtla4 · 11-24-2010, 12:11 AM

IMO people that are comparing the m3 to the 335 should drive mustangs, hemi's or 335's. It's not the same thing I don't care if the 335 is faster yes it can kill the m3 easily but it's a totally different experience.

Navypat46 · 11-24-2010, 02:39 AM

The M is legendary. You won't regret it.

11-23-2010, 01:42 AM	#1
TMR Brigadier General 394 Rep 3,161 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Torrance iTrader: (12)	modded 335i to M3 OK, so i was looking at getting an X6 but the M3 is looking good. My stage 3++ 335i is in my opinion faster. What are the thoughts of you guys that have switched to an M3 from a modded 335? __________________ 2015 M3 BPM Tuned, Eibach, Magnaflow and more www.tmrmzine.com/m3/f80 SOLD E92 Slēk Carbon Fiber Widebody M3 www.tmrmzine.com/m3/slek/ SOLD E92 335i Stage 3+ with all the toys www.tmrmzine.com/335/ SOLD E39 M5 Modded, What a great car! www.tmrmzine.com/m5/
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11-23-2010, 02:04 AM	#2
kyleb350 Brigadier General 424 Rep 4,709 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	Coming from a 335, I love the M3 bits like the seats, gauges, steering wheel, and especially the way the suspension feels. Not gonna lie though. The torque isn't there for launching like a bat out of hell, but it's still no slouch. When you get past 4k RPM, the power comes on very nicely, but I'm sure you've read that in many reviews and other threads before. A big thing is I wasn't used to the power building all the way to redline, lol. Exhaust sounds a lot better as well It's a lot more expensive to get extra HP out of 'em, but you don't need many to have fun. I plan on just doing intake, exhaust, and tune for now.... we'll see.
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11-23-2010, 03:27 AM	#4
kyleb350 Brigadier General 424 Rep 4,709 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	Well if power is your concern, I believe you can get close to 400whp NA and 500+whp going FI on them but you better open your wallet. The 335is and M3 are indeed a tossup. I guess the only way to find out is to test drive them both!
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11-23-2010, 08:09 AM	#5
ragingclue One cam is enough 130 Rep 6,801 Posts Drives: VF Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mulletville iTrader: (1)	Stg3++? So you have aftermarket turbos? Dunno if I'd want to get a different car after sinking that much money into something.
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11-23-2010, 10:50 AM	#6
wrh3 Car Guy 31 Rep 796 Posts Drives: 2005 MCS, 2013 Corvette 427 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ATL, GA iTrader: (10)	My 335 was not as modded as yours but I had a fair amount of time and $$$ in it. It felt a little faster (feel has a lot to do with immediate torque delivery) but if you enjoy driving, the M3 is a better package IMO. One drive and we were sold, took a few days to take the 335 back to semi-stock condition but no regrets. It is also the last NA and probably the only V8 we will see in an M3.....and the sound of the exhaust near redline.....mmmmm __________________ Bill- 2005 Mini Cooper S, 2013 Corvette 427 www.billswebspace.com/bmwindex BMW CCA Member # 389948
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11-23-2010, 11:44 AM	#7
adc Major General 2750 Rep 6,759 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: MD/DC iTrader: (12)	1 year later - no regrets. The only car I'd be swapping it for would be the 1M Coupe, but only due to the weight issue. I have a feeling the M3 may still be a better car to drive. But compared to the 335i - no contest. __________________ 2018 F80 Santorini 2019 Z4 3.0i 2022 X2 M35i
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11-23-2010, 11:46 AM	#8
fastrack Captain 42 Rep 788 Posts Drives: 11 MW e92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Penticton, BC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2021 M2c [0.00]	i was in the ame boat as you. took me a while to make up my mine. I've had my m3 for a few days now. I don't miss the 335 at all. This thing is a totally different beast. It just " feels" better. It's hard to explain. Nothing wrong with the 335, but this has been debated a 1000 times... __________________ Mineral White + HRE + Brembo + Eisenmann + Challenge = Perfection
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11-23-2010, 11:55 AM	#9
peanuboy Captain 64 Rep 800 Posts Drives: G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (2)	I came from a semi-modded 335 to an M3 and after a week, not a teeny bit regret and the M3 is such a blast to drive. Sure, low-end torque might not be as strong as the 335 but once you are past 4,000rpm, it screams and the V8 grunt is just pure sex, and yeah agree this might be one of the last M cars out there making it even more rare!
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11-23-2010, 12:15 PM	#10
ES_TRADER Colonel 344 Rep 2,928 Posts Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 Ford Raptor [0.00] 2012 328i E92 [10.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [8.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [10.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	why not save ur troubles n just buy an M3?? i dont get it..
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11-23-2010, 01:06 PM	#11
per Lieutenant 47 Rep 507 Posts Drives: M3 E92 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Gothenburg iTrader: (0)	I also had 2 335 stage 3 one with dct tranny, i bought an M3 just because i was curios how a supercharged m3 felt like, so after 2000km i installed the kit. It is a beast... But i believe i would have missed the torque to much with a stock M3, as a daily driver the 335 was much stronger than a stock M3, and have a real nice torque kick, __________________ M3 E92 ESS VT-625
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11-23-2010, 05:16 PM	#13
Brosef Brigadier General 876 Rep 3,450 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago iTrader: (4)	The M3 does everything better than the 335 with the exception of gas mileage. I ran JB3 and DCI in my 335i. It was probably about as fast as my stock M in a straight line, but the driving experiences couldn't be any more different. The M feels much more solid. I don't know how they did it, but despite handling better it also rides a bit better. The M3 is a much more emotional car to drive - the sound of the engine is irreplaceable. You really have to drive both to see which makes more sense, but I can tell you right now that if you only care about straight line acceleration or gas mileage, I'd say stick with a 335. Otherwise I'd give the M a close look. Absolutely no regrets from me... except perhaps not getting the M3 to begin with.
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11-23-2010, 07:15 PM	#14
ssabripo HALA MADRID! 938 Rep 2,879 Posts Drives: camels & donkeys Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Plantation, Fl iTrader: (7)	I'm coming from a nicely modded 135i (JB3 map7, DCI, Downpipes, KW v2 coilovers, etc... pushed close to 390rwp on 93octane) and I've tracked the car several times; it's a great fun car. The M3 is not as fast in a straight line as a nicely modded N54 variant, but it's close enough. Take it to the twisties and on the track, and the story changes completely! The handling and transmission, the balance of suspension and the M diff in conjunction with the beautiful delivery of the power from the engine, is not gonna be matched by the 335 no matter how much you dump on it with bolt ons. Both are great cars for what they were intended to do. __________________ F87 M2 Competition, Sunset Orange, Exc, DCT. SOLD F80 M3 Mineral Grey/Sakir Orange, Exc, DCT... ED 6/2015 SOLDE90 M3, Interlagos Blue / M individual two-tone, ZCP, ZP2, ZCV, DCT, ED.
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11-23-2010, 10:45 PM	#16
IFX Banned 67 Rep 2,536 Posts Drives: AW e46M/N54 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Fla. iTrader: (1)	Based on the posts already in here, OP should have made his mind up already.
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11-23-2010, 10:54 PM	#18
davedave Captain 40 Rep 788 Posts Drives: Godzilla Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (7)	there must be a reason it carrys the M badge and your 335 is not. go test drive it.
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11-23-2010, 11:09 PM	#20
erics02wrx ? 48 Rep 125 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Snohomish WA iTrader: (0)	The 335 feels fast....the M3 is deceivingly fast, it has an exotic car feel! If you are going to track the car get the m, if not get the 335. __________________ 08 E90 M3, slick top, single hump, 6MT
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11-24-2010, 02:39 AM	#22
Navypat46 Butters 7 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	The M is legendary. You won't regret it.
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