Anyone go from M3 to 135 or 335i

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by 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,

Agree with #1. Thats why I moved over to the M3. Much more room and comfort.

The other thing is does it have to be a car? SUV? I have a midlevel X5 and love it. Tons of room and rides awesome. I would not go with an X3 as they are for the tiny club. I tried them and it was like a Z4MC. No room and I was crowded.

I would go with what you want. 135 may work for you.

Good luck.

[Beemw335]

Unless your into tracking or canyon driving, Im sure youll be happy with the 335.
And youll love the power you can get out of it with a few simple mods.

[neilvosko]

+1, great review based on actual experience and not theoretical paper BS.

tuned 335i + m3 suspension + LSD is a beast

[Killerfish2012]

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!

Solution: buy a used, but modified 335I.

[HotIce]

But a 335iS. I love the exhaust note on those things.

[M3Duo]

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!

first off: my sympathy/empathy, you will soon be fine even before you know it...

It's only you who will finally decide your ultimate plan, all we can do is to offer different ideas and or action plans. If I were you I would just take a 335, period. Most people will agree a 135 has less space and a class below a 3er! Well true it's lighter and will pace with a 335 but it's a 1er. Take them both for a spin and give yourself time to make up your mind
Good luck

[JulieDriving]

OP, try both and report back.

[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,

[Optherion]

So your question is has anyone made the transition? But it seems immediately people start comparing which is more fun to drive. I will leave that subject completely out of my response seeing as I use my 335 as a daily driver.

I had 2 M3's and now a 335. I am looking at another 335 when the model series changes. Got rid of the M3's as one was my track toy and the other the DD. Now have a GT-R and a bunch of other cars.

335 PLUS+
I like how the seats are wider and less bolstered. For daily driving I honestly dont like the damn seats holding me in tightly when its 110 out in southern california.
Much better low end torque around town.
Better gas mileage and better range.
All the same BMW electronics such and nav and things for daily business use.
Got 32k miles out of my set of tires.

335 Minus'
I would never ever track the thing. It has a basic 6 speed auto.
It sounds like crap when compared to the M3, however the inline 6 I still think is beautiful in its own nature.
Run flat tires on 335 feel like wooden wagon wheels.


All things considered, if you are seeking one car that does everything and you dont have a choice for a 2nd car, the M3 is a no brainer. However you should note that I have other toys so the 335 and M3 were driven the least of any cars I own. The current 335 now has 12k miles after 2 years. I really cant think of that many plus and minus on the 335 or the M3 to be honest. I would much rather be driving the GT-R or CGT. However, the 335 I take to vegas, throw the golf clubs in and still has decent power than when I feel the need for speed I swap. The M3 I felt was right in the middle performance wise. I went the supercharger route but it was still never enough for me. Finally settled that, I just needed a different car. Everyone likes different things but you cant go wrong with the 335 for a nice commuter with 300+ hp

[tareemaa]

I owned a E92 335i with a manual before I made the move to an M3 so here goes...

335
Honestly, I think the only car that can touch this is the M3, for any other manufacturer to think for even a split second that they have something that can compete with the 335i is just plain dumb. Hell even the S4 which only got marginally better reviews is in the M3 price range. For the cost of the car, and the gas mileage itll give you, lower maintenance costs, and warranty coverage from various recalls, this thing is an all out steal. If you want M3 emotion it will take some extra cash but you can add that to the car as you go and free up funds.
1. Cobb Tune
2. Down Pipes
4. Light weight wheels
3. KW V2 or V3 coils
4. LSD
5. Exhaust (axel back for sound or down pipe back for power)
6. The sky's the limit
I had a Cobb set to stage 2 aggressive, downpipes, and an axel back and though I love the M3, I honestly miss the freight train like torque, my 335 was a true sleeper. Immediately after I traded it in for the M3 I had a few days of remorse where I thought I might have made a mistake, but thats where the M3's prowess comes into play...

M3
If the funds are there the M3 is the clear choice because when you are driving an M3 you are driving something special, and what I honestly love about it is that its not obvious. Aside from a hood bulge and flared fenders, the car looks like a 3 series, the styling is just subtle enough to make anyone look at it twice and know its up to no good. Once i got comfortable with the car I started to realize what everyone is always talking about. Im pretty sure I will always own an M as long as it is possible for me to.

With all that being said, I your situation, grab the 335, save the money, itll be cheaper to buy, maintain, and fill with gas. I drove the car to have fun with it and still consistently got 20 mpg in the city/suburbs, highway was almost 30, its crazy to get that kind of milage out of a car that had roughly 390 hp and 420 lbs of torque after mods. You'll love the manual, please dont get an auto. The actual leather isnt as good as M, but great seats nonetheless, other tech like audio, etc. are pretty much the same. Hope this long as write up helps, good luck with the business... "the day is always dark before the dawn"

[krnnerdboy]

As another small business owner, you have my sympathy. As for the car , you can't go wrong with either of them for the price

Roy

[adnanm3]

Went from a e46 m3 to e92 335i, no complaints

[Ammonia]

If you hadn't totaled your car I'd come in here begging for a swap+cash.

[13entley]

Off topic but depending on when you want to buy (immediately or 2 months or so) I will have mine for sale. 08 63K AW w/ coral red. 6 speed of course

[jetpilot747]

If money is tight for an m3 then just get a Japanese sports car like an Evo or 370z if you are into tracking.

[Novator]

I did the opposite I went from a lightly modded E82 135i to a decently modded E46 M3. Stock for stock I regret buying the 135i and should have bought the E46 M3 in the first place but now I that I have my E46 M3 almost complete I really can't see myself wanting another car for quite sometime. Helps that the E46 M3 has been a dream car of mine for sometime. To make things clear I bought the 135i brand new from factory (dealer ordered) and the E46 M3 was mainly stock other than some less than ideal tires on stock wheels, legal tint, and G Power pedals. I have autocrossed both cars several times and prefer the M3 for both daily driving and track time. In the 135i's defense it was slightly better on gas, but it had a smaller fuel tank. The E46 M3 always surprised me with its range on many occasions.

Mods on my former 2009 BMW 135i: BMW Performance exhaust, BMW Performance carbon fiber diffuser, BMW Performance carbon fiber spoiler, BMW Performance electronic steering wheel (first version), BMW Performance selector lever and boot (Steptronic), BMW Performance rotors (front and rear), BMW Performance Power Kit, BMW gloss black kidney grills, APEX ARC-8 wheels, Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs (225/255), Evolution Racewerks charge pipe with Synapse Engineering BOV, Sprint Booster, Vishnu Procede V4, and occasional helpings of 100 octane pump gas when I could afford it.

Things that broke with my 135i under warranty: 3rd brake light lense cracked and fell off multiple times, passenger side fender mounted turn indicator cracked and fell off held on only by wire, replacement of high pressure fuel pump, replacement of 3 faulty fuel injectors, and crappy iPod Y-connector wire. Car was owned for 2.5 years and had about 38XXX miles.

Mods on my current 2004 BMW M3: Turner Motorsport black out hood and fender grills, APEX ARC-8 wheels, Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs (245/275), Turner Motorsport 3.91 geared diff, VAC Motorsports floor/side mounts, Cobra Imola GT seat, Schroth Quick Fit Pro harness, Dr. VANOS cryo-treated exhaust hub and rebuilt VANOS unit, Fabspeed headers and catted section 1, Supersprint resonated X-pipe and Race exhaust, AP Racing BBK, AST 5100 coilovers with Swift springs, Vorshlag camber plates, Vorshlag 75mm stud conversion, Hotchkis swaybars, BMW Motorsports 55*C thermostat, Bimmerworld Radiator and Oil Cooler, AN10 fittings for oil cooler, Optima Red Top, VAC Motorsports Optima battery harness/mount, HPF fan clutch, and VF Engineering VF420 "Streetsport" supercharger kit.

Things that broke on my E46 M3: auto-dim mirror, stock 3.62 geared differential (bearing issue related to day at drag strip), 3 ignition coils, alternator, dead OEM battery, and most recently SMG pump.

[SamS]

Maybe I'm the first person to go from an E9x M3 to an F30 335i?

Just completed the sale of the M3, and will get a production number for the 335i at the end of this month. Needed the extra doors, so I got a 335i as "close" as I could to my beloved M3: M-sport, Adaptive M-suspension, M-Performance Exhaust, etc. Yes I know it's not an ///M. But there is no M car that suits my needs, available today.

I'm actually quite looking forward to some of the F30 features, including the different (better, IMO) interior, camera options, HUD, etc. E92 M3 is still the best car I've driven, but I was only using 50% of its capability, and lack of doors was really starting to hamper me.

[CPWINCH]

Originally Posted by 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.

there are way more differences than just that. Its a whole different car in my opinion. The handling, the engine of course; it just feels better. My brother owns a 6MT M3 and I had 6AT 335 FBO. My car was faster in a straight line and it had coilovers but it was no where as fun as the m3. Its an animal. I sold my 335 after 2 years of ownership and am now ready to get into an M3 with DCT

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

there are way more differences than just that. Its a whole different car in my opinion. The handling, the engine of course; it just feels better. My brother owns a 6MT M3 and I had 6AT 335 FBO. My car was faster in a straight line and it had coilovers but it was no where as fun as the m3. Its an animal. I sold my 335 after 2 years of ownership and am now ready to get into an M3 with DCT

Your point is well taken but as a daily driver it's hard to get to the handling limit of the M3 or even the 335 for that matter. I do push the turns wherever I can and it's so easy to get the back end of the 335 to come out - which makes it a lot more fun actually than the M3 for DD duties. This trait is a liability to the 335 on the track unless one's goal is to drift (not mine).

I don't know if your 335 was an n54 with meth, but if so, the M3 is just slug in comparison. Winding the M3 out to 8,400 RPM such a chore on the street but you need to do it for it get moving.For me, my 335 is WAY more fun on the street than the stock DCT M3.

My M3 is now blown with Akra/MRF exhaust so it will likely change the DD charactistics dramatically. Hopefully I will like it better than the 335 for DD.

[CPWINCH]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Your point is well taken but as a daily driver it's hard to get to the handling limit of the M3 or even the 335 for that matter. I do push the turns wherever I can and it's so easy to get the back end of the 335 to come out - which makes it a lot more fun actually than the M3 for DD duties. This trait is a liability to the 335 on the track unless one's goal is to drift (not mine).

I don't know if your 335 was an n54 with meth, but if so, the M3 is just slug in comparison. Winding the M3 out to 8,400 RPM such a chore on the street but you need to do it for it get moving.For me, my 335 is WAY more fun on the street than the stock DCT M3.

My M3 is now blown with Akra/MRF exhaust so it will likely change the DD charactistics dramatically. Hopefully I will like it better than the 335 for DD.

I had a N55 fbo lol. Im not all about power im more about balance now. I looked into c63s and fast straight line cars but they are all missing something. Although the m3 is not the fastest in a straight line it has the brakes, suspension, and looks. I personally thought the N55 was cool but that tiny power band sucks and it dies off by 5900 rpm. I think the m3 is the clear substitute in my position but others have different needs. In my opinion the 335s (n54&n55) lack in terms of handling (no lsd), power band (stock turbos), and sound. Where the m3 performs well in all of those categories. I obviously have different needs and opinions than others but I feel if you are gonna go to the track and take your car on canyons a lot the m3 is a batter choice. But the 335 is not a bad substitue if money is tight. But by the time you have turned your 335 into an m3 killer, you could have had the m3. I agree on the 335 being a better daily for most. But most peoples daily drives arent through the canyons along the west coast. I also track my car so its nice to have the extra cooling,braking, and handling.

sorry for the long ass post, took to much adderall before class loool

[MuNkY6913]

For the money go with the N54 135i. Only one out of the three I've ever owned. So I'm pretty biased. I bought mine brand new from the factory and had it shipped to England from Germany and then to here. Right now I have 3 mods done to it and I put down 343hp & 370tq at the wheels on a dyno. That's with 3 mods put on myself and a buddy in his garage. Not shop. Garage. Total I have spent 39000 on the car and payments are 570/month. Fuel pump went bad but it was already scheduled for recall to fix it anyways. Beside that nothing else has really gone wrong with it. It's my daily driver. I drive an hour to work everyday round trip. Most of the time I drive like a jack(you know what). I still get 21 mpg avg on 93 pump gas. The jb4 is great too for the Econ mode. And it all being controlled from the steering wheel controls is great. I don't think the inside is built cheap at all. Very comfortable seats. Sporty feel. Like I said steering wheel controls let you put it back in stock mode in 2 button strokes (23mpg). Then when the time comes to show that Porsche that costs twice as much that your faster all it takes is 2 buttons again. Most people give me a lot of compliments whether driving around town or stopping to get gas. It sounds like you want the sport and head turning ability at a lower cost. I see 335's here all the time. I think me and my buddy have 2 of the 4 1ers I've seen around here. More m3s than 1ers too. Find someone with a few mods done to a 1er and try it out. They really do make a difference and keep the price down.

[1MOREMOD]

not on purpose.