Advice requested: Considering going from 335 to M3

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by Nelrock

When you hit the gas...and hear that V8 growl...you just...

You're not helping my responsible side, you bastard!

[Nelrock]

Originally Posted by 517

You're not helping my responsible side, you bastard!

Sorry

I was in the same boat about a year ago. I put it off...and put it off..."I'll wait till next year, see if the add any cool packages" was my excuse.
Then one day...I was bored and thought "I wonder how much a new M3 would affect my insurance". So I called to see. Said "to heck with it"...took the plunge.
I don't regret it for a minute either. It's the only car I've ever owned where...I'll be sitting in the house...and just think up of BS reasons to drive it. "Going to the store hun. We need...uuuh...we're down to like 10 trash bags left "
That's another thing to consider. Even though you plan to DD...there's always the weekend cruises you can take. I love to just hop in...pick a direction...go. Drive till lunch time, grab lunch in some random town, then head home.

[Quattro98]

I recently made the switch from a 2008 335i with the sport package & manual transmission to a 2011 M3 with EDC and the DCT. I live in the city and my daily driving is a very short commute (under 2 miles). I bought the car because I've always wanted to get an M3 and I want to get back to the track. When I got the 335i a few years ago, I wanted a car that I could enjoy as a daily driver and it filled that role very well. The low RPM torque and manual transmission were fun to drive and I knew that I wasn't going to have time for the track, so it made more sense than an M3 and the financials were tight with the M3 at that time.

Having bought the M3, I think that for daily driving, both cars are fine on a rational basis, although I certainly prefer the M3 and would not want to go back. The M3 rides better than the 335i, but you can fix that on the 335i by getting rid of the run-flats. I was worried about the DCT since I've had a manual transmission car for the past 15 years or so. The DCT is great and I know I made the right choice, although at some point I'd like to get a manual transmission car just for fun and to keep my skills up. The fuel economy of the M3 is significantly worse than the 335i, although in my city driving, neither car gets great mileage. Ultimately, the M3 provides the utility and practicality of the excellent 3-series platform with elements of a true exotic car mixed in which is a nice combination. I bought the E92 M3 knowing that the new one will be out in a few years because I have no intention of getting rid of this car. I'm sure that I will get the next M3/4, but I intend on keeping this car because of the amazing high compression, high RPM normally aspirated engine which is something that isn't common outside of dedicated sports cars (which I don't want to live with as a daily driver).

Ultimately, in your position, I would do two things. 1) Take the M3 for a test drive and see what you think. 2) Decide whether this is a long term purchase or whether you will want the latest model when the new 3-series comes out. The 335i is a great car and the M3 is a legend, you will not go wrong either way.

[mazing]

I did the exact same thing with a different model. I had E93 335i and now E93 M3. I miss some aspects of the 335i (low end acceleration etc) however as a DD i average about 17 MPG and while that is lower than my 335i there is no comparison to the intangible aspect. The sound of that V8, especially in M mode and passing someone is amazing. The ride feels stiffer. It becomes a preference thing. My 335i was an M Sport, but certainly no M.

Good luck either way, drive it first and then decide.

[Roth517]

Well, all this is probably moot - although the M3 is still on Autotrader, it's no longer on the dealer's website (it was there yesterday). Maybe I'll look at an S5 to hold me over until the 435i comes out. I test drove one a few weeks ago and that V8 is nice.

[e1000]

Originally Posted by 517

Well, all this is probably moot - although the M3 is still on Autotrader, it's no longer on the dealer's website (it was there yesterday). Maybe I'll look at an S5 to hold me over until the 435i comes out. I test drove one a few weeks ago and that V8 is nice.

I wouldn't trade up from a 335i to an S5 unless there was something wrong with it.

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by e1000

I wouldn't trade up from a 335i to an S5 unless there was something wrong with it.

Nothing wrong with the 335 and it has a year left on its warranty. Just ready for a change (obviously). The S5 is a nice ride. We'll see. Nothing for sale close to me.

[ES_TRADER]

Originally Posted by 517

Yea, friggin' gas mileage is the worst thing about the M3. I can get over 30 on the freeway with my 335. Like I just said above, I did comparisons on the fueleconomy.gov website - whatever that's worth. It's all I have to go by, aside from mileage research here, of which I did plenty. And so I figured $500-600 more a year. That was figured into my budget and decision not to do a loan higher than $41,500.

But, yea, what if I'm loving the higher revs? I'm not going to be seeing 14/20.

i get worse gas mileage on my 335 than on my M3...i find that because i know that the MPG rating is better for the 335, i drive it freely without care and find that i drive it harder than my M...knowing that the M mpg sucks, i probably subconsciously drive it super conservatively and end up getting more miles per tank

[theriz]

Originally Posted by 517

Nothing wrong with the 335 and it has a year left on its warranty. Just ready for a change (obviously). The S5 is a nice ride. We'll see. Nothing for sale close to me.

keep your 335i until the new M3 comes out.

[Rmitchell248]

Hi 517

maybe the smart thing to do is to get the 335 paid off over the next year and then save your payments for a while. Then you can put more down on a nicer car. if you really want to try to make the responsible choices i must tell you that a 55.000$ used car is not smart. It is hard but sometimes you must grit your teeth and just stick with what you have for some time. also one S5 to "hold you over" will only spend money that you could put towards a new 335f32 that you want when it comes.

[mid-corner fun]

Originally Posted by 517

Well, all this is probably moot - although the M3 is still on Autotrader, it's no longer on the dealer's website (it was there yesterday). Maybe I'll look at an S5 to hold me over until the 435i comes out. I test drove one a few weeks ago and that V8 is nice.

There'll be other M3s...Test drive the S5, the M3 and the 335i back to back. Very different cars. IMO, coming from a 335i, the only impressive part of the S5 is how it looks.

I'm in the same boat right now - but for different reasons (track).

I've had my 335i for 4 years and I've "borrowed" a DCT '08 M3 for the past 3 weeks to test drive for DD purposes. The low-end torque delta between the 2 is significant, especially if the 335i is modded (as is mine). The M3's suspension is stiffer so depending where you commute to, this may or may not be an issue. The 335i is a better DD overall value if you ask me. If that's your focus, I'd keep it until the F30/32 platform comes along.

Now, having said all this, I'm still replacing my 335i with an M3 (probably). I've invested enough money in track mods and reached a point where I still lose too much track time due to limp modes that I need to get off the 335i. I've decided to sacrifice some DD value for better track performance and weekend spirited drives.

At the end, you just have to decide what's important to you and go down that path. Good luck whichever one of these you pick!

[airwave808]

M3 is a different car. I just did ED and couldn't believe what this car is capable of. I have driven 335i's before and believe me there is no comparison. Folks can go on and on about the torque, ECU tunes, etc. but the fact is that both 335i and M3 are great cars on their own and mutually exclusive. If you are not going to be driving it on the weekend then I would just stick with the 335i.

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by rmitchell248

Hi 517

maybe the smart thing to do is to get the 335 paid off over the next year and then save your payments for a while. Then you can put more down on a nicer car. if you really want to try to make the responsible choices i must tell you that a 55.000$ used car is not smart. It is hard but sometimes you must grit your teeth and just stick with what you have for some time. also one S5 to "hold you over" will only spend money that you could put towards a new 335f32 that you want when it comes.

Good points, my German friend, especially about the S5. I'm in no hurry to pay off the 335, however, because I have a 0.9% interest rate through BMWNA (I bought it new right before the "financial collapse"). The interest costs me almost nothing now per month.

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by PeterM1

There'll be other M3s...Test drive the S5, the M3 and the 335i back to back. Very different cars. IMO, coming from a 335i, the only impressive part of the S5 is how it looks.

I test drove an S5 recently. A little stiffer ride around town compared to my 335i, but nothing teeth-jarring. That V8, though... Mmmmm, sounded great. Low and guttural sound with great torque. Great sound system, too. And the damn thing is gorgeous.

I'm in the same boat right now - but for different reasons (track).

I've had my 335i for 4 years and I've "borrowed" a DCT '08 M3 for the past 3 weeks to test drive for DD purposes. The low-end torque delta between the 2 is significant, especially if the 335i is modded (as is mine). The M3's suspension is stiffer so depending where you commute to, this may or may not be an issue. The 335i is a better DD overall value if you ask me. If that's your focus, I'd keep it until the F30/32 platform comes along.

Yea, the more I think about it, that's probably going to be the best option, as tough as it will be to keep the car when I want something new. Thanks for the input.

[Vise]

Originally Posted by 517

But part of me says, "Screw it, you're young (34), and can afford it...and you only live once..."

This!!! My personal words to live by... you could get hit by a bus tomorrow and would never have had the chance to enjoy the magnificence of the M3. As long as it doesn't break the bank why the hell not?

[WRXXX]

^^^words like that are why the economy tanked. People over spending for no reason then simply to "fulfill" their dreams...

...ahhh screw it, buy the M3. You only live once

[luis_m3]

Originally Posted by Vise

This!!! My personal words to live by... you could get hit by a bus tomorrow and would never have had the chance to enjoy the magnificence of the M3. As long as it doesn't break the bank why the hell not?

1. You only live once... Have some fun with the M3 if u feel like it

[Vise]

Originally Posted by WRXXX

^^^words like that are why the economy tanked. People over spending for no reason then simply to "fulfill" their dreams...

...ahhh screw it, buy the M3. You only live once

Hah, notice I did say as long as it doesn't break the bank!!

If you have to eat cat food for dinner to afford the M3 that is one thing... but if its only $20/month outside of a realistic budget then I'd absolutely do it. In Toronto $20 won't even get me a 12 pack of decent beer... and lord knows how much beer I drink in a month.

[luis_m3]

Originally Posted by 517

To somewhat defend myself here, I could afford the $21/month. It's not like that would bankrupt me or force me to eat dog food. I had just set a loan limit of $41,500 after giving careful thought to my budget (and now I find out that I may have underestimated my gas allowance). When the dealer wouldn't go any lower and meet me there, I passed. I wasn't coming up because 1.) I don't "need" the car and 2.) They can come down if they want to sell it to me. My philosophy is that one has to be willing to walk away from a car, especially when what you have is perfectly fine...

Their last offer was allegedly at their break-even price (which I tend to believe - they came down from $59,900 to $55,000 on a loaded 2009 with 15K miles, warranty until 4/13 and extended maintenance until 4/15 - not CPO, though). The CA left off our conversation by saying they weren't willing to sell it at a loss now, but maybe in a month. If he calls back in a couple/few weeks, which he very well may, I'll re-evaluate.

You're a good dude... I like your philosophy, but I bet even Aristotle couldnt have argued the greatness of the M3. I can tell you'll be getting one soon

[GeoXP]

Originally Posted by luis_m3

1. You only live once... Have some fun with the M3 if u feel like it

Now we're talkin! Before I was trying to logically quantify the change. But if I'm honest, a BIG part of the reason I made this switch is simply because I wanted to. I wanted to experience one of the best cars on the planet. I love the way it drives and sounds. I like the fact that not many people in my area have them. I'm only going to live once, so I'm going to enjoy every moment!!! There, I'm a selfish a$$, but I'm OK with that....

[Prince_of_Persia]

If you are concern about $1k to turn down the offer, i would not get a M3. I can see u posting a thread about M3's mpg in a month after buying your car. Buy an M3 when the money for gas , insurance , ... Are not a huge deal to you

[apecush]

Expand your search, and sell the 335i privately. 42k for a loan going from a 335 to a M3? That's nuts, I just paid 43.5 for mine (08, 25,000 miles, immaculate). By avoiding dealers (buying/selling privately), it shouldn't be too hard to get that loan under 30k when its all said and done. Get creative, and have the best of both worlds (under-budget loan/better car).