From E90 335i To M3?

[benolium]

Hi all, just sold my 2007 E90 AUTO last month due to the miles racking up, and out of waranteee and was ready to move on. I'm Seriously wanting to get into a 2011+ M3. I'm sure there are plenty of you that have done the same. After adding a Jb4, DCI and VMR 19's, I was left with.....not quite an M-3....but close. At least in a sense of hp, plus gobs of torque. Not in a sense of a true drivers car, but a DD. More importantly, it lacked of driving excitement. It was smooth, Too Smooth? Yes, quick, but lacked a real sense of FUN. I'm almost 40, been down the road of Sti's etc, but want some speed, and grins that the STI brought to my face everyday. Every time i drove it, it scared the S out of me....just such a Fun car. But alas, fast forward, 8 years, wife, 2 kids, commute, responsible etc. I just didn't have that experience with the '07 E90 with the Jb4 and 19' VMR's.
To me, the M3 seems to be more than the sum of it's parts. The roar of the Big V8, Brakes, refinement=total package.

Question is, 6 speed, or DTC?
Any one else asking themselves why they didn't pull the trigger sooner?

[spool twice]

I ask that everyday. Tq of my modded 335 was fun, but my stock m3 is the total package

[Rk-d]

Originally Posted by benolium

Hi all, just sold my 2007 E90 AUTO last month due to the miles racking up, and out of waranteee and was ready to move on. I'm Seriously wanting to get into a 2011+ M3. I'm sure there are plenty of you that have done the same. After adding a Jb4, DCI and VMR 19's, I was left with.....not quite an M-3....but close. At least in a sense of hp. Not in a sense of a true drivers car. More importantly, was a lack of driving excitement with it. It was smooth, quick, but lacked a real sense of FUN. I'm almost 40, been down the road of Sti's etc, done modding but want some speed, and grins that the STI brought to my face everyday. Every time i drove it it scared the S out of me....just such a fun car. But alas, fast forward, 8 years, wife, 2 kids, commute, responsible etc. I just didn't have that experience with the '07 E90 with the Jb4 and 19' VMR's.
To me, the M3 seems to be more than the sum of it's parts. The roar of the Big V8, Brakes, refinement=total package.

Question is, 6 speed, or DTC?
Any one else asking themselves why they didn't pull the trigger sooner?

Coming from an auto and wanting more involvement - can't go wrong with 6MT.

[SpiralOut]

I had 335's for 6 years and went to 2013 M3. Love it. 335 may look similar to the M but it's a totally different beast. BTW, I'm a manual guy and I got the DCT and have not missed the 6MT at all.

[benolium]

Great input. Keep em coming friends

[fuzzybam]

I drove a 6MT and then a DCT today. I'll just say that the DCT blew the 6MT out of the water. However, the 6MT does provide that sense of satisfaction when nailing perfect shifts.

[benha]

I had the same conundrum. I take delivery in two weeks in Munich, so too late to change my mind, but I've had two auto cars now since my last manual and I miss it. Being connected to the car, control of the gears, etc. I went with 6MT but have read many praises of DCT. Sometimes I think I made a mistake, and other times I can't wait for that stick. One of the main reasons I'm leasing is to make sure a 6MT E92 can fit into the life of a commuting dad of 3 youngsters. They haven't ridden with me in the past, so no car seats go in dad's car. If I feel at the end of 2-3 years I need that DCT, I'll sell, but after driving a friend's 6MT, I'm pretty confident I'll fall in love.

[Kazani]

New to the forums here. I just went through pretty much the same situation as you're thinking of doing. I had an '07 loaded E90 335i for 4 years and recently picked up a new '13 e92 M3 DCT ZCP. The only mod I had on my 335i was a Turbo Timer 2. Comparatively speaking, well, you can't really compare the two cars. They are two completely different animals as far as performance and driveability goes. Here's my initial impressions (note: I only have 1,800 miles on my M3 so it's still new to me)

• The 335i is a gentleman's car. Decent looks with decent power. Ride was plush and all around performance wasn't bad. It's one of those cars you look at and go "that's not a bad looking car" yet it looks like every other BMW out there on the road. Yes, I've even tried to unlock someone else's car in a parking lot thinking it was mine.

• The powerband in the 335i I miss for DD (comparing to the M3). The car had good torque at pretty much all speeds and when you mated the gas pedal with the floor it was surprising "spunky". Not fast, but spunky. Nice and smooth acceleration with very little feedback from the exhaust note. It's not the kind of car you would show off the power to your friends. Granted, you had a JB4 on yours so you were a little better off than I was with my TT2.

• As many have said before, the M3 has a raw feeling to it. Its a drivers car. You feel the road and it doesn't give you the sensation of driving on pillows. It's not harsh, but it is a firmer ride even on the comfort setting. Road noise is more prevalent as well. It's not bad but you can tell the nice, soft, squishy "gentleman's" suspension of the 335i isn't there soaking that stuff up. If there is one thing I love most about this car is the suspension. It's mind blowing how much more you're in tune with the road. I had a modded '05 STI before my 335 and the ride quality for DD is remarkably similar between the two cars (e.g. potholes, ruts in the road, stiffness). Handling couldn't be more different with the M3 clearly taking the lead (haven't taken it to the track yet though). Its easily the best driving car I've ever driven. I couldn't be happier to be connected to the road again.

• Power plant wise the M3 is the clear winner in this category. As I said earlier, While I do miss the torque of the 335, the M3 makes up for it with its high winding v8. I quickly forgot about everything I thought my 335 did right in terms of power and haven't looked back since. While I wouldn't call the car a "beast" like many do, it's got plenty of power and you should not be concerned in the least bit about whether there is anything you'll miss about your 335. Granted, I can't speak to your JB4 - those make good power - yet I'll bet you would be happily surprised when you slip behind the wheel of the M. Power comes on fast and strong. It's immediate and pulls all the way to redline. The sound of a V8 is especially nice. I love the DCT as well. Very happy I chose that.

• Looks wise the M3 wins hands down. No comparison.....does not need explaining.

[FVM3]

My modded 335i is way faster then my m3 but what i need isnt a drag car. M3 is way more fun and it handles better. Go for it

[CrucialScott]

Can't believe how many 335 vs M3 threads get started everyday on here!

[dhoggm3]

Originally Posted by CrucialScott

Can't believe how many 335 vs M3 threads get started everyday on here!

Yes and here's another one. Clearly it's a decision many struggle with, just as I did.

No question, get the M3. The M has less torque than my modded 335i did. So what?

The M3 puts a smile on my face every time I start it. The 6MT isn't perfection, but it's darned sweet. The M-differential, the balance, and the amazing V8 music all have me saying, "Never look back!"

And I haven't.

[ridin135]

I had a 135 and z4 which were both modded to the gills, stage 3 with meth. Now I just purchased a new 2013 6spd M3 and haven't looked back. Yes the torque is not nearly as high and the car is currently slower then my past cars (straight line) but it just doesn't matter. I always have a shit eating grin on my face every time I start this car up. The driving dynamics don't even compare the m is in a totaly different league and that's saying alot coming from a roadster. I can not wait to take it to the track this year. Also you will love the 6spd it's not the best manual I have driven but it is good. I have went the flappy paddle route before and I did enjoy the first 6-9 months but then i just kept missing the manual the flappy paddles are just not nearly as engaging. So don't worry about not getting the dct yes it is cool at first but once a manual guy always a manual guy.

[Jaymax85]

I echo everyone else's sentiments. I had a 135 6mt with Cobb AP and while I do miss the torque of the n54 (the 1 actually felt faster because of the torque), the m3 is a no compromise sports car. The 1 feels like a boat compared to the m in every measure except for straight line speed.

And the sound of the v8.. yummmm

[benolium]

WOW

[FVM3]

335i with tune, exhasut can easily smoke m3 in straight line. But M3 is a way more balance , not just a pure fast drag car. Coming from 335i, m3 is way more fun to drive and the V8 with meisterchaft gt2, x pipe sounds insane

[Transfer]

Transmission choice in the M3 is very personal. Definitely drive both before you decide. DCT has more wow factor for the driver and fits the car perfectly, but you can't deny that manual gives a different type of control that is very satisfying when done right. I went DCT because I have a boring traffic laden commute and my wife occasionally needs to drive it, but there is no way I would want the 6MT now after owning a DCT. It's that good.

[Candide13]

I test-drove a DCT and liked it. I have had an Alfa Romeo with an automated gear box before, and this double-clutch beast was even more fun.

Still, in the end I preferred the 6MT because I missed the left-foot right-hand rhythm of driving a manual transmission.

[Skiptomylou37]

I had a 2011 e90 M3 with the DCT and it was awesome. My buddy who had the same year M3 with the 6 speed couldn't keep up with me 0-60. Not that you really care but I also averaged almost 20mpg in my M3 with the DCT!

[Alex07M3]

The choice of transmission is always a question of preference but if you were able to drive a 335 auto for that much time, I'm pretty confident that the DCT is all you need, it has all the practicallity of the auto and most of the enjoyment of a manual plus some nice features like launch control and perfect rev matching downshifts. If you're not an inconditionnal manual driver, you can't find better then the DCT, and that's coming from a manual guy!

[Denk]

Best bet is to drive both and see what you like. Coming from an e46 w/SMG I intended on getting an e92 6mt. I test drove a 6mt and for grins a DCT. I ended up with the DCT, it's sublime!

[benolium]

Just test-drove an used '08 DCT Vert. Very nice, the 8 was Throaty. I did notice the lack of torque as compared to the JB4 N54, but otherwise. WHAT an Experience. With the the sales guy next to me I got a couple of hot laps around a closed industrial area. I wont divulge my max speed due to self incrimination, but lets just say 130+.....Did I mention the balance?

that was 2 hrs ago.

I'm still grinning

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

335i with tune, exhasut can easily smoke m3 in straight line. But M3 is a way more balance , not just a pure fast drag car. Coming from 335i, m3 is way more fun to drive and the V8 with meisterchaft gt2, x pipe sounds insane

I would'nt say easily, a 335 with just exhaust would need a pretty aggressive tune to beat an M3 in a straight line, specially if the M3 is DCT! I raced plenty of tuned 335 with exhaust on the highway and non was faster then my stock manual M3. A FBO 335 beated me though but put tune and test pipes on the M3 and it's another story!