E92 M3 or M135i
Discussion
M135i reaches 320lb/ft at 1800 RPM and holds it for most of the rev range, so it probably would pull well.
The biggest criticism (especially for the guys putting it on a track) is the steering being lacking in feel (can't say I noticed on a test drive, it was certainly better than the golf R I also drove), but the yanks have figured out you can use F8x control arms on a 235, thus also on a 135. One of the blokes on babybmw has just done the mod, gives more camber, thus better feel etc. Apparently uprated anti roll bars on the rear are a good mod for track days too.
BMW sell a plate style diff, keeps warranty intact and is an outright purchase, allowing for removal when the car is sold.
Quaife do a torque bias one on exchange basis (ring gear has to be cut off & re-welded).
Wavetrac do their diff, again on exchange basis.
IIRC they are all a similar cost.
The biggest criticism (especially for the guys putting it on a track) is the steering being lacking in feel (can't say I noticed on a test drive, it was certainly better than the golf R I also drove), but the yanks have figured out you can use F8x control arms on a 235, thus also on a 135. One of the blokes on babybmw has just done the mod, gives more camber, thus better feel etc. Apparently uprated anti roll bars on the rear are a good mod for track days too.
BMW sell a plate style diff, keeps warranty intact and is an outright purchase, allowing for removal when the car is sold.
Quaife do a torque bias one on exchange basis (ring gear has to be cut off & re-welded).
Wavetrac do their diff, again on exchange basis.
IIRC they are all a similar cost.
OP
Have you ever owned a Na V8 dry sump engine?
Do you like to work the power unit really hard to unlock its hidden gems
It's likely the M3 V8 will become less of a car to use as a daily before not too long as such it's knid of now or never.
Do you like synthesised engine induction and exhaust noise or the real deal?
Do you like LSD as Std
Have you owned an M3 before.
YOLO what's the worst that can happen? Go for the V8 enjoy it for s year then get something else.
Have you ever owned a Na V8 dry sump engine?
Do you like to work the power unit really hard to unlock its hidden gems
It's likely the M3 V8 will become less of a car to use as a daily before not too long as such it's knid of now or never.
Do you like synthesised engine induction and exhaust noise or the real deal?
Do you like LSD as Std
Have you owned an M3 before.
YOLO what's the worst that can happen? Go for the V8 enjoy it for s year then get something else.
I was in the same situation and chose the M3: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...
Having owned it for 1.5 months and 3000 km, I am convinced I made the right choice. That engine is very special and coupled with the DCT it is not lacking in torque and its linear power delivery with that extra buss at the top end is something to be experienced - there will not be another like it, excepting the RS5 and GT3s.
But do drive both, it is of course a personal choice.
Having owned it for 1.5 months and 3000 km, I am convinced I made the right choice. That engine is very special and coupled with the DCT it is not lacking in torque and its linear power delivery with that extra buss at the top end is something to be experienced - there will not be another like it, excepting the RS5 and GT3s.
But do drive both, it is of course a personal choice.
Welshbeef said:
OP
Have you ever owned a Na V8 dry sump engine?
No. Have you ever owned a Na V8 dry sump engine?
Welshbeef said:
Do you like to work the power unit really hard to unlock its hidden gems
Yes 
Welshbeef said:
It's likely the M3 V8 will become less of a car to use as a daily before not too long as such it's knid of now or never.
True!Welshbeef said:
Do you like synthesised engine induction and exhaust noise or the real deal?
... come on now...Welshbeef said:
Do you like LSD as Std
Oh yes Welshbeef said:
Have you owned an M3 before.
NoWelshbeef said:
YOLO what's the worst that can happen? Go for the V8 enjoy it for s year then get something else.
I like your style sir. 
I have an M135i, which I got new last June. Before that I had a lightly used E92 M3 for two years (bought with 15k on the clock).
I would agree with most of your pros and cons. So it depends what you want from the car.
The M3 feels special, whereas the M135i doesn't really.
The M3 does feel tauter and is much easier to slide around (if that's your thing). Not tried an M135i with an LSD though.
The M3 makes lots of nice noise especially when you get the obligatory 'OEM exhaust mod'. M135i sounds ok.
M3 turns heads (see OEM exhaust mod above), M135i is invisible (sometimes a good thing).
The M3 has to be worked hard to get the most performance out of it as it loves to rev.
The M135i pulls hard from any revs, so is a better real world car. In reality, I don't think there is much in it performance wise.
M135i has better brakes!
The M135i tech is MUCH better especially if you get Pro Nav.
I borrowed an M4 for a couple of days and will most likely be getting a used example (M3 or M4) when the prices dip a bit more (maybe 12 months time).
I would agree with most of your pros and cons. So it depends what you want from the car.
The M3 feels special, whereas the M135i doesn't really.
The M3 does feel tauter and is much easier to slide around (if that's your thing). Not tried an M135i with an LSD though.
The M3 makes lots of nice noise especially when you get the obligatory 'OEM exhaust mod'. M135i sounds ok.
M3 turns heads (see OEM exhaust mod above), M135i is invisible (sometimes a good thing).
The M3 has to be worked hard to get the most performance out of it as it loves to rev.
The M135i pulls hard from any revs, so is a better real world car. In reality, I don't think there is much in it performance wise.
M135i has better brakes!
The M135i tech is MUCH better especially if you get Pro Nav.
I borrowed an M4 for a couple of days and will most likely be getting a used example (M3 or M4) when the prices dip a bit more (maybe 12 months time).
I found a nice, very clean '08 M3 with 26000 miles for well below £30000 close to me and contacted the owner but I'm still conflicted.
Ideally I'd want the stealth, dimensions, running costs and torque from the M135i with the "specialness" and sound of the M3. The M2 may be close to that but I expect pricing will be quite up there.
M3/M4 is great too, I test drove one at launch and was astonished by the torque. The engine sound wasn't so great but the upsides far outweigh the downsides for a daily driver, it's just far more than I'd like to spend at the moment. A new M4 is £80k after taxes over here and that's Cayman GT4 territory...
Isn't surprising how that little hatch is so close to the old "hero car" in outright performance? In the end it's still a very good hot hatch while the M3 is an icon to me and a bucket list item I'd like to tick.
Without having test driven the two, the heart says M3 but the head says M135i.
Ideally I'd want the stealth, dimensions, running costs and torque from the M135i with the "specialness" and sound of the M3. The M2 may be close to that but I expect pricing will be quite up there.
M3/M4 is great too, I test drove one at launch and was astonished by the torque. The engine sound wasn't so great but the upsides far outweigh the downsides for a daily driver, it's just far more than I'd like to spend at the moment. A new M4 is £80k after taxes over here and that's Cayman GT4 territory...
Isn't surprising how that little hatch is so close to the old "hero car" in outright performance? In the end it's still a very good hot hatch while the M3 is an icon to me and a bucket list item I'd like to tick.
Without having test driven the two, the heart says M3 but the head says M135i.
EricE said:
I found a nice, very clean '08 M3 with 26000 miles for well below £30000 close to me and contacted the owner but I'm still conflicted.
Ideally I'd want the stealth, dimensions, running costs and torque from the M135i with the "specialness" and sound of the M3. The M2 may be close to that but I expect pricing will be quite up there.
M3/M4 is great too, I test drove one at launch and was astonished by the torque. The engine sound wasn't so great but the upsides far outweigh the downsides for a daily driver, it's just far more than I'd like to spend at the moment. A new M4 is £80k after taxes over here and that's Cayman GT4 territory...
Isn't surprising how that little hatch is so close to the old "hero car" in outright performance? In the end it's still a very good hot hatch while the M3 is an icon to me and a bucket list item I'd like to tick.
Without having test driven the two, the heart says M3 but the head says M135i.
Thing is, the M3 is still a pretty sensible car - it's totally practical, likely to be very reliable, 4 proper seats etc. It will be fine in traffic, on motorways, on backroads. Ideally I'd want the stealth, dimensions, running costs and torque from the M135i with the "specialness" and sound of the M3. The M2 may be close to that but I expect pricing will be quite up there.
M3/M4 is great too, I test drove one at launch and was astonished by the torque. The engine sound wasn't so great but the upsides far outweigh the downsides for a daily driver, it's just far more than I'd like to spend at the moment. A new M4 is £80k after taxes over here and that's Cayman GT4 territory...
Isn't surprising how that little hatch is so close to the old "hero car" in outright performance? In the end it's still a very good hot hatch while the M3 is an icon to me and a bucket list item I'd like to tick.
Without having test driven the two, the heart says M3 but the head says M135i.
It's not like your head says m135 but you heart says Caterham or classic Vette. There's nothing the M135 can do that the M3 can't (well, apart from 35mpg!)
What you need, chap, is a 1M 
Except for the V8, it combines the pros of both the M3 and the M135i very well indeed, and definitely has that "specialness" mentioned above.
But if it's a choice between the e92 and the 135i, I'd choose the e92. The V8 really is a superb engine and, having owned two of them, I really never thought it wanted for torque. That said, they do suit the DCT box better than manual, IMHO.
The size thing is over-played, in my view. The chassis really is ace. Having enjoyed a "spirited drive" around north Wales in the company of two CSLs and a Z3MC, the heavy old heffalump of an e92 acquitted itself very well indeed.
Except for the V8, it combines the pros of both the M3 and the M135i very well indeed, and definitely has that "specialness" mentioned above.But if it's a choice between the e92 and the 135i, I'd choose the e92. The V8 really is a superb engine and, having owned two of them, I really never thought it wanted for torque. That said, they do suit the DCT box better than manual, IMHO.
The size thing is over-played, in my view. The chassis really is ace. Having enjoyed a "spirited drive" around north Wales in the company of two CSLs and a Z3MC, the heavy old heffalump of an e92 acquitted itself very well indeed.
I opted for the M135i because it's a hatchback. I'd have preferred the M3 to drive though.
Things that frustrate me about the M135i include:
- Lack of LSD. When the rears are both spinning together in a straight line it feels like weird individual wheel braking is going on even though the DSC is all off.
- Turning off the DSC takes nearly 5 seconds, which is a long way at NSL speeds.
- Hitting the brakes hard causes the hazard warning lights to come on.
- Turbo lag. Off throttle at 4 or 5k, re-apply and it takes maybe half a second to get back to full boost again, which is fast, but has nothing like the immediacy of the M3's V8. I think this really detracts from the driving pleasure.
- It's more understeery than the M3, though increasing the rear tyre pressures to around 43psi makes it more neutral.
Things that frustrate me about the M135i include:
- Lack of LSD. When the rears are both spinning together in a straight line it feels like weird individual wheel braking is going on even though the DSC is all off.
- Turning off the DSC takes nearly 5 seconds, which is a long way at NSL speeds.
- Hitting the brakes hard causes the hazard warning lights to come on.
- Turbo lag. Off throttle at 4 or 5k, re-apply and it takes maybe half a second to get back to full boost again, which is fast, but has nothing like the immediacy of the M3's V8. I think this really detracts from the driving pleasure.
- It's more understeery than the M3, though increasing the rear tyre pressures to around 43psi makes it more neutral.
Eric, I test drove them back to back, something you might want to consider, and concur with most of the folks here.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Of particular note, I don't understand why a M3's performance is less useable on a day to day basis, after these test drives I returned to my old E46 325ci and found that out performed the majority of ordinary "family hatch-craps and disease-hells" that crowd our roads.
Go with "your heart," aka the M3, unless you deep down prefer the M135i, smaller, cheaper to run, stealthy....and still a bloody good car in its own right
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Of particular note, I don't understand why a M3's performance is less useable on a day to day basis, after these test drives I returned to my old E46 325ci and found that out performed the majority of ordinary "family hatch-craps and disease-hells" that crowd our roads.
Go with "your heart," aka the M3, unless you deep down prefer the M135i, smaller, cheaper to run, stealthy....and still a bloody good car in its own right
I had the same decision as you back in January. Needed a practical, 4 door car which I could track a few times a year.
Went for the M3 as I figured opportunities to buy a mental V8 wouldn't come along very often in the future and it will hopefully be worth more than the M135i in a few years.
The petrol tank is highly annoying, and the sat nav is useless, but still 100% happy I made the right choice.
Went for the M3 as I figured opportunities to buy a mental V8 wouldn't come along very often in the future and it will hopefully be worth more than the M135i in a few years.
The petrol tank is highly annoying, and the sat nav is useless, but still 100% happy I made the right choice.
Welshbeef said:
YOLO what's the worst that can happen?
You buy the E92 M3 and wonder why you bothered because you got sucked into the blinkered hype that surrounds it! 
As a daily it would be the M135i all day long for me but as a car to use occasionally to find that right road at the right time to enjoy what the V8 is good at then that's when the M3 does hit the spot.
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