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      01-20-2019, 04:19 PM   #1
Averdi
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Potential e92 M3 Owner (from 335i)

What's going on??

I've owned 2 N54's , my most current being a stage 2 e90 2010 Xdrive. I started a job in sales so I recently bought an older x5 as my work car/beater.

Now that I have this x5, I want an upgrade from my 335. I test drive the f80 m3 and look wise it's gorgeous, but driving wise the sound didn't impress me and it felt softer. Although, if money wasn't an issue I'd probably get myself into one.

After a lot of thinking, I'm looking to spend 20-30k on my upgrade, not 40-50k. I'm starting to think an e92 m3 might be the answer. The only part of me that is holding back is knowing that my 335 is going to feel faster with the torque.

Has anyone else been in my situation where they're coming from a 335 but debated to upgrading to an e92 m3?

Look forward to hearing your insight
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      01-20-2019, 05:05 PM   #2
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I'm sure any 335's you pull up next to will be like 'Mine FEELS faster', but will quickly learn it's not.

Once again, the long debated low torque driving of this car and it all boils down to your preference. Test drive an M3 and find out for yourself if it's going to be a problem. I enjoy winding the engine out past 8k and would have it no other way.
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      01-20-2019, 05:10 PM   #3
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The 335i can be every bit as fast as the E9x M3 when tuned but drive them back to back and you'll quickly see the difference. If you do get out and drive the M3, make sure you keep it on boil once warmed up to get the real feel of the engine. It's a snore below 3k, entertaining at 3-6k, and a psycho 6-8.4k. Also don't make the test drive mistake of driving in soft settings. Sport steering, suspension, and throttle make a difference if you want to grab it by the scruff.
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      01-20-2019, 05:13 PM   #4
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I owned a JB4 tuned n54 for 6 years before my e92 m3 and I'd take my stock m3 every time if given a choice.

Very different driving styles.
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      01-20-2019, 05:32 PM   #5
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Going from the 335 to the M3 is sooo different and takes a lot of getting used to. For around town driving the 335 is so so so much better. But you have the X5 for that
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      01-20-2019, 05:34 PM   #6
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A key thing to note is that despite everyone's obsession with 0-60 times, those only matter (even in an M3) on a drag strip. Otherwise, they're a fairly poor indicator of driving performance. Someone can take a couple grand and make a Honda pretty f*cking fast with a Chinese eBay turbo and a lack of respect for the sanctity of life.

The 335 suspension, transmission, diff, and general driving characteristics are not going to be comparable to an M3, and in the case of several of those items, cannot be made comparable to an M3.

You can definitely make a 335 faster in a straight line than an M3 and, with enough abandon, perhaps faster on the track but only through EXCESSIVE suspension and engine upgrades.

Again, you can easily make a Honda faster than, say, a Porsche 993.

But at that point, why bother?

Quote:
Originally Posted by PKL View Post
Going from the 335 to the M3 is sooo different and takes a lot of getting used to. For around town driving the 335 is so so so much better. But you have the X5 for that
This is definitely true, though. Driving around town at the speed limit, the M3 isn't going to be exceedingly lively or exciting unless you really drive like a douche (like exclusively drive to the grocery store in 1st and 2nd). It's pretty quiet until you get over 5k.
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      01-20-2019, 07:46 PM   #7
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I also have never tracked a car, are most of the benefits of the m3 would you say related to the track?

I would like to try eventually though
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      01-20-2019, 07:57 PM   #8
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I had a e92 08 335xi the first time I test drove the e92 m3 I made an offer (it had an exhaust) the feeling and especially the sound was addicting
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      01-20-2019, 07:58 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Averdi View Post
I also have never tracked a car, are most of the benefits of the m3 would you say related to the track?

I would like to try eventually though
They are probably "related to the track" inasmuch as the M3 is a designed performance car that is intended to be fairly track-capable. But I'd definitely say that the majority of the benefits of the M3 are related to going more than 35mph, or at least going 35mph around corners that you typically would not go around at 35mph.

I personally take very little joy in driving my M3 until I've surpassed what the local PD would call "responsible speed" but, as they say, YMMV.
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      01-20-2019, 08:57 PM   #10
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      01-21-2019, 07:40 PM   #11
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There will be a considerable adjustment going from the 335's fat midrange to the M3's very soft midrange, no question. Not that the 335 is faster but it will feel much faster in normal everyday circumstances.

That said, depending on your roads/commute/how you will use the car, the E9XM is a super fast car... just gotta keep the rpms no lower than 6krpm to really get excited in the power department. But the rest of the car will blow the 335 out of the water in terms of response and feel and sportiness.... nothing is like an M3 (any M3).

I think for $30k max (any higher is a poor value - they all drive exactly the same) the E9XM is a killer car. Just consider that many people immediately have the rod bearings done after purchase - this is about a $2k job, so factor that in.

Edit - the F80 is the furthest thing from 'soft'. It's easily the most hardcore M3 to date while the E9XM is easily the most refined. The E46 M3 lands squarely in the middle.
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      01-21-2019, 08:44 PM   #12
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I drove my 08 335 for 7 years and I totally understand where you're coming from, but if you dig through the forums enough and look at how many people made the jump, you'll notice that many of them see things from a very different perspective after jumping to an M3. Instead of focusing on the numbers, they focus on the driving dynamics and I'm sure most will say they are very happy to have an M3 over a 335.
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      01-22-2019, 11:44 AM   #13
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This guy is in the Forums too but he has a YouTube channel and he talks about the move from his 335i to E92 M3.

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      01-22-2019, 07:01 PM   #14
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Would you guys say a majority of the benefits from going from a 335 to an m3 is track related ? I've always wanted an m3 , I've been through 2 335s and I'm ready for an upgrade
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      01-22-2019, 07:17 PM   #15
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If you pull up to a stop light and in front of you there's an E92 M3 sitting next to a 335i, which grabs your attention?

While that same 335i could pull ahead from the M3, will you care? Or will you listen as 8 individual throttle bodies consume the atmosphere and blast a siren song from its quad trumpets all the way to 8400 RPM.

The M3 will take some getting used to. You'll have to learn the torque curve, the steering feel, and the gearing. You'll have to put in the work to understand how it's engineered to reach its full potential. The 335 is easy to get in, press the pedal and with gobs of torque you're off. The M3 requires a proper warm up, the right suspension, engine, and gear settings. To drive one is an experience, and an incredible one at that.

I've used this analogy before but it stands true: just like a new relationship, you have to learn what makes her tick. If you date just an average girl you may get away with leaving your dirty laundry on the floor, playing video games on a Friday night, and expecting dinner on the table. But if you date a perfect 10, you will have to clean up after yourself, take her to proper dinners on your dime, and put in the effort or she will get bored.

Put in the effort, learn what makes the M3 tick, and you will enjoy it far more than your 335. I am certain you will never look back.

Last edited by MrGatsby; 01-23-2019 at 04:27 PM..
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      01-22-2019, 07:27 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Averdi View Post
Would you guys say a majority of the benefits from going from a 335 to an m3 is track related ? I've always wanted an m3 , I've been through 2 335s and I'm ready for an upgrade
I wouldn't say that at all - the M3 is about the complete experience - it will always feel and drive more special than a non-M.

However - I would say that the E9XM isn't for everyone and it's certainly not suited to certain environments. So it depends on A) your own preferences and B) how you will use the car most often.

I can tell you that if you mostly use the car in the city/urban areas it's probably not the best choice. Yes, it's very cool and very visceral but it is very hard to really experience what it has to offer in that environment because to truly enjoy an E9XM you have to be more or less driving it flat out - when driven flat out it's unequaled by any other M car to date. If you are either not interested in driving it near the limit regularly OR are simply unable to then it *may* be unsatisfying.
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      01-22-2019, 08:41 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrGatsby View Post
If you pull up to a stop light and in front of you there's an E92 M3 sitting next to a 335i, which grabs your attention?

...

Put in the effort, learn what makes the M3 tick, and you will enjoy it far more than your 335. I am certain you will never look back.
This is really what it comes down to, and I've seen it said each time this thread topic comes up; no one here wants to trade in their M3 for a 335.

(Except the couple of guys who think it's not good for city driving, which doesn't make sense to me.)

I'll even take it a step further and say that I would never have traded my E46 M3 for E92 335. If you're just looking at torque and 0-60, your missing most of the point of the M.

Last edited by jd501; 01-22-2019 at 08:48 PM..
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      01-22-2019, 08:55 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jd501 View Post
This is really what it comes down to, and I've seen it said each time this thread topic comes up; no one here wants to trade in their M3 for a 335.

(Except the couple of guys who think it's not good for city driving, which doesn't make sense to me.)

I'll even take it a step further and say that I would never have traded my E46 M3 for E92 335. If you're just looking at torque and 0-60, your missing most of the point of the M.
Makes perfect sense. This car is a Jekyll/Hyde. It must be driven in heat to be enjoyable.... it's SO SO SO good when pushed that not pushing it can seem pretty mundane and it is hard to push, really push, in normal life. It needs to be out on the open road/canyon runs/track/etc.

I would never trade my E46 M3 for a 335, either. But I'm an M3 guy... always have been. Never considered the 335. OP is obviously not that and so I'm giving him very candid, fair input so that he makes the right choice, for him. It's okay for us to be honest - every car has it's strengths and weaknesses and it should be okay, on a forum, to openly discuss both sides.
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      01-22-2019, 10:07 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCal24 View Post
This guy is in the Forums too but he has a YouTube channel and he talks about the move from his 335i to E92 M3.

I immediately thought of this same video when I read the OPs question. This guy literally got the same color and I think year. His points on the differences are well made too.
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      01-22-2019, 11:38 PM   #20
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Had a e92 335 before my ///M and in the twisties is where you can feel a big difference. Straight line the low end torque of the 335 makes it feel faster initially but the high revving v8 feels like warp speed at 6-8k.

Also the LSD, beefier suspension, and wider track make the car handle 2-3x better around corners and gives you amazing confidence.

The linear power band lets you to easily modulate the throttle so with the LSD u can have higher corner speeds and exit speeds as well.

I always think of getting another 335 as a highway monster tho which is what it is.
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      01-22-2019, 11:58 PM   #21
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There's really no comparison. Get the M.
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      01-23-2019, 03:12 AM   #22
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I drove my friend 335i modes and everything. It was good and fast but once I bought my M3 it was totally different animal.
I also, could’ve bought F80/M2/M4 or C43/C63 but the 2013 E92 V8 just different and it was the car that I’ve always wanted to own.
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