Need Help: Trading my 135i to M3

[CL 19]

Originally Posted by m3an

First off, are you an adult? If the answer is yes, then you should be able to make your own informed decision about buyiing a 40K+ used car and not rely on random people on the internet.. Sounds crazy when you think about it no?

Secondly, mod the 135. You seem to want an M3 just b/c it's an M. If you think this car is much faster you're wrong. The 135 is easier to mod and much cheaper to boot. Also the car makes much more torque and in city driivng will feel much faster than the M3 which need to rev to make power. Give the 135 a chance, do some mods, and then if you want traded it in. You're gonna lose money right away trading the car.

First of all, through this thread I'm asking people's opinions and not to make the decision from here. I got my own decision but just want to know what people think about it.

Second, I want an M3 because it's an M car? Not really, again I told you that M3 is my dream car since I was in primary school. You know how it feels when you will be able to get what you dream but something bothers you. My best option for now will be test drive an M3 and think about how it feels and probably save some money for later on if I decide to buy it rather than buy the high miles one. Probably I will do Dinan Stage 2 that adds up 100 ft lb and 50 hp for less than what I lose when I trade the car.

The last thing that help me made up my mind is that I'm driving the car around the city that give me only traffic light stop n go or stop sign stop and go. With that being said from many M3 owners that I might be better of to keep my 135i because I drive it around town, I might put what they said in my mind

[Car54]

Your 5 mile commute isn't far enough to warm up the motorsports motor. Keep your "N" motor, and wait for an "S" motor until your driving habits change.

[CL 19]

Originally Posted by Car54

Your 5 mile commute isn't far enough to warm up the motorsports motor. Keep your "N" motor, and wait for an "S" motor until your driving habits change.

Thanks bud! That's exactly what I'm thinking. Since I'm not really commute for a long distance except weekend that I usually commute for 20 miles

[sycd]

Tune your car and keep it. In the meantime save some cash and buy a new M3/4 in a couple of years.

[okcomputer]

So, with the condition that I have, that would be more to prestige and satisfaction of having M rather than enjoying the performance of the car itself, am I right?

This might be the worst reason to make the change. In fact, it's not a reason... I love my car, but I've never felt prestigious in it

I have an M3 in the shop with a 335i loaner. I think I'm rather falling in love with the 335i... But my 5 y.o. wants the M back!

[AshyLarryMP]

Everything about the E92 is amazing, especially the DCT.

There are so many settings that change the way the car drives and feels. It might take you a while to find the set up that you like best. I drive it in D4, where D5 is the most aggressive shift program. I started out driving it in D1 with power button off, the most docile setting. I tried driving it like that today and it felt like a totally different car. It's really not fun to drive it like that, but it's very comfortable.

[valen]

Originally Posted by Johnfr

Funny. I just went through this. I bought a 2008 135i in 2008 and just traded it 4 months ago for a 2008 M3 with 6200K miles on it. The car had Eisenmann race and HRE's. I liked the 135i, but, I love the M3. The good news: I got great trade in value for the 135i with 45k miles on it. The M3 was absolutely perfect as in like new with very expensive mods on it that I didn't have to pay for. My insurance went up $3 per year. The M3 is larger in size and a totally different experience. I like the technology in the 135i with twin turbo's (N54). Since the 135i was paid for I only had to come up with about $23K. I would do it again in a heartbeat. The M3 is classy, more comfortable, and looks better - even though I like the looks of the 135i. The 135i is an around town accelerant. The M3 is more of a open road cruiser that performs best at a higher (illegal) speed. Finally, the 135i is only 7/8 size of a car if you are over 5'10".

How did your insurance go up only $3 per year? That's really low. My insurance basically double from an 09 335i to an 09 M3. Who are you insured through?

[Robz26]

Funny. I love my M3, but used to have a 2008 1-series. After reading this thread, I'm thinking about hopping in a modded 135i and seeing what it can do.

Although I love scaring the out of NYC pedestrians that cross against the light...

The guys that previously had one, did you get the M-Sport package and then add the tune and exhaust? or start stock?

[TVMA Doc]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

You can always mod the 135.

Sounds like you jumped into a car without checking things out first. I would do some research on here and see how you feel afterwards. Also, if you don't have enough time to enjoy the car you have now then why sell it just to get another car which you don't have time for?

Research things before you find out that there's an M5, a GTR and even a Veyron...

There's always more power if you have the money. Research things enough to decide upon what you want/need.

[WarrantyTracker]

135 vs M3 is like fly fishing vs. deep sea fishing.

If you want to have a great time fishing, either works.

If you want to go fly fishing (135), you don't need to be near the coast and you can come home with some tasty trout.

If you want to spend a fortune on fuel and come home with the BIG fish, you need the M3.

[Robz26]

Originally Posted by JBasham

135 vs M3 is like fly fishing vs. deep sea fishing.

If you want to have a great time fishing, either works.

If you want to go fly fishing (135), you don't need to be near the coast and you can come home with some tasty trout.

If you want to spend a fortune on fuel and come home with the BIG fish, you need the M3.

+1

[MKE_M3]

Originally Posted by valen

How did your insurance go up only $3 per year? That's really low. My insurance basically double from an 09 335i to an 09 M3. Who are you insured through?

I use State Farm and my insurance only went up a little. Not sure exactly how much, but not enough for me to notice. 2007 335i coupe to 2011 M3 Sedan

[nicknaz]

If you can swing the $ go for it. There's no way around the fact the M3 will be more expensive all around but if you can pay to play why not. You only live once so get what you want.

Given your low mileage and (apparent) desire to switch cars often, consider taking over someone else's M3 lease instead. In particular, go for the ones that have put down multiple security deposits to buy down the money factor but are desperate to get out of the lease and will allow you to keep the MSD at least end.

EDIT: you should look into a CPO 996 TT. A friend got one for low $40s recently. Great deal and 600hp is just $3k in mods away!

[CL 19]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

If you can swing the $ go for it. There's no way around the fact the M3 will be more expensive all around but if you can pay to play why not. You only live once so get what you want.

Given your low mileage and (apparent) desire to switch cars often, consider taking over someone else's M3 lease instead. In particular, go for the ones that have put down multiple security deposits to buy down the money factor but are desperate to get out of the lease and will allow you to keep the MSD at least end.

EDIT: you should look into a CPO 996 TT. A friend got one for low $40s recently. Great deal and 600hp is just $3k in mods away!

I ever once thinking about 996 TT but again, only time will tell whether I really change my car. After all, I might decide to just keep my 135i and do some mods on it, enjoy it for at least 2 years or until the warranty expired and we'll see what happens . Thank you for your advice though