11"335is VS. 09"E92 M3...?

[MTROIS]

It does not seem that the OP can afford the M3 (no offense but if you need to factor in a currency exchange of some sort.... Then it does not seem that you have the budget) and I am even wondering if you can afford the 335iS right now. Of course, the right choice would be to invest your money (remember, buy low...), focus on your studies and collect the money in a few years to buy the M3 of your dreams... But I do know that is tough. I was in your shoes a few years ago and almost made the blunder of settling for a 335. Instead I was patient and was able to afford the M less than two years later.

My 2 cents.

[MTROIS]

If you want a fun weekend car, get a used Porsche or a nice e46 M3 or even a Corvette.... But not an e90 M3. You would pay double the options I listed above and you won't have as much fun.

If you want both a daily driver and a fun weekend car, then the e90 is your choice.

Originally Posted by eatrach73

i am in the same dilemma OP. I keep going back and forth: 335is or M3. I've been a lurker on this forum for too long. I always read what people has to say negatively and positively.
I can say this, most M3 owners don't have that much complaints than the 335ers'. But then again, that doesn't mean that some do complain.
However, my biggest issue is, the next generation M3 is coming out, and I really wanted a 4 door vs. 2 door coupe. The E9X 4 door M3 is out of production. And what you find at the dealers are fully loaded ones. I can live without many options.

To most, fuel economy is an issue. To me, it is not. I do have a D.D. MkV jetta. It does what it does, and it isn't harsh on the ride.

Payment wise this is an not issue. I can afford both vehicles. Plus, I am still paying for the MKV jetta-but the payment is low and i only owe 7k on it. However, if I would to wait for the next generation M3, then I would rather choose 335is, and have fun with it, and then get a 4 door M3.
Maybe it makes sense, maybe it doesn't. I always wanted a "fun weekend" car. The jetta doesn't have the power, the handling nor the braking to do so. It is a good car to drive around town, and FWY, but it is not an aggressive vehicle.

In the end, see what's going to make you happy. I say, if you are an amateur driver, than skip the M3. M3 requires an aggressive driver with some driving skills. 335is can be both; which what I like about it. Plus, the 335is is not a bad car around town. Has the power, the braking and the handling, and it is capable to function as a true "sport" car.
I hope I am making sense.

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by IFX

you'll never look at a 335 while your in an M3, and say "dam i wish i had one of those"

I can guarantee that. End of story.

+1.

You'll always look at an M3 while in your 335, and say "What was I thinking"

If you can afford it then go for your dream.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by eatrach73

i am in the same dilemma OP. I keep going back and forth: 335is or M3. I've been a lurker on this forum for too long. I always read what people has to say negatively and positively.
I can say this, most M3 owners don't have that much complaints than the 335ers'. But then again, that doesn't mean that some do complain.
However, my biggest issue is, the next generation M3 is coming out, and I really wanted a 4 door vs. 2 door coupe. The E9X 4 door M3 is out of production. And what you find at the dealers are fully loaded ones. I can live without many options.

To most, fuel economy is an issue. To me, it is not. I do have a D.D. MkV jetta. It does what it does, and it isn't harsh on the ride.

Payment wise this is an not issue. I can afford both vehicles. Plus, I am still paying for the MKV jetta-but the payment is low and i only owe 7k on it. However, if I would to wait for the next generation M3, then I would rather choose 335is, and have fun with it, and then get a 4 door M3.
Maybe it makes sense, maybe it doesn't. I always wanted a "fun weekend" car. The jetta doesn't have the power, the handling nor the braking to do so. It is a good car to drive around town, and FWY, but it is not an aggressive vehicle.

In the end, see what's going to make you happy. I say, if you are an amateur driver, than skip the M3. M3 requires an aggressive driver with some driving skills. 335is can be both; which what I like about it. Plus, the 335is is not a bad car around town. Has the power, the braking and the handling, and it is capable to function as a true "sport" car.
I hope I am making sense.

You're in SoCal dude. You'll be able to find a 4 door M3.

[eamon]

328i

[SD-E93-11]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

Why ever would you say that? makes no sense at all unless you have a milage for such extravagant fuel consumption estimate/statement

$500 bucks of gas a month for the m3 doesn't sound unreasonable at all.

Average driver between the ages of 35-54 in the U.S. drives 18,858 miles a year. California drivers are likely on the high-side of that, but let's assume it's accurate for CA.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/onh00/bar8.htm

18,858 miles
divided by 15 mpg (we only have 91 octane fuel and a shitload of traffic)
multiplied by 4.25 (guesstimate of the average price of a gallon of premium 91 in the last year)

$445 bucks a month. Just a tank away from $500. I actually drive closer to 22-24k a year and see between 450-550 bucks for gas on my Amex a month. I also drive a vert mostly top-down just for that extra-shitty fuel efficiency.

[VegasEgg]

Back when I was shopping around for a M3 6 months ago I came across a '09 E92 M3 DCT AW/FR fully loaded with everything except cold weather Pkg & EPS with 5000mi for $51k inc tax. Deals are out there...look hard and be patient! As far as monthly costs go, I spend apx $350 a month in gas and my insurance is only $968 a year.

Get the M3!!! Even if you spend a lil more it's worth it! Would you rather be happy and drive a incredible car with a lighter wallet or be unhappy driving a car that isn't what you wanted and have a lil more cash?

[BruinsBMW]

Originally Posted by Jrollsp

Back when I was shopping around for a M3 6 months ago I came across a '09 E92 M3 DCT AW/FR fully loaded with everything except cold weather Pkg & EPS with 5000mi for $51k inc tax. Deals are out there...look hard and be patient! As far as monthly costs go, I spend apx $350 a month in gas and my insurance is only $968 a year.

Get the M3!!! Even if you spend a lil more it's worth it! Would you rather be happy and drive a incredible car with a lighter wallet or be unhappy driving a car that isn't what you wanted and have a lil more cash?

You are giving me a hope! Thanks

[BruinsBMW]

Originally Posted by James T. Kirk

UCLA I presume?

UCLA ! ! !
but I'm not Chinese though.

[sameh]

Originally Posted by IFX

you'll never look at a 335 while your in an M3, and say "dam i wish i had one of those"

I can guarantee that. End of story.

My M3 is jet black. It happened yesterday that I left work to find a jet black (335is)- first time seeing one by the way- parked right next to mine. To me it looked like a 335 but went through (pimp my ride) protocol

[alms211]

Originally Posted by BruinsBMW

However... It is soooooooooooo hard to find 09 E92 M3 with DCT and Navi at 45~47k...
COL...!!!!

True and damn near impossible unless you are completely open to color choices and miles. I bought an '09 with 13k miles (loaded with all options and DCT) and I paid $54K. I absoutely wanted alpine white with carbon roof, carbon leather trim and black interior, DCT and less than 15k miles. I could have picked up a space gray with same option (save for fox red and aluminum trim) for $51K. Trust me, I scoured every source imaginable.

Best of luck

[James T. Kirk]

Originally Posted by BruinsBMW

UCLA ! ! !
but I'm not Chinese though.

The whole currency exchange threw me.

I, too, attended UCLA some time ago, but I finished my degree at Starfleet Academy in San Francisco.

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by MTROIS

If you want a fun weekend car, get a used Porsche or a nice e46 M3 or even a Corvette.... But not an e90 M3. You would pay double the options I listed above and you won't have as much fun.

If you want both a daily driver and a fun weekend car, then the e90 is your choice.

honestly, i thought about a used E46 m3, but most are abused, and too much mods.
Now a days, I am very conservative on aftermarket products. Don't ask me why.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by eatrach73

honestly, i thought about a used E46 m3, but most are abused, and too much mods.
Now a days, I am very conservative on aftermarket products. Don't ask me why.

You're maturing! We all do at some point. I'm much more on the conservative end as well. Wheels, a front lip (..depending on the style of the OEM front bumper) and a drop - not to be confused with an excessive dump - to align the aesthetics with my personal tastes. No loud exhausts, no crazy lights, etc.

[luis_m3]

Originally Posted by IFX

you'll never look at a 335 while your in an M3, and say "dam i wish i had one of those"

I can guarantee that. End of story.

Get the M3... or you might just regret it later.

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

You're maturing! We all do at some point. I'm much more on the conservative end as well. Wheels, a front lip (..depending on the style of the OEM front bumper) and a drop - not to be confused with an excessive dump - to align the aesthetics with my personal tastes. No loud exhausts, no crazy lights, etc.

yepp.. I think i am getting old
And believe me Stevo, looked around for an 90 m3, most that I found had long list of options;defeats the purpose of being a sport car.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by eatrach73

yepp.. I think i am getting old
And believe me Stevo, looked around for an 90 m3, most that I found had long list of options;defeats the purpose of being a sport car.

You could have picked up my previous '08 E90 sedan for a good price at Shelly BMW. It remained in the dealer showroom for awhile and was competitively priced.

[BruinsBMW]

Originally Posted by James T. Kirk

The whole currency exchange threw me.

I, too, attended UCLA some time ago, but I finished my degree at Starfleet Academy in San Francisco.

That's cool..!
Hopefully I would find my M3 soon...!
It's so hard to commute to Hollywood to UCLA... takes almost 3hrs for a round trip.
I will go to the auto auctions too with this dealer that I know.
wish me luck!!!

[BruinsBMW]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

You could have picked up my previous '08 E90 sedan for a good price at Shelly BMW. It remained in the dealer showroom for awhile and was competitively priced.

sad...... 09 or newer and e92 is priority...
but thanks!

[JulieDriving]

You need to wait until you can afford the car you want... which is the M3.

Don't settle.

Don't buy at the top of your budget either.

Leave lots of room for financial flexibility.

Just my one cent.

[Ateam]

I have been in this spot before and bought too much car for my budget when I was younger. On paper I could "afford it" but cars ALWAYS cost more when you starting actually owning them. Tires for example. Even normal driving an m3 they come with super soft summer tires that will wear very quickly and cost 1200 to replace all four. You likely won't baby the car so you will wear tires out even more quickly by driving hard which the m3 will get you to do.

Even if you consider you have warranty for two years.

Insurance, gas, tires on top of the car and that is only for 2 years.

Than add in 6k for a warranty in 2 years or plan to save atleast 6k in the bank for possible repairs.

It just is not a good feeling to be leaving down to the penny just to have a decent car. Now if this is not your situation then great! But if it is cutting close for you I would bet there is going to be more costs than you are penciling in on paper.

Whoever is spending less than 400 on gas a month is either not driving it much at all or driving it like a cadillac which if that is what you are going to do than no point getting it. If you buy an m3 and drive the thing like an m3 is supposed to be driven and you put more than 1000 miles a month than you will be burning 500 bucks easily a month.

Than if you are in so cal or arizona you will be temped by putting higher octane gas in so you get the full 414hp and you will be tempted to spend on race gas and that adds up. Then you will want to mod here and there and mods are so much more for the m3 than the 335. The list goes on and expenses go on!

[Edward]

Originally Posted by BruinsBMW

It's so hard to commute to Hollywood to UCLA... takes almost 3hrs for a round trip.

Dude you are doing it wrong. Aside from when Obama comes to town, that drive should never ever take more than 45 mins one way at worst.