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      03-30-2013, 08:35 AM   #1
SanquintinB
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E92 335i or E46 M3

Hey guys I posted this on BimmerForums also and I figured I wouldn't get much bias here due to the fact that while you all are ///M drivers, you also drive the E9X chassis.

I'm a college student but I live with my parents and I have 2 jobs to support my gear head habit. I drive an 02 Honda Accord & now that it is payed off, I want a Bimmer as a weekend only/fun car. I'm stuck in between a CPO E92 335i & an E46 M3. The 335i will undoubtedly cost more but the CPO allows me to save money on maintenence/repairs. What matters most to me is fun behind the wheel, head turning ability, and engine/exhaust note is a big deal to me as an audiophile. Both cars are plenty fast for me so mods will probably just be aesthetics & noise mods. I'm also prepared for maintenence in the ///M

I'm looking to spend 25k-27k max on the ///M but willing to spend 30k-32k on a CPO 335i. How much mileage is 'too much' for the M3? Can anyone chime in on what you think I should spend my money on, based on what I've told you? Any input from those who owned both cars is highly appreciated.

Thanks.
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      03-30-2013, 08:51 AM   #2
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Lets just put the cost and performance aside for a minute and ask a different question. How much does it matter to you if the car is a ///M or not? As cocky/douchey as it sounds, owning a M is a completely different experience than owning a regular 3 series.

Its not like the difference between a Civic DX vs Civic Si or even Civic Type R.

Think about it, a M twenty years later will still be a cool car that turns heads while a 3 series twenty years later is just another old car used to get groceries that's not as reliable as an accord.
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      03-30-2013, 08:55 AM   #3
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The E46 sounds like crap with most after market exhaust and even stock its very raspy.I love the styling and driving dynamics it offers but that's where it ends.

Be aware of Vanos and rear sub frame issues.

Overall i would go with the M3 just so you can claim you own 1 and be proud.
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      03-30-2013, 09:39 AM   #4
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You really need to drive them, they both drive completely different,I love the E46 M3 its one of my fav cars and while performance power wise is close to the 335, they go about how they get there in completely different ways.

Exhaust is different, but I personally always loved the E46 M3 exhaust.

Since you are using it as a weekend car and not modding power I would go M3 without question. If it was a daily drive I may saw closer to the 335. The M3 will absolutely be more fun to drive, especially if you ever take it to a track where it just loves to rev.

Good luck!
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      03-30-2013, 09:52 AM   #5
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What can you get an E46 with for $25k? There are only 4 on Ebay right now.. in you can get an 06 with 40,000 miles or something, i would buy that i think.
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      03-30-2013, 10:05 AM   #6
SanquintinB
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I saw quite a few on autotrader with around from 50k listed for less than 28k. Maybe it matters that I want a coupe , and 6mt. And not an SMG convertible which I will assume is worth more.

Thanks for the quick responses guys.
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      03-30-2013, 10:09 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SanquintinB View Post
I saw quite a few on autotrader with around from 50k listed for less than 28k. Maybe it matters that I want a coupe , and 6mt. And not an SMG convertible which I will assume is worth more.

Thanks for the quick responses guys.
SMG verts ar actually less expensive, most times, because demand is not as high.

Go me with the M3. All Day.
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      03-30-2013, 04:00 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dreamspeed View Post
How much does it matter to you if the car is a ///M or not? As cocky/douchey as it sounds, owning a M is a completely different experience than owning a regular 3 series.
Seems like I need to drive them to figure out what you're talking about.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Staszek View Post
You really need to drive them, they both drive completely different.

Good luck!
Will do, and thanks.

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Originally Posted by PrimoM3 View Post
SMG verts ar actually less expensive, most times, because demand is not as high.
That's interesting. You guys think ~50k miles is reasonable?
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      03-30-2013, 04:07 PM   #9
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335i is a very fun car. id go with that
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      03-30-2013, 06:18 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SanquintinB View Post
Hey guys I posted this on BimmerForums also and I figured I wouldn't get much bias here due to the fact that while you all are ///M drivers, you also drive the E9X chassis.

I'm a college student but I live with my parents and I have 2 jobs to support my gear head habit. I drive an 02 Honda Accord & now that it is payed off, I want a Bimmer as a weekend only/fun car. I'm stuck in between a CPO E92 335i & an E46 M3. The 335i will undoubtedly cost more but the CPO allows me to save money on maintenence/repairs. What matters most to me is fun behind the wheel, head turning ability, and engine/exhaust note is a big deal to me as an audiophile. Both cars are plenty fast for me so mods will probably just be aesthetics & noise mods. I'm also prepared for maintenence in the ///M

I'm looking to spend 25k-27k max on the ///M but willing to spend 30k-32k on a CPO 335i. How much mileage is 'too much' for the M3? Can anyone chime in on what you think I should spend my money on, based on what I've told you? Any input from those who owned both cars is highly appreciated.

Thanks.
-Bryan
Dude why do you have to have a BMW? If you have a paid off Accord then stick with that and invest, save or move out of your folks house. Your priorities are a little messed up. Lets be realistic. Neither car is right for you right now.

To me its house first, then a practical car. Then later on down the line when you are established and have some spare cash then go for a fun toy.

You have to look at both sides. Anyway thats my 2 cents.

IF you just have to have a BMW I would go with the newer 335 because it comes with a warranty. That way you can sleep a little easier knowing it is a CPO vs an M3 with no warranty and 9 years old.
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      03-30-2013, 07:50 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Endless619 View Post
Dude why do you have to have a BMW? If you have a paid off Accord then stick with that and invest, save or move out of your folks house. Your priorities are a little messed up. Lets be realistic. Neither car is right for you right now.
Due to not wanting to explain it again, I will paste my answer to a very similar question from BimmerForums.


Quote:
Originally Posted by HFX328i View Post
Instead of a second car, have you thought about your own place? You could put a nice down payment on one, and have a few pennies for a rainy day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SanquintinB View Post
I know that in most cases, that is the smarter, & more responsible thing to do but not really in my case. I'll explain. My parents are getting older, (54 & 55) . I'm their youngest child @ 21. My 2 older brothers are already graduated, married, & on their own. My parents are waiting on me to finish school, (on track to finish Sept. '14), & become self sufficient with my career as opposed to my current 2 dead end jobs. When that happens they are going back to their home country to enjoy their remaining years. They have property there so their plan is to put our current home under my name & hand off the mortgage payments to me. So I essentially already have my own place. Getting a lease & a down payment on another place would be a waste. & on top of it all, I'm a gear head. Engines make me happy.
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      03-31-2013, 12:37 PM   #12
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Having owned a 335i step and a 135i manual with a tune, i'd have to say by far go with the M3. I just recently gave up my AW '11 135i M-sport for a '04 TSM M3 SMG. Although i much prefer have a Manual transmission i'd have to say the SMG has grown on me in these past few weeks. I've wanted an e46 M3 since 2005 when i had an s2000. Just never really ended up getting one, then in 2008 i had the chance to get a Alpine White '06 M3 ZCP with only 30k on the clock. or a AW '07 335i step........because of the turbocharged factor i chose the 335i and regretted it till this day. Then in 2010 i was in the market yet again, and i knew i wanted something faster than the 335i only i did not want to compromise much as far as luxury so i opted for a 2011 135i with 30k on the clock. after buying the 135i i caught myself more and more so wanting an e46 M3. I would search autotrader and cars.com literally daily as well as EAG, with a horrible excuse that me and my wife and kids needed a 2nd vehicle (M3). Then Fast forward to March 2013, and i decide to trade in the 135i for a family car for my wife. i deal on a 09' AW 328i cpo for her and notice a TSM 2004 M3 parked in the back. I immediately ask my salesman what the deal is with that M3, he tells me that a customer had just traded it in the day before and they had not even had a chance to wash it and put it out on the pre owned lot. Goes on the say that it is a 1 owner (older man) and that it had been purchased from them and had always been serviced there by them as well with all service records available. I immediately ask if i could test drive it;needless to say i fell in love with it.......i walked away that very day with the car of my dreams
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      03-31-2013, 08:35 PM   #13
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They are totally and completely different cars. Drive both, see which you like. I can't imagine anyone who likes one being happy with the other, they experiences are that different.
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      04-03-2013, 09:35 AM   #14
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Hi SanquintinB... I am very qualified to answer this question.

I owned this for 1.2 years:
2007 335i Steptronic; with Turbo Tuner 2 chip and Dinan Tune and K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake mods

I sold it for this and have owned it since Dec 2012:
2003 M3 Convertible 6 speed; with K&N Cold Air Intake mod

HANDS DOWN I WILL GO WITH THE M3 E46 ANYDAY!!!! With the mods I had I really gave e46 M3s a run for their money and straightline would outrun M3 drivers and it made them really ... but we are BMW drivers... straightline driving is for any 16 year old idiot with a license... The M3 hunkers down and hugs the curves so tightly that the 335i would need much more mods on the suspension to even match. With my CAI on my M3... 335i are still behind me... on the curves is when I make strides that 335i owners would have to pay lots of $$$ for.

But I really wanted to own an ///M so my search was started and I wanted a convertible too... I found one in Greenwich, CT 03 M3 Vert... 17900 original miles. Got a BMW PPI done on it and shipped it to NC. I LOVE THIS THING!!!

As another member stated ///M will always turn heads... frickin 335i & is are everywhere! So with that said YOU REALLY NEED TO CHECK OUT MY LISTING ON CRAIGSLIST:

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/3625887922.html

Good luck deciding... 31K miles garage queen Inspection 1 just performed



Quote:
Originally Posted by SanquintinB View Post
Due to not wanting to explain it again, I will paste my answer to a very similar question from BimmerForums.

Last edited by IHateSmartCars; 04-03-2013 at 09:47 AM.. Reason: forgot to add in other detail
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      04-07-2013, 09:45 PM   #15
SanquintinB
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Looks great man, Imola on gray <3. & a nice price to boot. I just can't do the vert though.
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      04-07-2013, 10:10 PM   #16
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No vert in Florida? Why not?

I'm in the same position, except I have a 98 Accord sedan. Cleanly modded. I was torn between a 135i coupe/vert or an E46 M3.

I like the tightly packaged, quick 135. The M3 is, an M3. One question I have, is how are these cars reliability wise in higher mileage? 100k and up?
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      04-07-2013, 10:28 PM   #17
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Sell the Accord and buy a 2010 S4, put an intake and a tune and there you go, now you can enjoy the +430hp and listen to that intoxicating supercharger whine all week long! In my mind there's no better all around car for the money then the S4!! I just think the E46 M3 is old and to slow and the 335i is boring!

http://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_up...tfsi_b8s4.html

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      04-09-2013, 08:38 AM   #18
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I dunno... I think I rather have an e46 M3 Vert tuned with Super Charger installed to become a monstrous 515HP Beast.

Besides an R8 or S5 Vert... I am not sure about the Audi 4 body styles. Now what would be awesome to have is your M3 coupe with that awesome red interior man!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex07M3 View Post
Sell the Accord and buy a 2010 S4, put an intake and a tune and there you go, now you can enjoy the +430hp and listen to that intoxicating supercharger whine all week long! In my mind there's no better all around car for the money then the S4!! I just think the E46 M3 is old and to slow and the 335i is boring!

http://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_up...tfsi_b8s4.html

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      04-09-2013, 08:39 AM   #19
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Pick up a hardtop for under $1200 and you are in business bud! coupe with availability for Vert... perfect for Orlando!

Quote:
Originally Posted by SanquintinB View Post
Looks great man, Imola on gray <3. & a nice price to boot. I just can't do the vert though.
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      04-09-2013, 09:44 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex07M3 View Post
Sell the Accord and buy a 2010 S4, put an intake and a tune and there you go, now you can enjoy the +430hp and listen to that intoxicating supercharger whine all week long! In my mind there's no better all around car for the money then the S4!! I just think the E46 M3 is old and to slow and the 335i is boring!

http://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_up...tfsi_b8s4.html

thats a horrible suggestion
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      04-09-2013, 11:48 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by v_bimmer View Post
thats a horrible suggestion
I guess you're sold to BMW but you got to admit that the S4 is a better package then E9X 335, I would even say it's better then the F30 335! It's cheaper, better interior, looks a lot more special, better engine and far better tranny!

I don't always believe what I see on the internet but this guy has a lot of credibility!


Also this:


and this:



So what's so horrible about owning an S4!!?

Last edited by Alex07M3; 04-09-2013 at 11:54 AM..
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      04-09-2013, 11:51 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IHateSmartCars View Post
I dunno... I think I rather have an e46 M3 Vert tuned with Super Charger installed to become a monstrous 515HP Beast.

Besides an R8 or S5 Vert... I am not sure about the Audi 4 body styles. Now what would be awesome to have is your M3 coupe with that awesome red interior man!
Yes that would be if he was'nt a student and if the E46 M3 was as reliable as the E9x M3!

Thanks for the compliment!
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