Drove new M3 on the track, and it was...

j28s · 05-29-2008, 12:13 PM

grand. The car is just shy of perfect on the track. I have a 335i with PSS9s, UUC adj swaybars, more power than stock (just leave it at that). I have aligned my car, and I've corner weighted my car. I have had my car on the track numerous times....enough that I'm on my 3rd set of brake pads this year, and new street tires and new track tires are going to have to purchesed next month.

The difference between the two cars is night and day. I have no idea why people are saying that the 335i is faster than the M3...to put it blunt, there is no fucking way. The M3 was 100% stock and had 2,700 miles on it. The car brakes better than mine, the car handles (suspension) much better than mine, the car accelerates much better than mine, the car accelerates out of turns a whole hell of a lot better than mine, etc. The great thing about the car is the electronic adjustablity from inside the car, very cool. The clutch took me a bit to get use to, but once I did...the transmission is fantastic. BMW really did the homework on this one! With the MDM on, coming out of turns gave the perfect amount of slip (tire spin) to get the rear of the car to rotate and perfect timing to hookup. The perfect spot for the throttle response was on sport...sport plus resulted in a bit more rotation than desired. We had the suspension on the sport mode and it felt good so I didn't mess with that. But the suspension did fell different in different portions of the track. I would almost say there was different compression rates when comparing to slower, sharper turns when compared to faster, sweeping turns. The LSD is awesome. Granted there has to be some other factors (electronic) related to the LSD than just a LSD, since the acceleration from the middle of the apex to the end of the apex was smooth and continuous. You could put more power to the ground without more slip (not sure how to explain this one).

All in all, yes, the car is worth every penny. And yes, while I may drive a lot, I may have one by 2009.

M2381 · 05-29-2008, 12:22 PM

Glad to hear it!

AwesomeM3 · 05-29-2008, 12:41 PM

Nice! Thanks for the write up!

phoenixbmwlife · 05-29-2008, 12:56 PM

Yeh that's what makes an M an M. Your 335i ddin't have an LSD right?

spike357 · 05-29-2008, 01:05 PM

Amen, brother! I took mine to the track 6 weeks ago and it was a religious experience.

JEllis · 05-29-2008, 01:05 PM

Nice... Its good to hear from someone that has a modded 335

Dascamel · 05-29-2008, 01:26 PM

Sweet, good to hear.

What did you think of the brakes, some of the reviews are ripping them, how did they feel in the real world and even compared to your previous runs with the 335i?

Davinhci · 05-29-2008, 01:29 PM

Awesome, finally a 335 owner that this not a hater.

ersin · 05-29-2008, 01:58 PM

Uh oh. Better hide this thread from the M3 haters too.

stressdoc · 05-29-2008, 02:40 PM

I wonder if the LSD is a big part of the difference (he says, hopefully... knowing he can't afford the M3, but has a Quaife in his garage waiting to be installed)

sayemthree · 05-29-2008, 02:46 PM

nice - what track?

ase2dais · 05-29-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j28s

grand. The car is just shy of perfect on the track. I have a 335i with PSS9s, UUC adj swaybars, more power than stock (just leave it at that). I have aligned my car, and I've corner weighted my car. I have had my car on the track numerous times....enough that I'm on my 3rd set of brake pads this year, and new street tires and new track tires are going to have to purchesed next month.

The difference between the two cars is night and day. I have no idea why people are saying that the 335i is faster than the M3...to put it blunt, there is no fucking way. The M3 was 100% stock and had 2,700 miles on it. The car brakes better than mine, the car handles (suspension) much better than mine, the car accelerates much better than mine, the car accelerates out of turns a whole hell of a lot better than mine, etc. The great thing about the car is the electronic adjustablity from inside the car, very cool. The clutch took me a bit to get use to, but once I did...the transmission is fantastic. BMW really did the homework on this one! With the MDM on, coming out of turns gave the perfect amount of slip (tire spin) to get the rear of the car to rotate and perfect timing to hookup. The perfect spot for the throttle response was on sport...sport plus resulted in a bit more rotation than desired. We had the suspension on the sport mode and it felt good so I didn't mess with that. But the suspension did fell different in different portions of the track. I would almost say there was different compression rates when comparing to slower, sharper turns when compared to faster, sweeping turns. The LSD is awesome. Granted there has to be some other factors (electronic) related to the LSD than just a LSD, since the acceleration from the middle of the apex to the end of the apex was smooth and continuous. You could put more power to the ground without more slip (not sure how to explain this one).

All in all, yes, the car is worth every penny. And yes, while I may drive a lot, I may have one by 2009.

WOW! another believer

.... anymore Ayslum seekers ?

consolidated · 05-29-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I wonder if the LSD is a big part of the difference (he says, hopefully... knowing he can't afford the M3, but has a Quaife in his garage waiting to be installed)

Is the Quaife for the 335 a torque biasing or a limited slip differential?

ersin · 05-29-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I wonder if the LSD is a big part of the difference (he says, hopefully... knowing he can't afford the M3, but has a Quaife in his garage waiting to be installed)

It's a part of it. But there are other things like an almost whole new chassis, non-runflat Michelin PS2's, etc. Plus, I doubt there is a turbo engine out there that can compete with the S65 for sweetness. More power perhaps, but they just cannot match the response of a good NA engine, and the S65 is one of the best. And the sound ...

!Xoible · 05-29-2008, 03:20 PM

great review! coming from a modded 335 (pretty much what u had) i 100% concur! even with upgraded suspension UUC adjustable sway bars the difference was still day and night in terms of handling, and steering. the 335 will give u the jolt of power coming out of a corner especially in the deadly 2nd gear, but soon the 335 will feel limited at the higher RPM's. the M3 doesnt.

too bad my friends decided to track on the day of my cousin's wedding. i was dreaming about june nasa track day

for the record doing spirited driving in M3 in rain i spun out in MDM. it still grabbed the car back but it was already too late. my body hurt after a few corners with MDM even tho i had the seat grab me as tight as possible.

good review. i love you already

ohsnap · 05-29-2008, 03:26 PM

nice read! i have test driven the m3 three times now and absolutely love it. i would definitely agree, its a totally different drive! the handling is simply amazing compared to my 335i (kw v2, h&r sways) and the engine is so damn smooth.. i wish i had one

ruff · 05-29-2008, 04:06 PM

IMO, the real advantage an M3 has over a 335, modded or stock, is it's fantastic LSD. Best LSD on the market. Increase the power all you want with the 335 and it rather quickly becomes counterproductive due to the accompanying increase in wheel spin. A stock 335 is greatly hampered by run flats in regards to both performance and ride quality. It is quite remarkable how well the 335 rides and performs considering it is saddled with such poor rubber.

BTW, if the OP would of praised the 335 in comparison to the M, he would of been blasted by those dishing out praise.

adc · 05-29-2008, 04:20 PM

I didn't drive the M3 on track, but it was easy to notice how much better traction it has compared to a 335i SP (on non-runflats). It was so confidence-inspiring that I immediately set the power to Sport, EDC on stiffest and DSC off and never felt any need to bring the nannies back.

Hey OP, sell me your used front brake pads, if you have track/race pads...

I need a set to hold me over at Oktoberfest at Watkins Glen...

Sedan_Clan · 05-29-2008, 04:24 PM

It's good to hear the perspective of somebody with a modded 335.

mkoesel · 05-29-2008, 05:16 PM

Whoa this thread has 40k views? WTF?

!Xoible · 05-29-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Whoa this thread has 40k views? WTF?

19 replies hahaha

all the E90post people too bro. it's a huge forum over there.

Jack28 · 05-29-2008, 05:34 PM

Great write up! Thanks

05-29-2008, 12:13 PM	#1
j28s Private First Class 17 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2008 335i - 6mt - Sedan Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Drove new M3 on the track, and it was... grand. The car is just shy of perfect on the track. I have a 335i with PSS9s, UUC adj swaybars, more power than stock (just leave it at that). I have aligned my car, and I've corner weighted my car. I have had my car on the track numerous times....enough that I'm on my 3rd set of brake pads this year, and new street tires and new track tires are going to have to purchesed next month. The difference between the two cars is night and day. I have no idea why people are saying that the 335i is faster than the M3...to put it blunt, there is no fucking way. The M3 was 100% stock and had 2,700 miles on it. The car brakes better than mine, the car handles (suspension) much better than mine, the car accelerates much better than mine, the car accelerates out of turns a whole hell of a lot better than mine, etc. The great thing about the car is the electronic adjustablity from inside the car, very cool. The clutch took me a bit to get use to, but once I did...the transmission is fantastic. BMW really did the homework on this one! With the MDM on, coming out of turns gave the perfect amount of slip (tire spin) to get the rear of the car to rotate and perfect timing to hookup. The perfect spot for the throttle response was on sport...sport plus resulted in a bit more rotation than desired. We had the suspension on the sport mode and it felt good so I didn't mess with that. But the suspension did fell different in different portions of the track. I would almost say there was different compression rates when comparing to slower, sharper turns when compared to faster, sweeping turns. The LSD is awesome. Granted there has to be some other factors (electronic) related to the LSD than just a LSD, since the acceleration from the middle of the apex to the end of the apex was smooth and continuous. You could put more power to the ground without more slip (not sure how to explain this one). All in all, yes, the car is worth every penny. And yes, while I may drive a lot, I may have one by 2009. __________________ e90 335i - PSS9, UUC Adj Swaybars, Borla Catback, Toyo RA1, blah blah blah blah... Racing is an addiction that can only be cured by poverty. Background: SCCA and NASA PRO Racing
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05-29-2008, 12:22 PM	#2
M2381 Major 32 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: E92 M3, GTI Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Glad to hear it!
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05-29-2008, 12:41 PM	#3
AwesomeM3 Colonel 1641 Rep 2,775 Posts Drives: F95 X5MC Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 M [10.00] 2020 BMW X5M Compet ... [0.00] 2008 M3 [10.00]	Nice! Thanks for the write up! __________________ 2020 F95 X5///M Competition CarBahn Autoworks Stage 1 \| 2023 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica
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05-29-2008, 12:56 PM	#4
phoenixbmwlife Brigadier General 1913 Rep 4,128 Posts Drives: M235i & G30 540i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boynton Beach iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW/M235i [0.00]	Yeh that's what makes an M an M. Your 335i ddin't have an LSD right? __________________ Lack of money is not the problem. It is merely a symptom of what's going on inside of you! - T Harv Eker Follow me on Insta https://www.instagram.com/bmwm_life_/ https://www.instagram.com/autogiftua/ https://www.instagram.com/phoenixbmwlife/
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05-29-2008, 01:05 PM	#5
spike357 Private First Class 9 Rep 157 Posts Drives: The 1st 2008 e92 M3 in NV Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 e92 M3 [0.00]	Amen, brother! I took mine to the track 6 weeks ago and it was a religious experience.
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05-29-2008, 01:05 PM	#6
JEllis Major General 532 Rep 5,498 Posts Drives: E36 M3, E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth iTrader: (4)	Nice... Its good to hear from someone that has a modded 335 __________________ Instagram: jellismotorwerks
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05-29-2008, 01:26 PM	#7
Dascamel Lieutenant Colonel 48 Rep 1,664 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3, 2010 e91 328i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA iTrader: (0)	Sweet, good to hear. What did you think of the brakes, some of the reviews are ripping them, how did they feel in the real world and even compared to your previous runs with the 335i? __________________ 2008 E92 M3 Jerez Black,DCT,Fox Red ext,Prem,Tech,19", ipod/usb, CF roof and trim 2010 E91 328i Space Gray,Black int, M sport, most options 2007 Montego Blue 335i (retired)
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05-29-2008, 01:29 PM	#8
Davinhci Colonel 55 Rep 2,484 Posts Drives: 08 M3 E92 & 08 E70 X5 4.8 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (6) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Awesome, finally a 335 owner that this not a hater. __________________ 08 E92 AW M3 \| HRE P40 19" \| APE Air Filter \| BMW Performance Grills \| White Side Gills \| CF Mirror Covers \| BMW Performance Pedals \| F1 Pinnacle Tint \| V1 Hardwire \| Dinan Performance Software \| Gintani Exhaust \| H&R Sports Springs \| RPI Scoops \| BMW CF Spoiler \| Challenge Diffuser \| Lux H8 V3 \| LCI Tail Lights \|
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05-29-2008, 01:58 PM	#9
ersin Brigadier General 126 Rep 4,145 Posts Drives: 17 YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	Uh oh. Better hide this thread from the M3 haters too. __________________ 2017 F80 YMB.
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05-29-2008, 02:40 PM	#10
stressdoc Moderator 618 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	I wonder if the LSD is a big part of the difference (he says, hopefully... knowing he can't afford the M3, but has a Quaife in his garage waiting to be installed) __________________ My recent ED photos: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1026808 my not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279
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05-29-2008, 02:46 PM	#11
sayemthree Major General 597 Rep 5,448 Posts Drives: ‘20 X3mC ‘20 Raptor ‘04 X3 6mt Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa so cal , AZ iTrader: (0)	nice - what track? __________________ Fore Sale Rare 6 speed manual X3 3.oi silver over grey. PM me
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05-29-2008, 03:20 PM	#15
!Xoible Banned 832 Rep 46,029 Posts Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [4.00] 2007 335i [9.00] 2008 528i [8.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [8.00]	great review! coming from a modded 335 (pretty much what u had) i 100% concur! even with upgraded suspension UUC adjustable sway bars the difference was still day and night in terms of handling, and steering. the 335 will give u the jolt of power coming out of a corner especially in the deadly 2nd gear, but soon the 335 will feel limited at the higher RPM's. the M3 doesnt. too bad my friends decided to track on the day of my cousin's wedding. i was dreaming about june nasa track day for the record doing spirited driving in M3 in rain i spun out in MDM. it still grabbed the car back but it was already too late. my body hurt after a few corners with MDM even tho i had the seat grab me as tight as possible. good review. i love you already
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05-29-2008, 03:26 PM	#16
ohsnap Lieutenant 26 Rep 582 Posts Drives: 08 E90 AW 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Seattle iTrader: (6) Garage List 2008 E90 335i [0.00]	nice read! i have test driven the m3 three times now and absolutely love it. i would definitely agree, its a totally different drive! the handling is simply amazing compared to my 335i (kw v2, h&r sways) and the engine is so damn smooth.. i wish i had one __________________ \| M-Tech Kit \| M-Sport Wheel \| M-Sport Shifter & E-Brake \| Blacklines \| JB3 PnP \| BMC Drop-In \| Zeck M-CDV \| MTech H7 \| Luminics HB4 \| LUX 4.0 \| \| 30% Tint \| OEM Alum Pedals \| Matte Black Kidneys \| KW V2 \| H&R Sways \| 18" SSR Type C RS \| Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec \|
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05-29-2008, 04:06 PM	#17
ruff Conspicuous consumption 99 Rep 1,183 Posts Drives: 987 S .2, Lemond Zurich Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The mountains of Utah iTrader: (0)	IMO, the real advantage an M3 has over a 335, modded or stock, is it's fantastic LSD. Best LSD on the market. Increase the power all you want with the 335 and it rather quickly becomes counterproductive due to the accompanying increase in wheel spin. A stock 335 is greatly hampered by run flats in regards to both performance and ride quality. It is quite remarkable how well the 335 rides and performs considering it is saddled with such poor rubber. BTW, if the OP would of praised the 335 in comparison to the M, he would of been blasted by those dishing out praise.
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05-29-2008, 04:20 PM	#18
adc Major General 2750 Rep 6,759 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: MD/DC iTrader: (12)	I didn't drive the M3 on track, but it was easy to notice how much better traction it has compared to a 335i SP (on non-runflats). It was so confidence-inspiring that I immediately set the power to Sport, EDC on stiffest and DSC off and never felt any need to bring the nannies back. Hey OP, sell me your used front brake pads, if you have track/race pads... I need a set to hold me over at Oktoberfest at Watkins Glen...
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05-29-2008, 04:24 PM	#19
Sedan_Clan Law Enforcer 25017 Rep 22,269 Posts Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ..in your rearview!!! iTrader: (26)	It's good to hear the perspective of somebody with a modded 335.
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05-29-2008, 05:16 PM	#20
mkoesel Moderator 7510 Rep 19,370 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	Whoa this thread has 40k views? WTF?
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05-29-2008, 05:34 PM	#22
Jack28 HUSTLER 14 Rep 1,317 Posts Drives: E46 M3-E92 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: So/Ca Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Great write up! Thanks __________________ E92 M3 ZCP- AW/FR w/Extended Leather) Packages: ZCP, 6MT, Fully Loaded E46 M3 - AW/IR 6 Spd, Fully Loaded. 19'' BBS LM DBK, V-CSL C/F Bmpr, Botld, Diff, V-CSL Custum IR-CF Center Counsel, V-GTR Hood, Dixis Ti 76mm, Meisterschaft Ti Sec. 1&2, EvoSport Headers, CAI, D/A Chip, tck d/a, Alcantera Headliner with Imola Red Sttitching....
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